Amando Natural Stone Frequently Asked Questions – FAQ’S
What is the first thing I need to understand about natural stone?
Natural Stone is a natural material with variation in color, shape, and texture. Color shade will vary from light to dark and veining is not consistent. This is what makes natural stone so unique and beautiful. The selection process starts at the quarry. Characteristics such as veining and mineral deposits will affect each piece. Stone will vary from quarry to quarry and from stone to stone. All natural stone is unique. No two stones are alike.
How much does natural stone cost?
Having natural stone in your home represents a bigger investment than using any other finishing materials. You should consider that it will also mean a long term investment when you consider durability, aesthetics, maintenance, sustainability and many other natural stone advantages.
What are some of the different types of natural stones?
Marble – A metamorphic limestone. The crystal structure allows marble to take a polish.
Travertine – Travertine stone is a form of limestone. It often forms near hot bubbly mineral rich springs. Gas bubbles become trapped and create a pitted surface on the stone. These pitted surfaces can be filled with an epoxy or dust resin. Filling the small holes and pits gives the travertine a more finished look.
Cantera – View a blog post about it here
Onyx – Onyx is a form of chalcedony, part of the quartz group. Like the other stones in the chalcedony family, onyx has a smooth, waxy luster. Onyx can be found in a wide range of colors, often layered.
How do I clean my natural stone applications – floors, walls, sculptures, tables?
First keep them free of dust & grit. Use a clean, soft cloth. Wash with warm water and a mild detergent. Never use harsh chemicals.
What is the standard thickness of a natural stone slab?
The standard thicknesses are ¾ ” ( 2 cm) 1″ (2.54 cm)
What is the stones weight?
Cantera 30 kgs/m2 aprox.
Travertine/Marble 40-43 kgs/m2 aprox.
Onyx 60 kgs/m2 aprox.
What are the standard sizes of stone tiles?
Most of Amando Natural Stone tiles are produced in the following sizes:
12″x 12″ , 16″ x 16″ and 24″x24″
Thickness: 3/8″ and 3/4″
- Custom orders are invited!
- Thickness may vary depending on stone and factory producing.
Cantera is a Spanish word meaning quarry; is a sedimentary stone formed from volcanic ash that settled over time in ancient silt beds, and then was compressed over the ages.
What are Cantera’s physical properties?
Cantera stone is strong and porous, yet light in weight, and is found naturally in a wide variety of color shades and textures. It is very strong and durable and yet is easily mined and carved.
Cantera Stone Physical Properties Due to its porosity, air, and humidity easily penetrate the material, which keeps the cantera stone from expanding or contracting under extreme weather conditions. This prevents the stone from cracking, and also allows the stone to stay cool to the touch even in extreme heat.
Stone moldings can be done easily by handcrafted artisans. Products made of cantera stone have lasted for centuries without deterioration. Cantera Stone Sources & Uses throughout North American history, cantera stone has been preferred as a building material due to its color variety, texture, durability, light weight, availability, and ease of manufacture.
Where is Cantera Stone found?
Found primarily in several regions of Southern Mexico, cantera stone is easily quarried and is very malleable, allowing the artisan stonecutters to create an unlimited variety of hand carved products in an infinite variety of shapes, small and large.
Why should you use natural stone in your projects?
Natural beauty, exquisite color variety, texture, and durability are the qualities that have made Natural Stone one of the most popular sources for both masonry and decorative projects throughout the years. Used today in homes and buildings, the use of this magnificent stone dates back to the 16th Century and the Spanish Conquistadors. Today, many of those timeless structures still stand side-by-side next to new buildings also utilizing Natural Stone.
How long would natural stone products last?
The first churches and monasteries built by the Spaniards in the 16th century were made of adobe with straw roofs. However, knowing that these types of structures would not stand up to the elements, buildings in New Spain or Mexico as it is known today began being built of stone. Cities like Morelia, Zacatecas, Durango, Guadalajara, Guanajuato and San Luis Potosi, Oaxaca, San Miguel and many in Mexico, many more were all built with Cantera Stone.
One of the world’s finest examples of Cantera Stone masonry is the Catedral de Zacatecas, built in the 16th century.
Showcasing the Mexican Baroque style of architecture, this magnificent cathedral is built of soft pink Cantera Stone and boasts numerous festooned columns and geometric carvings, including life-sized sculptures of Jesus and the 12 apostles. Another impressive structure can be found in Morelia where a 254-arch two-mile long aqueduct was entirely constructed of Cantera Stone. Built in 1789, it was once the center of the municipal water distribution center. And though not in use today, it remains in excellent condition. All throughout Mexico, literally, hundreds of churches, carvings, buildings, mansions, streets, gardens and more are all made of Cantera. From hundreds of years ago to today’s modern times, Cantera is indeed a legacy of the past.
What stone products does Amando Natural Stone offer?
A Full Range of Ornamental/Architectural Designs products and raw materials made out of Cantera, Marble, Travertine, Onyx, Limestone and Slate including:
Blocks and Slabs, Columns, Fountains, Fireplaces, Arches & Surrounds, Planters & Pots, Balustrades, Coping, Tile, Sinks, Coffee Tables, Benches, Sculptures, Mail Boxes, Veneer, Flagstone & custom orders are invited!
Questions? Orders?
Email: [email protected]
Call: 604-591-2952