Choosing natural stones for your project is a daunting process that can overwhelm you. Many market options with thousands of excellent products made from natural stones do not make it any easier. Personal taste significantly influences the type of products one chooses, from travertine, granite, sandstone and marble. While your style plays a huge role when choosing luxury natural stone, there are more things to consider. Since people have unique needs, it is crucial to run your construction needs through with the stakeholders like developers and interior designer. What works for one house, may not work for another hence it is crucial to get a perfect stone for your space. And if you need expert advice, be sure to check out Victoriaplum.com.
This guide features factors to consider when choosing luxury natural stone for your home.
Understanding Your Needs
Evaluate your space needs when selecting natural stone. For example, when choosing the material to use for your bathroom walls, pick a water resistant stone. Natural stone is excellent for wet areas in many projects as it is both functional and beautiful.
In heavy traffic areas, avoid softer stones which are prone to scratches and breakages. Limestone, travertine and granite are some of the hardest natural stones that will last centuries even in high traffic areas. You will need to source natural stones from reputable shops for the best deals and genuine products. Saturnia Travertini is an e-commerce site that guides and educates homeowners on the best products for your needs.
Selecting an Appropriate Finish
There are different natural stone finishes available in the market today. The various finishes determine the appearance and performance of the material. When picking a luxury natural stone product, establish if you want a refined, rubbed, hammered, sifted, split, polished, leathered or antiqued finish for your respective space.
The finish you choose will have a main impact on the aesthetics. If you intend a natural stone for wall characteristic, the shape can influence how it works, and how it looks. For example, when using a natural stone for flooring, a sawn finish is more suitable than refined for wet areas because of its non-slip property.
Color
Dark colors are an excellent choice if you intent to keep it consistent throughout the house like in various countertops such as kitchen counters, armchairs and cupboards. The darker shades conceal watermarks and fingerprints on the surfaces easily. If you have an outdoor grill or kitchen appliances, dark colors are the best options. Brighter colors have a spatial character that enables the room to extend into mentally extensive areas. They create a relaxed atmosphere when featured in a spacious or open space with natural greenery.
Maintenance Cost
Natural stones can last for centuries with proper care, and in some cases referred to as indestructible. It is crucial to invest in the right care and cleaning elements for natural stones to increase your surfaces lifetime. Correct natural stone maintenance also ensures that your space is at its best shape and look.
A soap made for natural stone or a mild liquid detergent will clean most stone surfaces. Some natural stone forms, such as marble, need a bit more attention for best service. Before settling for a natural stone surface, factor the care and maintenance cost.
You may need more details concerning sealing and recommended proper treatment by a specialist, especially for the grout, which is susceptible to mold and mildew formation if not handled well. Only use the non-abrasive, stone-safe grout cleaner and gently raise the grime to hard-to-reach areas using a gentle nylon brush or dental brush. Before sealing your countertops, do a simple test to know if the time is due: place a small drop of water on a used area, and when the water is absorbed, it is time to re-settle.
Absorption Rate
The absorption rate tests the stone’s porousness and translates to the general longevity of a stone, depending on the particular application. A stone with a higher absorption rate tends to easily absorb stains, making it less suitable for bench tops unless it is properly screened. If the stone is subject to freezing conditions, it can appear to form cracks.
Typically, the lower the water absorption rate, the better choice of natural stone.
Stone Size and Format
The stone format will have a major effect on your space’s overall look and feel. The flooring and walls stones used meet your needs in a wide range of sizes and profiles. For example, for a contemporary feature wall or a traditional format, you can choose a narrow, linear stone covering to achieve a classic look. You should also consider the total size of your space when deciding on the size and format.
The conventional stone-walling format of the eco outdoors are of a random length and uniform height ranging for a classic and sophisticated stone wall with minimum waste. Traditional format blends the natural warmth and subtle color variation of sandstone, limestone and bluestone to deliver an incredible special finish in a wall cover format with a timeless aesthetic appeal.
Pattern
Freeform walls have a superior versatility in architecture because of their organic origin and are ideal for interior walls, exterior walls, fireplaces and more. Designers add pattern on the stones for additional visual effects depending on the type of stone in use. Most patterns are adapted to suit your needs and aesthetics. Selecting a stone like a flagstone or a free walling shape can create a more organic look.
Comparisons
Take it into account the other materials in your home when determining which natural stone is right for you. Take up the tonal variations of the natural wood within or compliment the current facade material. Create a flow by continuing the indoors design to the exterior with the same finish.
Conclusion
When choosing a stone, several factors come into play. It is not just about the aesthetics, rather the characteristics of the individual stone compared to the application you want to use it for and your space.
