Natural stones such as Sandstone, Travertine, bluestone, limestone, and granite have been the preferred construction materials among architects and designers since ancient times. From construction materials to natural stones, tiles, and pavers, they are preferred to add elegance and class to spaces today.
In Australia, natural stones are cultural icons, with people believing in beautifying their home interiors and exteriors with stone-based design. Natural stone flooring, roofs and walls are common throughout the country, thanks to the availability of a huge range of colours and types of natural stone.
If you plan to embellish your home with natural stones, here is some insight to get the best of your stone and home design ideas.
Tiles, Pavers and Mosaics
Natural stones are preferred in all three forms - tiles, pavers, and mosaics. Using natural stone tiles on the walls adds character and elegance to the area. At the same time, a mosaic design - whether as a decorative feature or a professional artistic inlay - makes the space sparkle. Similarly, natural stone pavers are good-looking and dependable in all environments, along with being cost-efficient and needing little to no maintenance.
Immersive Interiors: The best thing about natural stone tiles is that there's no limit to the design possibilities when doing the interiors. From the walls of the dining & living rooms to the flooring of the complete home, stones can help you set up beautiful interiors at your home. Also, natural stone flooring tends to outlast any other material, with minimum to no maintenance, thus saving money in the long run.
Attractive Exteriors: Durability and resistance to climate extremes make natural stones ideal for exterior spaces like patios, roofs and swimming areas. Also, many stone mosaics lend themselves to great designs suited to sparkling exterior areas.
Sophisticated Landscaping: Natural stone pavers are excellent landscaping material, and you can beautify a range of spaces with them, from garden paths to walkways to backyards. Also, some natural stones are eco-friendly and support different types of plants as a part of the environment.
What should you look for in natural stone pavers or tiles?
First, make it clear that you plan to use natural stones for outdoor flooring. Depending on where you live, different building materials may be appropriate for outdoor use. If you reside in an area with frequent freeze-thaw cycles, you may find that natural stones are limited in colder, damper climes.
You might also consult a landscaping professional who specialises in installing outdoor patios or mats. During negotiations with the contractor, it will become evident which type of natural stone pavers or tiles suits your project. Stone Depot has a team of specialists who can advise you on the best natural stone for your project.
Here are a few things to consider while choosing natural stones for outdoor flooring:
- Outdoor pavers and tiles, unlike those used indoors, must be extremely durable and tolerate harsh temperatures and weather. The amount of use they will get determines how durable the natural stone should be. The natural stones utilised in a retired couple's home will differ greatly from those used in a family with active youngsters.
- Paving a large outside space, such as a patio, costs far more than tiling a smaller indoor space, such as a bathroom. As a result, the cost of patio pavers or tiles is an important consideration. Stone Depot provides superior natural stones at cheap prices for outdoor pavement.
- Outdoor spaces must be visually appealing and harmonious with the house's architectural characteristics, building materials, and surroundings. Ensure the natural stone tiles or pavers have colours and textures that complement your home's decor.
- Outdoor applications value a tile's "slipperiness" and "texture" higher than indoor uses. To avoid sliding and falling in an outdoor space, the texture of the natural stone paver or tile must have some "tooth". The patio furniture you choose should complement the overall style of the outdoor space.
- Depending on where you reside, you may require natural stone pavers & tiles for your outdoor area that can survive freezing and thawing cycles. Like, Travertine has a lower water absorption rate than porous materials such as Sandstone. When a tile collects water and freezes, it may fracture or break the connections between the tiles.
- The type of natural stone that should be used depends on how much sunlight the outdoor space receives. Lighter tiles look better in regions with lots of shadows, whilst darker tiles look better in areas with a lot of direct sunshine.
- Both easy and tough tiles are better suited to do-it-yourself installation. Natural stone is harder to work with than rubber or interlocking plastic since it is heavier and more difficult to cut. Any DIYer with experience laying tile inside can frequently install tile on a patio, but the methods and materials may change dramatically.
In the End
Natural stones are, without a doubt, a perfect building material for homes. They are available in different styles - tiles, pavers, and mosaic - and come in various colours and textures, making design issues suddenly appear very simple. However, when looking for natural stones for your home, procure them from a noted natural stone supplier in Australia. This will help you ensure the quality and cost of the natural stone, both critical factors.
*Disclaimer: All information and advice given above in the blog are to the best of our knowledge. Please reconfirm at your end before execution.
