Natural Stone
"Natural" stone is a very broad category of materials that are found on the surface of the Earth, quarried or mined. The natural material may be processed and finished in a variety of ways, but always begins with the raw material as found in nature. Natural stone offers strength, beauty, character and durability, but is subject to considerable variation.

Natural Stone Veneer
Natural stone veneer is a relatively new development which offers architects, designers and builders greater ease in installation and reduced building costs compared to traditional stone fabrication. It consists of natural stone material that has been cut with a thickness of 1" to 3" and flat back surface that allows it to be mounted over block, poured concrete walls, open stud walls, cement board and other substrates. Special corners, sills and trim pieces are also available.

Cultured Stone
"Cultured" stone is an industry term for a wide variety of stone products which are formed or cast from cement or other powder or slurry formulas and then finished to imitate the look of natural stone. Cultured stone products are today of very high quality and offer consistent properties and performance. Fabrication costs may be reduced, compa

Basic Types of Natural Stone :

Sedimentary
"Sedimentary" stone is created by the hardening of sediment layers by pressure and low heat, usually under water. Often sedimentary stone consists of various layers layers or strata, and are also called stratified rocks. The original materials consist primarily of sand, clay or organic sediments. The hardness and strength of sedimentary stone varies considerably. Sandstone, shale, limestone and coal are some common sedimentary stones.

Igneous
"Igneous" comes from the Latin for fire, and igneous rock is formed from hot, molten material which cools and becomes solid. The material may have been molten lava on the surface of the Earth or molten magma (unerupted lava) at shallow depths, or magma in plutons ( bodies located deep in the Earth). Granite and Basalt are two of the most common Igneous stones.

Metamorphic
"Metamorphic" rocks are formed when heat, pressure, fluids and strain act to change or "metamorphize" sedimentary or igneous rocks into materials with different characteristics. For example, sandstone turns into quartzite and limestone recrystallizes and turns to marble under heat and pressure.

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