Important points when buying a suitable stone

Buying a suitable building stone is one of the most difficult decisions to make, and builders and architects always be confused when choosing or buying the stone they need. Buying a suitable stone requires careful consideration of all its aspects. In this article, we are going to tell you the most important points of buying stones. So, if you intend to buy a suitable stone, don’t miss this article.

Important points when buying stones

Pressure resistance

The pressure resistance of the stones is one of the most important points when buying them. stones should have appropriate pressure resistance according to their use. So, in order to choose the appropriate stone, before buying it, you should consider the fact that in which part of the building it is going to be installed. Therefore, the stone won’t be damaged in the process of time and use.

Façade stone: the pressure resistance of the facade stone should be at least 300 kg/cm.

Floor stone: The pressure resistance of the floor stone depends on the place of its installation. For example, the suitable pressure resistance for the floor stone of the commercial and residential buildings is different from the suitable pressure resistance for the floor stone of the parking lots. By the way, the pressure resistance of the floor stone of the residential buildings must be at least 500 kg/cm, office and commercial complexes must be 270 kg/cm, and the floor stone of the parking lot must be 900 kg/cm.

Note: The suitable pressure resistance for using stones in different places such as floor, wall or facade, inside or outside of the buildings are different.

Water absorption

The amount of water absorption of a stone is another important factor when buying it. All stones absorb water, but their absorption rate is different. For example, limestones have high water absorption and they can’t be used in the humid or wet places such as bathrooms or WCs.

Façade stone: The amount of water absorption of the stones used for the exterior or façade of the buildings should not be more than 2%. But, for the stones which are used in the interior parts of the buildings, the percent of water absorption is not a big deal, so all building stones can be used for these parts of the buildings.

Paving stone: if stones have high water absorption, they will get a lot of stains. Therefore, stones with low water absorption are a suitable option for paving stones.

Application of stone

One of the important points when buying stones is to consider their uses or applications. for example, if you want to choose a stone for the exterior of a building, you should choose travertine, granite, or crystal stone, because they are resistant to sunlight, cold and heat and they won’t lose or change their color and texture against the atmospheric conditions.

Floor stone: the best option for the paving of residential buildings is marble and crystal stones. Also, granite, crystal and marble stones are suitable for the paving of offices and commercial buildings. Granite stones are also suitable for the paving stone of the parking lot. Besides, the suitable paving stones for the sidewalks are travertine and granite stones.

Stone dimensions

If the place is large, you can use slab stones with the dimensions of 80×80 and 100×100 cm for its paving. And if the place is small, you should also use small size or tile stones with the dimensions of 40×40, 40×20 cm. Also, if the place is rectangular, you use stones with rectangular dimensions, such as 80×40, 60×30 cm. So, look for a stone that matches the shape and size of your space.

Stone storage

Choosing stones for large areas or big projects is a hard decision, because they should have a suitable storage and they should be able to supply the whole required stones. Also, having the enough information of the cycle of stone mining to processing is very important. Because, some stone mines may be closed for some seasons because of their special geological situations, or they may not be able to produce stones in large amounts, so in these cases, your project may remain incomplete.

Stone price

When buying stones, you should pay attention with your budget. There are many different types of stones, and also there are many stones which are similar to each other. Some stones have a high price due to their high demand and export, but there are also similar stones at a lower price that can replace such stones. Another reason affecting the price of the stones is their sizes and types of processing. Therefore, if you don’t have enough budget to buy slab stones, you can replace smaller ones.

Types of stone processing

One of the most important points in choosing and buying stones is the type of stone processing. One of the common mistakes in the natural stone filed is that stone is not produced but processed. Stone are natural materials to which are cut and processed in the stone factories depending on the type of order such as polished, honed, sandblasted etc. The type and quality of materials used in stone processing can have a direct effect on the prices of the stones.

Stone color

To choose and buy your favorite stones, be sure to pay attention to their color theme. Stones have a world of colors and designs and each of them has its own characteristics and features. All the stones are not stable in color and they will lose their color against the sunlight. Marble, onyx and limestone will lose their color against the sunlight over time, but travertine and granite are more resistant to sunlight. Recently, some stones are colored in different ways, so such stones will lose their soon.

Building stones and their uses

Building stones consist of one or more minerals. Stone is one of the main materials in the construction industry and it is used in different parts of the buildings. Among the most important uses of the stones, the following items can be mentioned:

  1. Stones that are used for decorative purposes in the internal or external parts of the buildings.
  2. Stones that are used for the paving and internal walls of the buildings.
  3. Stones that are used in form of blocks for the building foundations, dams, tunnels, etc.

Effective factors to choose building stones

When choosing a stone, you should first pay attention to its usages in the building, and then you can refer to the factors such as durability, physical and chemical analysis of the stone, color and price.

Durability and analysis

Durability and strength of a building stone depends on its resistance to the different factors such as atmospheric conditions, pressure and acid chemicals. Unfortunately, the durability of the stones which is one of the most important factors in choosing them, is not considered usually. Besides, one of the important factors affecting the durability of a stone is its chemical structure or constituent minerals. Also, the place of stone installation is another important and effective factor in choosing a building stone. It should be noted that weather conditions and the amount of humidity or dryness have a direct effect on the weathering rate of the stone.

Structure

Each of the structural weaknesses of the stone accelerates its weathering process. Therefore, cracks, breaks and the presence of harmful minerals in the stones can cause the destruction of them and weathering problems.

Texture

As the stones have a denser and less porous texture, they are more resistant to breakage and weathering factors. Stones with high porosity also have a high percentage of water absorption and this may cause them to destroy faster. Since the stones are made of different minerals with different structure and resistance, it is natural that they have different resistances to weathering.

Harmful minerals

Some minerals such as iron sulfur in all the stones are considered as the harmful minerals, and by facing with moisture or humidity, they oxidize and turn into hydroxide and make the stains on the surface of the stone. Also, the large amounts of mica minerals in the stones such as marble is harmful and they may cause some problems for the stones such as color changing over time.

Technical characteristics

Technical characteristics of the building stones are measured by physical and chemical tests, and they are different depending on the stone type, structure and minerals. Chemical tests show the chemical composition of the stones, and the physical structure of the stones is also measured with their specific weight, pressure resistance, abrasion resistance, porosity, etc.

  • Specific weight of the stone: Based on this factor, the stones are divided into two groups: light with a specific weight of less than 1.8 t and heavy with a weight of more than 1.8 t. The specific weight of the stones has an effect on their polishing ability, so stones with a specific weight of less than 1.8 t don’t have a good polishing ability, and stones with a specific weight of above 2.2 t have a high polishing ability.
  • Water absorption: The amount of the stones’ water absorption is different, and in general igneous stones have a relatively low percentage of water absorption, while limestone and sandstone have a high percentage of water absorption. As the stone’s water absorption is lower, it has a better quality.
  • Porosity: Porosity is the amounts of empty spaces in the stone. The higher the porosity of the stone, the higher the water absorption rate and the lower its pressure resistance.
  • Pressure resistance: This parameter shows the stability of the stone against applied pressure. Most stones have a pressure resistance of more than 40 MPa, but igneous stones have a pressure resistance higher than 140 MPa, and the maximum pressure resistance required for the stones of the tall buildings is 1 MPa.
  • Bending resistance: The resistance of a stone against bending forces is called bending resistance. When the stones especially on the horizontal surface crack against small shocks, it is because of their low bending resistance. The bending resistance of a stone has no relationship with its pressure resistance. And, high humidity of the space reduces the bending resistance of the stone.
  • Abrasion resistance: Abrasion resistance of a stone depends on the kind of its minerals. And, the different minerals bring the different abrasion resistance to the stone. Stones used in the places like stairs and pavements should have a high abrasion resistance.

Stone color

The stability of the stone color depends on the installation place of the stone. If colored marble stones especially dark ones are installed in indoor spaces, their colors will last for years. But, if the same stones are encountered weather factors such as sunlight, they will quickly lose their color. Also, the chemical changes of unstable minerals in the stones can also change the color of the stones especially white ones. In general, the color of the stone is more visible and it is a very important factor. But, when choosing a stone, you should know that dark colored lime stones such as marble, onyx and sandstone should not be installed in the outdoor spaces, because they lose their colors against the sunlight or air pollution. And also, the proper viewing distance to recognize the color of the stone should be about 1 to 5 meters from the person’s eyes. Because, the appearance and color of the stones can’t be seen from a longer viewing distance.

Uses of building stones

Stone is one of the oldest and most important building materials used by mankind. Nowadays, because of the progress in the extraction and processing of the building stones, their uses in different parts of the buildings have become more common. Among the most important uses of natural stones in the construction industry, the following items can be mentioned:

  • Internal walls: most of the building stones can be used to cover the internal walls of the buildings.
  • Paving and stairs: stones used in these places must have low porosity and water absorption, also they should be resistant to abrasion, acids and other detergents.
  • Façade stone: the façade stones face sunlight, wind, storm, cold, heat and pollutants, so the facade stones must have resistance to them. In order to choose a good facade stone, you should pay attention to the following items:
  • The weather conditions of the place where the stone is installed should be considered. For example, in high humidity areas, stones with high water absorption shouldn’t be used.
  • The stone should have a good bending resistance.
  • In the case of stone installation using mortar, the stone should have good adhesion.
  • The stone color should be stable.
  • It shouldn’t contain harmful minerals.
  • Street pavements: The stones used in the street sidewalks and pavements should have a relatively high density, and they should also be resistant to the pressure and other harmful factors.

Stone buying guidance

Stone is one of the most suitable and resistant materials used in the interior and exterior of the building. If the stone of the building is in harmony with its surrounding environment, it will create an eye-catching and beautiful space. In this article, we are trying to guide you to choose and buy a suitable stone.

According to the physical and chemical characteristics of the stones, each of them is suitable for a specific place. Therefore, buyers should choose and buy the stones according to the space they want to install them, such as interior and exterior paving or façade stones. In general, building stones are divided into the two general following categories based on their uses in the construction industry.

  • Suitable stones for the floor (paving stones)
  • Suitable stones for the facade (facade stones)

Flooring stones

Characteristics of suitable stones for the floor of the buildings:

  • Stones are compatible with the environment.
  • Stones are durable and long-lived.
  • Stones can be modified and repaired.
  • Stones are easy to maintain.
  • Stones are not allergenic.

The flooring stones have also different uses which depend on various factors. And, in this part of the article, stones with different uses are separated according to their types and features.

Suitable stones for the floor of the residential units:

  • The stones must be free of porosity.
  • The stones should have little water absorption.
  • The stones must have good polishing ability.
  • The stones shouldn’t have high lime.
  • The color of them should be light.

Marble, crystal and onyx stones have these features, and you should choose and buy between them according to your taste and budget. Besides, most of these stones are cut into slabs, and the smaller sizes have a lower price.

Suitable stones for the floor of the kitchen:

  • Stones should have little water absorption.
  • They should have low porosity.
  • Stones should have high abrasion and bending resistance.
  • They should also be resistant to stains.

Suitable stones for the floor of the office units:

  • The stones must have high pressure resistance.
  • The stones should not be porous.
  • They must be free of any cracks and they should have a light color.
  • They should have high abrasion resistance.

Flooring stones of the office units should have high resistance and low water absorption due to the industrial cleaning, constant movements of the office supplies and frequent traffic.

Suitable stones for the floor of the commercial units:

  • The stones must have high pressure resistance.
  • The stones should not be porous.
  • The stones must be free of any cracks.
  • The stones should have high abrasion resistance.
  • Their water absorption should be very low.

Commercial places are dealing with various damages and pollutants, and due to the high traffic, they need to be washed more. Therefore, the most resistant stones for commercial units are all kinds of granite stones.

Suitable stones for the floor of the industrial units:

  • The stones must have high pressure resistance.
  • They shouldn’t be porous.
  • They must be free of any cracks.
  • They should have high abrasion resistance.
  • They must have a high thickness.
  • Their water absorption should be very low.

Industrial places deal with various damages due to the traffic of heavy vehicles, so the stones that are used in these places must be resistance to the pressure. And, the most resistant stones for these places are granite with a thickness of more than 2.5 cm.

Suitable stones for the stairs flooring:

  • The stepping stones must have high pressure resistance.
  • The stepping stones should not be porous.
  • They must be free of any cracks.
  • They should have high abrasion resistance.
  • The stepping stones must have suitable thicknesses.
  • They should have very low water absorption.
  • They should be matched with the wall stones.

Because of the high traffic stepping stones should have high resistance and low water absorption.

It should be noted that outdoor stepping stones should be resistant to cold, heat, sunlight and other climate changes. Stones like granite, travertine, crystal and marble with the thickness of 3 or 4 cm.

Suitable stones for the floor of the parking lots:

  • The stones must have high pressure resistance.
  • They should not be porous.
  • The stones must be free of any cracks and they should be as bright as possible.
  • They should have high abrasion resistance.
  • They must have suitable thicknesses.

Suitable stones for the floor of the outdoor spaces:

  • The stones must have high pressure resistance.
  • They should have low water absorption.
  • They should be compatible with the general design of the buildings.
  • They must be resistant to frost and heat.
  • They should have suitable thickness.
  • Their surfaces should not be slippery.
Conclusion

For the paving of outdoor spaces, crystal, granite, all types of waveless travertine and cubic stones are recommended, because of their resistance to impact, pressure, cold, frost and sunlight. And for indoor spaces, it is recommended to use marble, crystal and onyx, but it is better to use high-quality granite or marble stones in the parts with high-traffic.

Façade stones

Below are some of the characteristics of the suitable stones for building façade:

  • They should be compatible with the environment and don’t pollute it.
  • The stones should be durable and long-lived.
  • They should be modified and repaired.
  • Their maintenance should be easy and inexpensive.
  • They should have a variety of colors and different forms of finishings.

The choosing of a suitable façade stone depends on various factors. The façade stones are divided into two general categories:

  • Exterior façade stones
  • Interior façade stones

Suitable stones for the exterior facade:

The exterior of the building is called the outer shell or the main facade of the building. In this part, the stones encounter atmospheric factors such as cold, heat, sunlight and etc. So, stones which are used in these parts should be resistant to all of these factors.

The suitable stones for the main or exterior facade should have the following characteristics:

  • The stones must have high bending resistance.
  • They should have low water absorption.
  • They must be free of any cracks.
  • They must have a good adhesion with mortar.
  • They must have sufficient and suitable thickness.
  • They should be resistant to acid rains.

Stones are the most used materials for the facade of the buildings today, and it’s due to their special beauty and high durability. Stones like travertine have a good adhesion with mortar due to their high porosity, and they are highly recommended for this purpose.

Suitable stones for the interior design of the buildings:

There is no need that the stones used for the interior design of the buildings be resistant to sunlight, acid rains and other weather conditions. For this part of the buildings, you can choose and buy all the stones according to your taste and budget.

Conclusion

For the main and exterior facade, travertine stones with different finishings and granite stones are more suitable. And, it is recommended to use marble, crystal, granite, sandstone, limestone, travertine and onyx for the interior designs or facade.

Facade stone installation

Installing the façade stones requires lots of skills and it’s very important for beautifying the appearance of the buildings. Nowadays, builders and architects use different materials for the façade of the buildings. But, if they want to use stones for this purpose, they should consider the fact that the façade stones need to be durable and resistant enough. From the past until today, building stones have been mainly used for the beauty and strength of the buildings.

The installation and design of the façade stone have a special importance in the construction of the buildings. Because, if the façade stone doesn’t install well enough, it will fall and cause financial risks. Therefore, when buying facade stone, you should pay attention to the quality and type of the stone.

Reasons of the façade stone separation

The stones can be separated from the facade of the buildings for various reasons. The first reason can be subsidence and movements of the buildings. The next reason is the thermal and cooling expansion and contraction which occurs in different seasons of the year, and it can be the main cause of the façade stone separation. The last reason is related to the exact installation of the stones, and if the stones don’t have a proper adhesion to the walls, they will separate from the facade.

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Methods of the façade stone installation

There are several methods to install the façade stones, and in the following the three of them are mentioned:

  • Installation with using abrasive stones
  • Installation with using wires
  • Installation with using a scope hook

Points of façade stone installation

  • Be sure to use washed sands in the grout behind the stones.
  • The extra soil of the stone cutting should be completely cleaned and washed from the behind of the stone during milling.
  • Use the slurry that has a lot of cement.
  • All granite and marble stones for the façade of the buildings must be installed with the scooping method.
  • Don’t install the stones in the cold weather where there is a possibility of water and mortar freezing.
  • Sprinkle the grout behind the stones for 2-3 days.
  • Never use dried cement to speed up the stone installation.
  • All behind parts of the stones must be filled with grout.

Difference between Onyx and Marble stones

Most people are mistaken about the differences between onyx and marble stones, and sometimes they think that these two stones are the same. But it must be said that marble and onyx have many differences and don’t have any similarities in terms of structure. In the following, to learn more about these two stones, we will talk about the differences between them.

Onyx stone

To know the differences between marble and onyx, you need to know more about these two stones. Onyx can be identified as one of the limestones that have beautiful and unique designs and colors. Onyx is a very strong and resistant stone and it is very useful for building floors, walls, and open kitchens.

It is recommended not to place the onyx stones in direct sunlight, because over time its color will fade. This stone has little resistance to humidity and air pollution, and for this reason, it is suggested not to use it in the facade of the building. Also, remember that white marble is transparent and the streaks seen in it are due to the impurities in the original limestone

Onyx stone

Marble stone

Marble is a stone that is formed by the metamorphosis of the primary limestone and has a great resistance to heat. Marble stone is vulnerable to acid and climate changes, and for this reason, this stone is mostly used inside the buildings. As mentioned, marble has relatively high water absorption, so it is not recommended to use it in the places such as bathrooms and toilets. Marble is an example of the best and most beautiful stones that can be used in the interior designs. To buy different types of marble stones in different dimensions and designs, you can see our marble products.

The differences between marble and onyx

Differences in polish

Onyx has a variety of colors including white, gray, black, green, purple, yellow and red. The minerals in this stone have large and clear crystals which makes it able to pass the light, but marble stone doesn’t have this feature. So, the architects of the buildings use this feature of onyx and install LED panels behind this beautiful stone to give the space a stunning beauty.

Differences in usage

The uses of onyx stones are primarily as stone artefacts such as statues, vases and etc., also they are used in wall covering, floor and facade inside the buildings. Another difference is that onyx is mainly used in luxury buildings due to its high price, but marble is seen in most of the buildings.

The uses of marble stones are almost similar to onyx due to their type, with the difference that marbles are primarily used in the interior parts of the buildings. In fact, the use of marble in the interior design is very different, and this stone can be used both for interior and exterior walls and floors. Making artefacts is another uses of marble stones.

Differences in dimensions

Onyx stone is often cut into slabs and tiles due to its applications in the buildings. For the lighting method, the larger the dimensions of this stone, the more it increases the beauty of the building. While marble stone is mainly cut in tiles, because it is mostly used in the floor of the buildings.

The most suitable wall stone

Choosing the best wall stone is very important. In the past, various materials were used for the construction of buildings including bricks, wood and etc. But today, with discovering the new materials, stones have become one of the most demanded construction materials. In addition to the beauty, they give a great strength to the buildings due to the special resistance they have. Stones are used in different parts of the buildings and according to the types and colors, you can choose a suitable stone for each part of the building.

The best stone for the exterior walls and yards

The best building wall stones are divided into several categories depending on the type and location of the wall. The first category is related to the outer wall stones, such as the courtyard wall. The second category is the inner wall stones, which includes bathroom, toilet, kitchen, rooms, stairs and etc.

In order to choose the best stones for the open spaces of the buildings, you should pay special attention to the fact that they should be resistant to weather changes, sunlight, UV rays and etc. If you don’t make a suitable choice for these parts, after years changes and problems will happen to the stones and they may lose their structure and texture.

For these parts of ​​the buildings, travertine stones can be a better option than granite, marble and onyx stones. Of course, this doesn’t mean that these stones can’t be used in external spaces. And, according to the taste of buyers and the type of stones, they can also be used in the external spaces. For example, granites don’t stick well to the walls due to their high density and this reason is one of the prohibitions of using granites as the wall stones.

Stone wall of the parking lots

Points of using stone for the wall of parking lot are almost the same things that have been mentioned before, and we can use travertine stones for these places too. In general, travertine stones are lighter than other stones due to their porosity. And, for this reason they are highly recommended for walls. Another important thing is about the color of the stones used in these places. It is recommended to use light-colored stones for parking lots to make the space brighter and bigger.

The best stone for the interior parts of the building

Marble, onyx, travertine and granite are used as wall coverings in the indoor spaces of the building, such as lobbies, corridors, stairways, offices, markets, and residential houses. In order to cover the walls of the lobbies in residential and commercial complexes or hotels, the best type of stones should be used to have an important and special effect on people. The best and most beautiful stone for this part is definitely onyx slab stones. Onyx stones have unique designs and colors and their ability to pass the light make them to be the luxury stones. You can also use marble, granite and crystal slabs, which all have a great variety in design and color. If you want to know more about stone lighting method, click here.

Stone wall of the stairs

The staircase is one of the interior spaces of the buildings. So, a wide range of stones can be used for this part. Marble stones are among the most popular stones for use in stairs. This stone is the choice of many builders for use as stairs wall due to its high durability, uniformity and color variety.

Travertine stones can also be used in this section but they are not as uniform as marbles. Also, granite stones have been used a lot in building stairs for the past few years. This stone has many fans due to its high resistance and almost uniform surface, but it is no longer recommended to use for the wall of the stairs.

Decorative stones for the inside wall of the house

Sometimes in order to beautify the interior design of the houses and buildings, it is necessary to use decorative stones for indoor walls. One of the best options for this purpose is marble stones. Marble stones as well as antique stones are a good option to use for inside walls of the home. Using marble stones for the wall of the living room and behind the TV can create a special effect and beauty. In addition, antique stones can create a simple and good combination with the interior design of the building by using them for the living room wall or the walls next to the fireplace and etc.

Travertine, the most common facade stone

Travertine is a sedimentary limestone which is formed in mineral springs, especially hot springs and inside caves. As the result of hot spring water movements that are saturated with calcium carbonate, the chemical balance of water is disturbed and carbon dioxide is released. The combination of carbon dioxide with calcium in the mineral spring water produces calcium carbonate, then this material settles in the bed of the water path and over time in combination with other materials, it forms pieces of travertine stone. Travertine stone is a completely porous stone and, the reason for the creation of these holes is the spaces occupied by the gases in the hot spring water. The less these water-soluble impurities are, the brighter the color of the travertine stones will be, such as pars travertine.

In the appearance and surface of travertine stone there are various colors and streaks. This color variation is due to the difference in the compounds that exist in the elements of the stone during the deposition, and they show themselves in the forms of different streaks. The presence of these streaks is one of the weaknesses of travertine stones. Also, these streaks crack against the lightest pressure, and cause the separation of travertine pieces. So, if travertine stones have less streaks, they have higher strength.

Travertine stones are found in white, yellow, red, cream, black and brown colors. The difference in colors is because of the dominant element of the stone. For example, red travertine has high amounts of iron oxide which cause this stone to have a red color.

There are travertine mines in different countries such as Italy, America, Romania, Turkey and Iran. Iran’s travertine mines are usually located in East and West Azerbaijan, Central, Yazd, Zanjan and Isfahan provinces.

In ancient times, travertine stone was considered as one of the cheapest stones due to its porous appearance and uneven surface. But, nowadays with the development of technology and the use of resin fillers, the surface of travertine stones become smooth and shiny with a beautiful appearance. The use of resin in the different stages of travertine stone processing caused a big jump in the production and demand of travertine stones.

Disadvantages of travertine stone

One of the disadvantages of travertine stone was its relatively high water absorption, which was almost eliminated with the advancement of processing technology. Using of covering materials like resin during the stone processing and polishing causes the stone to absorbs less water, and one of the other effects is that the stone gets dirty later and it is less exposed to weathering.

In the process of travertine stone production in the factories, travertine blocks are cut in two ways: wavy, which is against the direction of the waves of the stone. And waveless, which is in the direction of the waves of the stone.

Applications of travertine stone

Some pf the applications of travertine stone are:

  • Use as the wall covering in parking lot, staircase and lobbies
  • Use as the decorative stone in internal and external designs
  • Use for the façade of the residential and commercial buildings
  • Use in modern and classic design

Bookmatch and Fourmatch slabs

If we want to have a brief definition of bookmatch and fourmatch stones, we can say that this is a kind of stone processing which operates on slab stones with special patterns. Bookmatch and Fourmatch names are because of the shapes created by these slab stones. In bookmatch forms, two slabs with similar designs are placed next to each other, and these two stones are placed next to each other horizontally or vertically and installed in the different places. The line between these two slab stones actually plays the role of the axis between them. Also, the same thing happens in Fourmatch stones but instead of two stones, four slab stones are used. By placing these 4 slabs together, a beautiful pattern creates.

The process of bookmatch and fourmatch stones

The initial stage of processing this sample of stones begins with their extraction from the mines. To extract bookmatch and fourmatch stones, the patterns in a block stone must be completed. After sending the block stones to the factories, they will cut into sheets with a thickness of 2 or 3 cm called slab stones. In continue, these slabs should be polished in parallel with each other to create a bookmatch design.

The use of bookmatch and fourmatch stones

Bookmatch and fourmatch stones are used in different parts of the buildings. Using the bookmatch and fourmatch stones in the interior or exterior design of the buildings can increase the beauty and uniqueness of the place they are used in. In addition, it’s better to use them in large spaces, because there is more possibility to show the unique beauty of these stones. So, the following uses can be mentioned for these stones:

  • Lobby wall of luxury buildings
  • Paving of the reception hall in the hotels
  • Stone walls of stairs in certain buildings
  • TV rooms
  • Construction of decorative spaces
  • Facade of the luxury buildings

Stones with bookmatch and fourmatch design

This type of stone processing can be used in all types of high-quality building stones. Also, one of the main conditions of this processing is the existence of designs and patterns on the surface of the stone. So, stones that have a uniform and simple surface won’t be a suitable option for this process. Among the stones that have this ability, we can mention marble, granite, travertine, crystal and onyx stones if they have pattern and design.

The advantages of bookmatch and fourmatch slabs

Stone processing in the form of slabs has many advantages. This method is very eye-catching compared to the old methods and it can also increase the lifespan of the stone. In this method of stone cutting, unique stones can be created by using modern cutting machines and materials. In general, the advantages of slab stones include the following items:

  • Greater strength and beauty
  • Low production waste
  • Ease of transportation
  • High diversity
  • Ease of selection
  • Lighting capability
  • High quality

The price of bookmatch and fourmatch slabs

As you know, slab stones are more expensive than tile stones. And, the reason is the higher cost of processing of this type of stone. The next reason is that the sizes of slabs are bigger than tile stones, so they have higher prices. So, due to the relatively high prices of these stones, they are usually used in luxury buildings in a limited and decorative way, which is affordable.

General classification of building stones

Building stones are classified based on 3 structural characteristics:

  1. Based on specific weight: stones with a weight of more than 1.8 grams per cubic centimeter are called heavy stones and stones with a weight of less than 1.8 grams per cubic centimeter are called light stones.
  2. Based on pressure resistance: heavy stones have a pressure resistance between 100 and 1000 MPa and light weight stones have a pressure resistance between 4 and 100 MPa.
  3. Based on the softening coefficient: If the stone has a degree of softening coefficient between 0.6 and 1, it can be considered as a building stone and used in building constructions.

Foundation stones

For the foundation of the buildings, which is located on the ground level and underground, stones with a softening coefficient of more than 0.7 should be used. Also, stones that don’t contain clay or non-homogeneous minerals should be used. According to these points, granite stones are a suitable option for use in the foundation of the building.

Stone wall

For the construction of stone walls, igneous, sedimentary or metamorphic stones should be used that have the following characteristics:

  • Stones that their pressure resistance is between 0.04 and 50 MPa.
  • Stones that their specific weight is between 0.9 and 2.2 grams per cubic centimeter.
  • Stones that their softening coefficient is between 0.6 and 0.7.

Facade and paving stones

All igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary stones that have the following features can be used in façade and paving stones:

  • Stones that their pressure resistance is more than 5 MPa.
  • Stones that their softening coefficient is between 0.7 and 1.
  • There should be no cracks in the stone.
  • There should be no harmful minerals in the stone.

Stone, the best flooring

Stones have been the oldest and most durable building materials due to their strong structure and resistance to climate changes. So, using stones for flooring is better than other materials such as ceramics, wood and etc.  According to the features and structures of various stones, their uses are also different and it depends on the locations and spaces. For example, the paving of the hall and reception area can’t be the same as the paving of the park and sidewalks. and in this article, we will try to understand what kind of stones are suitable for different paving.

Internal and external Paving stones

Basically, the internal and external paving stones of the buildings should have a special harmony. It is true that stones have various uses and maybe you can’t use the indoor floor stones for outdoor spaces. But they can’t be completely irrelevant especially if the exterior of the building is separated from the interior by glass and large windows.

Here are some of the characteristics of natural stones:

  • Stones are naturally cold and using them in hot and dry areas can cool down the warm environment of your home. And, walking on cool stone in the hot season will make you feel so good. Also, stones are very suitable for transferring heat to the environment. You can easily heat them in the cold seasons to make the environment pleasant. And, heat doesn’t harm the stones.
  • Stones are not allergenic compared to wood and using them are the best option for people who suffer from allergies. Also, cleaning them are so easy and simple because they are resistant to dust.
  • Natural stones have more affordable prices than other materials. Therefore, by using them you can lower the costs.
  • They have much longer resistance and durability than other materials, and they don’t pollute the environment.
  • Stones are the best option for street and yard paving, because of the stones are resistance to climate changes and other probable damages and threats and using them for these places can be a good choice.

When you want to buy stones, ask the seller to guide you with the suitable ones for the area you want to use them. Also, ask the seller to guide and teach you how to install, maintain and clean them.

Suitable stones for interior flooring

Indoor spaces are divided into various parts for which each of them must uses its own special stone. We will mention some of them below:

Hall and reception floor

Since these parts are not in open areas, you can use marble or crystal stones for them. The stones of hall and reception flooring are used in different dimensions such as 80×80 and 60×60 cm, and their thickness must be between 14 and 20 mm.

Room floor

Suitable natural stones for the floor of the rooms are also marble and crystal stones. Of course, it is better to use 40×40 and 40×20 cm sizes with the thickness of between 14 and 20 mm.

Stairs and parking lot floor

Because of the fact that there is too much traffic and pressure in these places, the stones which are used in stairs and parking lots should have high resistance and low water absorption, such as marble, crystal and granite stones. The appropriate thickness for stepping stone is between 30 and 40 mm, and for the stone of the stairs and parking lot wall is between 14 and 18 mm.

Commercial, administrative and educational complexes floor

Paving stones of these places should have high abrasion resistance and low water absorption due to the high traffic and the possibility of damaging movements. Granite and crystal stones will be a good option for commercial, administrative and educational complexes with the thickness of 18 and 20 mm.

Suitable stones for exterior flooring

Basically, the floor stone of the yard must be in harmony with the architectural style of the building. In another way, both of them must be in modern or classical style. And, the paving of passages and streets should be in harmony with the style of urban planning.

Yard and park floor

The paving stones of the yard and parks should be chosen in balance with the general view and architectural style. But there are several important points to be mentioned: first, the stones shouldn’t be slippery. Second, the stones should have the standard thickness. And third, they should be resistant to cold and heat. So, marble, crystal and granite stones with suitable thickness of 25 and 40 mm will be a good choice for these places.

Passage and sidewalk floor

Stones of passages and sidewalks paving must have high resistance to pressure and cold and heat. Granite and crystal stones with the thickness of between 40 and 100 mm, and especially cubic stones which have a high thickness, are suitable for these places.