What practicalities should you consider with stone?

• Trend alert: exposed stone and brick
• What practicalities should you consider with stone?
• How would you incorporate brickwork into a scheme?

AM Too often, stone is selected for its looks rather than long-term durability. Choose stone according to its use. If, for example, the stone is for external walling or copings, consider its weathering properties to determine suitability. With flooring, take into account the texture and hardness of a stone, especially on busy thoroughfares.

HP Whenever you use stone, understand how it will perform in context, for example, how absorbent of water, how prone to frost damage and how absorbent of red wine it is? Joints in stonework generally look best when they are as small as possible. It is also important that the scale of the blocks you choose is in relation to the scale and complexity of the design

ND Make sure that softer sedimentary stone, such as limestone, has been well sealed before installation, otherwise it will stain. Also, be aware that high- gloss stones will highlight dust and finger prints and can be very slippery if used on the floor, so you may want to consider a honed or a matt finish. It’s also important to think about the stone’s thickness when planning floor levels.

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