Egyptian Natural Stone: How and Why You Need This in Your Home
There are several different types of natural stone, including granite, limestone, and marble. These stones have an intrinsic beauty that makes them a popular choice for homeowners, renovators, and designers. But where do these stones come from, and why are they beneficial? This guide will answer these questions and more, ensuring you choose the ideal natural stone material for your home and garden. So, let’s explore some fascinating (and ancient) Egyptian stones! Read More
Some of the most precious stone materials come from Egypt. This is because Egypt has a long and storied history of mining and crafting some of the most attractive and durable stones known to man.
Some of the most common and popular Egyptian stone types include:
More than likely, you’ve heard of at least a few of these types of natural stones. Still, let’s quickly take a closer look to learn more about them and understand why they’re significant.
Granite
Thick Egyptian granite is a combination of other types of stones, including mica. Notably, many types of granite contain quartz. This mineral is known for its transparency, durability, and reflective qualities.
The bulk of Ancient Egyptian statues and monuments are made of granite. These massive blocks and delicately carved stonework are often covered in limestone to protect them from the harsh elements.
For example, the Great Pyramid of Giza contains an almost unfathomable amount of granite slabs. These stones vary in colouration, tending to have either a golden hue or a sun-bleached, white colour.
Limestone
Limestone structures are also some of the oldest and most breathtaking creations. This type of natural stone is often called bedrock, as it’s found in the sedimentary layer of the earth’s crust.
The most substantial types of limestone used to create Ancient Egypt’s statues and monuments were called Hashma and Tura limestone. Tura stone and limestone tiles can glow in the sunlight.
As a result, these slabs are ideal for gardens or kitchen floors. Standard limestone slabs can erode with time and exposure to humidity. Marble, on the other hand, is more structurally sound.
Marble
Essentially, marble is a longer-lasting version of limestone. Like limestone, it often has a bright white colouration. In fact, alabaster limestone is one of the most high-valued materials throughout the ancient and modern world.
That said, marble is far less likely to crumble away after heavy rains or strong sunshine. And unlike limestone, marble is often rich in complex silicates, including quartz and mica.
High-quality Egyptian marble often ranges in appearance from honey-coloured to beige. However, you can also find marble slabs with a heavier presence of other local stones and minerals, such as basalt.
The presence of these additional stones can give Egyptian marble a dark hue. But it can also result in a layered look, often called ‘marbled’.
Mica
Mica stone has many similarities to granite, marble, and quartz. It’s known for its variety of natural hues and its glass-like appearance. That said, while mica is shiny, it’s far more durable and resistant to shattering than glass.
For that reason, it’s not uncommon to find mica countertops, garden paving stones, and interior paints. However, many mica stones have a light-coloured hue.This stands in stark contrast to basalt, which is almost always dark.
Basalt
Basalt is a natural stone that comes from volcanic eruptions. It’s essentially cooled lava. As such, black basalt is the most common type of basalt stone. In addition, this material is often referred to as onyx (or onex).
As such, it’s a reliable option for entrances, driveways, and pavements. Most commonly used for those surfaces is basalt split face.
Alabaster
While basalt is very dark, alabaster is one of the lightest-coloured stones. Egyptian alabaster is known for its bright hues and creamy colouration. It’s been used for centuries, most notably for statues, monuments, and pottery.
Alabaster is a type of gypsum. In ancient times, it was associated with the Egyptian God Ra, the entity responsible for bringing sunlight to the kingdom. As such, adding alabaster to your home could make it feel brighter.
Much Ado About Quartz
Another abundant and popular material in Egypt (and most of the world) is quartz. Unlike others, this reflective stone-like substance isn’t a natural stone. Instead, it’s a mineral.
As such we couldn’t include it alongside the other common Egyptian stones. That said, it’s noteworthy that quartz is a gorgeous and relatively affordable natural material.
Brief History of Egyptian Stone
Many of the earliest human civilizations and cultures have been lost to time. This erasure can be attributed to several factors, but a lack of long-lasting building materials is a notable potential cause.
After all, archaeologists studying ancient civilizations typically rely on the remnants of stone structures to learn about people who lived long ago. One of the most extraordinary examples of this principle is Ancient Egypt.
One of the oldest still-standing structures in Egypt is the Pyramid of Meidum. This pyramid was built approximately 4,500 years ago. It consists of heavy stone blocks, many of which are covered in limestone.
Notably, many historians theorize that the dishevelled appearance of the structure may be due to stone repurposing. After all, natural stone is a precious resource for many living within that region.
Still, many of the earliest pyramids and monuments erected during Egypt’s ancient rise to power remain relatively stable.
This long-lasting nature is due, in no small part, to the presence of natural stone. As a result, many of the most well-known statues and structures from Ancient Egypt continue to fascinate modern engineers and architects.
Long-Lasting Building Materials
Egyptian stone is one of the most precious building materials in the world. Notable for its resilient nature and natural beauty, Egyptian stone has quickly become more accessible thanks to high-quality stone suppliers.
If you’ve been thinking of renovating your home or starting a new home improvement project, you’ll want to consider the benefits of using these long-lasting, natural stone materials.
Benefits of Natural Stone
Natural stone has some notable advantages that you’ll want to consider, especially if you’re planning for an upcoming home renovation or upgrade.
Natural stone is known for its:
· Durability
· Attractiveness
· Versatility
· Value
When you invest in natural stone for your home, you’re choosing something that’s bound to last longer than synthetic materials. Even better, these materials are likely to be far more attractive than plastics or synthetics.
Natural stone can also be used in various ways, making it a versatile medium. It’s also worth noting that natural stone flooring, landscaping, and household additions could increase your property value.
So, let’s explore some brilliant ways to incorporate Egyptian stone into your home.
How to Incorporate Natural Stone
Now that you’re familiar with the types of all-natural stone and its rich history, it’s time to discover some of its best at-home applications. You can use natural stone for:
· Countertops
· Flooring
· Landscaping
· Wall Cladding
· Exteriors
· Swimming pool surroundings
Countertops
Natural stone countertops tend to last several decades longer than synthetic countertops. They’re also rich in colours and silica, drawing the eye and reflecting light.
Some of the most popular natural stone countertop options include:
· Granite countertops
· Quartz countertops
· Onyx countertops
Granite kitchen countertops may be the best option for homeowners that want to invest in a long-lasting, versatile, and colour-rich natural stone option.
But if your colour scheme is modern black-and-white, you may prefer to install dark onyx countertops (also called onex countertops).
Flooring
Modern flooring options vary from shag carpeting to composite hardwoods. But if you’re thinking of stripping away your current flooring and replacing it, you’ll want to consider natural stone tiles.
No matter your colour preferences, there’s a stone type that’s bound to meet your needs. Even better, natural stone flooring can last far longer than carpet, composite wood, or poured resin.
Some of the most popular natural stone floor tiles are granite tiles and marble tiles. These withstand adverse weather and heavy impacts more readily than basalt or limestone tiles.
Overall, there are lots of natural stone flooring ideas to explore!
Landscaping
Your garden should be your outdoor haven where you are able to treat and entertain guests. Whether you’ve worked hard to create a green, plant-covered paradise or an orderly patio area, stone can enrich this outdoor space.
You can use natural stone landscaping materials (like natural stone border edging) to bring the garden back to life and add an intriguing aspect to the area.
Natural stone pavers and granite paving can give your garden a whimsical feel and look. But you can also use natural stone patio pavers to add the feel of durability to your yard. Undoubtedly, natural stone steps offer a resilient and long-lasting alternative to poured concrete steps and stairways.
To make the wintertime a little more bearable, you might always want to consider building a natural stone fireplace in your garden!
Still, not all landscaping is reserved for your back garden. You can also use natural stones like black basalt to pave your driveway or add a delicate mystique to your entryway path.
Additionally, crushed granite gravel is an excellent option for gardens and walkways, as these tiny rocks add stability to each step. Additionally, gravel is also highly decorative, making it an attractive choice for homeowners.
Walls
A natural stone wall could become an attractive way to improve your home’s garden or entryway. Over time, this structure could also become a latch point for flowering vines and thick-growing ivy.
Stacked stone walls are reminiscent of Britain’s most ancient and beloved structures- it’s bound to give your outdoor areas a unique historical look.
Stone walls are also a fantastic alternative to chemical-rich composite materials. And unlike composite wooden or plastic fences, stone can easily last a lifetime (or more)!
Exteriors
Large flagstone made of granite, limestone, or marble could significantly improve the look and durability of your home’s exteriors. Natural stone for house exteriors is readily available and surprisingly easy to install.
If you’re not quite sure how to incorporate Egyptian stone into your home, be sure to browse some of these natural stone design ideas.
Swimming Pool Surroundings and pool coping
Natural stone can significantly improve the look and feel of your swimming pool’s surroundings.
Placing large granite pavers or marble slabs around the edge of your pool (called swimming pool coping) is an excellent way to make your pool area more refined, safe, stable, and attractive.
Mica and basalt stones are also a great choice for swimming pool borders. That said, basalt can be slippery when wet. As such, it’s often better to invest in stones like granite, mica , acid etched limestone or unpolished marble
Select and Invest in Egyptian Stone
Since ancient times, people have been building monuments, palaces, and homes with natural stone. Many of these structures continue to stand today making them some of the oldest edifices in the world!
There are several types of Egyptian stone, including limestone, basalt, and granite. These materials are naturally beautiful and incredibly durable, making them a top-notch option for home interiors and exteriors.
If you’ve been searching for a reputable natural stone supplier, don’t hesitate to contact us today for more information. We look forward to answering any questions you may have about natural stone.
