If you are considering selecting natural stone slabs for your Toronto home design project, there are more options available today than ever before. With new discoveries of stone deposits happening every year, the number of choices has grown considerably. When it comes to choosing stone slabs for your design project, the stone you choose should depend on what your building application is. Each stone has unique features and properties that, when chosen carefully, will provide many years of functional and durable beauty. Here are some factors to consider when selecting the perfect natural stone slabs for your Toronto home design project.

 

 

Natural stones are available in a wide variety of beautiful colours. Colours in granite and marble can range from soft beiges, pinks, classic black-and-whites, to rich corals and greens. The traditional feature of marble is swirls and vein-like colours, while granite features a flecked or pebbled appearance. The naturally varied appearance of natural stone slabs has wonderful character and creates a unique effect everywhere it is used, unlike the bland character of man-made materials.

 

 

Natural stone can be polished, honed, flamed, tumbled, brushed and sandblasted for a distinct appearance.

• A polished finish has a glossy surface that reflects light and emphasizes the colour and markings of the stone. A polished finish is typically used on countertops, walls, furniture tops and floors.
• A honed finish is a satin smooth surface with little light reflection. This finish is generally preferred for floors, stair treads, and other areas where heavy traffic will wear off a polished finish.
• A flamed finish is a rough textured surface used frequently on granite floor tiles.
• A tumbled finish is a worn appearance that is arrived at when pieces of marble, limestone, or granite are tumbled during fabrication.
• A brushed finish is an uneven, but smooth, surface.
• A sandblasted finish is a matte gloss surface that is textured by a pressurized flow of sand and water.

Hardness of Natural Stone Slabs

 

Natural stones have different levels of hardness. The harder the stone, the more it will resist abrasion and stand up to frequent use. A harder surface will have fewer scratches over time, if any at all. In selecting your natural stone slabs in Toronto, think about your personal preference for the appearance of stone and then select the stone with the appropriate level of hardness.

 

 

Natural stone will last a lifetime. You should choose a stone you really like, but you should choose wisely. You might love the elegant look of a marble countertop, but if you do a lot of cooking, you might want to re-consider this option since the beautiful marble may not serve you as well as a granite countertop. You can pick light coloured granite, which is less porous, more durable, scratch and stain resistant, and does not require the level of maintenance that marble does. When choosing natural stone slabs, it is always important to consider the intended use.

 

Natural stone slabs in Toronto are a highly sophisticated material and will add dimension and style to your design project. No other material compares to the beauty and elegance of natural stone.