Different Applications for Natural Stone

Whether in a residential or commercial setting, natural stone products—from Travertine to special gem lines like Antolini Precioustones—add a touch of uniqueness and distinction to any space. But you may not know that when making the choice to install natural stone, the purpose that the stone will be put to can actually play a major role in what you should select. Not only for aesthetic purposes, but also to make maintenance and care easier, certain types of natural stone simply perform better than others in certain settings. While this guide is far from exhaustive, it can give you an idea of what to pick—or what to suggest to someone who is making the decision to incorporate natural stone into their home or business.

Best Stones for Floors and Walls

There are many excellent choices for incorporating natural stone into floors and walls. For example, Travertine, with its (usually) warm color and almost hypnotic veining, is wonderful for floor and all applications. It is actually popular not only indoors, but as an outdoor material as well, since Travertine is naturally water “resistant,” due to the way that the stone is formed. Onyx is an excellent type of natural stone for accents and walls, though it can be somewhat delicate due to the way in which it is formed, so incorporating this material into building or renovation plans requires some thought. Quartzite and slate can also work well as flooring and wall materials, usually in tile form, but shaling can be an issue with slate; shaling is a condition where flakes or pieces of the material fall or break off of the tile or slab. There are a lot of great natural stone products that are perfectly suited to flooring and walls—but some do require more maintenance, which can drive up the cost for businesses.

Best Stones for Other Applications

In addition to floors and walls, many people use natural stone for purposes like countertops—in kitchens as well as bathrooms. Some natural stone types to a better job than others at these applications. Granite, for example, is marvelous for counter tops, and has long been considered the best possible choice for the kitchen in particular, where it’s cool temperature and hardness make it a favored choice for baking enthusiasts. While some like it for floors as well, it shines in decorative functions because the stone tends to have a complex and eye-catching pattern. While marble is sometimes favored for bathroom countertops, it is not always the best choice for the kitchen. Onyx is also a popular choice for specialty surfaces like vanity countertops. Like marble, limestone can work very well as a bathroom countertop material, though its porousness does not lend well to being used in the kitchen, where it can be easily stained.

Overall, the type of natural stone that works best for a particular space and project depends on a number of factors including individual taste and the way in which a room will be used. But there are some forms of natural stone that simply shine the most in particular applications—and that’s one factor to consider when making a selection for home or business.