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M S International, Inc.

Premium Natural Stones

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MostFrequentlyAskedQuestions

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1. What is Natural Stone?

“Natural Stone" refers to a number of products quarried from the earth, used over many

thousands of years as building materials and decorative enhancements. These products

include Granite, Marble, Limestone, Travertine, Slate, Quartzite, Sandstone, Onyx, and

others. They are more than just rocks – natural stone is hand selected from the best,

most consistent sources for durability and beauty.

Natural stone products differ in composition, color, and texture even among pieces from

the same source. This is usually considered a benefit, lending itself to one of a kind

designs and distinctive, dramatic applications.

2. What are the different kinds of Natural Stone?

Natural Stone products include Granite, Marble, Limestone, Travertine, Slate, Quartzite,

Sandstone, and Onyx.

• Granite

For maintenance-free elegance and durability, granite is unmatched. It is the

hardest of all structural stones, with amazing variety of mineral-rich colors and

natural patterns. Granite products are ideal for flooring, countertops, vanities and

decorative exterior applications

• Marble

Prized for its timeless style, texture and high-gloss polish along with a rich palette

of beautiful colors, marble has a place anywhere in the home. Often seen as a

symbol of luxury, modern technology brings beautiful marble products even to

budget-conscious homeowners

• Slate

Formed over thousands of years of sedimentary deposit and compression, slate

splits naturally into beautifully textured layers. The various shades of slate

products – brown, yellow, dark gray, pink, lavender and more – may even occur

within the same piece of stone. Durable and stain-resistant, slate products are

often used for flooring, cladding and landscaping.

• Quartzite

Shimmering and sparkling with tiny quartz crystals, Quartz is a rock similar to

slate with a medium grained texture and incredible durability. Quartzite is widely

used for wall veneers and decorative tiles. A naturally non-skid texture makes it a

perfect candidate for flooring indoors and out, including areas with heavy traffic

and exposure to the elements

• Sandstone

With a uniform texture, an appealing variety of colors and finishes, and weather

resistant durability, it's easy to see why sandstone products have been used for

thousands of years for walls, floors, and pavers. As with other types of rock, its

variations result from differing mineral composition – there's a sandstone product

to match any décor

Summary of content (4 pages)

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M S International, Inc. Most Frequently Asked Questions 1. What is Natural Stone? “Natural Stone" refers to a number of products quarried from the earth, used over many thousands of years as building materials and decorative enhancements. These products include Granite, Marble, Limestone, Travertine, Slate, Quartzite, Sandstone, Onyx, and others. They are more than just rocks – natural stone is hand selected from the best, most consistent sources for durability and beauty.
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M S International, Inc. • • • Limestone The muted, soft tones of limestone are perfect for today's casual and comfortable lifestyles. Available in hues of soft beige and tan, either polished or honed, limestone products are ideal for bathrooms, fireplaces, countertops and flooring in low-traffic, informal areas. Travertine Valued for its banded, pitted “distressed” appearance, travertine adds rich, distinctive character to a variety of indoor and outdoor building projects.
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M S International, Inc. • • • Honed Grinding and sanding produces a smooth, yet not glossy finish. This is best for low maintenance, high traffic applications. Tumbled Tumbling stones in a solution of sand, water and mild acid creates an old world, weathered look. Gauged vs. Ungauged Slate is cleft out of blocks to form tiles. When it is cleft by machine or saw, it is gauged because a uniform thickness is formed. Ungauged stone is hand-cleft and its thickness may vary up to 5/8 of an inch. 7.
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M S International, Inc. Because stone is a natural product, there is always some variation within a selection. By sorting out the stone tiles before installing, it is possible to place the tiles on the surface before installing, blending the varying colors, grain, and veining as desired. 13. What are general recommendations for installation? • • • • Open all boxes and mix up all the pieces before installation. This will help in an even distribution of the variation.