Wednesday 26 November 2014

Bluestone Pavers and Tiles for Different Construction-Purposes



Natural stones and their types are used as construction-material. Huge variety of types of natural stones is accessible. Many people and many architects as well prefer using such type of stones not only for flowing purposes in residential/commercial buildings but also to create pleasing veneers, wall caps, building stones, treads, walkways, driveways and pathways and steps, and others. Along with a way of using this product type as construction-material for indoors and outdoors, these purposeful stones can be used as decorative-items. Many architects and people prefer these stones for an innovative-decorative idea. They use it in different areas of property, inside and outside. One of the types of natural stones is Bluestone. This stone is available as pavers and tiles. It is accessible in different shapes and sizes. It is also available in different shades of colors such as Blue, Purple, Gray, Yellow and Orange, Brown and Blue-gray. Bluestone has unique property among all especially and particularly when it comes to shades of colors. The pavers are used as flooring materials and for decoration-purposes as well. The type of bluestone pavers and tiles are used in many public-structures, commercial establishments, and residential units because it holds functional as well as aesthetical values. Bluestone tiles are famous for their unique beauty, sturdiness, and versatile nature. Mostly, these are used for areas which is frequently or constantly remain wet and slippery. This stone type is perfect for areas for example swimming-pool areas, walkways, driveways, steps, bathrooms, kitchen, and more. The types of pavers and tiles withstand by normal wear tear to damage due to constant exposure to changing weather. It is available in thermal finish which is commonly used in driveways, walkways, decks, and patios. It is available in honed finish which is strongly recommended for indoor applications. It has a natural cleft finish type as well, which is perfect to use for areas require a more natural look.

Manufacturers and suppliers offer huge variety of different types of natural stones. They have range of beautiful and elegant colors and the stone-types are available in different shapes. This helps people to select the most suitable option from the range for their property. The aesthetical as well as functional features of types of natural stones have made them favorite choice among many people.

The many benefits of sandstone tiles

When it comes to numerous flooring options, there are not many stones which can compete with the benefits of sandstone pavers. There are a lot of benefits, especially when you consider the option of going for sandstone pavers for your house or office or any other sort of residential or commercial property. First of all, they are pretty easy to install. Therefore, you would not face much of a problem getting them installed at any sort of surface, be it rugged or smooth. Easy installation also means that it will not take much time to get them installed. So if you have a relatively huge property and you want these sandstone tiles installed all around it, then you would not have to worry that much about time consumption as they can easily be installed in a short period of time.

Sandstones are actually quite porous in nature. It is because of this reason that water percolation takes place a lot with these sorts of stones. What that basically means is that these stones can hold large amounts of water. This is actually one of the downsides of these flooring stones because of the fact water percolation makes them less durable when compared to other flooring tiles such as marble and granite which are pretty hard and non porous. However, if maintained properly, they can easily withstand time as well as the extremes of weather without losing sheen in any manner whatsoever.

As far as their application is concerned, sandstone pavers are used commonly in landscaping field because of the fact that they have got very rich and natural appeal to them. These pavers can be used for the purpose of creating walkways in areas like garden, backyard, around swimming pool as well as for creating floors for balcony and patio. Some people also install them on walls to give their house a different look.

Sandstone tiles are especially useful for areas around pools. They are also being extensively used for the purpose of wall cladding as well as veneering. One of the highlighting features of these stones is that they can provide a very natural earthy look to any property. It is because of their sheer versatility that they are being used so very extensively these days around the world. However, because of the fact that they are quite porous, you will have to use sealants on a regular basis so as to protect them from staining.

Tuesday 25 November 2014

Travertine – A type of Natural Stone

Natural Stones are becoming popular day by day. And the reason is their dual features of functional and aesthetical value. There are different types and sub-types of natural stones available. And all of them are being at large scale by many people and architectures. One of the types of natural stone is Travertine. This stone type is used for different types of building-constructions. In ancient times, this stone was used to be among the top building stones in Ancient Greek and Rome. And, for information, Romans took the benefit of this stone-type for various constructions projects. For example, they used it for buildings and temples, aqueducts, baths, stairs, steps, and amphitheaters etc. This stone type is also used for sculptures and monuments. Now days, Travertine is being used for a huge variety of indoor and outdoor projects. Floors and Walls, Bathroom & Showers, Stairs & Steps, Countertops & Backsplashes and Travertine Sinks & Vessels are some indoor areas where this stone type is used. Other areas are Medallions, Fireplaces and Indoor Split Face Walls. Let’s not discuss about some common outdoor travertine usage. It is used in constructing Pool Decks, Pool Steps and Driveways. It is used for Patios, Walk-ways, Outdoor Fireplaces and House Walls and Outside Stairs. Actually when it comes to travertine, there are no such rules and guidelines. This beautiful stone type can be used any where simply to enhance that area. Like Marble, Granite, Onyx, Limestone and Slate, Travertine is a natural stone. The main differences between other natural stones and travertine are:
  •     The formation of the rock
  •     The hardness of the stone
  •     The appearance
Travertine stone type is formed in hot springs. These stones have the holes within which are caused by carbon dioxide evasion. These are available in different shapes such as tiles and pavers, and in different sizes. It is available in range of colors as well. Some of the most popular colors are Walnut colors in range of light, medium and dark, and Ivory, Beige and Noche in dark brown.  Gold and Silver Travertine are popular among people as well. These are also available in combinations of these colors. This hue range of this natural stone helps people finding the most suited and their favorite stone to be installed in their property

Monday 24 November 2014

Why is application of granite pavers a good idea



Granite stones have been in use for hundreds and thousands of years. They are being extensively used for a variety of purpose including flooring and wall cladding. However, these days they are being most prominently used for the purpose of making kitchen countertops. You will find these stones in the kitchens of almost every house across the world these days. But you can also use them for creating pavers as well. They add a touch of elegance to any space they are being installed at, and this is the reason why they are preferred by people over other types of stones which are on offer in the market. Granite pavers particularly prove to be an excellent option in high traffic areas including sidewalks and pavements. 

These stones have remained a popular choice for flooring applications till date. Their popularity has not diminished even a tiny bit over the years. In fact, they are increasingly growing in popularity with each passing year. By installing granite stones, you can easily transform the look of your house and give it a complete makeover that you have wanted to do for all these years. 

Granite pavers can easily be seen in the garden areas and landscapes of plush residential properties. They add gravity to the entire space while enhancing its aesthetic appeal to a great extent. Green colored granite pavers can easily blend with greeneries around the garden such as plants, trees and flowers. Therefore, by going for granite paver installation you can easily create a space with natural surroundings that is both appealing and soothing to the eyes. These pavers are not at all slippery, which is also the reason why they are an excellent option for outdoor spaces such as garden and landscapes. 

Another important benefit that you will get by installing granite pavers for outer spaces is durability. Granite stone is known to be one of the most durable stones. It has a very strong and hard surface, which is not at all prone to chipping or scratching. Therefore, these stones can easily be used in high traffic areas. They do not call for much maintenance either. So you can enjoy them for a lifetime without putting in much of an effort from your end. They are also colorfast and resistant to stains. In addition, they can easily be installed at properties located in high temperature areas as they are completely resistant to heat.


Friday 21 November 2014

Brow-lift surgical cosmetic procedure

Cosmetic Surgery has different types. For different body areas cosmetic procedures are being performed. One of the types of such procedures is brow-lift. It is also known as forehead-lift. The topics covered in this blog are what a brow lift procedure is, what it involves, and its results.

In Auckland, brow lift procedure is performed be expert cosmetic surgeons for patients to raise their sag brows that hood the upper eyelids. This procedure helps in improving facial expression by lifting eye-brows as per requirement, desire. This is a procedure that helps in reducing the wrinkle lines. These wrinkles lines may develop horizontally across the forehead, on the bridge of the nose and may be between the eyes as well. This procedure also helps in improving frown lines between the eyebrows. Actually, by lifting brow and improving wrinkles, fine lines and frown lines around eyes this process helps people getting youthful appearance again. Sometimes, expert-surgeon may perform brow-lift procedure for patients along with some other cosmetic procedures such as upper and lower eyelid tucks, face-lifting and skin resurfacing. This depends on what patient actually needs. Following are the steps involved in brow-lift cosmetic surgery:
  • Step one is to give patient an anesthesia. A patient will be given anesthetic. It is to keep patient relax during surgical procedures. It depends on surgeon to give either intravenous sedation or general anesthesia to patients.
  • Step two is to make incisions. This process is performed by making incisions which are hidden above the hairline. According to standard surgery, initially three to five incisions are required. The forehead skin is detected from underlying muscle and tissue. And then skin in repositioned and re-attached. Sometimes, some surgeons make use of a small camera which is sent through these incisions in order to improve accuracy. This usually is involved in case of an endoscope brow lift. Surgeon removes additional skin, if required. It depends on the extent of wrinkles and sagging skin.
  • Step three is to close the incisions. Typically, brow lift incisions are closed with removable or absorbable sutures, skin adhesives, surgical tapes or special clips.

Patients get swelling, bruising in area that is treated. This is common in surgical procedures. And these side effects are temporary. As swelling and bruising subside, results appear as in smoother forehead skin and a more youthful, rested appearance.

Thursday 20 November 2014

An intro of stone wall cladding


Many people are using exterior as well as interior stone wall claddings to enhance the look of their house and making it more appealing than ever before. It can easily be used on decorated as well as undecorated surfaces without any sort of problem. Moreover, they can be installed on any type of surface be it cemented walls, brick walls or stone walls among others.

Most of the wall cladding usually consists of a large hygienic sheet, which come in a variety of sizes and designs. These so called decorative stone sheets are then joined together and then they are installed on the walls with the help of screws so that they remain stuck to the walls for a long period of time. And in case you are worried about the screws spoiling the look of cladding, then you can afford to keep all your worries away as these fixings can easily be hidden with the help of cladding itself. Therefore, you can expect to have a flawless installation that is appealing to the eyes.

Stone wall claddings are available in a wide range of colors as well as designs. So you can easily find one that matches or suits your taste as well as requirements. Some of the sellers offer these claddings in kit form. There are others who also take care of the installation process. So all you need to do is make the choice and the rest of the work, right from transportation to installation, will be taken care of by the supplier. These days stone claddings are also available for ceilings and doors. Therefore, there is absolutely no dearth of options when it comes stone claddings. Another benefit of these claddings is that they are quite easily to transport and install. Even you can install it without much of training.

There are a few components that you will require for the installation purpose. These include color strips, corner fittings, chrome coving and trim fitting among others. However, the type of components to be used depends on condition of the wall as well as the type of stone that is being used for this purpose. In case, nails are being used for the fitting and installation purpose, then you must ensure that they are applied evenly while simultaneously ensuring that the hammering of nails does not damage the stones. So be cautious while striking the panel with hammer.

4 major benefits of limestone tiles

If you happen to be among those persons who truly value the feel a natural stone provides within a residential property but are not being able to figure out as to what type of stone you should actually go for, then it is time that you take a look at limestone tiles. There are quite a few reasons why these stones happen to be such a great option, some of which you will get to notice below. So if you want to know some real good reasons as to why you should purchase them, then continue reading.
  • They are attractive: There is no doubt about the fact that limestone tiles are one of the most attractive flooring stones on offer these days. They are available in a wide range of patterns and colors, and when combined with some other precious stones they give the floor a very appealing and exotic look. You can experiment with its wide range of shapes and colors. Moreover, they can be used in both traditional as well as the most contemporary homes.
  • They are very versatile: Limestone tiles can not only be used on floors of residential and commercial properties, but also the walls of such properties as well. You can use them in kitchen, bathrooms, balconies, backyard as well as swimming pool with ease. All you need to do is to ensure that they are closed off in the right manner so that you can use them in damp places without much of a concern whatsoever.
  • They are long lasting: Another major benefit of purchasing these stones is that they tend to last longer than most of the other flooring stones which are being offered at the stone market these days. Of course, you will have to shell out a bit of extra money when compared to other stones, but when you think long term they surely prove to be an excellent proposition. They do not require much of maintenance and prove to be an excellent return on investment.
  • They are hygienic: The fact that these stones can be pretty easily cleaned and maintained also makes them a very hygienic option. They are also resistant against most of the bacteria as well as the stuff that usually leads to allergies. It is also termed as a very hypoallergenic material and hence proves to be an ideal option for people suffering from any sort of respiratory disorder.

Wednesday 19 November 2014

Granite Pavers, Characteristics and Maintenance

There are different types and subtypes of natural stones. Granite Stone Paver is one of the types of natural stone. Many architects and other people prefer this type of pavers to use for variety of structural purposes. This type of stone pavers is also used for variety of decorative purposes.

Let’s understand beneficial characteristics of Granite Stone Pavers:


First Characteristic: It is famous for its hardness.  Due to its feature of hardness, granite has been used for several purposes such as to construct driveways, pathways or walkways etc. It holds durability in traffic areas. This feature can be determined by the resistance of this stone paver. This paver stone is holds high resistance to scratching. People prefer this stone paver for their residential as well as commercial building-constructions.

Second Characteristic: Granite pavers are known for their durability. Feature one (hardness) of granite paver confirms the durability of this stone paver pretty much clear. It holds ability to maintain its property related to decorative purposes. It has ability to maintain its polished surface or texture during its lifetime.

Third Characteristic: Granite pavers are famous for their aesthetical appeal. Functional features such as hardness or resistance power, durability etc are very much important. In today’s time aesthetic value of product or material is also important. People want construction materials with dual features of functional values as well as aesthetic values. This type of stone paver is available in different shades. Different sizes and textures are also available.

Cleaning and maintenance:

 

Natural stone pavers are becoming popular due to their composite features of service and aesthetic appeal. Granite paver is becoming popular because of its features and beneficial properties. As it is applied or installed inside and outside property/ buildings, it requires cleaning and maintenance as well. Regular cleaning is something that is done at places, be it commercial or residential, daily. This may include dusting and washing. Maintenance is important also. Over a period of time, sealing of granite pavers becomes significant. There are quality brand cleaning and sealing agents available in market. There are online stores as well. It is best to use quality and recommended cleaning and sealing agents for maintenance of such natural stones. This helps natural stone type looking new always. And this also helps in keeping aesthetical as well as functional values up to the mark.

Monday 17 November 2014

Travertine Tiles & Flooring and Benefits

What is Travertine Stone?

A sedimentary rock that is close in chemical composition to limestone is Travertine. This stone is a type of natural stone. It has become a very popular building material. Many people prefer this material to construct different areas in house/ property. They use it for different purposes such as, in floors, in and around fire-place, in shower-area, and around sinks etc. Now days, people are using it in constructions of outdoors as well. Most of stone surfaces require a degree of extra care so that they can be maintained. This is to maintain their natural beauty. Same applies to Travertine tiles and flooring. There are many benefits and advantages of using stone type travertine for constructing buildings, be it residential or commercial. These tiles are used for indoor-construction and for outdoors as well.

Following are features of this purposeful stone type:
  • It is warm, elegant and durable.
  • It is a medium-density, porous material. And it is sealed in a way to promote durability.
  • It is available in different sizes and shapes.
  • It is available in different textures and colors as well. There are muted neutral shades of tan and gray to bright bold shades of coral.
  • It can be polished, honed or textured.
  • It holds an aesthetic appeal. It looks elegant and beautiful. It gives a luxurious appearance to house or area.
  • However travertine already looks old and weathered, it is not trendy and has in fact been around for centuries. So, it is one of the best options for people want classy look for their house/ property.
  • Other type of stone such as marble has durability and aesthetic value but it is expensive. On the other hand, travertine is available at a lower price along with same durability and aesthetic appeal as marble has.
  • It withstands temperature extremes of hot and cold and stays cool even in direct sunlight.

 If you are thinking to go with the travertine stone to construct or install flooring at your place/ house or property, you are thinking it right! You can just go with the option considering your needs are fulfilled, as this type of stone is functional as well as holds aesthetical values. Constructing or building a property has become a type of investment for many people, so why not to make more beautiful, more purposeful and more long-lasting property.

Thursday 13 November 2014

Benefits of Stone Tiles for Flooring



There are different options for constructing floor of your house/ property. Stone is undoubtedly one of the best options. The key feature is that it comes directly from nature itself. And generally, it can be either glazed or unglazed. Below are some of the advantages of stones types of natural stones used in construction of house, properties, commercial and residential buildings etc.:
  • First benefit: Stone tiles used in flowing are natural stones. There are different types and sub-types of natural stones available. This helps you to pick most appropriate or most suitable option for your property-construction.
  • Second Benefit: Such stones are functional as well as aesthetical. This combination helps you to worry-free select the option.
  • Third Benefit (functional-feature): Stone is stain resistant. It can be easily used for flooring of the kitchen in house, and bathroom etc as well. It is less vulnerable to the adverse effects of food and chemicals than wood.
  • Forth Benefit: Stone flooring is very durable.
  • Fifth Benefit (aesthetical-feature): It looks classy. It is available in different sizes, shapes and colors. This helps you to buy the most compatible material that matches your property’s look. Stone flooring adds and enhances beauty and elegance property-look.
  • Sixth Benefit: Natural stones require cleaning and maintenance. But the cost of cleaning and maintenance can be cut down, if quality cleaning and sealing agents are used. And proper maintenance of such stone types helps you to keep the flooring looking as new as it was.

In market, manufacturers and suppliers offer huge range of types of stone that can be used for tiling. Some most common stone types are Marble, slate, granite, and limestone; these are among the most commonly used flooring materials. Other types of stones are, travertine, granites, sandstone and more. One thing to remember (also mentioned above) treating and sealing of such stone types must be professionally done, by the manufacturer himself. Many people take responsibility of cleaning, sealing such stones on them! In this case, they require doing the work properly. If you have decided to install a stone floor in your house/ property, then go ahead! There are online web-portals from where you can collect all information about available range of such construction-products and details to approach expert. By approaching experts you can consult and decide which type of stone will be best suitable for your property considering, weather, environment and other conditions.

Thursday 6 November 2014

The versatility of limestone pavers

Limestone happens to be among those natural products that are usually found in caves and ocean beds around America, Mexico and Italy. One of the main reasons why it is so very popular, not just in certain parts of the world but across the globe, is its natural beauty. The stone is not a recent discover but has been for quite a few centuries. It is not only known for its beauty or aesthetic appeal but durability and natural ambiance. When it comes to limestone pavers, their highlighting feature is that they can be used on any sort of flooring area, be it indoor or outdoor. It can easily complement the surrounding. In addition, it will add charm to your house or office, wherever you are installing it.

Limestone is usually used in the living areas of residential properties, as it greatly enhances the look of house while simultaneously adding to the elegance and gravity of the property. The very fact that the look of this stone is quite cozy makes them an excellent option for living rooms of houses and residential properties as well as hotels and resorts. In addition, you will not find yourself short of options as these stones are available in a wide variety of colors. So you can make the choice based on the colors of your house’s walls and its overall look, which in itself is a great benefit for any house owner who is looking for renovating his or her house or building a new one. They are also available in an array of shapes, be it circular, rectangular, triangular or square. You can also shape them according to your own requirements. It is because of these reasons that the stone is so very popular among house owners as well as owners of resorts and hotels, as it provides the room for experimentation, which is usually not the case with other sorts of stones.

Limestone pavers can be used on exterior as well as interior areas of your home such as living room, bedroom, driveway, patio, pool area, backyard, courtyard, balconies and pathways among others. They can also be used as stepping stones on garden area of your house, as they are not very slippery, making them an ideal option for external use. It is the sheer versatility of limestone pavers which has made them such a popular flooring stone among house owners as well as builders.

Wednesday 5 November 2014

A short intro of Cararra Marble

Are to planning to build a new house for yourself and your family? Or do have any plans to renovate your residential property any time soon? Are you finding yourself in a confused state of mind as to which type of flooring stone should you install at your newly built or renovated house? If your answer to the above questions was a resounding yes, then you have come to the right place as this article will help you get rid of the confusion and find solution to the flooring problem which is giving you sleepless nights for quite some time. 

Carrara marble
When it comes to flooring stones, we all know that there are scores of options available in the market, which is the very reason why people like you get confused as to which flooring stone they should go for. Stones like marble and granite are among the most popular and preferred choices for people across the globe when it comes to flooring or building materials. However, if you are keen to go for a premium segment, then carrara marble is one option that should be on top of your list. It is easily among the most exotic building materials on offer and belongs to the premium category of stones. This marble got its name from the city where it is available in abundance. This stone is highly sought after and colors like grayish blue and white blue are favorites among the people who purchase this stone.

Like all other marble stones, this stone is also a type of metamorphosed limestone. It gets formed under the surface of the earth, that too in the form of limestone. It is after millions of years of heat and pressure under the earth’s surface that this stone gets transformed into what we now know as carrara marble. 

Carrara stone has been used quite extensively throughout the history for the purpose of building and sculpting.  In modern times, this stone is commonly used in residential as well as commercial properties for flooring and building countertops. One of the reasons why it is so very popular these days is the aesthetic appeal it provides to the building. White and gray shades are the most preferred ones, but if you want to experiment a bit then there are a lot of options you can experiment with. The options include Bianco, White and Dramatic Cararras among others. So make your choice and give your house an elegant look in no time.

Tuesday 4 November 2014

Maintenance for Bluestone Tiles and Pavers

Bluestone is a type of natural stone. Undoubtedly, it is functional as well as aesthetical, as natural stones and its types are known for their dual values of being functional and aesthetical. In this blog, we are discussing about what we should do to maintain and protect bluestone tiles or pavers installed at our places/ in houses/ in properties. One thing is pretty much clear that natural stones and its types of stones are expensive than concrete and other different materials. If we have installed a bluestone pavers or tiles at our place, then we must have thought a lot and decided to make this investment. Then why not protect our investment! Bluestone Tiles are Basalt which is a naturally occurring fine grained blue-grey-black volcanic rock. Bluestone Tiles are:

•    Extremely hardwearing, extremely tough
•    Durable surface
•    Good scratch and slip resistance
•    Look very elegant, attractive and are eye-catchy
•    Minimal maintenance requirements

This stone type is used in the most demanding situations, indoors and outdoors. And its cleaning and maintenance become important to keep it as new as it is.

There are some do(s) and don’t(s) to maintain Bluestone Tiles

•    Regular cleaning with a PH neutral cleaner should be done
•    Use of bleach based or acid based products must be avoided as these may damage the surface of the tile.
•    Do not use the cleaning products that are too harsh a chemical or too abrasive a cleaner.
•    Do not use too much product. Product need to be diluted as per instructions, more is not better.
•    Do not apply too much water to the surface / flooding the area.
•    Make sure to finish cleaning with a rinse to remove any cleaner / chemical residue.
•    Make sure to dry mop or dry with an old towel or rag so that there is no residual moisture left on the floors.

Another important consideration is to protect bluestone tiles and pavers from premature decay and contamination, like oil, grease and dirt. This can be done by Sealing of Bluestone Tiles. Sealing with quality products or agents available in market provides reaction time to deal with spills and so forth. It prevents unsightly stains. It prevents discoloration. And it keeps tiled floors looking better for longer.

Monday 3 November 2014

Wall Cladding – Functional and decorative

Stone Wall Cladding


Several construction-materials and products are available in market. Considering architectural values, these materials are up-to the mark. They are functional and look attractive. One of the construction-material is Wall Cladding Stones. This is a type of decorative covering intended to make a wall which looks like as it is made of a different sort of material than it actually is. You must have seen or noticed such wall cladding examples somewhere on the outside of buildings. Many people prefer to install or construct such walls. Some people prefer using it as an artistic element in interior decorating. With the view point of architectural values, this cladding does not impact the stability or integrity of a building’s architectural core. This is because generally it is non-structural.  Many people prefer its design to be permanent because it can function to provide benefits like insulation and waterproofing. Usually, a wall cladding can be made out of almost anything including various metals, stones, and composite materials are the most common. Contemporarily, wall cladding made from different types of stones, natural stones are more in trend considering its dual values that are serviceable and aesthetical.

Wall Cladding made from Natural Stones and its benefits


Manufacturers and suppliers offer range of wall cladding stone to buyers. The stone wall cladding is composed using natural materials such as limestone, travertine or Himalayan sandstone. A large range of beautiful stone wall cladding helps buyer to buy the most appropriate and suitable option for their lovely home/ property. This type of material for wall cladding is durable. It is a tactile material which highlights focal points and gives rich and organic finish. People can use this wall cladding in different areas inside property for example indoor fireplace surrounds, accent walls, outdoor barbecue areas and low garden walls. Constructing a house or property has become a type of future-investment. And that is the reason why people want to make it functional as well as look attractive. These stone wall cladding are enlivened by the intricate patterns and give a rich and unique look to home/ property. The manufacturers and suppliers provide range of the finest natural materials and also provide expert guidance on all phases from planning to finish so that people can be rest assured and get best services.