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Portuguese Cobblestone

Portuguese cobblestone is one of the great Portuguese heritages – a symbol of the city of Lisbon. Wherever you go in Portugal, from big cities to small villages, you will find Portuguese cobblestone on the pavement.

This art of making the pavement patterned and colourful emerged in the 15th century by King Manuel I, who had small pieces of stone implemented in Lisbon’s pavement. This design uses small cubic shaped natural stones, usually light in colour. There is, however, a variation of darker stones that are applied to create different patterns.

From Katarzayma Jaiklewi+

From Julie Dawn

From NCultura

Largo do Chiado, Lisbon

Coimbra University entry, Coimbra

Padrão dos Descobrimentos in Belém, Lisbon

This pavement quickly became an art inspired by Roman mosaics and patterns rich in symmetry and different shapes, from Caravels to birds.

There are many variations and techniques to apply Portuguese cobblestone. However, the perfect execution of the Portuguese cobblestone is made by “calceteiros” with a lot of experience and talent, as this is a unique art that requires a lot of talent.

Portuguese Cobblestone around the world

Although the cobblestone is typically Portuguese, it quickly spread to various parts of the world.

Calçadão in Rio de Janeiro

Memorial to John Lennon in Central Park, NY

Senado Square, Macau

From Living Mosaics

From Imagine Piece

Why is portuguese cobblestone a trend?

The Portuguese cobblestone is a timeless art. By applying this art to your project, you are for sure creating something fantastic that will bring a new luxury to your design. You can create cut-to-size projects, with unique elements and how the customer desires.

These are some of the examples located in the city of Lisbon.

From Comunidade Cultura e Arte

From Magazine da Cidade

From VortexMag

Avenida da Liberdade, Lisbon

Praça do Marquês de Pombal, Lisbon

Cais do Sodré, Lisbon

From Expresso

From LisbonLux

From Pinterest

Rua de São Tomé in Alfama, Lisbon

Parque das Nações, Lisbon

Largo de Camões, Lisbon

Which are the most common types of Cobblestone?

The stones used to design Portuguese pavement usually are limestone, granite and basalt. Taking into account the desired result, these are the most common:

Limestone

Limestone is one of the most common stones used in paving in Portuguese cobblestone. This stone is extracted in central Portugal and is more commonly applied on all types of pavement. The stone is composed of different types of calcium carbonate crystals, mostly calcite and aragonite. Normally, its dimensions vary between 40x60mm and 100x110mm, for artistic sidewalks and pedestrian sidewalks, however, the stone can be cut for cut-to-size projects. Limestone can represent many colours, from light/white to grey, beige and dark/black.

Granite

Granite stone is one of the hardest and densest stones, is suitable for any type of application and location. Granite is mainly composed of quartz, mica and feldspar. The stone is extracted in the north of Portugal and takes proportions from 40x60mm to 100x110mm, depending on whether it is being used for Artistic Sidewalks or Roads, and it can be adapted for cut-to-size projects. Granite is essential for the creation of colourful and multi-coloured patterns, with the most common being for a more grey and yellow paving.

Basalt

Most sidewalks and patterns are made with limestone and granite, however, basalt stone is used for specific situations where the objective is to contrast with a darker and more homogeneous stone. This type of stone is only used in small proportions and is distinguished by its irregularity in the cut, as this is a material that is difficult to work with. Usually, black coloured basalt is used, which is easily confused with black limestone.

August 3, 2021

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The perfect Natural Stone for your bathroom

Natural Stone recommended for your bathroom

Natural stone is suitable for every part of the house- with the right application and maintenance.

A bathroom is a place where a lot of humidity and water can get infiltrated in the walls and flooring. For that reason, it is important to choose a stone with low porosity or with the right finish or sealant. Some finishes also help to protect the stone, although they need to be taken into account for security reasons.

Most limestones and marbles are porous stones, so it is necessary to apply treatment, such as a proper finish or a correct sealant. When it comes to granites, it is different: granites don’t have porous, so it is the perfect stone to apply anywhere, especially in bathrooms and countertops.

Things you need to know before using natural stone

1

Natural stone is porous: even though you can apply finishes or sealants to try and minimize water absorption, it needs to be maintained and sealed again so it doesn’t create mould or fungi.

2

Stone is slippery: the best finish to protect the stone from humidity is polished- but, with this finish, natural stone gets extremely slippery. In a bathroom, you want to avoid slippery materials, so, even though you can use this finish only on the walls and apply a sealant on the floor, it is not recommended.

3

Maintenance: you want to avoid using detergents or cleaning agents that might damage or discolour the stone. Some aggressive detergents might create an irritation on the stone, while others might pass moisture into the stone surface and stain it.

4

Stone is cold: most types of stone are cold materials that tend to cool down space where they are applied. Thus, natural stone is a great heat conductor so you can apply heated flooring so that your bathroom is always warm and cosy.

5

Reinforcement on the flooring: no matter the thickness of the stone, it is important to reinforce the subfloor underneath the stone tile before it is installed.

Although porous natural stones are not recommended for bathrooms, they can be applied with the required elements: sealants, maintenance, and proper finishing.

These are some of our suggestions:

Marbles

Pele de Tigre

Pele de Tigre is a marble from Portugal with a white color, fine to medium grain, a distinct irregular dark blue veins and a relatively high degree of hardness. Some variations occur in characteristics such as vein intensity and pattern, color and structure.

Estremoz Lagoa

Estremoz Lagoa is a marble of Portugal with a white, grayish and blue color, thin to medium and brownish veins. It has a relatively high degree of hardness, is widely available and is suitable for coating, interior decoration, medium to high traffic pavements, coatings and other stones.

Estremoz White

Estremoz White is a marble from Portugal with a white color, fine to medium grain and brownish veins. It has a relatively high degree of hardness, is widely available and is suited for cladding, interior decoration, medium to high traffic flooring, coverings and other stonework.

Ruivina

Ruivina is a marble from Portugal with a grey color, dark blue tone, medium grain and distinct veins. It also has some white shaded zones and a relatively high degree of hardness.

Limestones

Moleanos

Moleanos is a Portuguese limestone with light beige coloured background and a slight greyish tonality, with thin to medium grain and disperse brownish fine spots.
With a medium hardness, it’s frequently used for cladding, pavements, interior decor, street furniture and other stoneworks.

Atlantic Blue

Atlantic Blue is a limestone from Portugal with a blue homogeneous color and thin grain. It has some dark blue dots, lighter and darker areas and, sometimes, a distinct dark blue vein.

Hard Blue

Hard Blue is a limestone from Portugal with a blue homogeneous color and thin grain. It has some dark blue dots, lighter and darker areas and, sometimes, a distinct dark blue vein.

June 14, 2021

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Facts that will make you choose Natural Stone

Why should you choose natural stone?

Natural stone is a flexible material that can easily be used in many areas and spaces. In this post, we will take you on the main point of why you should opt for natural stone for your projects.

Choosing natural stone means opting for a unique product that comes from nature.
New materials strive to imitate its beauty, but genuine natural materials connect us with our planet and its future in a unique and undeniable way.

More and more, we see architects and designers are opting for natural stone products. The authentic and timeless character and durability of natural stone offer an absolute added value for every house or project! New technologies are also keeping the stone at the forefront with innovative interior design trends, introducing new textures and patterns.

Here are some of the reasons why you should opt for natural stone:

Easy to maintain

It lasts forever

Sustainable material

Most natural stones are easy to maintain. Of course, there are some stones that, for being too porous or too soft, require more maintenance. But overall, it is a material that can keep its original form for a long time.

One of the most durable materials- it lasts forever. When we take a look at history’s long art pieces, we see that most of these sculptures and buildings are made with natural stone. It is no secret that stone stands forever.

A sustainable material that combines beauty with an ecological footprint. It is produced by nature. It doesn’t require the use of energy or power to be created. Nowadays, its transformation is done using small amounts of energy, and most of the energy that it uses is renewable.

Adds value to your home

Health Benefits

Large variety

Creates art in your home and adds value. Because stone lasts forever, you are sure that you have a timeless material.

Natural stone is an amazing material to have at your house to surround yourself with natural elements. Natural stone has a positive health effect because its free of synthetic materials.

You can find stones of many shapes and sizes, colours and patterns, porosity and durability.

So, it is time for you to adapt your place to the beauty of the natural stone.

May 28, 2021

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Marble Countertops: clean, prevent and seal

The Beauty of Natural Stone

As mentioned before, marble is one of the most desirable natural stones for countertops to maintain. You can choose a marble countertop and still last you years to come. After all, natural stone lasts forever.

Marble has one the largest ranges of colours, veining and patterns in natural stone. So, it is one of the most flexible stones to adapt to in any style.

Marble and how to protect it

Marble is mainly composed of calcium carbonate, and most of them are very porous. For this reason, it reacts to acid solutions such as lemon juice, wine, tomato sauce or even acidic cleaners. These simple but deadly components can etch and create spots on the stone.

At this point, you can either choose to embrace marble’s natural characteristics or apply another treatment for the stone to achieve its original shape.
So, for you to keep your marble countertops shiny as new, follow these simple guidelines.

#1 Cleaner - Act fast, Clean faster!

Using abrasive cleaners is the first non-recommendation when it comes to marble care. Instead, you can combine warm water with a non-abrasive, mild or pH-neutral soap. This mix gently cleans a marble countertop without damaging it.

After you mix these two ingredients, gently spray the surface and absorb the stains and grease areas. After all is cleaned, completely dry the area with an absorbent cloth. Avoid using a scrubber or scrub brush on the surface because it can damage the stone.

#2 Prevention - better late than ever!

Organic Food

Being a very porous stone, marble easily stains and quickly absorbs any ingredient. Besides the daily maintenance routine, sometimes difficult stains get absorbed by the stone. When these unexpected stains happen, you need to act fast and quickly sop up any standing liquids and dry the surface.

When it comes to organic food, it’s recommended to clean with a 12% hydrogen peroxide solution embed in a few drops of ammonia. If the stain is oil-based, gently clean with any liquid cleanser that has acetone or mineral spirits in it. Don’t forget to use small quantities.

Acid Incidents

When it comes to acid incidents, it is best to avoid them at maximum because marble reacts almost immediately to acid, and usually, there is no way out. Thus, if an incident of that nature happens, for example, a water spot or a light scratch, you can try and correct the etching by gently buffing your countertop with a dry #0000 steel wool. But, if the etching is deeper than surface level, you probably need to look for professional help to re-polish your marble. Etching is when an ingredient damages the stone, “eating” the surface.

Daily Procedures

The most famous finishes for marble countertops are honed and polished finish. A polished finish is when the surface looks shiny; a honed finish looks matte. Etching marks look more noticeable on a polished finish than on a honed finish.

If you prepare your food on a marble countertop, you will need to wipe any spills immediately and avoid putting ingredients directly on the marble. Always use coasters and under plates. Marble tolerates heat, but it is recommended to protect the surface from hot pans and pots, so it doesn’t stain the stone. After each meal, clean up any residues that might be on the table so it doesn’t stain or etch.

#3 Sealing- Always protect your marble!

Sealants are applied to the surface of your countertop as a protective barrier to help avoid stains and other exterior factors that might affect the stone’s look. If you leave, for example, a wine spill overnight, it will be difficult to remove even with a sealant. The sealant only gives you a little more time to clean the stone. You can ask your marble supplier to apply a proper sealant when delivering the final piece- usually, most do.

However, sealants tend to fade away over time, depending on the type of sealing, it usually lasts up to three to four years. After that period, you can ask professionals to re-seal or you can re-apply yourself at home. Nowadays, you can find affordable sealants online to apply directly to your countertops. First, you clean your countertop with the mix of mild soap and warm water; after scrubbing, carefully scrape the existing sealant with a proper tool; and dry the surface well enough, apply the sealant as the instructions follow.

In summary, having a marble countertop has its ups and downs, but at the end of the day, you choose a forever material to your home that will give you character and a piece of nature into your home. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask!

April 23, 2021

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Sivec and Thassos: what is the difference?

Location

Sivec and Thassos are two different but very similar white marbles. They are quarried in different countries but not far from each other.

Sivec is quarried in Macedonia, near the town of Prilep (green circle) and Thassos is quarried from the Thassos Island on the North part of Greece (yellow circle). Both these marbles are clear white and have been used for thousands of years. In this article, we are going to find out their differences.

Art and White Marble

Marble has been around for years and its influence on art has survived until today. We associate marble with exclusivity and luxurious architecture. Having white marble in your project is one of the most exquisite materials you can have- its purity and richness represent the union of refinement luxury with durability. Greek and Roman civilization gave humanity some of the most extraordinary marble sculptures and monuments. One of them is The Parthenon, Greece’s most know historic building; another is The Temple of Ártemis, made with 127 marble columns, with 18 meters of height and 2 meters of diameter. These are some Greek examples, that survived the arise and fall of many civilizations and wars. But, all around the world, we can find amazing pieces that use marble, especially white marble.

Sivec or Thassos?

Sivec

Sivec is quarried in Macedonia. This marble, although form Macedonia, is believed to be used in Greece since ancient times. This exquisite white marble might have some grey variation in the background, depending on the block. Also, depending on the block part it is cute, it can have small veining, not like Carrara or Calacatta, but smaller and more spacious light grey veining. It has almost no grains or crystals.
Sivec is not like most marbles- it has a high degree of hardness and high durability. For this reason, it is appropriate for a wide range of areas, including high traffic surfaces.

Thassos

Thassos is originally from Greece. It is believed that Ancient Greek structures were made from this white marble. This luxurious and pure dolomitic marble has a uniform background, resembling little imperfections- the whiter, the purest.
It usually has no veining, although in some cases, it can have small grey graining and even crystals. These crystals, give the marble a shiny look, especially when exposed to sunlight.
This is one of the most expensive marbles on the market, due to its purest clean white colour. It can be applied in most interior areas, but it is not recommended to exterior surfaces or areas with a lot of traffic.

Application

In general, white marbles can be used for either interior or exterior applications. Although Sivec is slightly harder than Thassos, we do not recommend either to exterior applications. These white materials can be easily stained with sunlight or general exterior factors- such as pollution or dust. Some sealants can be used, and regular maintenance can help to reduce these effects, but usually, they are not worth the risk of exposing such a noble material to these types of factors.

On other hand, if white marble is being used in interior spaces, we can appreciate and improve its qualities, adjusting light and surrounding materials. We can k sure it is the centrepiece in every interior design project. Its beauty should be appreciated closely and detailed. So, applications such as interior cladding, furniture, fireplaces, bathtubs, sinks, flooring with medium traffic, art pieces and others are the most appropriate use for either Sivec and Thassos.

Like most marbles, Sivec and Thassos allow most finishes, except those that wear the stone and leave them thinner and with a bigger risk of breaking.

Source:
1. Minexco
2. Albora

March 24, 2021

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Sustainability and limestone waste

Although natural stone is not usually discardable by the end of its lifetime (due to its extended durability), our main goal as a natural stone manufacturer is to give back what nature gives us. We think in a Su(stone)ble way and recycle all our waste and re-use our resources the best we can.

Our recycling system is organized to allow the complete reuse of stone, letting what once was considered waste for our company to be reborn as a raw material to other industries.

Assuring Sustainability

Today more than yesterday! At a time when the world has increasingly limited natural resources, it is important to review our habits and search for more ecological and sustainable solutions.

Our circular economy (CE) proposes resource-efficient management of resources throughout “an industrial system that is restorative by intention and design”.

At LSI Stone we think positive, we think GREEN.

At LSI Stone we think green. Our circular economy (CE) proposes resource-efficient management of resources throughout “an industrial system that is restorative bye intention and design”.

The natural stone industry generates a large volume of stone waste. It is classified in various forms such as powder or fines, aggregates, larger stone pieces and cobbles, damaged blocks or slabs.

Due to the huge amounts of stone waste generated in generation sources and plants, vast sums of money spent on its transportation to landfills. Besides the accumulation of waste in landfills is also a pressing problem for many businesses, from an economic perspective. Further, if waste must be disposed of off-site, landfill fees can create additional cost.

Here are 10 best practices and sustainable ideas for the use of limestone waste generated by the processing operations:

Cement Production

The production of cement, usually white, is another alternative for the route of our waste. It is usually more associated with the “paste” resulting from the stone process, than the stone itself.

Massive Bricks

A simple and smart way to reuse stone waste is to create massive bricks with a rustic finish. Aesthetically it can give a wonderful look to a wall, very different from the traditional wall. It has numerous advantages; requires less maintenance, have greater durability, and it is easier to apply and build. It is a more resistant product than the traditional brick, and we can reuse a natural product with no transformation. The image below shows a wall in our company, built by us.

Roads

Depending on the method of production and application of tar, used by road builders, limestone can be used in the construction of it. Thus avoiding further excavations to obtain a raw material that is already available in a large majority of stone companies. With this, companies can reduce costs, avoiding the landscape destruction of a new location and, consequently, a reduction of the CO2 emission that all this process of extraction and transport would imply.

Glass Production

Another smart way to give a new life to waste is through the production of glass, which in some circumstances can use limestone.

Products Pigmentation

Incredible as it may seem, limestone can be used to give pigmentation to the most diverse products that we all have in our homes. Products like paper, plastic, toothpaste, paints, tiles, often use limestone to give a lighter colour to the final product.

Building Construction

In the construction area, it is often necessary to use other materials to flatten the surface of the place where the construction will be carried out. It is usual to add different layers to the ground, being limestone waste one of them. This option is cheaper and equally effective as any other, and certainly the most sustainable one.

Soil Acidity Conditioner

The huge amounts of CO2 emitted into the atmosphere generate serious consequences on the environment, being acid rain one of them. When these rains fall on the soil, it makes them unsuitable for cultivation due to their high acid Ph.
Using pulverized limestone as a soil acidity conditioner restore the Ph balance and reactivates the soil to be proper for cultivation.

Animal Breeding

Limestone has a very important role in animal breeding, more particularly in granivorous birds, such as chickens. These animals usually ingest small stones to help crush the food during the digestion process, which helps avoids certain animal health problems, which will consequently decrease the occurrence of deaths.

Source of Calcium

The rate of purification present on limestone allows it to be added to consumable goods. For example, it can be added to bread or cereals as an important source of calcium. It contributes to our health by helping control blood acidity, hormone level or blood clotting, and also to strengthen our bones.

Water Additive

Finally, when it comer to water purity, limestone can be used for remineralizing and increasing the alkalinity of purified water.
In order to prevent pipe corrosion and restore essential nutrient levels, limestone is one of the very important natural stones that create that effect.

Benefits of Waste Management

1.

Improved health and safety: decreasing the number of scrap piles, airborne particulates, and general trash creates a healthier and safer environment for employees.

2.

Reduces storage, transport and disposal costs: with less waste to store and transport, the costs of handling waste are diminished. Landfill fees are avoided and combustible expenses are reduced.

3.

Potential generation of revenue: scrap stone and other waste products and waste by products can be sold on an array of markets, from agriculture to construction, creating a secondary company revenue stream.

4.

Increased efficiency: Decreasing the amount of material lost during the quarrying, crushing and cutting processes increases company efficiency and the quantity of profitable product. In effect, the company sees a heftier return for every ton of product sold.

5.

Enhancement of company reputation: comprehensive, proactive waste management practices can result in not only a socially responsible reputation but in greater community acceptance of the quarrying operation.

March 15, 2021

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Differences between Calacatta, Arabescatto and Carrara

Marble History

– Some may call it the divine stone.

Marble is a mineral that is made up of calcite (calcium carbonate, CaCo3). Marble comes from dolostone (limestone with dolomite) or limestone. It is a non-foliated (cannot be broken into layers) metamorphic rock that is white when pure and is stronger than the rock from which it forms (parent rock- usually limestones). Due to chemical impurities in the parent rock, marble can take on colors such as green, pink or black. Similarly to limestones, marbles are sensitive to etching and staining, so its finish must be in accord to the type of surface is being applied on.

Marble stones have been used all around Italy since the Ancient Rome time. The most used marbles are Calacatta, Arabescato and Carrara. These three marbles are present in a lot of sculptures and monuments not only in Italy but around the world, such as Michelangelo’s David statue in Florence, Kind Edward VII memorial in the UK and the George Washington Statue on display at the National Museum of American History.

The reason why most of history’s great masterpieces and representations of prestigious people are made with Italian marble, specially Carrara is because it represents greatness, divinity and eternity.

“The etymology of the word marble comes from the Greek marmairein or of the Latin marmor and means the stone of quality or white stone 5 . Thus the denomination, by including the term “quality” refers to something superior, distinctive.”

-Marble the Divine Stone by EXTRAEXPO.

Geology Behing Marble

In geological terms, marble is a metamorphic and crystalline carbonated rock composed by calcite crystals or dolomite. This composition results in a recrystallization that creates the separation between limestone and marble. Due to high pressure and high temperatures from inside the subsolo, limestones turn into marble. Due to chemical impurities in the parent rock, marble can take on colors such as green, pink or black.

As for these specific marbles they are -geologically speaking- all the same because they all come from the same region and so, it can be difficult to distinguish them.

Get to Know the Stone

Carrara

Carrara marble is extracted from the Carrara area in Tuscany, Italy. The look of Carrara marble is very common in countertop kitchens style. It has white to grey milder markings and usually a grey veining with a white and sometimes grayish background. The background can also tend toward blue-gray, and the patterning is usually soft and looks like feathers. When compared to other marbles, the Carrara is more subtil and homogeneous. It is usually applied in wall panels, stairways, countertops or flooring, besides the historic monumentos and statues such as Michelangelo’s David and London’s Marble Arch.

Calacatta

Calacatta usually has a pure white background with dramatic and define veins. It does not follow a linear pattern or type of veining. This marble is quarried in Carrara (is from the Carrara family) as well and has a wider range of veining color from gold to brown to beige to dark gray. Is very common at homes that feel more luxurious using whiter marble. It is consider one of the most luxurious and pure marbles. Its pattern has more contrast than Carrara. It is applied as an elegant element for either flooring, countertops or art pieces. It is usually applied in wall panels, stairways, countertops or flooring.

Arabescatto

We can say that Arabescatto is between Carraca and Calacatta. It has a very white background and dark grey veining. Its veining is not as defined and big as calacatta. Arabescato is quarried from the area of Luca in Tuscany Italy. How to identify Arabescato? It has Dark grey veins extremely dark comparing to the white background; It has a crystalline white color interval in-between.

These marbles can have variations. For example, a sample of Carrara sometimes is not true to the real slab- nature can not be measured. We recommend you search for projects that use all of these three marbles to see its application to see which one fits your project the best.

Which marble is best for my project?

When choosing one of these three amazing marbles you need to understand the area you are going to use them. Each slab is unique and naturally imperfect, so it is normal if color and pattern does not match completely.

Aesthetically speaking, for example, when applying on a kitchen top we recommend using arabescatto instead of calacatta, only because on an extensive area such as this one, the larger veining in the slabs are more likely to coincide than the calacatta ones that have more and thin veining.

When it comes to price, it may vary accordingly to the supplier. However, out of the three marbles, Calacatta and Arabescatto are the most expensive and Carrara is usually slightly cheaper. The slabs are not the only price you should worry about you need to make sure you don’t forget about installation and maintenance costs.

If you are worried about stains being too noticeable, opt for a marble with a less whiter background, such as Carrara. Certain marbles are the combination of one of these three, for example, there is a marble called Arabescatto Carrara that is a combination of dusty grays and soft whites that combine an amazing pattern. This could also be a better option to apply in areas with more probability of etching or staining, making these incidents less noticeable.

Calacatta marble is the most searched one, due to its wide range of price, patterns and colors. So you need to be careful when choosing for the “true” calacatta stone. The whiter the background and the more define the veining, the more expensive it is.

Maintenance

Marble has a higher maintenance than most natural stones due to its high porosity. Usually marble does not vary a lot when it comes to this factor, however some marbles require more maintenance than others- click here to see our article. It stains very easily and is not acid-resistant, so it needs to be sealed regularly to prevent it from become etched or stained by substances such as red wine, tomato sauce or lemon juice.

Why choose marble?

No matter the style of your kitchen or the colors of your bathroom, marble will always be a statement piece that fits every project. Marble is an intemporal traditional, classic and elegant stone all at the same time.

Each piece is unique in color, pattern and veining, so your search for the perfect countertop or the most luxurious bathroom is more diverse that one may think. Due to its natural irregularities it is normal for two pieces of stone to not look the same. This makes having a piece of marble at your home even more special and unique.

If you are looking for a luxurious and elegant material, you can choose from the three most classic marbles of all time- Carrara, Calacatta or Arabescato.

We can help you find it!

February 19, 2021

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Natural Stone for Interior Design

Natural Stone has become a top-choice material that lasts forever and represents luxury and status. Due to its versatility, it is the first choice for either interior design and external covering.

In many cases, when it comes to interior design, Natural Stone acts as a decoration piece, suitable for any aesthetic. Natural stone will bring character and warmth to your home.

Each piece of stone is unique and a beautiful way of incorporating nature into your house. It is full of qualities such as being a timeless and sustainable material that can be combined with different types of materials like wood, steel, glass or other types of light. You can also put together different types of stones and finishes according to your desired aesthetic. We can obtain different patterns and grains depending on which area from which the stone is extracted in the quarry.

How can you distinguish each type of stone? Click here to read more about limestone, marble and granite.

Different Finishes

Depending on the stone, a number of different finishes can be applied to the surface of the stone creating different looks and textures. Not every stone is capable of receiving every finish. It depends on its characteristics and other technical dispositions.Click here to see the specific finishes for each stone. Here are some of the most common:

Natural Stone in Interior Design

You can use Natural Stone not only for flooring or cladding but also for decoration, using statement pieces made of stone like furniture or wall decorations. You can also use stone to add flow to a certain part of the house, for example, using a double wall covered with stone or creating a movement between the inside and outdoors.

Natural Stone is a reflection of nature so it is perfectly imperfect- It has a wide range of colors, textures and patterns where not a single one is the same. From beige neutral to dark black you can choose your next aesthetic from nature’s palette. For example, if your living room has a more neutral and withe style, add a dark stone as a statement piece to stand out from the rest of your decoration.

You can make endless combinations with natural stone, according to your style. With marble you achieve a modern look while granite gives a more in temporal look, while other stones like limestones and sandstones give a more relaxed neutral look. From rustic to modern looks.

There are physical and technical properties that separate each stone and make them more appropriate for some areas.

Where can I use Marble?

One of the materials that represent modern luxury is the inevitable and incredible Marble. Marble is timeless and a classic material that has been around for centuries. The greatest artworks were sculptured and moulded with marble stones. Marble is distinguished by its veins, where each piece is unique and changes in colour and pattern.

Usually, it is seen in kitchen countertops, although it makes every kitchen unique, it is not appropriate if the user is not prepared for the maintenance it takes to keep the countertop intact. It usually is more appropriate to use stones like granite, with less porosity to these areas.

Marble looks fantastic in other parts of the house such as bathrooms when usually does not represent any problem. And, because of its softness, marble is mostly used for artworks and statement pieces such as side or coffee tables, or other décor objects. It usually works well with other materials, like wood. When using marble and combining it with other materials, you transform the space as well.

Where can I use Granite?

Granite has minimal maintenance requirements fitting perfectly in areas with a lot of traffic and staining/ etching probability, such as kitchen countertops. When you choose granite, you might be choosing a material that will last longer than your house. Its durability and heat resistance, turns every countertop invincible, without showing any signs of wear. Granite is also great for flooring with a lot of traffic. Its unique sparkle, due to quartz guarantees a statement piece for every part of the house.

Where can I use Limestone?

Limestone is great for either flooring or wall cladding. This stone brings a warm and soft mood to the area where applied. If you use it on floors, you can expect a soft touch when walking on it. It can also be heated. If you are going for a neutral and soft aesthetic, limestone is the perfect stone!

The use of natural stone allows us to maintain and receive nature’s energy and its connection while keeping an environmental-friendly and sustainable material in our homes.

Bring nature into your house and achieve fantastic bold designs!

January 26, 2021

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Natural Stone in extreme weather conditions

Natural stone is an incredible material full of benefits and properties that help boost your life. Whether it is applied indoors or outdoors, natural stone complements each construction piece. When it comes to choosing the right stone for your project, you may feel overwhelmed by the amount of information regarding natural stone. You can read more about that in our article.

Natural stone is suitable to either hot and dry climates to cold and humid environments. Not many materials are capable of adapt and resist a wide range of climate changes. Keep reading to find out more about stone’s flexibility to adapt.

To better understand how different kinds of stone perform in different weather conditions, let’s understand how these stones differ from each other.

Limestone

Limestone is classed as a sedimentary rock. It is formed on the surface of the Earth by the process of sedimentation, with several minerals or organic particles coming together that form a solid sediment. Usually limestone has high to medium porosity, which means that the type of finish varies depending on the type of surface. Limestone is mainly whitish, although it may be tinted by impurities.

Granite

Granite it’s made of quartz and feldspar, which are harder than glass. It doesn’t split into layers, and the minerals are held tightly together in an interlocking. That’s why this stone is suitable for most surfaces and finishes. So, when it comes to staining and etching, Granite is not affected. Usually represents a grainy appearance and can be pink or varying shades of gray, depending upon its minerals composition.

Marble

Marble is a mineral that is made up of calcite (calcium carbonate, CaCo3). Marble comes from dolostone (limestone with dolomite) or limestone. It is a non-foliated (cannot be broken into layers) metamorphic rock that is white when pure and is stronger than the rock from which it forms (parent rock). Due to chemical impurities in the parent rock, marble can take on colors such as green, pink or black. Like limestones, marbles are sensitive to etching and staining, so the finish must be in accord to the type of surface

Sandstone

Sandstone is a sedimentary rock that is the result of the compaction and lithification of a granular material similar to the dimension of sand.
Sandstone is composed by quartz, feldspars, micas and impurities. The different impurities are responsible for determinate the colour and aspect of the sandstone. This type of stone is deposited in a continental environment, rivers ad lakes or salty environments.

Travertine

Travertine is a limestone, composed by calcite, aragonite and limonite, that forms near natural springs. It has parallel layers compacted in between, where you can observe small cavities that add movement to the stone.

Types of Application

Resistance to Climate

Natural stone has shown us throughout the years that is a great material to use no matter where we are in the world, especially in critical weather conditions. Not only in warm environments but also in cold and extremely cold weather. When applied properly it can last “forever”.

Thus, there are some situations that require special attention in order for the stone to resist to these weather conditions.

Cold Environment

Energy Efficient Heat

Radiant heat is a good provider of heat and warmth from the floor up the room without any cold areas. Due to its properties, some natural stones are a great heat conductor which means that they transfer heat in an efficient way throughout the heating cable to the surface. They also have a great retaining rate making the system efficient. This means that it will heat up quickly and keep warm with less energy and less time-consuming. Some natural stones are a great option to use is these cases.

Expansion due to freezing

When it rains during colder climates, it usually tends to freeze. The water that seeps into the pavers also freezes and expands, which can lead to expansion and further breakage of the stone (the pressure cracks the stone). So, to avoid that type of incident, we need to choose the right type of stone, with low porosity and high durability; or, apply the stone with that in mind making sure the fixing system allows the water to cycle. There exist two test procedures for this purpose: “Determination of Frost Resistance” and “Determination of Resistance to Aging by Thermal Shock”.

Granite Application

Granite is the best natural stone for cold environments because it has low porosity and ends up protecting the surface where is applied. We can find in many places where it snows, an application of granite in the lower external façade to protect the stone façade from snow accumulation and water infiltration. Thus, there are many variaitions in granite.

Warm Environment

Cool Flooring

The use of natural stone on interior flooring is also suitable to cool an area. When heat is not applied to the stone (interior flooring), this material acts as a natural air conditioner, refreshing the entire space. The same happens to interior cladding. In some cases, when the stone is applied to the exterior, it is preferable to be in a wither colour reflect the maximum amount of heat. An interior area revested in stone refreshes the environment.

Fire Resistance

Natural stone is a great heat conductor, meanwhile, it is resistant to fire and helps prevent and protect the areas where applied.

Stone Breakage

Certain types of stone are not suitable for hot climates, where, due to dry conditions can break. But others are. This depends on the hardness and porosity of the stone. Each stone is unique and has its characteristics, so when exposed to extreme weather conditions, it can break or crack. Some types of limestones and marbles, are not very good at accumulate heat, so that’s why they are more likely to break than (for example) granite, that has a big capacity to accumulate heat. Certain characteristics change the way a stone acts when exposed to extreme weather, such as porosity, mineral constitution, and other chemical characteristics.

In this table, we have summed up the characteristics of Granite, Limestone, Marble and Travertine. This examples are general and may vary according to the stone used. Some stones, even in the same category, have different chemical and physical characteristics that can change the way they react to different environments.

January 8, 2021

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Barts Square nominated in Natural Stone Awards 2020

The Natural Stone Awards is an event that celebrates the brightest and best natural stone projects across the United Kingdom. Choosing the most recognizable construction projects in all the industry.

This award is organized by The Natural Stone Federation that helps to promote the use of natural stone as the main sustainable building material.This event is compulsory for exposing the winners to our industry as well as winning one of the industry’s most sought-after accolades.

The 2020 Shortlist is out and the project supplied by LSI, Barts Square was announced as one of the chosen projects for the category New Build Modern Style Stone Cladding.

New Build Modern Style Stone Cladding Nominees:

Island House
Barts Square
St John’s Library & Study Centre
8 Chesterfield Hill, London
UCD Confucius Institute

Location
London, UK

Status
Completed, 2019

Natural Stone
Cabeca Veada

Architect
Sheppard Robson

The Building

Barts Square is a patchwork of buildings and uses, located at the city gate at Crossrail Farringdon Station. This scheme offers the perfect balance of new and old life, exclusivity, and accessibility. The architect’s inspiration come from the 19th century industrial architecture with a warm, simple, and harmonious palette. The design of the new buildings picks up on Smithfield’s traditional warehouses and classic stone-and-brick façades. One of the buildings of the Phase 3, is completely cladded with Portuguese natural stone. The limestone façade adds neutrality and calm to the area. The attention to details was a key step into the making of this project. The exterior façade is coated with Cabeca Veada limestone. This limestone from Portugal has a light beige/ white homogeneous colour, fine brown grain, and medium hardness. Its characteristics are similar to Moleanos limestone, perfect for exterior claddings and strong weather conditions.

On the first half of the building, it was installed 100mm thick limestone pieces with a honed finish, creating a smooth and soft edge look. The upper façade adds a remarkable stone detail creating a modern, ribbed, and clean texture that divides the façade into two different sections. The interior design is filled with space, light, and texture. The use of soft, warm, and polished colour stones creates a welcoming and comforting palette and an effortless urban elegance.

Discover all the nominees here.

December 11, 2020

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