Natural Limestone has endured through the ages as a popular building material and has grown worldwide acceptance as a premier architectural stone. It is characterized by its very uniform texture, grade and soft tonality and improves with age. It weathers naturally over time and its color mellows and blends into a pleasing natural patina.
A unique characteristic of certain limestone is the fossils and seashells often found embedded in the surface, adding an organic element. Limestone is an extremely versatile natural stone that has the ability to readily adapt to various architectural styles, along with its beautiful natural color, ease of shaping, and its durability. Common uses for limestone include installation both indoor and outdoor walls and floorings to include bathroom, backsplash, vanity, shower, fireplace, driveway, patio and kitchen. Also for building envelopes and cladding for residential, commercial and institutional structures. It is a fabulously beautiful option for just about any part of a building but there are a few things you must keep in mind before you select which limestone to use.
One of the factors that drive you to choose a certain limestone or any stone in particular is the color and the pattern but you should also consider its technical specification and its applicability to the area. Some limestones are harder and denser than others. Therefore, in areas where there is more traffic, it is always best to use a harder limestone. Harder limestone, which is less porous, will still need treatment while soft limestone will require more care and maintenance. Use caution when recommending it for countertops because of the chance for staining and scratching.
One benefit that has made limestone a choice product is the consistency of deposit. While subtle color and grain differences are present, limestone is extremely homogenous for a natural product. This is important, not only for the current project being built, but particularly when future expansions are contemplated.
Limestone looks fantastic in a range of finishes, including polished, honed, brushed and sandblasted depending on the stone’s application and surrounding environment. It exhibits no preferential direction of splitting and can be cut and carved in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. Thus, it can be sawed, planed, turned on a lathe or hand worked to match the requirements of demanding architectural designs. Limestone has proven its use from simple treads and pavers to great edifices such as high rise residential and commercial buildings, museums and cathedrals. When specifying building stone for structures that are expected to endure for generations, limestone will always be a great choice.
