Frequently Asked Questions About Limestone Pavers and Limestone Tiles
Q1. What is limestone?
Limestone is a sedimentary rock that is found on the seafloor where material rich in calcium carbonate (also called ‘calcareous’) accumulate. This material could be organic, chemical or detritus in nature and are generally formed by fish and sea animal carcasses. Its main components are calcite, aragonite and minerals.
The formation of limestones has taken several million years and they are composed of over 50% carbonate minerals. There are many types of limestones and they can be classified based on their formation. Broadly, there are three types – shelf, reef and basin limestones!
Q2. What are limestone tiles?
Limestones are classy and affordable flooring options that many homeowners opt for while decorating their homes. While this natural stone can be mostly seen as flooring, they are versatile and can also be used for walls in certain rooms of the house.
They are much cheaper than granite or marble when it comes to the pricing and are available at a variety of price points. They are definitely more expensive than artificial options but also lend an interesting look to your property. They provide and warm and earthy tone, giving your house a welcoming and homely vibe. They are, however, softer than other natural stones making them significantly less durable.
Q3. What are limestone pavers?
Limestone Pavers is a naturally-occurring sedimentary stone that is often used for both floorings inside a house as well as for pavings in the driveway and garden. Being a stone that is generally resistant to corrosion from natural elements, this can be used to pave walkways and poolside with ease.
Limestone pavers yield a certain class and character to your homes outdoors, making them look natural yet well-planned simultaneously. They are durable and versatile, often making them a very suitable and favoured choice for paving your driveways particularly. These stones are generally cut into larger squares or rectangles and set on concrete or natural ground.
Q4. What is limestone used for?
Limestone is a very versatile natural stone giving it a variety of uses. Limestone is a very common material used in the flooring of buildings and houses. They are sturdy and visually appealing, making them an easy pick for the laying of floors and in some cases, are also used in decorative walls.
They are also commonly used as pavers for driveways and pool sides. Their ability to withstand pressure along and not break easily makes them a good-looking choice. Limestone is also an important ingredient in the making of cement, an important building material that is used in the construction of almost all modern architecture.
Q5. What is the difference between limestone pavers and limestone tiles?
Limestone tiles are a form of surface covering that is mostly used in the interiors of a building. They are used to cover floors, walls, ceilings, showers, tabletop and other surfaces both as a functional attribute and also for decorative purposes. They can be placed as simple squares or in complex mosaics depending on the choice of the homeowner. They require grouting to keep them in place.
Limestone pavers are not much different from the tiles. They are slightly thicker than tiles and are larger in size. They are also mostly used outside in driveways, patios, courtyards, footpaths and other spaces. They do not require grouting and are generally held in place by pouring concrete and covering it with sand or soft earth before placing the pavers on them.
Q6. What are the colours of limestone?
Limestone is a natural stone and hence, its colour profiles are vast and diverse in nature. It is made up of calcium carbonate and has a unique texture and structure as well as colour which is dependent on the place where they are quarried and where it is crystallized. Natural limestone generally deposits on the shallow sea beds and have a varied colour profile which begins at softer earthy tones like white, yellow and grey to the more desirable blue, beige and cream. While the colour of the limestone matters in the final look of your home, the way they are finished also creates an added impact on the appearance.
Q7. How hard is limestone?
Limestone encapsulates several types of sedimentary rocks that are formed either through a chemical process initiated by algae or when the bones and shells of aquatic creatures formed a thick layer over several million years. Based on their mode of formation, the hardness of the limestone varies based on this mode of formation. According to the Hardness Scale devised by German mineralogist Frederich Moh’ in 1821, limestone hardness can vary between 3-4. In this scale, diamond is the hardest at 10 and talc is the softest at 1. So, limestone is of moderate hardness and can withstand enough pressure but can also be cracked under considerable force.
Q8. Why choose limestone over bluestone?
Both limestone and bluestone are sedimentary rocks, formed by the particles that are deposited in the beds of water bodies such as rivers, oceans and lakes. Both are very fine-grained and has relatively similar hardness quotient. However, what sets limestone apart from bluestone is its versatility. Bluestone comes in shades which are darker such as blue, grey and green making them ideal for usage in outdoor spaces. The more earthy and warm tones of limestone make them the perfect choice for both outdoor and indoor spaces. You can use limestone to build your patio while also using a milder shade for the bathroom walls.
Q9. Why choose limestone over granite?
Limestone is a sedimentary metamorphic rock whereas granite is an igneous rock. Granite is made up of quartz, feldspar and mica minerals. Limestone is mainly composed of calcium carbonate and is quarried from water bodies. Granite is a much harder rock and is rarely scratched by nails or similar substances. However, limestone is often preferred over granite when it comes to laying floors or countertops because of their pleasant and earthy appearance. While granite is more durable, their colour variations are barely many whereas limestone offers a range from white to blue.
Q10. Why choose limestone over travertine?
Travertine and limestone are both sedimentary rocks that are naturally occurring but limestone is a better choice for most of your architectural and decor needs. Firstly, limestone has a uniform appearance across stones whereas travertine will have streaks through them. The latter is also more difficult to maintain which often cost more than the initial set up cost of limestone.
Travertine is great for darker colour schemes whereas limestone works well in more neutral shades. Plus, the porous nature of natural travertine makes it slightly less versatile than limestone. For example, you cannot use travertine for your tabletop or kitchen counters whereas limestone is not only a classy but also a durable choice.
Q11. Why choose limestone over sandstone?
Limestone is a naturally occurring sedimentary rock that is mainly composed of calcium carbonate found in the shells and bones of aquatic animals. Sandstone, on the other hand, is composed of a variety of substances including sand particles, quartz, feldspar, mica mineral and others.
Sandstone is relatively darker in shade with colours ranging from black, brown, tan, pink, grey and red. Limestone has more soothing tones such as beige, white, cream, yellow and blue. They are both used in a variety of spaces but sandstones are more of outdoor stones whereas limestone is versatile and can be used across spaces – both indoors and outdoors.
Q12. Can we use limestone as pool coping tiles?
Limestone has been used for functional and decorative purposes in constructions since time immemorial. They are seen in many famous monuments and buildings, lending a classic, clean and ancient vibe to these spaces. Needless to say, limestone can, therefore, be seen as a very suitable material for the pool coping. Its delicate, silky nature gives an elegant look to the pool and its surrounding whereas it is durable enough to withstand the elements of nature without losing its characteristic good looks. It is also quite expensive but its non-slippery nature makes it a good and easy choice for pool coping.
Q13. How much are limestone pavers?
Limestone pavers are not cheap. They can cost anywhere upwards of $16 per square foot and can be as high as $40 per square foot. This is, of course, exclusive of the surface and edge treatments, labour costs, installation and other expenses that you need to account for while undertaking this construction. Nonetheless, the value of these pavers is worth the beauty that it lends to your space. Also, owing to the fact that they do not need constant maintenance and are fairly easy to care for, these are quite a sensible choice when it comes to your driveway, patio or pool.
Q14. Do limestone pavers get hot?
Of the myriad benefits of limestone, another great advantage this naturally occurring sedimentary rock has its ability to stay cool even in the face of harsh heat and the sun’s tough rays. It is extremely cool under your feet and irrespective of how high the temperature gets, limestone will always be a lot cooler, especially when it’s in a cooler shade.With a lighter colour, limestone absorbs less heat and reflects most of it, keeping the surface cool and pleasant. Therefore, limestone in lighter shades like cream or white is perfect for paving the space around your pool.
Q15. Do you need to seal limestone pavers?
Sealing limestone is absolutely essential for its long life and maintaining the visual beauty of the stone. Limestone pavers that are used in the outdoors will require very minimal maintenance throughout its lifetime if it is sealed properly at the time of installation. It is an extremely porous stone and not sealing it will lead to it absorbing a large amount of moisture over time, making their condition deteriorate and eventually, break or get spoilt. If you seal limestone pavers they are completely immune to staining and moisture retention. And you can easily clean them up without causing much damage to your decor!
Q16. Is limestone better than bluestone?
Yes, limestone is a lot better as compared to bluestone. Although it is considerably more expensive than a bluestone, however, comprises a number of properties and significance that makes it a better stone than the latter. Bluestone tends to get extremely hot when exposed to heat, especially due to its rough texture. Hence, if you have any little one at home for whom you care, it is recommended to opt for limestone and safeguard yourself and family. Moreover, limestone is a lot more durable than bluestone as it has hardened over time with being exposed to extreme pressure. Both have distinct properties and have emerged from different sources.
- What is Limestone?
- What are limestone tiles?
- What are limestone pavers?
- What is limestone used for?
- What is the difference between limestone pavers and limestone tiles?
- What are the colours of limestone?
- How hard is limestone?
- Why choose limestone over bluestone?
- Why choose limestone over granite?
- Why choose limestone over travertine?
- Why choose limestone over sandstone?
- Can we use limestone as pool coping tiles?
- How much are limestone pavers?
- Do limestone pavers get hot?
- Do you need to seal limestone pavers?
- Is limestone better than bluestone?
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