Natural Stone Complete Guide

 A Guide to Natural Stones

Maintenance for natural stone varies based its type and application. Since some stones can be more prone to damage than others, it’s important to be deliberate about the environment remnants are installed in. Below is a brief guide to some of the most popular natural stones and their features:

Natural stone yard with remnants

Remnants from natural stone installs present an opportunity for creative applications that go beyond the countertop. These remnants give fabricators an opportunity for additional projects, and homeowners a deal on additional stone pieces to be featured throughout their home. There is an exciting array of unique, tasteful ways to use stone remnants to carry the luxury of natural stone throughout different rooms in the home, and reduce waste.

GRANITE

As the go-to for beautiful, durable, natural stone, granite can withstand water, mild abrasions, and heavy traffic with low maintenance. This stone type is ideal for kitchens, since heat, sharp objects, and water do not easily damage it. Flooring, shower surrounds, and fireplace surrounds are also excellent applications for granite, since it can stand up to regular heat, water, and weight. When using remnants, granite can be used for just about application.

MARBLE

This stone exudes elegance and sophistication. Interior accents, such as tabletops, staircase handrails, and bathroom vanities, are all perfect for showcasing the luxury of the stone. Marble can also bring timeless grandeur along walls and chair rails, or to the kitchen in backsplashes.

QUARTZITE

Quartzite is an increasingly popular countertop option for homeowners. This stone is naturally strong and heat-resistant, making it ideal for countertops, bartops, and fireplace surrounds.

SOFT QUARTZITE

Soft quartzite is similar to calcite-based marbles, but it is a harder material, making it similarly suited for use in countertops. The striking effect of the design’s movement makes it perfect for a kitchen island or tabletop, where the stone can be displayed in a large application to showcase its veins and variations.

TRAVERTINE

Formed in hot springs and limestone caves, travertine’s textured and fibrous appearance wraps its surroundings in natural warmth. Since travertine is easy to cut, it is ideal for backsplashes and flooring, especially when working to fill a small or uniquely-shaped space.

ONYX

Onyx is a stunning choice for areas illuminated with backlighting, since the stone filters the light in an extraordinary way. Onyx’s natural glow is best used to make a statement in illuminated in-set shelves in a bathroom or living room.

LIMESTONE

Often considered the mother of marble, travertine, and onyx, Limestone’s presence throughout history makes it the ultimate choice for modern day homes seeking old world charm. Since it’s often very dense and durable, limestone is an excellent option for flooring, countertops, and wall cladding.

SOAPSTONE

Soapstone’s flat, warm beauty offers a soft and rustic appearance. Since its finish is honed or leathered rather than polished, the surface of soapstone is quite durable. Soapstone is also acid resistant, making it a popular choice for kitchens or bar tops. This stone looks especially stunning on a desktop or tabletop, bringing elegance throughout different social spaces within the home.

Here are some ways to use your natural stone remnants:

TABLETOPS

                                                  

Large granite coffee table

A custom tabletop is perfect for extending luxury stone, and can give life to an old piece of furniture. Depending on how much of the slab remains, consider offering homeowners a coffee table, matching side tables, the top to a sofa table, or the top to an entryway table where a plant or vase could be displayed.

KITCHEN ISLANDS

                                     

Granite kitchen island

Leftover fragments from a stone install fit beautifully into a kitchen island, creating a striking “wow” factor. This is a great way to upcycle old material that is already cut into a rectangular shape – minimal refinishing required!

BAR OR BUFFET TOPS

                                   

Granite bar top

Many homeowners love to entertain after major remodels. Suggest utilizing remnants on a luxury buffet or serving table in the dining room. Similarly, if they have a separate bar cabinet, a beautiful natural stone surface would complete a high-end look that is perfect for their next soirée.

BATHROOM VANITY

                                                  

Granite bathroom vanity

Since bathroom vanities – especially those used in half or guest bathrooms – are much smaller than kitchens, they make an excellent choice for using remnants to help create a consistent aesthetic of luxury and style throughout the home.

WINDOWSILLS

                                                

Granite windowsills

This is a perfect opportunity to upsell a client who is remodeling an older property. Older windowsills can detract from the high-end, luxury aesthetic usually achieved with the installation of natural stone countertops. Implementing fresh granite or marble windowsills would be a perfect detail to complete any remodel.

BACKSPLASHES

Slab remnants can be cut down and shaved to become thinner for use as backsplashes in kitchens or bathrooms. If you have scraps from several products, consider cutting them down and matching coordinating stones for a mosaic design. This solution would be best used in bathrooms, where the backsplash would simply be a small strip between the countertop and the vanity mirror.

ACCENT TILE

Many fabricators cut remnants to make mosaic tile that would suit an accent tile strip for a bathroom.

TRIVETS

You tell your clients not to put their hot pans directly on their stone countertops, so why not use those remnants to make a few sophisticated trivets?

CHEESE BOARDS

This is one of the most popular uses of remnants, as it is an impressive statement piece that requires little material. The homeowner can envision inviting company over to see their gorgeous new bathroom or kitchen, and serving artfully arranged cheese on their perfectly coordinated cutting board!

COASTERS

Similar to trivets, cutting down leftover material to coaster-size is both functional and beautiful, and makes a lovely welcoming gift for homeowners seeing their completed remodel or new build for the first time.

By discovering new functions for old surfaces, fabricators can offer a thrifty, environmentally-friendly way to use slab remnants. Plus, utilizing remnants cuts down on waste for fabricators, and adds a special flare to your business.

Environmental benefits of natural stone

A major selling point for repurposing natural stone remnants is reducing the amount of product that goes to waste. Making use of every bit of stone that has already been quarried and transported ensures that there are no extra costs associated with shipping new surfaces for furniture. Plus, repurposing natural stone remnants is a great way to coordinate the design of a home from room to room.

Since natural stone is recyclable, remnants can also be crushed and re-used in the construction industry. Using recycled stone can save the water, energy, and other resources used to generate new building products from raw material sources. Recycled marble and granite are frequently used to make paving stones, fire pits, and mosaic tile, offering plenty of opportunities to make the most of what the Earth has provided. Smaller pieces can also be used as gravel fill or concrete aggregate. Similarly, in a powder form, natural stone can be used in fertilizer or as a sidewalk bed as the minerals like calcium and magnesium are vital nutrients for soil and plant life.

The durability of stone guarantees minimal impact on the environment overtime, as stone outlasts other manufactured products, therefore fewer slabs need to be quarried, finished, delivered, and cut, resulting in a lower net usage of resources.