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Information Regarding Limestone Natural Stone

One of the timeless materials use by many for construction is limestone. Its durability and unique appearance make limestone a choice for a variety of applications. It is a versatile material that can used in a number of ways. In this article, we will explore some of the uses for limestone and look at its characteristics.

Properties of Limestone

As with many types of natural stone, limestone's characteristics depend a lot upon the area in which it was quarried as well as variations in the minerals of which it is made up. As a result, you will find limestone that looks different form one slab to the next.

The stone itself is considered to be a "soft" stone measuring a hardness of 3-4 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness. It is generally light in color but can have other colors as well since some of the substances that make up the material can influence the color of the stone. So, there may be some other light colored accents, however as a general rule, limestone is usually light colored.

The density of limestone varies as well. Since the stone occurs naturally in various parts of the earth. Furthermore, the hardness, porosity, and other characteristics can vary as well.

So, this means you will likely see limestone in a range of appearances.

Limestone Size and Shape

What sizes and shapes does limestone come in? The most common shapes you will find limestone in is:

  • Blocks
  • Slabs

Limestone blocks come in a maximum size of 8' x 4' x 4'. Limestone slabs come in a maximum size of 8'x 4' and a depth (or thickness) of 2-3 cm.

Uses for Limestone

The durability of limestone means that it lasts and its versatility means that it is used in a number of applications regarding construction and building architecture. Limestone is found in interior & exterior applications. This natural stone can also be used for other purposes. Some of these include:

  • Concrete Mixture
  • Landscaping
  • Retaining Walls
  • Walkways
  • Fill
  • Statues
  • Flooring
  • Counter Tops
  • Worktops

Additionally, limestone is used as aggregate, curbing, lime, mulch, and paving.

Limestone Finishes

One way that the appearance of limestone can be altered or influenced is by making use of various finishes. The various finishes come in a variety as well. These variations are in primarily two groups; 1) Textured and 2) Smooth. They are classified as follows:

  • Textured
    • Bush-hammered
    • Rock Face
    • Shot-Sawn
    • Chat-Sawn
    • Machine-Tooled
    • Sandblasted
    • Split Face
    • Plucked
  • Smooth
    • Circular Sanded
    • Polished
    • Honed

The list of finishes above is not by any means a complete list. There may also be custom finishes available through various stone suppliers or fabrication professionals.

Limestone Suppliers

  • Indiana Limestone
  • Stone Contact
  • Amlink Marble
  • abc Merchandising Pvt. Ltd.
  • Braen Supply
  • HM Stone
  • CodeImpex

The limestone block and slab suppliers listed above have a particular set of colors and/or selections in which they group their slabs. For a list of colors you can choose a brand from the table above. The brand page will give you a basic summary of the material and the colors each brand has.

Cartridge Glue for Limestone Fabrication Projects

Fabricating and installing limestone surfaces with the proper adhesive is key for stone fabrication professionals. We recommended Glaxs cartridge glue for limestone surfaces. Fabricating limestone, as you know, means using quality products for cutting, shaping, coring and gluing the material you are fabricating.

Limestone surfaces will no doubt continue to be a popular choice for all sorts of surfaces in a variety of applications. Knowing a bit about the material, what kinds of uses it offers and which suppliers of limestone are available can be helpful to anyone that is considering a new surface or room in the home.