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Additional Information and Resources
 

MATERIALS
 
Granite
Granite is a popular material for surfaces subject to, many and varied impacts, such as kitchen and vanities, steps and floors in 'high traffic' areas. Some granite’s have a quite spectacular appearance and is used for their visual impact, such as on facades.

Granite is classified as an igneous rock. It is formed when hot magma from the earth's core cools very slowly and crystallizes. 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. The mineral grains that are formed are large enough to be clearly distinguishable; interlocked like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. This is what makes Granite very strong and durable - ideal for building and construction. Although they cost more to install their life cycle cost averages are much lower than other options, given that they theoretically last for centuries with having an immeasurable value. According to an article by Stone World Buyers Guide 2004 the Canadian and U.S Stone consumption exceeds the ceramic tile value for building stone, flooring, countertops, monuments and others. This shows the demand and changing trend in style towards the beauty and elegance of natural stone. Eye-catching and functional, granite is a speckled stone that ranges in color from Absolute Black to Crystal 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 for Granite
  • Interior and exterior
  • Floors and walls
  • Interior counter tops
  • Exterior building facades
Types of Granite
  • 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. surface (available by special order only).
Sizes of Granite
  • 12 x 12 tile
  • 16 x 16 tile
  • 18 x 18 tile
  • Slab
  • Different shapes available on special orders
Special Considerations
Color variations enhance the natural beauty of the stone. Inspect multiple samples before selection to ensure satisfaction with colors and patterns. Granite is the most hardest stone and when measured ,it ranges from 8-9 on the MOHS scale only next to diamond with 10 on the MOHS scale, this makes granite scratchproof.
Maintaining your Granite
  • Do clean with a dust mop and neutral cleaner to remove most dirt.
  • Do use a water based penetrating sealer to prevent staining. Because many stones are porous to some degree, excessive water may cause reactions. “Special Impregnating” sealers are recommended to avoid few problems. Hari Stones representatives can recommend appropriate sealers.
  • 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.
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Marble
Marble has long been valued for its beauty and strength; it was and still is widely used in buildings, monuments and sculptures. Even the ancient Greeks used marble for just this purpose; and who has not heard of Michelangelo, the undisputed master from Carrara who used marble for his statues?

Marble is a metamorphic rock, formed when limestone is subjected to enormous forces inside the earth's crust. This process, called re-crystalization, causes changes in texture and composition. Fossilized materials, along with carbonates, form large, coarse grains of calcite. Any impurities present affect the mineral composition and the color of the marble that forms. 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. 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 for Marble
  • Interior and exterior in non-freeze/thaw environments
  • Flooring
  • Fireplaces
  • Vanities
  • Shower and tub surrounds
Types of Marble
  • 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. (Available by special order only).
  • Tumbled Surface (ancient stones): An antique look achieved by subjecting the stone to a tumbling process. (Available by special order only).
Sizes of Marble
  • 12 x 12 tile
  • 16 x 16 tile
  • 18 x 18 tile
  • 20 x 20 tile
  • Slab
  • Others by special order
Special Considerations
Consider the function of the area involved prior to selection. Marbles range from 5-7.5 on the MOHS hardness 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.
Maintaining your Marble
  • 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), etc. “Special Impregnating” sealers are recommended to avoid these problems. Hari Stones representatives can recommend appropriate sealers.
  • 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.
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Slate
Slate, being a slip-resistant medium, is often used for different flooring applications. The colors and subtle textures of a slate floor complement most of the interior design scheme. Natural slate has a look that cannot be matched using man-made alternatives. The durability of a slate floor makes it a cost effect option, in the long run. Its combination of hardness and beauty also makes it a choice for commercial applications as well as the home. It can hold up to heavy and repeated traffic and still maintain its natural beauty. Slate Lasts for Hundreds of Years, with No Maintenance Required!!

Slate is a fine-grained rock formed by the composition of mud and stone sediment. Being a natural material, slate is found beneath the earth's surface in many countries throughout the world. 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.
Uses for Slate
  • Interior and exterior flooring
  • Walls
  • Roofing materials
  • other special applications
Types of Slate
  • Natural: Cutting along the natural layers creates an uneven, undulating surface.
  • Polished: A similar process used as honed finish in order to remove the uneven layers naturally created and give it a smooth finish.
  • Tumbled: Rounding edges and corners achieves an antique look
Sizes of Slate
  • 12 x 12 tile
  • 16 x 16 tile
  • Slab
  • Irregular Shapes
  • Roofing Slates (available by special order only).
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. Shalling (material splitting from the surface) is possible. This will cease over time.
Maintaining your Slate
  • 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), etc. “Special Impregnating” sealers are recommended to avoid these problems. Hari Stones representatives can suggest appropriate sealers.
  • 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.
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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 for Travertine
  • Interior and exterior
  • Floors and walls
  • Shower surrounds
  • Fireplaces
  • Vanities
Types of Travertine
  • 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.
  • Tumbled (ancient stones): An antique look achieved by rounded corners and edges.
Sizes of Travertine
  • Various tile sizes
  • Slab
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.
Maintaining your Travertine
  • 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), etc. “Special Impregnating” sealers are recommended to avoid these problems. Hari stones representatives can recommend appropriate sealers.
  • 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.
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Limestone
Limestone is a sedimentary stone that consists of seashells and the bones of the sea creatures that have settled to the ocean floor. Calcium in sediment combines with carbon dioxide in the water to form calcium carbonate, the basic structure of all limestone and marble. Limestone contains suble variations in color and veining as a result of minerals that are present during formation. These naturally occuring variations in color add to the distinctiveness and beauty of the stone.

Uses for Limestone
  • Interior and exterior installations
Types of Limestone
  • 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.
Sizes of Limestone
  • Various tile sizes
  • Slab
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.
Maintaining your Limestone
  • 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), etc. “Special Impregnating” sealers are recommended to avoid these problems. Hari stones representatives can recommend appropriate sealers.
  • 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.
 
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