Natural Stone Flooring - A Work Of Art

09 April 2010

Stone is an historical masterpiece with its geological and geographical origins. Its formation, has taken millions of years to develop, every layer creating a unique colour, texture and finish.

Each piece of stone is truly unique and when placed together they create floors of intriguing texture and character, you can even use individual stones to make stunning wall hangings and they can also be incorporated into wall designs.

It has an ageless appeal and makes an intriguing, natural addition to any home with each unique stone laid down over countless millennia and often peppered with corals, shells and fossil detail.

Limestone is formed by layers of marine organisms, deposited on the sea floor and compressed over countless millennia.

Travertine is formed by water travelling through limestone and emerging at hot springs then cooling rapidly. The minerals it collects on its journey are captured as rich and creamy colours, frequently complemented by tiny shell patterns. It is used most famously in the Roman Coliseum so is testament to its hard wearing and versatile properties.

Slate and Quartzite are fine grained rocks formed from layers of shale and clay deposits, quartzite being subject to particularly high temperatures. These layers can be detected in the delicate tracery of its texture and in its enchanting palette of colours. Far more than several shades of grey, slate often has hints of green, russet, hazel and even plum. Marble is the result of extreme heat and pressure applied to Limestone, capturing many beautiful colours that range from classically cool to rich and warm. It can be highly polished, creating the lustrous illusion of depth that the Romans so prized for their buildings.

Sandstone is a sedimentary rock formation of coarse sand quartz and cementing materials such as clay. Sandstone is often distinguishable by region and colour variations including grey, yellow, red and white.

So next time you look down at a stone floor just think it is far more than just a floor it is a splendid work of art created by nature.