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How
to Choose the Right Stone for Your Home
You have many options when it comes to beautiful, long-lasting
natural stones for your home. Slate, granite, marble, quartz-based
stone, and limestone, just to name a few. Choosing a natural
stone for your home is a very personal decision, much like
selecting wallpaper or artwork.
While there are scores of natural stones to consider, some
are better suited than others for particular uses in and around
the home. This guide can help you explore your options and
offer guidance on the right stone for the right home project.
Factors
to Consider in Selecting a Natural Stone:
Color
Natural stones are available in a beautiful spectrum of colors.
Colors in granite and marble, for instance, can range from
soft beiges, pinks and classic black-and-whites to rich
corals, greens and multi-colors. Marble traditionally features
swirls and “veins”
of colors, while granite has a flecked or pebbled appearance.
Unlike the repetitive sameness of materials produced by machine
or assembly line, natural stone’s naturally varied appearance
has wonderful character and creates a one-of-a-kind effect
everywhere it is used.
Finish
Natural stone can be polished, honed, or flamed for a distinct
appearance:
•
A polished finish has a glossy surface that reflects
light and emphasizes the color and marking of the stone.
•
A honed finish is a satin-smooth surface with relatively
little light reflection.
•
A flamed finish is a rough-textured surface.
Usage
The harder the stone, the more it resists abrasion. One measure
of a natural stone’s strength is its Measurement
of Hardness (MOH) rating, on which 1 is the softest and
10 is the hardest. On the MOH scale, most marbles rate “3” and
quartz-based granites rate “7.” Using a softer
stone simply requires the homeowner to use gentler cleansers
and more frequent dusting to prevent scratching.
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