It’s easy to find yourself drawn to the pure and glorious beauty of natural stones. Rich in color, diversity and design, natural stone can completely transform your living area when used as part of your home design. It’s a great way to bring elegance, style, and sophistication to your home.
The benefits of Natural stone surely don’t just end with aesthetics and visual appeal. This material is incredibly durable, effective and affordable. Natural stones were used as a primary building material in ancient times. While there is a wide variety of cement or concrete-based alternatives available today, natural stone still remains in the category of top favorite home decor materials.
Particularly with the advances in technology to manipulate natural stone, it is bound to remain a top option for home designers and homeowners alike. Perhaps you have already set your sights on natural stone as the main part of your next home renovation project. However, before coming to any conclusions, making the right selection and picking a natural stone that blends in your home is important.
Let’s take a look at these wonderful tips on how to select the best natural stone for your home. These tips may prove extremely useful in making the right decision:
Tip 1 –Understand the Classifications of Natural Stones
There are two types of Natural stones, siliceous stones and calcareous stones.
Siliceous Stones: Siliceous stones consist of a large percentage of silica and sand. Siliceous stones look stunning, due to the presence of quartz and many other minerals. These stones are enriched with several variations of grains, veins, colors and textures. These stones are strong, hard and dense which makes them a great choice for outdoor areas.
Calcareous Stones: Calcareous stones are made from calcites and calcium compounds. They are porous and quite soft in nature. These stones consist of marble which is also very rich in a variety of colors, grains and textures. These stones are best for use in inside areas such as floors, walls, and columns.
These stones including marble are more prone to stains because of their porous nature. Marbles often require care and regular maintenance as compared to siliceous stones.
Tip 2 –Identify Areas for Natural Stone Installation
You must pick the type of natural stone depending on the area where you wish them to be installed. For example,
- home interior
- Your exteriors
- For Structural Elements
- For Architectural Elements
Soft and calcareous types of stones are the best candidates for indoor applications whereas siliceous or strong/tough types of stones are a good choice for outdoor and landscaping applications.
Tip 3 –Select The Right Stone Finish
Always choose the right finish for your stone according to the use and area you want it to be installed. Polished and shiny stone finish is suitable for a low usage area such as a living room or an area where you want to impress your guests.
Natural stones are available in a wide range of finishes such as :
- Polished
- Tumbled
- Honed
- Hammered
- Sandblasted
- Flamed
Consult with Stone Wholesalers your stone specialists to find out which stone best suits which area.
Tip 4 –Choose Natural Stones According to Weather
Outdoor areas are highly impacted by tough weather conditions all year long. Extreme heat, humidity, water, sun and other climatic conditions can have a negative impact on the life and appearance of natural stone.
You should consider selecting a natural stone according to the climatic conditions in your region. Most of the siliceous stones except slates are strong enough to withstand any type of climate. Similarly, calcareous stones such as limestone and travertine tiles & pavers can also bear extreme weather conditions and can also be used in outdoor areas.
Tip 5 –Pick Natural Stones According to Your Design
You should select a natural stone that completely matches and fits the interior and exterior theme of your house. For the right choice of natural stone according to your theme, consult an interior designer or architect.
There are a number of designs and looks available for you to choose from such as rustic, casual, warm, elegant and more. Different stones have different colors and shades to blend into your design theme. â €
Tip 6 –Choose Natural Stones That Add Value to Your Home
Aesthetic beauty and durability of natural stone can add great value to your house.
Tip 7 –Select Natural Stones According to Their Durability
Overall strength, toughness and thickness are some factors to look for when selecting a stone for your home. This technical knowledge will help you buy the right stone for your home.
There are simple tests to calculate the longevity of natural stones, and you can use simple tools.
Tip 8–Pick Natural Stones that are easy to Maintain
You should choose stones that require minimum maintenance such as easy cleaning. Stone finish determines how easily you can wash or wipe any stone while applying a chemical sealer that protects the stone from absorbing any stains. Calcareous stones are susceptible to acid, whereas siliceous stones can withstand pH variations to some degree.
Similarly, outdoor paving and other stone applications require only tough and durable stones, and need regular maintenance to maintain their looks. In brief, you need to plan your home maintenance plan, keeping in mind the type of natural stone used in your outdoor or indoor areas.
Tip 9- Select a Natural Stone that’s Tough, Stylish and Affordable
Always select a stone that is durable, visually appealing and affordable at the same time. Always consult with an expert such as Stone Wholesalers to find out the options that are available according to your budget.
Stone Wholesalers can assist you in choosing the best natural stone for your home according to your needs. Usually stone sellers provide free stone consultancy advice to support new buyers or even experienced contractors.
