Five of the Most Popular Stone-Made Houses in the World

Five of the Most Popular Stone-Made Houses in the World

Stone-made houses are rather rare finds in the real estate world. Apart from making it a prized possession for homeowners, its rarity is also the reason for its higher market value. Having a home built in a serene neighborhood is one of the highest priorities for any homeowner; but having a fascinatingly amazing home with a rock structure makes the idea of a dream house even more magical.

Stone-made houses are also fireproof, rot-free, bug-proof, and maintenance-free. Once the decision to construct a stone-made house is made, there’s hardly a limit (except financial aspects) to the end result. Granted they are designed to carry a flawless concept, residing in one of them is a treat.

Here are five of the most popular stone-made houses in the world:

 

House # 1 – Colombe de Mathieu, Southern France

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Colombe de Mathieu is a holiday house owned by Lily Piper and Gerrit Mulder. Its overall structure is made of different natural stones – from the flooring and other ground areas to the walls and ceilings. It is well-ventilated and air-conditioning is hardly needed. It has a total of six bedrooms and bathrooms, and all are polished with stone concepts. Best of all, a heated pool and brook can be found within the surroundings. For those who are interested in experiencing the carefree lifestyle of folks in Southern France, it’s a house worth checking out.

 

House # 2 – Broken Top Golf Club’s 12th Fairway Natural Stone House, Oregon, USA

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Situated in Green Lakes Loop in Oregon, the 12th Fairway Natural Stone House is a large house that was built back in 2002. It was designed by Architect Neil Houston under Madsen Construction. Since it was meant to carry a sophisticated and dramatic look, it was built with a mix of natural stones such as granite, marble, and slate, as well as materials from expensive wood.

 

House # 3 – Torres House, Manzanillo, Mexico

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Mexico’s Torres House, by GLR Arquitectos, is a stone-made house on the mountains of the Sierra Madre range. It is built of marble and volcanic stone, as well as steel and wood. Due to its sleek style, its size, and unique design, it has caught the attention of future homeowners who are looking for inspirational designs for their soon-to-be residences.

 

House # 4 – Flintstones-Style Retreat House, Malibu

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Owned by American actor-producer Dick Clark, the Flintstones-style retreat house in Malibu is designed to be a caveman’s haven. It is situated on more than 22 acres of land, built with different kinds of natural stones, and furnished with glass windows and contemporary items; the kitchen, dining room, living room, bedrooms, and all other sections follow a cavernous arrangement.

 

House # 5 – Lakefront Home, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

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The lakefront home in Coeur d’Alene, in the northern part of Idaho, is owned by Jan and Fred Demarest. It has a foundation (the floors and the walls) built of slate and it is stabilized by wooden, copper, and concrete materials. As it overlooks the lake, it rewards visitors with a fresh perspective while they check out the majestic view before them.

 

 

A No-Fuss Guide to Maintaining Your Home’s Countertops

The countertop is one of the most useful components of a home. A hub for a number of house activities, it can also set the tone for a particular room’s design. A countertop can be constructed using different materials, with one of the most popular materials used being natural stone. A stone countertop is not only attractive; it is also very durable. However, to maintain its awesome qualities as time passes, proper maintenance is a must. Here is a no-fuss guide in maintaining your home’s countertops. Do this and you’re guaranteed to keep your natural stone countertop in top shape.

  1. Perform daily maintenance – Prevention is always better than cure. One of the best ways to prevent damage to your countertop is to do simple maintenance techniques. Clean your countertop using warm water and antibacterial detergent, wiping it off using a soft cloth. After rinsing, dry the surface by using an absorbent cloth or towel. When you spill something on your countertop, it is advised that you blot it off immediately to prevent potential staining.
  1. Avoid temperature extremes – While natural stone is highly resistant to temperature changes, subjecting it to extreme temperatures can potentially damage it. This is because extreme heat or cold has the ability to weaken the stone from the inside and eventually crack it open. As such, it is not advised to leave extremely hot (like hot pans) or cold (like ice bags) on your stone counterpart for too long.
  1. Use your countertop the right way – Proper usage is one of the best ways to prevent damage to your countertop. For example, even though your countertop is highly scratch-resistant (natural stone is tough!), it will not be smart to use it as a cutting board as it can result to deep scratches. Also, it will help to use trivets or mats to protect the surface from scratches coming from hard objects such as ceramics. Lastly, standing on your countertops is not advised. Not only can this cause major damage to your countertop; it may also cause an accident.
  2. Tadaga Strong is good to take in proper buy cheap cialis over at this storefront manner thus to avoid the erectile dysfunction or impotence. You always need to make sure that the erections made by the man are firm and satisfying enough. viagra prescription uk http://deeprootsmag.org/tag/in-praise-of-bluegrass/ This energetic key ingredient enhances the internal erection process and help ED patients’ significantly to manage viagra best buy deeprootsmag.org the condition. While there is some risk, there are also some psychological side effects of the low testosterone level. tadalafil purchase

  1. Remove stains properly – For one reason or another, your countertop will get stained. Staining is often caused by dirt, grease, grime, or acid. There are different techniques you can use to remove (or at least reduce) the stains in your countertop. First, you can use a heavy-duty stone cleaner and degreaser to clean deep-seated stains. If that doesn’t work, you can use a stone poultice, a non-acidic clay powder specially designed for cleaning stone surfaces. Just a reminder: never use an acidic substance for cleaning as it can only make things worse.
  1. Use the appropriate sealant – Sealing is one of the most important techniques you can use to protect your countertop. A sealant is applied to your countertop to protect it from both water and oil-based compounds that can potentially damage stone. There are two important things you must know about the use of sealants. First, you have to use the appropriate sealant for the kind of natural stone you use. Second, the sealant must be applied correctly.

Follow these tips and you are guaranteed that your countertops will serve you and your whole family for a long time.

How Does a Natural Stone Get Its Color?

Stone is one of the most important materials on Earth. Not only does it constitute a significant percentage of this planet’s surface, but it is also used by humans in a wide variety of ways. Because of its strength, durability, versatility, and resistance to most elements, it is the material of choice for a number of applications, ranging from homes to tools. Natural stones can also be very attractive, with shapes, colors, and finishes that are simply incomparable. So how does a natural stone get its color? To answer this question, a closer look on the science of natural stones is needed.

 

All stones are made of minerals. Considered as the building blocks of all stones, a mineral is “a solid inorganic substance of natural occurrence”. The number of minerals already discovered is estimated at more than 4,000. A stone can be made up of a single mineral or hundreds of different ones combined either by physical or chemical means. Each individual mineral has its own unique properties. Also, its properties are modified further when they are combined. These properties include hardness, crystal structure, texture, and yes, even color.

 

So how is a natural stone’s color generated? A look at the physics behind the creation of color is necessary. The color of an object is mainly determined by the wavelengths of light absorbed and reflected by the object. Color is created depending on what light rays are absorbed or reflected. As a rule of thumb, the wavelength reflected by the object is the one that reaches our eyes, resulting to the creation of that specific color. Light ray absorption or reflection is determined by multiple factors, with the most important one being the manner in which the atomic bonds within the material’s surface are arranged.
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There are different factors that affect the molecular structure of stone, and therefore its color. The way a specific stone is created affects its final atomic structure, making its color (and other properties) different from the rest, even when compared to a stone with a similar mineral composition. The presence of other elements, compounds, or minerals that geologists refer to as impurities, may also interfere with the way light is absorbed or reflected. The ionic composition of the stone can also alter the way it absorbs/reflects light rays. All these factors, combined with other properties not mentioned here, determine the color of your natural stone.

 

One of the major appeals of using natural stone is in its aesthetics. Even with the advancements of science, humans have never quite been able to recreate the unique colors only nature is capable of creating. Learning the science behind the color of stones will only make you appreciate the wonder behind these natural materials. That slab of rock you step on, used as a building block, or utilized as a tile; there is a process behind its creation. The unique process each natural stone goes through is responsible for whatever properties it has. By understanding the science of it all, you won’t look at stones the same way again.

5 Most Popular Natural Stones for Home Use

According to prominent architects worldwide, when building a dream home, the use of natural stones for its construction is worth considering. Beyond providing the honor to be among homeowners with splendid homes, they are known to withstand common threats to the health of homes; while there are kinds that are rather expensive, most of them are cost-effective components. Likewise, apart from being incredibly durable materials with a timeless appeal, they make ideal elements for well-ventilated, flexible, highly sustainable, and environment-friendly places.

Here’s a list of 5 of the most popular natural stones for home use:

  1. Granite

Granite, a natural stone with a coarse-grained or phaneritic texture, is a functional and long-lasting material that came from feldspar and quartz. Since it is a type of Felsic igneous rock, it is a top contender where high density and high strength for a construction material are concerned.

With a crystalline structure, granite is famous for being highly resistant to staining, abrasions, and discolorations. When building a home that can highlight style and class, it’s one that architects and designers would pick.

  1. Limestone

Limestone is a natural stone that usually forms in calm, marine waters; it can pull off a soft and uniform style for a home. There are concerns regarding its adamant need to be always sealed (when in its natural state) for its stainless design to be maintained.

There are plenty of limestone varieties such as chalk, coquina, travertine, and tufa. It is a top choice of aspiring owners of a dream home since its bright, neutral hues can blend impeccably with traditional and contemporary themes.

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  1. Marble

The touch of elegance it brings is a factor that makes marble a popular natural stone for home-construction. It doesn’t pose problems when used for any portion of a home; whether as floors, walls, or kitchen countertops. It’s proven to last for decades, too; so long as it’s cleaned regularly, it can retain its stunning appearance for a lifetime. And, if a home is built with the particular material, it won’t be a surprise if a rich homeowner lives inside.

  1. Onyx

Due to its parallel grooves in a variety of colors, Onyx is known as the natural stone with a one-of-a-kind look. Regardless of its need to be always sealed or else it may not remain stainless, it’s preferred by designers for its translucent quality.

Onyx is mostly used for countertops and wall panels. If architects would collaborate with designers to feature backlight surfaces and create “glowing spaces”, it’s the material that they will recommend.

  1. Slate

Slate is a fine-grained natural stone that is commonly associated with homes that feature rustic interiors. Not known to many is that it can be the building block of just about every type of home. Whether it’s one of those gigantic houses or tiny shacks, they add sophistication to a living environment. If maintenance cleaning is mandatory, a mild cleanser (one that isn’t abrasive) does the trick. And, since it is a natural when it comes to slip and stain resistance, it serves as a great interior and exterior flooring material.

A House Made of Stones: How to Choose the Right Kind of Stone for your Home

A House Made of Stones: How to Choose the Right Kind of Stone for your Home

Over the years, natural stones have been a premium building material of choice for houses and properties. Whether you’re constructing a new house or remodeling, natural stones offer unparalleled beauty, long-lasting quality, and adds value to your home.
However, the success of your projects starts from selecting the right stone, but with the hundreds of choices in the market today, choosing can be overwhelming. You have many options when it comes to choosing the right stone but at the same time, there are also many factors to consider to keep in mind. To keep things simple, let this guide help you.

Color

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Color is integral in your project. Since you’re going to look at it every day, might as well choose the one that you’ll like for a long time. How do you choose the color? Look at color charts and samples so that you can literally feel the surface. Choose stones that make you feel good and take note how other home owners designed their houses.
Natural stones have a vast and beautiful spectrum of colors. Darker stones have less chance of staining and discoloring and are sealed less frequently. However, it tends tend to show fingerprints and dust easily. On the other hand, lighter natural stones make the space look bigger. Also, dust and fingerprints are not obvious with lighter stones. It has to be sealed frequently, though.

Finish

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Don’t just settle for a rough or smooth finish because you like how it feels. Choosing the correct finish has aesthetic and maintenance implications on the natural stones. There are different finishes available for natural stones, but the most popular are matte, shiny, and textured.

Ask your fabricator about the pros and cons of the different surface finish before purchasing your choice.

Usage

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Still, choosing a stone is still dependent on where it will be located in your home and its purpose. For the kitchen, the most popular choices are marble and granite because of its durability and it has high heat resistance. For more information about the natural stone you have selected and its intended use, consult your fabricator.

Budget Considerations

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Since natural stones are one-of-a-kind, it does not come cheap. Before making the final selection, understand the cost of the stone—from buying, installation, and maintenance—and if it’s within your budget, go for it! Prices vary so it’s better to ask around first before making the final decision.

Choosing the right stone for your home should not be rushed. With the hundreds of options out there, it can get overwhelming so take your time and always ask your fabricator important questions. When you find that perfect natural stone, you know that it is all worth it

Sources:

http://www.crownkitchen.net/
http://www.freebeemom.com/
http://www.homeimprovementhelpresource.com/