FAQ
1. What is Granite?
Granite is an igneous rock. It is formed as a result of the slow crystallisation of molten magma at depth in the earth’s crust. The minerals which make up granite are generally quartz, felspars and various mafic minerals (amphiboles, pyroxenes, micas and secondary minerals). It is the size, distribution and precise chemistry of these minerals which give the granite its colour. Granite has been a term applied to almost all igneous rocks and schists, traditionally any very hard crystalline rock (quartz based as opposed to marble).
2. What is Marble?
Geologically this is a limestone that has re-crystallized through the action of heat and pressure, whilst still retaining certain properties of the original material. Nevertheless, they are dense, sound and take on an excellent polish and are available in an extremely wide range of colours, patterns and veining characteristics. All impurities present are what in turn affect the mineral composition and the marble colour that eventually forms. Being essentially composed of calcite, natural weathering processes will cause marble to loose its colour and polish quite quickly compared to granites. For this reason marbles are commonly used internally.
3. What is Limestone?
Limestones are originally deposited as soft sediments being laid down as beds underwater by a variety of chemical, biological and physical processes. Over millions of years the sediments were buried, compressed and became cemented by precipitation from mineral rich waters contained therein. For the stone industry, limestones that have a porosity of less than 5% and take a full polish are termed hard limestone. For example Travertine and Roman stone. Many stones termed marbles are in fact hard limestone. The fact that these stones take on a high polish are reasons why some are called “marbles,” when in fact they are hard Limestones.
4. What is Travertine?
The evaporation of water in limestone cavities has formed what we know today as travertine. One of the advantages travertine has over other stones is that it hardens with age and exposure. Due to its origin and structure it can be processed in many different ways, leading to very different visual effects, most commonly sold as crosscut honed and what we call the traditional cut grain polish. Prior to polishing or honing, this material can have the cavities filled with an epoxy resin that enhances the appearance dramatically.
5. What is Sandstone?
These sedimentary rocks originated as loose grains of rock materials, predominantly quartz but occasionally feldspars or some other mineral. These materials, eroded from older rocks, have been sorted and deposited by the physical action of water and sometimes wind to form beds. The colour of the sandstone is often determined largely by the cementing material, iron oxides causing red or reddish brown sandstone and other cementing material producing white, yellow etc.
6. What is Basalt?
The volcanoes that make basalt are very common and tend to form long persistent zones of rifting in nearly all the ocean basins. As an eruption ends, the basalt heals the wounds in the crust and the earth adds some new crust. Because the magma comes out of the earth, it cools very quickly. Basalt is commonly very fine grained and is considered a mafic silicate rock. These rocks are generally dark in colour and high in specific gravity. Basalt is ideal for domestic and commercial applications. Like other stones, basalt is thousands of years old and probably known more to use in the form of cobblestone paving of roads and pathways.
7. What is Quartz and Slate?
Quartzite is sandstone that has been metamorphosed. Quartzite’s are snowy white, less often pink or grey. The term quartzite implies not only a high degree of hardening or welding, but also a high content of quartz. Quartzite is a very strong stone but is difficult to work. It has a very limited range of colours and generally found in small blocks only.
Slate originates as sediments, usually a fine grained mudstone. Through the action of burial and compression, mudstone will develop progressively from shale to a slate, to a phyllite and then with sufficient heat to a schist and finally gneiss. The definitive physical characteristic of slate is its slatey cleavage that enables the material to be split into parallel sheets. A riven slate is the result of having two sets of cleavage intersecting at an angle.
8. Should I expect variation in stone products?
Natural stones have unique characteristics of their own and are subject to variations in colour, patterns and veining. Not every tile looks the same as the one before and therefore cannot be repeated. Consistency of colours, shade, pattern or veining is random and therefore must be expected.
9. Should I use a stone mason for tiling of stone?
It is alwaysrecommended to use a license stone mason due to the different form of composites of natural stone. It is most important that the fixer has an understanding of the product prior to application.
10. What type of glue do I use for natural stones, reconstituted and porcelain products?
The glue will always depends on what stone is going to be installed taking in consideration what is the sub straight. Due to the different types of sub straights i.e. water proof membranes and other types of surfaces, this will then require a recommended adhesive to suit the product to the sub straight floor .There are abundance of glues available in the Australia market to suit the applications. This is also recommended by the adhesive companies or stone mason or you can refer to the Australia standards AS2358 and AS4992.
11. Should natural stone be sealed?
Due to the natural characteristics of natural stone being porous, it is always recommended to pre seal the product prior to application and sealed after application. This will then lower the risks rate of staining to the product and generally will make it easier to clean the stone using recommended cleaning products.
12. How do you clean natural stone?
Natural stone products should not be cleaned with any acid or acid base cleaners. It is always recommended to seek advice on all cleaning needs through sealing manufacturers etc.
13. What are the pros of natural stone?
Due to the natural beauty of the stone and its aesthetic look, it will always retain its value compared to a porcelain application. It also allows you to reface or refresh the surface, in most cases to its original appearance. It is also commonly known in stone applications for the housing industry to give a better return value on the property than a porcelain or vitrified that has been laid.
Natural stones gives you the option to install the products internally or externally, pending on the surface finish of the product i.e. polish, honed, flamed, sandblasted, sawn cut, antique.
14. What are the advantages of porcelain backed tile?
The advantages of porcelain backed tiles are:
- They are lighter to work with
- Thickness of the tiles is consistent regardless of the size
- Standard porcelain adhesive is suitable
- Waste is minimise due to the stability of the product
- A lower water absorption
15. Can I use natural stone on a heated floor?
Natural stone is an excellent conductor of heat and will work over a heated floor element.
16. Can I use a natural stone around a pool?
Depending on chlorination methods, certain stones may not be suitable. It is best to refer to one of our experienced sales staff for more detailed information.
It is recommended that all natural stones should be sealed.
Marble Plus shall not be liable in any respect for advice provided regarding the fixing, grouting, sealing or cleaning of the tiles.
It is recommended to seek advice from suppliers of all products used for every application.