Warehouse
Showroom
Ceramic and Porcelain
Limestone, Slate, Marble, Travertine, Granite
Hardwood

Join Our Newsletter




Text Html
Travertine





 Travertine is a unique stone rich with historical significance. The word travertine comes from an old Roman name for Tivoli, a town in Italy where large deposits of travertine exist. The brilliant beige stone, characterized by irregular surfaces and edges, has been a principal building material in Rome since the Roman Empire. Travertine clothed the exterior of the Colosseum and was later favored by Michelangelo for his sculptures.Travertine is a sedimentary rock that begins as limestone. Over time, geological shifting forces the limestone deep within the earth. The porous nature of limestone makes it a great liquid reservoir. Limestone absorbs water from aquifers, which are enormous underground pools formed by ice age melting. Heated by the earth’s inner core, the water rises as steam, forming hot springs and geysers. This hot water dissolves the limestone and brings it to the surface along with other granules from below. If enough time transpires, mud beds consisting of limestone and other minerals cool and crystallize into solid travertine.

The cooling process results in the extraordinary small holes or cavities while minerals in the stone create unique variations in color and veining. These variations contribute to travertine’s natural beauty and call to mind the ancient splendor of Imperial Rome.

Uses
  • Interior and exterior
  • Floors and walls
  • Shower surrounds
  • Fireplaces
Types
  • Unfilled: Travertine with naturally occurring holes.
  • Filled: Travertine with its naturally occurring holes filled with a mixture of a hardener and dust obtained from the cutting and honing process.
  • Polished: During production, a facet is put on each crystal at a microscopic level – much as a jeweler would facet a diamond. The resultant smooth surface allows light to refract in and out of the stone in a parallel way. This enhances the visible sheen and gives the appearance of depth.
  • Honed: A smooth, non-reflective finish achieved by grinding the surface.
  • Saw Cut: The untreated surface of a stone when it is first cut. The surface is slightly rough
  • Tumbled (ancient stones): An antique look achieved by rounded corners and edges.
Special Considerations
  • Color variations are common and enhance the natural beauty of travertine. Be sure to inspect multiple samples of the stone before selection to ensure satisfaction with colors and patterns.
Maintenance
  • Do clean with a dust mop and neutral cleaner to remove most dirt.
  • Do use a penetrating sealer to prevent staining. Because many stones are porous to some degree, excessive water may cause reactions such as oxidation (rust), spalling, deterioration of dry veins, etc.
  • Do clean natural stones with “special stone cleaners”, “pH balanced cleaners” or “neutral base cleaners.”
  • Do not clean any natural stone with acidic cleaners, including (but not limited to) vinegar or cleaners with “lemon” or “lime” on the label. These products will abrade the polish from the stone. Sealers DO NOT protect polished surfaces from these types of cleaners.
Limestone
From Mayan temples to Parisian cathedrals, limestone has been an indispensable building material throughout the ages. For centuries, limestone has accentuated the elegance of French décor. Today, it is still highly regarded by designers and architects, calling to mind antique chateaux floors of France or regal monuments from around the world.Limestone is a sedimentary stone that consists of seashells and the bones of sea creatures that have settled to the ocean floor. Calcium in the sediment combines with carbon dioxide in the water to form calcium carbonate, the basic structure of all limestone and marble. Limestone contains subtle variations in color and veining as a result of minerals that are present during formation. These naturally occurring variations add to the distinctiveness and beauty of the stone.

Uses
  • Interior and exterior installations
Types
  • Polished: During production, a facet is put on each crystal at a microscopic level – much as a jeweler would facet a diamond. The resultant smooth surface allows light to refract in and out of the stone in a parallel way. This enhances the visible sheen and gives the appearance of depth and luster.
  • Honed: Grinding the surface achieves a smooth, non-reflective finish.
Special Considerations
  • Color variations are common and enhance the natural beauty of limestone. Be sure to inspect multiple samples before selection to ensure satisfaction with colors and patterns.
Maintenance
  • Do clean with a dust mop and neutral cleaner to remove most dirt.
  • Do use a penetrating sealer to prevent staining. Because many stones are porous to some degree, excessive water may cause reactions stone such as oxidation (rust), spalling, deterioration of dry veins, etc.
  • Do clean natural stones with “special stone cleaners”, “pH balanced cleaners” or “neutral base cleaners.”
  • Do not clean any natural stone with acidic cleaners, including (but not limited to) vinegar or cleaners with “lemon” or “lime” on the label. These products will abrade the polish from the stone. Sealers DO NOT protect polished surfaces from these types of cleaners.
Marble
Known for its beauty and elegance, marble is a timeless classic. Throughout the centuries, it was the material of choice for artists and architects to create magnificent sculptures, monuments, and buildings such as the Taj Mahal in India and the Greek Parthenon. Inspired by such masterpieces of antiquity, architects and designers of today use marble to add an aura of sophistication and splendor to any space.

Marble is a metamorphic limestone. It begins as a sedimentary stone consisting of seashells and the bones of sea creatures that have settled to the ocean floor. Calcium in the sediment combines with carbon dioxide in water to form calcium carbonate. High heat and pressure cause the fossilized materials, along with its original carbonate minerals, to crystallize and transform limestone into marble.

Like fingerprints, no two pieces of marble are exactly alike. Marble varies in color and veining from stone to stone as a result of fissures filled with minerals that are present during the stone’s formation. The naturally occurring variations in marble contribute to its distinctive appeal. Polishing achieves a patina that further enhances the colors of all the trace elements.

Uses
  • Interior and exterior in non-freeze/thaw environments
  • Flooring
  • Fireplaces
  • Vanities
  • Shower and tub surrounds
Types
  • Polished: During production, a facet is put on each crystal at a microscopic level – much as a jeweler would facet a diamond. The resultant smooth surface allows light to refract in and out of the stone in a parallel way. This enhances the visible sheen and gives the appearance of depth and luster.
  • Honed: Grinding the surface achieves a smooth, non-reflective finish.
  • Tumbled Surface (ancient stones): An antique look achieved by subjecting the stone to a tumbling process.
Special Considerations
  • Consider the function of the area involved prior to selection. Marbles range from 5-7.5 on the MOHS hardness scale. (Compare this with granite stones used for landscaping, which range from 8-9 on the MOHS scale).
  • Green and black colored marbles require a 100% solid epoxy adhesive as they have a tendency to warp from water-based adhesives.
  • Color variations are common and enhance the natural beauty of marble. Be sure to inspect multiple samples of the stone before selection to ensure satisfaction with colors and patterns.
Maintenance
  • Do clean with a dust mop and neutral cleaner to remove most dirt.
  • Do use a penetrating sealer to prevent staining. Because many stones are porous to some degree, excessive water may cause reactions such as oxidation (rust), spalling, deterioration of dry veins, etc.
  • Do clean marble with “special stone cleaners”, “pH balanced cleaners” or “neutral base cleaners.”
  • Do not clean any natural stone with acidic cleaners, including (but not limited to) vinegar or cleaners with “lemon” or “lime” on the label. These products will abrade the polish from the stone. Sealers DO NOT protect polished surfaces from these types of cleaners.
Granite
As old as the earth itself, granite is one of the hardest and durable of all building stones. It has been used as a building material for major edifices throughout history, including the Roman Pantheon. Similar to lava, granite is an igneous rock that begins as liquid magma deep within the earth. In many cases, granite originates from the underside of continents or pieces of ocean crust that are melted by intense heat. The extreme pressure in the center of the earth compresses the liquid magma, creating a very dense material with minimal pores. These characteristics make granite’s surface tough and almost impenetrable. Granite emerges at the surface of the earth after eons of natural erosion has removed the overlying layers of older rock. Most granite appears where deeply buried rocks are brought to the surface by movements of the earth’s crust.

Eye-catching and functional, granite is a speckled stone that ranges in color from absolute black to Bianco Portolo (salt & pepper white) – and every color in between. The natural color variations result from a mixture of minerals, including common materials found in ceramic or porcelain, like feldspar, quartz and mica. Natural irregularities in the interlocked minerals create a beautiful array of kaleidoscopic patterns.

Uses
  • Interior and exterior
  • Floors and walls
  • Interior counter tops
  • Exterior building facades
Types
  • Polished: During production, a facet is put on each crystal at a microscopic level– much as a jeweler would facet a diamond. The resulting smooth surface allows light to refract in and out of the stone in a parallel way. This enhances the visible sheen and gives the appearance of depth.
  • Honed: A smooth, non-reflective finish achieved by using acid to grind the surface (available by special order only).
  • Flamed (thermal): A rough surface created by applying a direct flame source, such as a blowtorch, and burning off portions of the surface minerals.
Special Considerations
  • Color variations enhance the natural beauty of the stone. Inspect multiple samples before selection to ensure satisfaction with colors and patterns.
Maintenance
  • Do clean with a dust mop and neutral cleaner to remove most dirt.
  • Do use a penetrating sealer to prevent staining. Because many stones are porous to some degree, excessive water may cause reactions such as oxidation (rust), spalling, deterioration of dry veins, etc.
  • Do clean natural stones with “special stone cleaners”, “pH balanced cleaners” or “neutral base cleaners.”
  • Do not clean any natural stone with acidic cleaners, including (but not limited to) vinegar or cleaners with “lemon” or “lime” on the label. These products will abrade the polish from the stone. Sealers DO NOT protect polished surfaces from these types of cleaners.
Slate
With subtle variations in color and texture, slate resonates warm undertones and rustic charm. A metamorphic rock, slate forms from the low-grade metamorphosis of the sedimentary rock, shale (“mudstone”). Like its precursor, slate is a very fine-grained rock consisting of microscopic clay minerals combined with microscopic quartz and calcite. Some slates also contain a few of the minerals found in granite, resulting in iridescent or hard surfaces. The alteration of shale by heat and pressure produces the pronounced partings (cleavage) that give slate its layered characteristics.

Slate’s color originates from trace metals present during its formation. The colors visible in most slates are the result of splitting the stone along natural layers, exposing the metals to the atmosphere and allowing them to oxidize (rust). The natural color variations in slate enhance the beautiful details that make each installation a unique showpiece.

Uses
  • Interior and exterior flooring
  • Walls
  • Roofing materials
  • Other special applications
Types
  • Natural Cleft (ungauged / uncalibrated): Cutting along the natural layers creates an uneven, undulating surface.
  • Calibrated (gauged): Cutting each piece to a relatively uniform thickness.
  • Tumbled: Rounding edges and corners achieves an antique look.
Special Considerations
  • Natural shade variations are inherent in slate. Be sure to inspect multiple samples of the stone before selection to ensure satisfaction with colors and patterns.
  • Shaling (material splitting from the surface) is possible. This will cease over time.
Maintenance
  • Do clean slate with a dust mop and neutral cleaner to remove most dirt.
  • Do use a penetrating sealer to prevent staining. Because slate is quite porous, excessive water may cause reactions such as oxidation (rust), spalling, deterioration of dry veins, etc
  • Do clean natural stones with “special stone cleaners”, “pH balanced cleaners” or “neutral base cleaners.”
  • Do not clean any natural stone with acidic cleaners, including (but not limited to) vinegar or cleaners with “lemon” or “lime” on the label. These products will abrade the polish from the stone. Sealers DO NOT protect polished surfaces from these types of cleaners.
Tumbled & Ancient Stone


Uses
  • Interior and exterior
  • Floors and walls
  • Shower and tub surrounds
  • Fireplaces
  • Vanities
Types
  • Tumbled Surface: Edges and corners are subjected to a tumbling process for an antique look.
Special Considerations
  • Color variations are common and enhance the natural beauty of each stone. Be sure to inspect multiple samples of the stone before selection to ensure satisfaction with colors and patterns.
Maintenance
  • Do clean with a dust mop and neutral cleaner to remove most dirt.
  • Do use a penetrating sealer to prevent staining. Because many stones are porous to some degree, excessive water may cause reactions such as oxidation (rust), spalling, deterioration of dry veins, etc.
  • Do clean natural stones with “special stone cleaners”, “pH balanced cleaners” or “neutral base cleaners.”
  • Do not clean any natural stone with acidic cleaners, including (but not limited to) vinegar or cleaners with “lemon” or “lime” on the label.