Posts Tagged ‘limestone tiles’

Limestone Tiles – The Preferred Flooring Material

June 6th, 2010

Limestone rocks are used in agriculture and other industries. This is one of the stones which has the maximum usage in many ways. When crushed, the stone is used in building material as concrete. Many rocks that we come across everyday are made up of a mixture of different minerals, but limestone is made up of only one mineral, that is Calcite. This rock is one of the softest rocks present on the earth, and also has little fossils attached with these rocks.

Limestone is formed at the bottom of the sea, and is composed of fossils of Dead Sea creatures and some shells that get assembled at the bottom of the oceans. There are also many other sediments which get attached to this substance. With the passage of time, due to the immense pressure of the water above this substance, a cemented layer is formed, which later forms a hardcore rock. When used in pure form, it is hard enough to be used on counters and floors.

Limestone is one of the most popular stones for the architectural purposes especially in places like North America and Europe. It is also used as base material for the roads and foundations, and in the laboratories and scientific purposes like purification of glass. It also removes impurities from the molten form of iron where it is used in the blast furnace. It is used in the production of Portland cement and in daily life as filler and abrasive in toothpaste. It is also the producer of quicklime and slaked lime and many other chemicals.

Limestone tiles flooring is getting very popular now a days and looks very impressive and modern. The main advantage of these tiles is that they are not very expensive and give a fantastic appearance. Besides, their maintenance is also not a very big deal, thus making them an ideal material for a household.

Limestone Tiles and their origin

June 6th, 2010

Calcite in the limestone commonly originates from marine organisms but can also be present through groundwater that precipitated the material.

Calcite can either be precipitated or dissolved by ground water depending on several environmental factors. It can become less soluble as the water temperature increases -a peculiar characteristic. In the right conditions, calcite forms mineral coatings that glue the rock grains together or fill cracks and fractures in the stone.

*Limestone Colouring*

The varying colours prevalent in this stone derive from the impurities that are present, especially on weathered surfaces. These impurities can be clay, organic remains, sand and iron oxide. Formations of the stone can be crystalline, granular, clastic or massive and can be classified more precisely as Folk and Dunham.

*Location*

Travertine is a variety of limestone found along the edges of water such as hot and cold springs, streams and waterfalls. The material can reform into marble during geographical shifts over time such as mountain building, and is more resistant then other sedimentary rocks, usually occuring amongst hills and typically amongst clay soils. Examples of huge formations can be seen at County Clare in Ireland, Malham Cove in North Yorkshire and the Isle of White. The material is also prevalent in Sweden, the United States and Vietnam.

*Uses*

Limestone is commonly used in architecture across the world in modern construction in Europe and North America and in many older landmarks such as the great pyramids in Egypt which are made entirely from the same. There is a city in Ontario, Canada that is nicknamed Limestone City because every building there is built from it. Limestone is relatively easy to work with and commonly available which is why it gets used extensively in construction despite the cost as it is an expensive material.

*Acid Rain*

Marble and limestone tiles are susceptible to acid rain because of their porous qualities, and this can be a huge problem for statues and buildings alike. When cleaning the stone, a neutral or mild alkaline solution should be used at all times to prevent further erosion of the rock.