Limestone is a sedimentary stone mostly found in shallow water areas between 30° north and 30° south latitude, the tropical and partially sub-tropical regions of Earth. About 10% of sedimentary rocks found around the world are Limestones and, depending the environment in which they’re found, they’ll have different and unique personality traits reflecting on their density, colour and fossil exposure.
How does it form?
There are two ways that limestone can be formed:
• Live organisms such as oysters, mussels, clams and coral use calcium carbonate to create their shells and bones. The build-up of these deceased organisms accumulates on the ocean floor where it is then compacted by crashing waves until the sediments and pressure result in limestone.
• Water containing particles of calcium carbonate evaporates creating sedimentary deposits, think of stalactites and stalagmites. If these deposits are formed along coastal areas, they can also be impacted by water pressure (waves crashing) and, over time, turn into limestone.
Limestone is ordinarily quite light in colour, white, tan or grey, but will vary in colour due to its impurities. For instance, iron oxide will give it a brown, yellow, or red tinge whilst carbon could give it a more a blue, black, or grey shade.
Limestone can be cut in many shapes and sizes to suit different style requirements and design needs; also, it lends itself to a variety of stone finishes and edges appropriate for both internal and external applications. For instance, a honed limestone would not meet the slip resistance required for outdoor use commercially, but it would be perfect for indoors applications whilst a sandblasted limestone would tick all the boxes to be installed around your pool or garden.
Carefully selected, high density limestone cut into pavers or crazy paving, is aesthetically perfect for areas where a rawer organic environment is preferred and, with the correct surface finish applied, it will achieve the necessary slip resistance.
Limestone is a very versatile natural stone and suits wall cladding applications as well including please see below small free stone formats, or bigger and more textural stone finishes including split or bush hammered. Pictured on the side image carousel our Matala limestone pavers, Kahvi crazy paving, Calcario linear wall cladding and Noir modular wall cladding.
While selecting natural stones, it’s key to consider that the darker colour stones are the quickest to absorb heat and also, that the origin of the stone and the process through which it is formed will affect the heat retention with igneous stones being the hottest [originated through a lava or magma solidifying process]. This may not be as essential whilst selecting wall cladding, but it is key to consider especially while selecting pavers as, depending on where you lay them, you might opt for something completely different to better suit your requirements.
Limestone is easily maintained with proper care and our products were carefully selected to endure the test of time. At Artisan Exterior, we highly recommend choosing a professional installer to ensure your pavers are laid and sealed correctly to bring the full potential of the stone to the surface. Our focus is on sourcing only the best quality natural stone from around the globe and bringing you a vast range of sizes and formats that will inspire you and be a perfect match for your next project.
To find out more about our range of Limestone, or if you have any questions regarding natural stone, give our team at Artisan Exterior a call or visit one of our showrooms.
