Quartzite is a natural quartz material that is quarried like
granite and marble. It is a natural product that has a very
hard surface that is resistant to scratches and damage.
Many types of quartzite are translucent and can be backlit
for dramatic effect.
Quartz slabs are manmade which are manufactured using
crushed quartz and resin. The benefit of quartz is that the
colors tend to be very consistent and there is a vast array of
colors being produced. Recently, manufacturers are
producing marble-like quartz and other designer surfaces
giving great design possibilities.
Sandstones vary widely in color due to different minerals
and clays found in the stone. Sandstone is light gray to
yellow or red. A dark reddish brown sandstone, also called
brownstone, has commonly been used in the northeastern
United States and eastern Canada. Bluestone is a dense,
hard, fine-grained sandstone of greenish-gray or blueishgray color and is quarried in the eastern United States.
Limestone is a widely used building stone with colors
typically light gray, tan or buff. A distinguishing characteristic
of limestone is the presence of fossils that are frequently
visible in the stone surface.
Travertine is a type of limestone that can be left in its natural state with no polishing. Limestone varies in hardness
and is porous with many visible holes, often filled with
epoxy. Travertine is one of several natural stones that are
used for paving patios and garden paths. It is sometimes
known as travertine limestone and as travertine marble.
The stone is characterized by pitted holes and troughs in its
surface. It comes in a variety of colors from grey to coralred. Travertine is most commonly available in tile sizes for
floor installations
Slate is dark green, black, gray, dark red or multi-colored. It
is most commonly used as a flooring material and for roof
tiles and is often distinguished by its distinct cleft texture.