Limestone April 25, 2012

Travertine and limestone are both sedimentary rocks composed of grains; however, most grains in limestone are skeletal fragments of marine organisms such as coral. Travertine is a banded, compact variety of limestone formed along streams, particularly where there are waterfalls, and around hot or cold springs.

There are far more geological similarities than differences between travertine and limestone. Both are formed by the settling of plants, animals, sea shells, sand, and mud on the sea beds. As millions of years pass, this sediment continues to settle and the weight of additional settlement causes the limestone and travertine to compress and harden. This process creates the fossils frequently found in both of these stones. If, at this stage, hot water rich in carbon dioxide from hot springs percolates through the limestone and dissolves some of the stone leaving behind inclusions, holes or voids, travertine is formed. As the water resurfaces, the sudden drop in pressure and change in temperature causes the water to release carbon dioxide gas. The calcium carbonate or limestone then re-crystallizes as travertine.

Limestone is a good building material, especially for cathedrals, since you can carve it easily. It does get eroded by being dissolved slowly by rain, especially acid rain. Limestone, like all natural stone should be sealed and can be maintain by a neutral pH cleaner, you never want to use anything acidic on natural stone surfaces as they can ruin the surface of natural stone.

Stop by Carpets Plus and test your skills at distinguishing these two products, and check out our inexpensive cleaners.

Carpets Plus 1580 Pine Grove Road, Steamboat Springs, CO

Travertine April 17, 2012

Travertine is a form of limestone deposited by mineral springs, especially hot springs. It is formed by a process of rapid precipitation of calcium carbonate, often at the mouth of a hot spring or in a limestone cave. In the U.S., the most well-known place for travertine formation is Yellowstone National Park, where the geothermal areas are rich in travertine deposits.

Travertine is often used as a building material. The Romans mined deposits of travertine for building temples, aqueducts, monuments, bath complexes, and amphitheaters such as the Coliseum, the largest building in the world constructed mostly of travertine.

Because travertine is such a porous material, it should be sealed before use in construction or renovation projects. It is most commonly used for counter-tops and flooring, but may also be used in showers and tub surrounds as well as in exterior decor.

Travertine is available in different colors and finishes, from natural, neutral colors such as creamy white and beige to tan and reddish brown. The color depends quite a bit on the impurities and iron content of the stone. The different finishes include honed, polished, chiseled and tumbled. Honed travertine is smooth, but unlike polished, it has a matte finish. Polished travertine is smooth, buffed and polished until shiny. Tumbled travertine has a rougher, textured finish and often has rounded corners for an antique look. Remember just because a stone may be shiny it doesn’t mean it is sealed.

Never use cleaners that contain vinegar or citrus oils on travertine. Even water can be harmful to the texture of travertine if it is allowed to sit on the stone for long periods of time.

Travertine is imported mostly from Italy, Iran, Mexico, Turkey, and Peru. A decade ago, Italy had a near-monopoly on the world travertine market.

John Vande Velde, Terry’s son outside Rome’s Coliseum, the largest building in the world constructed mostly of travertine.

Carpets Plus stock travertine in Steamboat Springs and have many other travertine’s available within a week of ordering. www.steamboatcarpetsplus.com

Granite April 10, 2012

Granite is probably the most known stone used in the home. Granite is very grainy in appearance with the crystals in the granite being clearly visible. Granite was formed from the magma of a volcano; it cooled very slowly creating large crystals in the stone. Granite is a tough, durable rock composed primarily of three different minerals. These minerals are easy to see due to their different colors. The white mineral grains found in granite are feldspar. It is the most abundant mineral found in granite. The light gray, glass-like grains are quartz, and the black, flake-like grains are biotite or black mica.

Granite is often used in the kitchen for both flooring and counter tops. It has a Moh hardness rating of 7 – 8 and is a very dense stone that resists heat and is difficult to scratch. Granite colors run from light colors such as white, sand and gold to dark colors such as black and green. Neutral colors such as beige, brown and grey tend to be very popular in most homes.

Like all natural stones, granite will need to be sealed with a good quality penetrative sealer once installed. To check that your granite has been sealed properly, sprinkle some water on it.  If the water beads up on the surface of the granite, it has a good seal. To maintain your granite, regularly dry dust using a clean cloth and damp wipe as needed. Always use a stone cleaner or a mild, neutral detergent. Never use products that contain acids such as lemon. Quickly wipe up spills to avoid absorption into the stone. If your granite has absorbed oil or impurities from water, use a stone poultice to help restore the stone. Poultices are spread over the stone and covered with a sheet of plastic. The poultice draws the stain from inside the granite to the surface so it can be cleaned.

Visit our website www.steamboatcarpetsplus.com for recommended maintenance products.