How to choose natural stone products?
Natural stones are from mountains, formed millions of years ago, like the oil, it cannot made of very soon. So, every stone is in rare supply. Natural stone are subject to color and texture variation, this is what make them unique, in contrast with man-made materials, unique, durable,long lasting usage, not uniform.
Many natural stones have different grades depending on color variation and other characteristics. If natural stones are offered at suspiciously low prices, there is likely to be a quality or grade issue. It would be unfortunate to end up with an uninspiring but cheap product. Ceramic tiles may have more and a better alternative.
Architects and other specifiers are advised to ensure that contractors use the recommended supplier ( who provided stones for a project specification ) to procure the specified natural stones, to make sure that the stones of the specified quality, grade, quarry, are used in the project. This is especially crucial in large projects where different contractors supplied somewhat mismatching stones, because different quarries, different stones, different grades.
For example, the most popular beige marble, crema marfil, on average, similarly, blanco carrarra comes in many grades which command different prices. Thassos white marble have different quarries and countries, some are from Spain, some are from Greece, some suppliers use white marble from China local. We cannot tell the difference from our eyes sometimes, but time can give the better answers, because the format of stone are different, the hardness is also different, as time goes by, AAA grade is stable in white, but C grade marble become yellow, grey or broken etd ugly appearance. Thassos AAA is the top grade of this natural stone, and about twice as expensive as thassos First grade ( typically dotted with black spots similar to cigarette burns), Qinyuan Stone can tell you this by pictures if needed. Travertine and limestone are also known for variations in quality and prices. Most stones have different grades. view on www.qinyuanstone.com
It is important to understand that different quarries produce different stones of the same grade. Eg, the select top grade from one quarry maybe only as good as the 1st grade from another quarry. The color texture pattern vary from quarry to quarry. Also, the quality of the selections procedures whereby factory workers manually sort the stones into different grades is very important, luckily all this is reflected in prices.
Just note that a lower grade natural stone is not only aesthetically inferior but its technical characteristics can be and often are inferior to those of the top select grade, especially in the case of veiny materials. They are more susceptiable to breakage, can be lacking expoxy filling. Have many small holes, and easy color-change.
It is highly recommended that you see the natural stone before buying them. Pictures and samples only give a rough idea, www.qinyuanstone.com, a visit to the showroom or even the warehouse to see the stones/ stocks is highly advisable.
Natural stone should be handled with care when unloading to avoid chipping or scratching. In particular, when in a wood pallet, tiles should not be shifted, you should not browse or lift through tiles when they are in the wood crate. Because bottom edges of tiles may get chipped, cracked etc. one by one tiles should be lifted out of the crafts and stacked on a soft base, they cannot be stacked on the leading edges, only the back edges.
Marble is probably the most luxurious stone. Top quality and less familiar types of the marble create the ultimate sense of luxury. www.qinyuanstone.com. Travertine has been used extensively in many countries, in particular Italy. Perisa both indoor and outdoors. Floors or walls clad in travertine often add Mediterranean flavor to the surroundings.
Limestone varieties come usually in lighter colors and can be quite hard and non porous similar to marble.
Granite is the toughest of all types of natural stones and is used typically in public areas.
Onyx is gaining popularity in interior design, www.qinyuanstone.com Due to its translucent qualities, a back light onyx wall panel could be a centerpiece in a room. Most popular onyx colors are white and honey and green and pink.
Natural stones come in various finishes. Broadly speaking, the more popular finish for marble if polished, white for travertine and limestone, granite, there are many surface finished, mostly are honed, polished, flamed, brushed etc.
There are different shapes of grout, adhesives, sealant and other materials required for fixing natural stones. It is advisable to check with the supplier Qinyuan Stone what material are best suited for a particular natural stone and types of floor or wall surface.
All in one word, tips to select stone is to see more, to know more, to communicate more with supplier Qinyuan stone. We are happy to help always.
Good luck.
