Strength tests for detecting real stone potential

Natural stones catch all eyes when they are clad over floors and countertops. Be it marble or granite, natural stones are widely used for indoor and outdoor construction works. Natural stone producers offer a variety of stones to make any space look stunning. Beauty is not the only factor, the strength of stone also matters the most. It is the Mohs scale that declares how strong your stone is. While buying any stone, natural stone buyers prefer to go through a lab report showing the level of strength of the stone.

A lab report is like an updated technical documentation that analyses the characteristics and technical aspects of the stone for multiple applications. It would be great to check all aspects of the lab report from natural stone producers. Stone testing types comprise of compressive strength; bending strength; wear, frost, and sliding resistance; density and porosity; and water absorption tests.

Natural stone strength testing

A stone may or may not be useful for a specific application. Do you have any criteria to check this factor? This factor is called stone testing that guides you on the potential of the stone to resist crushing and bending. Natural stone producers use different testing methods for detecting gravity and density, and water absorption potential.

Compressive strength test

The resistance of the natural stone to crushing loads is calculated with this test. It guides you on how a wall stone bears the compressive load and a stone floor withstands human traffic loads, along with heavy objects and furniture. Therefore, compressive strength matters the most as it indicates to the maximum load per withstood by the stone easily. A stone can endure a higher crushing load when it has the following compressive strength, even in dry and wet conditions:

·         1,800 psi (12.45 MPa) to 19,000 psi (131 MPa)

Bending strength test

Bending strength test is vital for checking the extension of the stone in bending comfortably. A higher modulus of rupture or flexural strength declares a superior bending strength. For this, you need a minimum value range (2.8 MPa - 10.3 MPa). This test type also has 3 subtypes:  

•         ASTM C880 for the flexural strength test
•         ASTM C99 test and ASTM C120 (Slate) test
•      Modulus of rupture test

Flexure testing

This test is not very different from the modulus of rupture test, but it is concerned with stone’s thickness and load testing. The real potential of the stone comes out when you check the stone in dry and wet conditions. For this, natural stone producers take at least 5 stone specimens of dry and wet stones. Then, stones have to bear a load until they cave in. There is a formula for calculating the bending strength of slab as per geometry. Moreover, megapascal (MPa) is the unit for expressing the bending strength of any stone.

Wear or abrasion resistance of stone

All stone types are not fit for flooring and countertop applications. You come to know about this with the abrasion test of ASTM C241. The coefficient of friction testing is also useful for getting the right answer. This test results in an index number (ranging between 0 and 100) which is comparative to abraded material’s quantity. The index is determined with the following factors:

•          Abrasion weight loss
•        Average weight
•         The density of the stone

In addition, natural stone producers scrape the stone with the help of a Kessler machine.

Leading natural stone producer Regatta Universal Exports is committed to delivering a wide assortment of strong natural stones that have already passed through different stone strength tests.

Illuminate every corner of your home with limestone

There are lots of benefits of using limestone as a natural stone for creating charming characteristics to your home and giving it a historically and culturally-rich look. With chemical and physical properties (density, compressive strength, hardness, water absorption, weather impact, and porosity), limestone is the first choice of architects and designers in all corner of the world. It is non-slippery, non-porous, and easy to maintain. That is why this stone boosts the aesthetics of any surrounding with its smooth texture, finish, and tone. Limestone suppliers can help you get the best stone to illuminate all corners of your home. 

Limestone products for beautiful creations

Limestone fireplace: Limestone is a right natural stone for fireplaces due to its ability to resist fire and heat. If you need a stone to make the fireplace look stunning, this durable stone is incredibly beautiful. It is an ideal mix of colors, texture, and hand carvings that makes limestone a perfect stone for gaining a unique appearance.

Limestone flooring: Being durable, limestone can withstand highly trafficked areas. That is why it is a great option for flooring and stylish beauty. Limestone flooring tiles from professional limestone suppliers are sold in multiple colors, styles, and shapes. Just choose the right option that can capture your vision.

Limestone door surrounds: For centuries, millions of homes, buildings, monuments, and concrete structures have been using limestone for adding more exquisiteness to all big or small doors.  This stone is a visually appealing material that renders all doors a timeless beauty.

Limestone fountains: In European culture, limestone fountains are common as they reflect water as a basis of life. Fountains contribute to bring water to your homes and making your outdoor structure look visually stunning. This stone easily withstand harsh climates.

Limestone columns: Limestone columns are the first structures in any building that make eyeballs roll. Columns developed with this stone are versatile, beautiful, and durable.

Limestone sinks: If you love to have an old-world style, nothing can be more impressive than a limestone product. This dense and long-lasting material in multiple hues matches the interior design of the kitchen. With travertine and marble characteristics, this stone provides a unique gaze.

Limestone kitchen hoods: If you are looking for posh and visually alluring material, limestone increases the appeal of your kitchen’s ambiance. Customized kitchen hoods made of this stone imparts a comfortable feeling and creates the environment you want.

Limestone countertops: For every interior design, limestone countertops are a fantastic alternative. They are versatile, durable, and resistant to heat and humidity. Indian, Italian, and French limestone functions as granite.

Limestone stairs: Stairs are all about beautiful aesthetics as they impart every building a glance of a big palace or old world castle, especially in Europe. Limestone supplied by leading limestone suppliers is a great choice for highly trafficked areas. This stone is durable for withstanding heavy traffic.

Limestone walls: High-quality limestone quarried and processed by Indian limestone suppliers, limestone manufactures, and limestone wholesalers help you design a weird style for your domestic walls. This stone is versatile, cost-effective, and low maintained and craft swank, inspiring spaces.

Limestone roofing and tiles: All bathroom, drawing room, and kitchen floors become alive with limestone. In an assortment of colors, shapes, and sizes, limestone tiles for flooring or roofing give everything a charismatic European look.

Limestone colors to smear your ambiance

There is no dearth of limestone products available in all corners of the world. Thanks to limestone suppliers for giving end users lots of options for domestic construction and decor. Choose the most appealing color from the below-mentioned hues and smear surroundings with enchanting mosaics. These colors include:

·         Kota brown and Kota blue limestone

·         Lime black and Lime green limestone

·         Lime peacock and Lime pink limestone

·         Tandur blue and Tandur yellow limestone

• Max slab size: 2700 x 1700
• Slab Thickness: from 20mm to 2000mm
• Popular tile sizes: 1”x2”, 3” and 4”; 2”x3”, 4”, 5”, 6”; 4”x4.5”, 5”, 6” and 8”; 5”x2”, 3”, 4,”6” and 6”x8”; and 8”; 3”x4”, 5”, 6” and 8”

Leading marble supplier with customized limestone solutions

When you find all above limestone products quite beneficial for adding more character and beauty to your domestic concrete structure, you need the best limestone suppliers to make things happen. Regatta Universal Exports, one of the leading limestone suppliers and manufacturers, extends a helping hand with an assortment of top quality Indian limestone in all corners of the world.

Marble Kitchen countertops: Black or white???

In the modern era, homeowners prefer to give their living and cooking areas a contemporary look. For this, they start choosing various natural stones that match well with the vibes of the internal and external spaces. When it comes to garnering a kitchen with a countertop, one is expected to focus on the ability of the stone to resist stains and stand against regular wear and tear. Now, the next step is choosing the stone. In terms of beauty, longevity, and attraction, marble beats all other stone types in the competitive market.  Marble is beautiful but soft and spongy. Being porous, it is prone to stains and etches. There are lots of marble types from marble suppliers who can help you get the best marble kitchen countertops. 

Why should we use marble in the kitchen? It is the most common question people like to ask before buying marble. Marble is an ideal candidate for remodeling the kitchen. With a leading marble supplier from India, you can have the right stuff for your kitchen area.

Black and white: Right stuff for a stylish marble kitchen countertop

Without any doubt, marble is seen as a clean stone with a bright look. A unique touch of refinement and timelessness makes it an ideal candidate for a classy kitchen. In popular marble colors, black and white are the most preferred ones for adding charms to any kitchen space. Let’s see why both the colors are the right stuff for a stunning countertop:

•        Both colors go well with the magic of wooden cabinets
•        Black marble with white cabinets and wood accents is a big deal
•        White marble steals the show with black cabinets and wood accents
•        Black marble tarnishes less easily than a white marble
•        If rhythmed with metallics, black marble delivers a comfy look
•        Both the color types are a  great blend
•        If you maintain the countertop properly, both colors are long lasting
•       Proper sealants make honed countertops highly performing

In India, the availability of black and white marbles is in abundance. It is your individual preferences that prompt you to accept or reject marbles for kitchen countertops. Get in touch with a black and white marble supplier and know which black or white color dons your kitchen.

Verdict: Marble kitchen countertops

It is the loveliness, cool temperature, price, and availability of marble that ensure marble as a right pick. Your decision to purchase marble is restricted when you find this stone prone to scratches and stains. You can buy this stone in multiple colors, like red, black, green, brown, white, and other colors. This stone will make things happen in your favor if you can give proper maintenance and attention to the stone. Marble kitchen countertops will perform in a long run if you cover the stone with mats, clean stains immediately, and don’t use hot and wet objects on it. It is not possible in a kitchen.

A honed marble with a matte finish will not exhibit scratches on the surface and it is also less open to pores. If the stone is treated with a good sealant, it will give you a functional surface. A stone with a proper finish will resist scratches and stains. If you like aged surfaces, honed marbles are good for you. Marbles in various sizes and colors are good for kitchen countertops of marble. Here, all you need to do is to get the right marble color and services of a marble supplier. If you have a black or white marble kitchen countertop in a polished finish, it will be glossy and work against stains and scratches as it has a layer on the top. Polished surfaces deprecate their layers. Some people who like a worn look can make a difference with honed marble surfaces than polished ones.

Popular Indian marble supplier Regatta Universal Exports delivers its global clientele black and white marble slabs with no defects for kitchen countertops. At competitive prices, the marble products of the supplier give end users an edge.

Image resources: Google

Indian granite vs Chinese granite: From good to bad quality features

Durability, color richness, and shining make granite first choice of all buyers. There are lots of countries involved in the process of granite quarrying, processing, and exporting. India and China are two big players in the international natural stone market. Both countries produce granite in multiple colors and finishes. In Eastern China, places like Guangdong, Fujian, and Shandong are known for quarrying granite in bulk. Like China, India also has lots of quarries and processing units in Chennai, Bangalore, and Rajasthan. A variety of granite stones supplied by granite wholesalers and producers in China and India are not the same. Let’s check out where both the stone types stand in the competitive market.

India and China granite: A comparison between good and bad

All granite wholesalers and producers from India, Brazil, and China offer a wide variety of granite products. Following is a comparison between India and China granite on the basis of selective features:

Granite strength and durability of stone: The prime reason why granite is selling like a hot cake is the long-lasting ability of the stone. The Chinese granite is cheap and comes with a natural crack called ‘hairline’ crack. Onlookers can’t detect this crack with naked eyes. Any granite having a ‘hairline’ crack is called weak granite. Granite wholesalers and exporters also deal in cheap and good quality granite.

Color richness and elegance: The good granite is defined by the element of beauty and rich colors.  India offers many vibrant colors like gold, brown, beige, and jet black. All granite buyers can demand zero-defect quality black galaxy, Alaska gold, Bianco gold, black pearl, and imperial gold colors. Brazil also delivers good quality gold colored granite.

Luster and defects: Granite is valuable when it maintains its shine even after a decade. China supplies pale, dull, and cheap granite. China lies in a highly seismically active area, and the granite quarried from this area comes with vents and cracks. It is said that some granite wholesalers in China apply oil on slabs in order to hide natural defects of the stone.

Sound effect and wear and tear: The finest quality ebony black granite from India is hard and dense in color. On tapping this stone, you hear a ‘ringing sound’ whereas Chinese granite produces a ‘thud’ sound as it is less dense. The density of Indian stone ensures that it is not going to wear easily when compared to Chinese stone.

Staining: Chinese granite, being a porous and water absorbent material, stains very easily. Among high-risk granite from China, Abbey Grey is very common. While buying, make sure you ask your granite wholesaler for a coin-scratch test.

The big Chinese stone quality issue

There are lots of factors that decide the parameter of a granite slab. These include stone veins, texture, colors, marking, pitting, thickness, and country of origin. It has been seen that Chinese granite wholesalers export granite in all parts of the world, but Chinese stone is not up to the mark in terms of quality. A granite stone falls under the following quality criteria.

Level 1 (Low-grade granite, commercial grade or builder’s grade): Granite slabs of 3/8 inch size in standard colors are mostly used in apartments. China sells granite of this quality in abundance.

Level 2 (Mid-Grade Level): With an average thickness of 3/4 inch, the color and design of this quality stone are unique. India and Brazil export this quality stone across the world.

Level 3 (High-Grade Granite): It is the finest quality stone that comes from India and Brazil. This stone stuns all with rare colors, patterns, and veins with an average thickness of 3/4 inch.

Compared to granite stones from India and Brazil, granite slabs quarried from China and sold by granite wholesalers are not up to the expectations of rich Americans due to the following issues:

          Chinese granite emits a high level of radiation as its radioactive isotopes contain radium and potassium residues. It releases more radiation than a normal range. Some unconfirmed sources state that China export granite with high radiation activity at a cheap price tag to the rest of the world. Sources depict that granite from China is unfit for domestic uses in China.

·        Chinese granite emits radon gas and residues of uranium that increase the risk of health and radiation exposure.

Regatta Granites India, one of the top granite wholesalers in India, supplies the best quality granite that is durable and strong and leaves no negative impact on human health at all. All Indian stones exported by the company offer 100% quality at a competitive price tag. 

Know all granite imperfections before making an actual purchase

Rich Americans prefer Indian granite for its inherent features. This trend has made things quite easy for granite wholesalers and producers who are interesting in exporting granite to the Western world. All domestic interiors, like bath vanities, countertops, fireplaces, mantles, outdoor kitchens, desktops, and hearths, become alive with multi color granite products. Although this stone comes with many features, yet it has some natural flaws. These flaws are common and make all slab and tile surfaces look stylish. Indian granite wholesalers deal in a variety of granite shades and patterns and can cheat ignorant buyers.

Good and bad granite with a touch of imperfection

It is hard to believe that granite quarries extract 100% perfect blocks. Getting 100% smooth and defect-free granite mineral from granite wholesalers is not easy. If you are getting stones with no imperfections, it is possible you are buying an engineered stone. For a common man, it is tough to find invisible flaws. You need to have a better knowledge of stone shining, pitting, flaking, etching, staining, efflorescence, cracks, and stains to make a difference between genuine issues and natural blemishes.

Color variation

In any granite product, color variation is natural. You will hardly get two black galaxy slabs same in terms of color. The reason behind this variation is granite rocks, minerals, slabs, and grains. While buying stones from granite wholesalers, make sure you get all slabs cut from the same block.

Porous Surface

Many people don’t know that small pores and pits found in any granite slabs are a natural flaw. But a stone with excessive pores can be a bad choice for home decor. Today, granite wholesalers and producers use sealants to fill deeper pits. You better try a coin scratch test to check if the surface of the stone is made smooth.

Natural Fissures

For first time buyers, there is no difference between a crack and fissure. Actually, the fissure is a natural small line, not a defect. Conversely, crack is a loophole and threat to the durability of the stone. You can feel the crack with your hands as it can be big or a thin hairline crack.

Heat Resistance

Some stones emit radiation and are a good conductor of the heat. When compared to other stones, granite was found a good heat-resistant material. But, the stone can cave in if it changes color at different temperatures. Ask you granite wholesalers for a stone that is durable and has a unique appearance.

Professional and expert Indian granite wholesaler Regatta Granites India deals in the selling and supplying of high-quality granite products having natural imperfections. All durable stone supplies from the company are available at a competitive price tag.