Everything you need to know about finding a Limestone Supplier

Limestone is a sedimentary rock that makes a versatile, easy to shape building material. But in order to look at what can be done with limestone, both in its natural form and the man-made version we need to understand it a little more.

Types of Limestone

In the natural world limestone is found on every inhabited. Limestone types include:

• Coral rag limestone – Made up from ancient coral reefs and the building blocks from this type of limestone are uneven colours and have a “rubbly” appearance
• Shelly limestone – Another product of an ancient sea-bed, this material not only has various colours, but differs in its hardness and texture.
• Lithographic limestone– This is hard limestone that is very homogenous in colour and composition. It has been used for aeons to create decorative plaques and written records.
• Chalk – This type of limestone, also known as calcium carbonate, is prized for its pure white colour and is widely used to create white cement.
• Travertine limestone – This is a highly prized form of limestone formed by mineral or hot springs. It is a hard material that is often used for fine indoor work such as basins, fire place surrounds and plinths.
• Sedimentary calcite layers – This rock has undulating colours and is widely used as facia material on internal and external walls. It can also be used as bench-top stone, but as it is a soft stone needs to be carefully protected by a hard-setting resin.

Uses of Limestone

For each type of natural limestone a manufactured version exists. This means that you have the choice of using whichever one suits your style, budget and environmental views. Here are some of the ways you can use the different grades and types of limestone:

• A magnificent and unique travertine hand-basin can be a stylish and beautiful centrepiece in your bathroom.
• You may want something heavy and attractive like a limestone plinth to show off a particular piece of sculpture, pottery, or other 3D set-piece
• It can be used as a safe and attractive fire place surround, hearth and mantle-piece.
• Properly sealed and treated limestone tiles make a wonderful feature wall inside or outside your home.
• As a front-door feature wall, limestone blocks or facia can make lighten up the entrance way to your home.
• A limestone fountain is a wonderful traditional way to add attractive ornamentation to your garden
• A limestone wall around your property can make an attractive yet secure boundary.

Choosing Limestone for Your Home

There are many different places to find the right limestone, however you decide to use it. When it comes to limestone tiling, you need look no further than your favourite tile shop or manufacturer.

Limestone blocks for garden, boundary and retaining walls are available from landscape suppliers, garden suppliers or even some hardware stores.

Indoor limestone features such as hand basins can be found at bathroom suppliers and specialist building supply outlets.
Decorative limestone is available through homeware stores, some hardware outlets and departments stores.