Limestone Uses

Limestone is durable, long-lasting, and good for a variety of uses. This material has been used throughout history to create monuments and buildings that are still standing today. Some of the best examples would be the ancient pyramids as well as the use of lime mortar for the Great Wall of China. Temples dating back as far as 2560 BCE have utilized limestone for their structure. Lime foundations in Turkey show that limestone was already being used over 14,000 years ago.

Limestone is still extremely popular today. Millions of tons of limestone are used per year for commercial and residential projects.

Limestone Origin

Most limestone forms in shallow, calm, warm marine waters. Other forms of limestone, like Travertine, come from stalactites, stalagmites and various cave formations. To be considered a true limestone, the stone must contain at least 50% calcium carbonate (or calcite). The rest of the stone often times is composed of other various materials, quartz, clay, or dolomite to name a few. Limestone has long fascinated earth scientists because of its rich fossil content.

Limestone Composition

Limestones range from being porous and chalky to being extremely dense, strong and have minimal pore spaces. Depending on the type of application you desire, certain limestone are suitable for outdoor applications (the denser materials) while others are not (the porous, chalky materials). Most limestones have a granular texture.

Popular Applications Today

Australian architects and interior designers are using limestone for most of their projects. Limestone is all around us, in fact, you see this material everyday without even realizing it. Whether your next project is an outdoor pool area or a massive shopping center in the suburbs, this stone is rich in history, allure, and character. Limestone is used for floor, walls, vanities, bench tops, outdoor entertainment areas, pathways, driveways, bathrooms, etc.