In 2500 B.C., Djoser's Step Pyramid in Egypt, the first structure to be made entirely of natural stone, was constructed using huge blocks of granite and limestone. Today, natural stone quarries are found in many countries throughout the world such as Italy, China, Spain, India, Canada, Mexico and also here in the United States. Recent advances in the stone industry's equipment technology have greatly impacted the process of extracting stone from the quarry and installing it in a home. Modern tools can accomplish this with such speed and efficiency that now natural stone is accessible to all and is beloved for its durability, personality and aesthetics.
Indeed, nothing compares to the beauty of natural stone, and nothing can create pride quicker than when you walk into your home and onto a natural stone floor. And while it is typically more expensive than ceramic tile, natural stone will virtually always increase your home's resale value. That's important to know when shopping.
Today, there is a large selection of natural stone to choose from, and we will be showing you and explaining about each stone family in detail. In these sections on Natural Stone you can count on learning about granite, the hardest and densest stone, marble, known for its rich, luxurious quality, limestone, a softer, more porous stone, and the popular travertine. We will also take an informative look at slate and tumbled stone, Canada's favourites in rustic settings. As a side note, you should be aware of a product called Manufactured Stone. (Also called Agglomerate Stone.) It's a synthetic stone product that can be used for flooring and you can learn more about it in the How It's Made section.
We invite you to discover the many wonderful facets of Natural Stone and see if it is the right flooring for you.