Hello! My name is C.J., and as you may have guessed from the title of my blog, I am a huge dog lover. My dog has specialised things in my home like a built-in shelf for his food and water bowls and a dedicated grooming area with a bath. Outside, he has his own shady area, a dog house with a heated floor and a sturdy fence. I worked with contractors through all of those projects, and I hope to do even more. This blog is going to talk about contracting... I hope to start with some posts about the process involved in some of the things the contractor made for my pup but I also plan to include some posts with a more general contracting focus. Take a look and enjoy!
Fences, Dog Kennels, Puppy Houses and Other Projects: Contracting Blogs
Understanding the Differences in Natural Stone for Home Projects
Irene Little
Natural stone is a good choice for a variety of home projects, including for use as flooring, benchtops, or walkways outside. While natural stone is relatively durable, not every variety will be the right choice for every surface in your home. Note a few differences about a variety of natural stones so you can choose the right one for your home project.
Granite and marble
Granite may be the most durable of all natural stones, which is why it's often chosen for benchtops in the kitchen and for flooring. It also has a rich and unique look, with lots of veins and sparkle. While this can make granite look very attractive, note that its distinct look can seem overwhelming once you have it installed in your entire kitchen area. Opt for a tone lighter than what you think you want to ensure your kitchen doesn't seem too drab or dark.
Marble is just slightly softer than granite but still very durable. It can be used as flooring in any area of the home, as long as the subfloor can hold up its weight. When choosing granite or marble, keep in mind that their smooth surfaces may make them a bit hazardous when wet, so if you use them in a kitchen or bathroom, be prepared to put down an area rug in places where dampness may make for a slipping hazard.
Travertine
Travertine is a type of limestone that often has a brownish tone. Its surface has natural pitting which, when left untreated, makes it a good choice for the wet floor surfaces mentioned above, as the pitting provides added traction. This makes it a favorite for bathroom floors where you don't want to set down area rugs or worry about slipping.
Limestone
Limestone is dense and hard like granite but offers a smoother, more uniform appearance. If you want to have a natural stone without the veining or sparkle of granite, limestone can be the better option.
Slate
Slate is one of the strongest natural stones available for home projects and because of its strength and durability, it's best for patios and outdoor walkways. It's not likely to absorb moisture or get cracked and chipped from patio furniture and barbecue equipment. Slate is also sometimes used for roofing or exterior cladding of a home, although its density makes it very heavy. Be sure you've checked with a contractor about your home's structural strength before using slate on the roof, as a benchtop, or as interior flooring.
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