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Choosing a natural stone for a project is a very
personal decision; much like selecting wallpaper or
artwork. While there are numerous stones to consider
with varying colors and visual textures, some stones are
better suited than others depending on how the stone
will be used. |
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| Colors
in natural stone range from soft beiges and pinks and
classic black-and-whites to rich corals, greens and multi-
colors. Marble traditionally features swirls and "veins"
of colors, while granite has a flecked or pebbled appearance.
During your selection process, keep in mind that large swirls
and veins can present unique challenges where seams are concerned. |
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harder the stone, the more it resists abrasion. One
measure of a natural stone's strength is its Measurement
of Hardness (MOH) rating, where 1 is the softest and 10
is the hardest. On the MOH scale, most marbles rate 3
and quartz-based granites rate 7. The MOH rating of the
stone you select will significantly effect the long term
durability and beauty in your project. |
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overall strength of each slab can vary significantly and
should be taken into consideration when selecting the
stone for your project. Some granites and many marbles
have a fabric or "mesh" netting which is adhered to the
back of the slab to provide additional strength. The
strength of your selected stone slab can be a significant
factor in the time required to fabricate your slabs and
can affect overall project costs. |