What do the Roman colosseum, the statue of David and Australia’s parliament house have in common? They’re all built using natural stone. Natural stone has been the premium building material of choice since, well, pretty much forever. Quarried from rock beds formed over millions of years, it can be easy to see how natural stone has made its way into countless residential and commercial settings over the centuries.

We love using natural stone, which is why we thought it would be a great idea to delve a little more into the types of stone available and why you should consider natural stone in your home. (We’re breaking this up into a two-part series, so keep your eyes peeled next time for the “why”.)

CDK Stone

Granite

Granite is a light-coloured material with grains large enough to be visible to the naked eye. It forms from the slow crystallisation of magma below Earth’s surface – pretty cool, right? Since it forms in this way, it’s able to withstand extreme heat conditions, is scratch-resistant and pretty much stain-proof.

Because it’s so hard and durable, granite can be used in many different applications, from the kitchen benchtop to the floor and even the fireplace. Another great thing about granite is that it’s readily available in a variety of colours and patterns – with no two slabs being the same.

CDK Stone

Limestone

Limestone is a sedimentary rock, which means it was formed from small particles of rock or stone that have been compacted by pressure. It also happens to be one of the first widely used building materials in the world. In fact, some of the oldest stone buildings in the world – such as the pyramids of Egypt – were constructed with limestone.

One of its unique characteristics is that limestone has a consistent look irrespective of its origin. Limestone is also like a good wine; it only improves with age. Once installed, limestone continues to “mature”, softening its surface and developing a beautiful sheen. It has many uses, including as stone cladding on walls, retaining walls and floor paving.

CDK Stone

Marble

Marble may well be one of the most famous natural stones, having been used since ancient times for sculptures and buildings. Marble is actually formed when limestone is subjected to the extreme heat and pressure. Veins of mineral deposits form innovative patterns, making it a luxuriously unique and sought-after material.

Marble’s use varies from decorative to function; however, as it is one of the more delicate stones available, it needs to be looked after to prevent scratches or stains.

CDK Stone

Travertine

Travertine is a type of limestone that is formed by mineral deposits from natural springs or limestone caves. One of the unique characteristics of travertine is that it has tiny holes which make it both dense and robust.

Travertine comes in a range of stunning natural colours, including variations of beige, brown, taupe and silver-grey. Its beauty and durability make travertine tiles perfect for floors and walls inside and outside the home.

Casey Brown Architecture

Sandstone

If you’ve seen some of the original colonial buildings scattered throughout Australia, you’ll immediately know what sandstone is. St Paul's Cathedral in Melbourne is one brilliant example of a sandstone building.

Sandstone has been the building block of Australian architecture for more than two centuries. It has a fairly uniform texture, with shades that are similar to the beach and desert sand; colours range from brown and tan to gold and red. Though durable, sandstone is more porous than other natural stones such as granite, which is why it works well for outdoor applications such as paving.

CDK Stone

Quartzite

Quartzite is created when sandstone undergoes extreme pressure and heat in the crust of the earth. This process means that it is naturally one of the hardest stone materials in existence. Often snowy white, quartzite also comes in grey, blacks, green and pink varieties.

Apart from its good looks, quartzite also boasts a resistance to abrasion, chemicals, shock and heat. On top of this it is easy to maintain, making it a stylish, practical and durable choice for bathrooms and benchtops.

Stay tuned for part two where we discusswhy you should consider natural stone in your home!