What are the suitable stones for yard?

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One of the parts of the buildings that can has a great effect on the design and beauty of the buildings is the yard. The use of stones for the yard can have a significant effect on the beauty of this part. Natural stones are the best materials for use in the courtyard of the buildings. If you are looking for a suitable stone for the yard of your building, you should keep a few points in mind. The first and most important point is the stone resistance to cold, heat and pressure. Also, the stone strength and the degree of its water absorption is very important. Because there is a possibility of flooding and rain in the yard, so the stones of this part should have low water absorption. And, these stones must have special processing to prevents people from slipping.

Different natural stones for the yard

As you know, there are different types of building stones available in the market and each of them has its special uses. Therefore, it is necessary to know different kind of stones and their uses to choose the best yard stone. Here are some of the suitable stones to use in this part:

Granite stone

It can be said that granite is one of the most popular and best-selling stones and it is suitable for the yards too. Also, this stone is very resistant to all weather conditions. Another advantage of granite stone is its diversity in design and color, and you can find granite in different colors and shapes in the market which includes dark and light colors. Granite stone is also used in other parts of the building, including:

  • Stairs
  • Walls
  • Staircase wall
  • Decorative tables in the yard

Travertine stone

Travertine stone is one of the best stones for building floors, and it is harder and less porous than limestone. This stone is a good choice for the bottom of swimming pools in the yard due to its smooth and porous surface.

Slate stone

Slate stone is usually used in the yards to beautify the environment. The color of this stone varies and it is a suitable option for regions with cold climates, because this stone has a high resistance to cold weather conditions.

Marble stone

If you want to use stone with light and cream theme for the yard, marble stone can be very good option. Due to its dense and strong texture, it can be a lasting and durable stone. Marble stones have different finishings and designs that are offered in various sizes.

Facade washing

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There are harmful pollutants in the air that are caused by the smoke of cars and factories. These pollutants with dust and acid rains sit on the facade stones and cause them to become dark and dirty. When the facade of the building gets dirty in addition to effects on the appearance of the building, it also effects on the appearance of the neighborhood and the city.

What is façade cleaning?

The set of services that are performed to remove dirt, stains or any type of pollution from the surface of the facade stone of the building using special materials and specialized tools is called façade washing or façade cleaning. There is no fixed method for washing facade stones. And, according to each building facade, its washing may be different. Note that as washing facade makes it beautiful, it also can cause serious damage to the façade if the wrong washing method is used.

For washing the facade of a building according to the type of it, you can use special materials and substances such as detergents, acidic materials and nano materials. Also, the tools used for washing can be different according to the type of mass and stains sitting on the façade stones.

Buildings that need facade washing

There are various buildings that when you look at them you realize that their facades need to be washed. Next, we want to check them together.

  1. One of the buildings that need facade washing are old buildings that have been built for a long time and have not been cleaned during this time. During their lifetime, these buildings have absorbed a lot of dirt and pollution, and the color of their façade stones are no longer clear. In these buildings, most of the facade stones are washed with a waterjet machine 220 times along with special materials for removing stains.
  2. The next item whose facade stones need to be washed are the buildings that have been renovated and they have just finished their construction phase. In these buildings, due to their stone work, the soil sits on the surface of the stones and makes them dirty. Also, there might be some mortar on the surface of the stones and make their appearance ugly. In these cases, you can wash the facade of your building by contacting facade cleaning companies.
  3. In addition to buildings whose facades are made of stones, there are buildings that have glass facades. These buildings also need washing and cleaning. One of the disadvantages of this type of facade is that it gets dirty soon and needs to be washed regularly. In the autumn and winter seasons, after snow and rain, spots remain on the glass. These facades need to be washed every three months.

Types of stone washing methods

there are two methods for washing the stone facade, and you can choose each of these according to the type of your facade, your budget, and its safety:

Washing the façade with Rapple method without scaffolding

Due to the progress of science and the construction of tall buildings all over the world, it is no longer possible to wash the stone facade with the scaffolding method. Washing stones with this way reduces the speed of people’s actions and for this reason, the Rappel method is replaced. The rappel method or washing with a rope is much safer, faster, and at the end it has higher quality than the scaffolding method. And, in general, choosing this method doesn’t take any risks.

Washing the façade by the scaffolding method

This washing method is an old and traditional method that is rarely used due to the high cost and risk. This method is usually used when there isn’t enough space to use ropes for cleaning.

The best time to wash the facade

In big cities, there are a lot of pollution in the air such as factories and cars smoke. Some of these pollutants are decomposed and purified by plants. But most of them remain in the air and over time sit on the building façades and make them dirty and over time the stones become darker and won’t have their initial brightness. This time is the time to wash the facade. With using machines with high water pressure, these pollutants are removed from the facade. If hard materials except stones are used in the facade of your building, you can use the sandblasting method to clean it.

The price of façade washing

The price of façade stone washing is determined by several factors. Among these factors, we can mention the amount of pollution, the time spent for washing, the difficulty of washing method and the final quality of the work. If there is any changes in the items mentioned, the cost of the façade washing will increase or decrease. Before doing it, agree on the price with the relevant companies.

The Best Stone Facade

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With the expansion of urbanization, we can see the increase of constructions in different cities of the world. Nowadays, architects and builders give a special importance to the facade of the building. And, they try to own a brand for themselves in the construction industry by implementing a desirable and stylish facade.

Builders and designers do their best to use both modern and classic materials and styles to make the interior and exterior of the buildings look more beautiful and provide a favorite environment for a peaceful life. The exterior of the building is the only part of a building that can be seen or judged by the public. And, it is actually the birth certificate of the construction and sometimes the name of the building is taken from its facade. The facade of the building not only protects the building against various environmental factors, but also gives it a unique charm and beauty to it.

Various materials are used in the design of the facade, such as stone, wood, brick, panels and etc. Each of them has its own advantages and unique characteristics. Among all the materials, stone is the only one that has been used from the ancient times till today, and its durability and high resistance have always been noticed. The

facade stone must have certain characteristics. for example, it must be free of cracks to prevent stone breakage by climate changes and water absorption over passing time. A good facade stone should has the necessary pressure and UV rays resistance and low water absorption.

Before choosing and buying a facade stone, you should learn about the disadvantages, features and usages of stones. RAS stone team has provided readers with complete information, including the use and analysis of all natural building stones, and it is recommended to you to visit our website before buying a stone.

One of the simple ways to distinguish between high-quality and low-quality stone is to tap on the stone with a metal tool. If the stone makes the sound of a glass, then it has no cracks and breaks and it is a high-quality stone.

Suitable stones for the façade

The stone of the main façade should has the necessary resistance to sunlight, cold, heat, humidity, air pollution and other damageable factors. Basically, facade builders and designers use travertine, sand stone, granite and crystal stone in designing the facade of the building. Each of these stones has their special features that we will discuss in details below.

Travertine stone

Compared to other facade stones, travertine has more features. Due to its special structure, travertine has a good adhesion with mortar and separate it from the facade is so difficult. And, it is lighter than other facade stones and it has a high variety of colors. One of the disadvantages of this stone is that it is not a good choice for cold and frosty areas due to its porous structure. The price of travertine stone depends on the type of its color and quarry and basically white ones such as pars travertine are more expensive than the others.

 Granite stone

The main characteristic of granite stone is its high resistance. Due to its high density and very low water absorption, granite stone doesn’t have a good adhesion with mortar and for this reason, if it doesn’t install well, it may separate from the facade. Granite stone is used with polished surface in modern facades. One of the characteristics of granite stone in the facade is its high-pressure resistance and the fact that granite doesn’t absorb air pollution. Among the disadvantages of granite stone facade is its high weight and lack of good adhesion with mortar. The price of white granite stones is cheaper than black, red and green ones.

Crystal stone

Crystal stone has been used in building facades for a long time, even before using granite stones. Nowadays, crystal stone has opened its place in the facade of luxury buildings with new stone processing such as Bookmatch and Fourmatch. Among the characteristics of this stone, we can mention its good adhesion with mortar, low water absorption and a high pressure resistance. White and silver crystal stones are more expensive than others.

Sand stone

Sandstone is formed of various minerals such as silica, iron oxide, calcium carbonate and dolomite. These stones have high resistance and high water absorption. And for this reason, they do not have a good adhesion with mortar. Sandstones in Iran don’t have a variety of colors and they are often seen in yellow, gray and brown colors. This stone is suitable for modern design and it is often use with white stone, brick and wood. The price of sandstone is cheaper than travertine, granite and crystal stones.

 

A suitable stone for the façade of the buildings should be selected based on the geographical locations. In cold areas where there is a possibility of snow and frost, stones that have less porosity are recommended to use. In addition, in areas where sandstorms occur constantly, the life of the façades become shorter. For this reason, by considering the geographical conditions and climate changes, you can choose and buy a suitable stone.

In general, the stone used for facade should has the following features:

  • It must be free of cracks
  • It must have good bending strength
  • It must be resistant to climate changes
  • It shouldn’t be discolored by sunlight
  • It should be resistant to acid rain
  • Façade stone must be free of porosity

What is the best stone for stairs?

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Using a suitable stone for the staircase of a building is very important, because the staircase is a place of high traffic. When designers or architects decide to construct a building, they must consider to use good materials for their projects in terms of the safety. The most impressive part of a building is its facade and stairs.

As mentioned, the staircase of a building is a place with high traffic, and it is visible to all the people who live or come in. That’s why the architects try to use the best materials for this part of the buildings. Although stone is a heavy and hard material, but it can give a special effect to the building due to its beautiful texture and natural color.

If we want to mention the types of stones that can be used for the stairs, we can mention granite and marble stones. But, the best and suitable type for staircase is granite stone.

Building stones have their own use and the climatic and geographical conditions of the region they are going to use is very important to be noticed. Also, natural stones are different in terms of resistance. The best type of the stones is one that is resistant to pollution and water absorption.

Types of staircase’s stones and their use

Granite stone

Granite is a high resistance stone with high polish and unique appearance. And, it is also resistant to acidic detergents, so you can clean it easily and it does not show any chemical reactions against these materials. This stone has low water absorption, so it is a good choice for the staircase designs. This stone is mostly used in high-traffic places, such as office and commercial complexes, road construction, sidewalks, stairs and etc.

Onyx stone

Onyx is a luxury stone that is mostly used in the interior designs of the buildings. This stone has a high resistance to cold and heat. In terms of its long life, onyx is a suitable stone for stairs. And, over passing time, this stone won’t lose its appearance. In addition to the interior parts of the buildings, onyx stone can also be used in the exterior parts. And, this stone is highly resistant to acid rains. One of the important features of onyx is that it has the ability to pass the light. If you are looking for a good, high-quality and luxury stone for stairs, this stone is a good option. But, in terms of price, it has a relatively high price.

What is the best stone for the stairs?

Architects and designers expect the stone they use for the internal and external stairs have a high-quality and it keeps its appearance and quality for years. The stone used for the stairs should not have any cracks because its surface will break over time. So, it’s important to use high-quality stones with low water absorption and they must be resistant to detergents and chemicals. Using natural stones in the stairs give a special effect to the building due to their special texture and natural color.

Here is a great point for you when you want to choose or buy a natural stone:

It’s easy to recognize a good and high-quality stone when it makes the sound of glass when you hit it. Hit the stone with a metal object, if it makes a glass sound, it means that the stone does not have any cracks and it is a good stone.

Features of a suitable stone for staircase

The stones that builders and designers can use for the staircase are marble, granite and lime stone. And, according to their taste in stones and the cost of them, they can choose each of these stone.

Below are some of the features of stepping stones:

  • They must be highly resistant to weather conditions and water absorption
  • Stairway stones must have high resistance to pressure and scratches.
  • The stones used for the stairs must have a special color and texture.
  • And most importantly, they should have a high quality which is very important.

As mentioned, you should choose a stone for stairs with all of these features so that it won’t crack or break over time.

To buy high quality granites, please check our products.

Natural stone quarries in Iran

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Iran is one of the countries with various mines. And, about 25% of the known quarries of Iran are building stone mines. Iran’s natural resources have taken a large share of the world market. In the field of natural stone, there are many quarries in various places and cities of Iran which supply the country’s domestic consumption and foreign exports.

In continue, we will introduce the most important stone mines of Iran.

Mining from the Iranian stone quarries

Extracted stones from Iranian mines have a great variety in type, color, design and quality. Meanwhile, in countries such as Brazil and India, there is only granite and in Italy there is only marble.

As we know, the taste of people in the society is different from time to time and this huge variety of Iranian stones make the market respond faster and customers can choose different stones for their projects.

The variety of discovered stone quarries in Iran is as follows:

  • Marble stones 54%
  • Granite stones 20%
  • Crystal stones 15%
  • Travertine stones 10%
  • Onyx stones 1%

In this article, we’re going to speak about the most important stone mines of Iran in Isfahan, West Azerbaijan, Lorestan, Fars, Yazd and Central provinces:

Isfahan Province

This province has the most important stone quarries of Iran. It has 89 travertine mines, which is the highest number among the provinces of this country.

West Azerbaijan Province

This province produces more than 4000 tons of construction stones every year. stones with high quality and variety. In this province, there are about 440 mines that have licenses, and approximately one-half of this number is related to building stone quarries. Marble, onyx and granite are among the stones which are extracted from the mines of this province.

Azarshahr is the most important and famous city of West Azerbaijan province in this industry. It is famous in the world for its red travertine. Azarshahr city has 40 active mines and from this point of view it is considered one of the important centers of stone production in this country.

Lorestan Province

This province has about a quarter of Iran’s building stone resources, so it is considered one of the important provinces in stone industries in Iran.

There are about 70 marble and crystal mines in this province, and it has the largest number of stone quarries among other provinces.

Fars Province

Crystal and Marble stones are about 15% of all the stones extracted from Fars province mines.

There are 398 active stone quarries in Fars province, which generally are about 10% of the Iran’s stone mines. Also, due to its high-quality stones, this province has exported about 30% of Iran’s natural stones.

Yazd Province

Stone quarries of this province are very diverse and most of them are granite, marble and crystal mines.

About one million and 300,000 tons of stones are extracted from Iran’s quarries every year, and Yazd province owns more than 30% of this extraction.

Central Province

This province has the largest number of the active building stone quarries with 64 travertine mines. And, currently the Central province supplies a significant part of the travertine stone needed by the internal market and it is considered to have important stone mines.

Mahalat city is famous to has one of the most important sources of travertine stone mines in the world and it has a great diversity.

Stones in different types, with different textures and colors are one of the natural materials used for constructions and buildings. Today, slabs of granite and marble stones are used to beautify the different parts of the buildings. Stones have their unique characteristics that make them possible to be used for various purposes. For instance, travertine which is considered an inexpensive stone and has a variety of colors, is mostly used outdoors.

What are the features of a high quality stone?

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The stone used in the interior or exterior design must be free of cracks and even free of harmful minerals. Basically, a high-quality stone should have low water absorption and be resistant to atmospheric changes such as cold, heat, sunlight, and chemicals. In many cases, the buyers of building stones only pay attention to the appearance of the stone, which may cause them problems over passing time and finally they won’t be satisfied with their purchase. Most buyers and consumers of stones are looking for the color and uniformity of the stone, while the stones have been formed over millions of years. So, they have a natural texture and the color of them are inspired by the nature.

When you want to buy a building stone, you should pay attention to the place that the stone is going to be installed. Because, each stone has its special use and it is suitable for one or more parts of the building space. The places that can be separated in the building usually include the different parts of interior and exterior designs, residential and commercial paving, steps, elevators, parapets and etc.

The suitable stone for exterior or building facade is a stone that is resistant to cold, heat and UV rays of the sun. So, stones like travertine, granite and sandstone can be used for this purpose.

The suitable stone for the interior facade is a stone that is hard and has a beautiful appearance. And, it doesn’t need to be resistant to weather conditions or climate changes. Therefore, stones such as marble, onyx, limestone and crystal can be used for interior places. But there is no restriction on the type of stone for the interior walls of the building.

Suitable stone for stairs and steps

The suitable stone for stairs and steps, especially in places with high traffic, is a stone that is hard enough. So, granite stone is the best option for use in stairs. But if you have a desire to use marble stone, you must definitely use high-quality and first-class marble.

Suitable stone for indoor and residential paving

Stone is the best and most highly resistant flooring in the world, and so far, no more resistant and beautiful material than natural stone has been made or known. Stones will give a pleasant and beautiful atmosphere to the building.

The best and most suitable stone for indoors and paving stones of residential buildings are those that have water absorption, high abrasion resistance and less porosity. Among the building stones, marble, onyx and crystal stones are suitable for these places. But, in offices and commercial buildings where there is more traffic, a hard stone which is resistant to pressure should be used, such as granite or high-quality marble stones.

Suitable stone for pavements

A suitable stone for such spaces should be resistant to pressure, frost and chemicals. Granite and crystal stones which are especially produced in the form of cubes are suitable for such spaces.

Suitable stone for bathrooms

For spaces with high humidity, such as bathrooms and WC, the best stone is a stone that has low water absorption and it is resistant to chemical detergents. Among the existing stones, granite and crystal stones are more suitable for this use.

Architects’ opinion about the stones

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Iran is a country with many natural stone mines and since ancient times, the use of stone has been an interest due to its resistance, stability and beauty. Obviously, in the past due to the difficulties of extraction, transportation and grinding, except in the mountain villages and in luxurious buildings, construction with stone has been a difficult, expensive and time-consuming task. In the past, stones not only have been used for decorative work, but they also have been used for their great strength.

With the introduction of mining and stone cutting machines in the new era and the industrialization of natural stone extraction, the use of stones in the facade and flooring have become popular. And, stone which was a luxurious product in urban areas has become a useful material for buildings and constructions. And, it has become easily accessible to the general public.

Before that, most important offices or luxurious buildings were made of stone and they were a symbol of glory and power. With the discovery of new mines and the acceleration of extraction, the variety of stones offered in the market gradually increased and the prices were also adjusted. So, designers developed more creativity in the use of these stable and beautiful materials.

Now, Iran is in the list of the first 7 countries in the world in production and processing of decorative stones. The old methods of processing, transporting and installing natural stones may waste this useful material. And, by considering the fact that in big cities, with the increase in population and the cost of land, tall buildings become more popular. Therefore, it is no longer cost-effective to make the facade heavier by the old methods of slow stone installation. And, the issue of time as well as lightening facade is very important, especially due to earthquakes.

When architects are familiar with stone finishing process that can be applied on the surface of stones with different tools, the suitable stone for strength of the facade, floor and etc., they can make better choices for their designs.

It is obvious that the production and supply market must always consider the demands of architectures, professionals and builders in order to be successful. Also, architects can no longer be accountable to their employers with old approaches and traditional methods of execution.

Methods of cleaning building stones

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There are different ways to clean a building stone. Natural stone surfaces are beautiful, but if they don’t properly maintain, they’ll lose their beautiful appearance and their surface luster. And, they need to be cleaned again. To clean stones, you should use natural cleaning products for natural stones. In the following, we will be acquainted with the method of cleaning different stones.

Undoubtedly, in the most houses, stone is used in different parts, especially on the floor of the building. And, one of the concerns for people using natural stones is how to clean them. Before cleaning, it is better to know a bit about the type of stone used in your building. Because the types of stones are different, and each one has its own characteristics. When you have information about your building stone, it will help you directly in the way of maintaining and cleaning it. First you should know about your stone and its features, then it is time for learning methods of cleaning it, which are discussed below:

Cleaning and polishing the floor and wall stone

Indoor building stones are usually used for kitchen counter tops, between the cabinets, flooring and etc. Unfortunately, some unaware people use chemical detergents to clean natural building stones. Using them work well at first and the surface becomes completely shiny, but after a few years, the stone won’t look the same as before and it will start to crack or break.

The best way to clean the flooring stone is to first gently sweep the debris on it with a soft broom. Be careful, this will prevent the surface of the stone to be cracked. In a bucket with cold water, mix some special stone and ceramic cleaner until it foams. Clean the stone completely using a cloth or a soft cloth so that no detergent remains on the stone and finally dry the stone with a soft cloth. Be sure to use cold water to clean the stone because hot water destroys the enzymes in the detergent.

Cleaning the facade of a building

The method of cleaning stone in the facade needs more care and attention. In order to wash and clean the façade stone, you should keep in mind the humidity level of the nearby area. Because, moisture is the main cause of the stone erosion. This issue can be effective for the frequency of washing the facade. There are different ways to wash and clean the facade, and each of these methods is suitable for its own conditions. On the other hand, the level of air pollution also affects the choice of washing method, for example, the method of cleaning and washing the façade of a building that is in an area full of smoke will be different from the facade that has dirty oily stains.

Types of stone washing methods

In general, there are three types of stone cleaning methods in the exterior section:

  • Washing with water
  • Washing with chemicals
  • Washing by shaving method

Usually, washing by shaving method is done with the help of sand or gravel and it is not very recommended, because in this method, in addition to removing dirt and pollution, some parts of the stone surface is rubbed and it cause damage to the stone. Therefore, do not use this method except in necessary cases. Washing methods with water and chemicals are both suitable and safer for cleaning the façade stone, but each can be done on certain materials.

Important key points in cleaning the building stone

An important point in the field of stone cleaning in all sectors is that the stones must be cleaned quickly when they are contaminated. When the stain appears on the surface of the stone, you should quickly clean it and if you don’t, the stain may be difficult to remove or even not completely removed later.

When the stain remains on the stone, especially if it is a tea or coffee stain, it won’t be easy to clean. In the kitchen counter, we usually use suitable stones. But usually, this part of the kitchen is vulnerable to get many stains. But don’t worry, if you clean the stains from the beginning, they won’t decrease the life of the stone and they will be less trouble for you.

Factors Affecting the Price of the Building Stones

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For those who intend to buy natural building stone, its price has always been important. And, for this reason, they should be familiar with the factors that affect the price of the building stones. Building stones can give a special effect to your building and they are one of the most popular building materials used in constructions.

Among the factors that can affect the price of a building stone, we can mention the items below:

Type of stone

As you know, there are different types of building stones that you can choose according to the design of the building and your taste. Granite, onyx, travertine and marble can be mentioned among the types of building stones. Granite stone has a unique beauty and it is a very suitable option for building columns, walls and floors.

Marble is also a dense and strong stone that is widely used in places where resistant stone is needed. Marble stone is a good choice for stairs and building floors, which are places with high traffic. Travertine stone is another type of building stone that is mostly used in building facades due to its non-dense texture and porosity. Marble is also a stone that gives a special effect to the building due to its special appearance. Marble does not have a good resistance to acid rain, and therefore it is not recommended to use in the facade. Each of these stones have different prices due to their different characteristics.

Color of stone

The color of a stone can also be another influencing factor on the price of the building stone. The color of the stone has a direct effect on the beauty of the building. So, the importance of the color of the stone in this section is well defined. When you want to choose a stone, you should pay attention to the fact that some stones react with chemicals and it may change their color. Therefore, choose a stone that does not lose its color due to reaction with chemicals or exposure to sunlight.

Stone Cutting method

Another factor that affects the price of a building stone is the type of stone cutting method. According to the type of stone and the tools used to cut it, its price will be different. For example, granite has a very high resistance and it is a hard stone. As a result, it will cost more to cut and polish. This cost can have a direct effect on the final price of the stone. In general, it can be said that the harder the stone, the higher the cost of cutting it and vice versa.

Durability of stone

Each stone has a special physical or chemical structure. Some existing physical and chemical factors can affect the durability of the stone. One of the factors that is very effective in reducing the durability of stone is temperature changes that can cause cracking and breaking of stone. Water and humidity can also have negative effects on stone durability.

As a result, any stone that has more resistance will have a higher price. In the field of building stone durability, other factors such as abrasion resistance, bending resistance and pressure resistance are also important. You should keep these things in mind when you want to choose a stone for your building.

Building Stone processing

In order to produce and make building stones, various operations are performed on them, which is known as stone processing. Among these operations, we can mention the cutting of block stone, choosing the suitable machinery for stone cutting, the use of resin and epoxy, polishing, painting and using lace, etc.

The differences in the cost of processing and production of building stone will affect the final price of them. Stones that are resistant, such as granite, require less processing levels, and as a result, their final price will be lower. But stones like marble are the exact opposite of granite.

Check the price of common building stones

Marble, travertine and onyx are among the types of commonly used construction stones. In addition to the factors mentioned above, other factors such as the design of the stone and the internal or external use of that stone have an exact effect on the prices. Each of these types of stones, which were mentioned as widely used stones, have their own advantages and disadvantages and also different prices. Among these three types of stones, marble has a higher price compared to other stones due to its rare quarries and high cost of processing. The uses of marble are different and it is mostly used in the construction of luxury buildings.

Ceramic or Stone flooring ?

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From the past until today, different materials are used to cover the floor of the buildings. Natural stones and ceramics are among the most widely used materials. There are many similarities between these two floor materials, but also there are some differences between them.

Comparison between natural stone and ceramic flooring

Generally, we use natural stones such as marble, onyx, and some travertine stones as the stone flooring of the building. Ceramics are also used to cover the floor of the building. There are many similarities between ceramics and natural stones. Both of them are hard materials which generally have very little water absorption and they are resistant to water penetration.

Therefore, because of these features, they can easily be used for long time as indoor and outdoor flooring. However, there are differences between them that make each of them a unique material with special features. Now the question is, which of them is better for the floor of the building? In this article, we will help you to choose the suitable flooring material by comparing the advantages and features of each of them.

Natural stone features

Natural building stones have their own appearance and they are somehow unique. All stones, have cracks and veins and substances or liquids may penetrate into them and eventually damage the stone. In contrast to natural stones, ceramics have a uniform surface and they don’t have cracks. Ceramics also have stable and similar colors which is an advantage for them. After all, if you want to design a uniform building, ceramics are a very good option for you. But if you like different designs and patterns, natural stones are recommended.

Durability of natural stone and ceramics

The resistance of different types of ceramics is affected by the firing temperature and their materials. Firing at a higher temperature make them more resistant. Crystal ceramics, which are baked at a temperature of about 1200 degrees, are more resistant than other kinds of ceramics. The durability and hardness of natural stones vary according to the type of stone. Granite, marble and onyx stones are very resistant and more durable than those which have porosity.

How to clean the stone or ceramic flooring

Natural stones are vulnerable to acid detergents, so acid cleaners should not be used to clean the natural stones. For ceramics that are glazed, you can use different detergents, but keep this in mind, if you use stronger chemicals, you should be careful of breaking down the bond lines between the ceramics.

The last word

In general, the choice of natural stone or ceramic for flooring, according to their own features, still needs the taste of the architect and the owner of the building. They can choose the appropriate flooring according to their taste and what they want to use for the interior or exterior design of a building.

Ceramics are the right choice for low-maintenance floors. Be careful that ceramics don’t have a completely natural material and although they look very similar to natural stones, they are not able to have the resistance, strength and full beauty of natural stones. Because of the beauty of natural stones, most people tend to use natural materials such as natural building stones to give their building a special and unique effect.