FAQs
Kota Stone
Installation and Maintenance
- Yes, Kota Stone is versatile and can be used for both indoor and outdoor applications.
The best finish depends on the intended use. Honed or flamed finishes provide good slip resistance, while polished finishes offer a glossy look.
Kota Stone is relatively easy to maintain. Regular sweeping and mopping with mild detergent is usually sufficient. Avoid using harsh chemicals.
- Minor scratches and chips can often be repaired by polishing or honing. For larger damages, professional assistance may be required.
- Yes, Kota Stone can be installed indoors without underfloor heating. However, it can feel cool to the touch in colder climates.
- The best way to remove stains depends on the type of stain. Mild stains can often be removed with a mixture of warm water and mild detergent. For tougher stains, consult a professional stone cleaner.
- Yes, Kota Stone can be used in bathrooms, but it's crucial to choose a slip-resistant finish and ensure proper drainage to prevent accidents.
- The thickness of Kota Stone can vary, but it is generally available in thicknesses ranging from 16mm to 20mm for flooring applications.
- While not mandatory, sealing Kota Stone is recommended to enhance its durability, stain resistance, and appearance.
- Yes, Kota Stone can be used in high-humidity areas, but proper sealing is essential to prevent water absorption and potential damage.
Design and Application
- Yes, Kota Stone can be used for flooring, countertops, walls, and other applications.
- Kota Stone can enhance the aesthetic appeal of a property and can be a good investment. However, the value addition depends on various factors.
- Kota Stone is versatile and can complement a variety of styles, from modern to traditional.
- Kota Stone is available in various sizes and formats, including tiles, slabs, and custom-cut pieces to suit different design requirements.
- Kota Stone is generally suitable for outdoor flooring in cold climates due to its durability. However, it might become slippery when icy.
- As a natural stone, Kota Stone is considered an eco-friendly material with a lower environmental impact compared to some manufactured alternatives
- Yes, Kota Stone is slightly porous, which is why sealing it is recommended to protect against stains and water absorption.
- Kota Stone is relatively lightweight compared to other natural stones, making it easier to handle and install.
- Apart from honed, flamed, and polished, Kota Stone can also be treated with acid wash, bush hammered, or leather finishes to achieve different looks.
- Yes, Kota Stone is often used for creating water features like fountains and swimming pool surrounds due to its slip-resistant properties and aesthetic appeal.
Properties and Characteristics
- Kota Stone has a relatively low porosity, making it resistant to liquid absorption, but it's not entirely impervious.
- Yes, Kota Stone is heat resistant, making it a good choice for kitchen countertops and outdoor applications.
- While Kota Stone is low maintenance, it's essential to seal it periodically to protect against stains and enhance its appearance.
- Kota Stone typically comes in shades of brown, greenish-blue, and grey.
- Yes, Kota Stone is quite durable. It's resistant to scratches, stains, and heat, making it suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.
- Kota Stone is naturally slip-resistant, especially when honed or flamed. However, polished Kota Stone can be slippery when wet.
- Kota Stone is generally more affordable than marble or granite. While it might not have the same level of luxury, it offers durability, a natural look, and low maintenance.
Sand Stone
Installation and Maintenance
- Yes, sandstone is commonly used for outdoor applications such as patios, walkways, and walls. However, it’s important to choose a type suitable for outdoor conditions.
- Mild soap and water are generally sufficient for cleaning sandstone. Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners.
- Sealing sandstone is recommended to protect it from stains, water damage, and weathering. The frequency of sealing depends on the type of sandstone and its location.
- Minor scratches and chips can often be repaired by polishing or honing. For larger damages, professional assistance may be required.
- It depends on the usage. For high-traffic or wet areas, sealing should be done once a year. For low-use indoor surfaces, every 2–3 years is generally sufficient.
- Use a soft brush and a pH-neutral cleaner or mild soap with warm water. Avoid vinegar, bleach, or acid-based cleaners as they can etch the surface.
- Sandstone is moderately hard but still susceptible to scratches and stains, especially from oils or acidic substances. Using coasters, mats, and sealers helps minimize damage.
- Unsealed sandstone absorbs moisture, which can lead to staining, mold growth, and erosion over time, especially in outdoor or humid areas.
- Use a poultice paste or a specialized stone stain remover. For organic stains (leaves, food), hydrogen peroxide-based solutions work well. Always test a small area first.
- For outdoor sandstone, yes, but use low pressure and keep the nozzle at a distance to avoid eroding the stone. Avoid pressure washing delicate or indoor applications.
Design and Application
- Yes, sandstone is a popular choice for flooring, both indoors and outdoors. However, consider the porosity and slip resistance when selecting sandstone for floors.
- Using sandstone in your home can enhance its aesthetic appeal and potentially increase its value. However, the value added depends on various factors.
- Sandstone is widely used for flooring, wall cladding, garden paths, patios, columns, fountains, and sculptures. Its earthy tones and natural texture make it perfect for both modern and heritage-style architecture.
- Yes. High-grade sandstone performs well in both homes and high-traffic commercial spaces such as hotels, malls, and public monuments.
- While possible, sandstone is not the most recommended option for countertops as it is porous and can stain easily. If used, it must be sealed properly and maintained regularly.
- Yes. Sandstone’s naturally textured surface provides excellent slip resistance. Dense varieties are durable enough for driveways and pedestrian areas.
- Absolutely. When properly sealed, sandstone is a stunning choice for bathrooms, spas, and poolside areas. Its non-slippery texture adds safety as well.
- Yes. Sandstone’s organic look blends beautifully into natural settings. It is commonly used for planters, stepping stones, retaining walls, and outdoor benches.
- Common finishes include natural cleft, honed (smooth matte), polished, brushed, shot-blasted, and sandblasted. Each finish brings out different aesthetic qualities.
- Yes. Sandstone is highly workable and can be cut, profiled, and carved into slabs, tiles, jalis, murals, or even statues.
- Yes. Sandstone ranges from beige, red, yellow, brown, and pink to grey and even greenish hues, depending on its mineral content and source.
- Definitely. Its fine grain makes it ideal for engraving, sculpting, and inlay work, especially for temples, facades, and decorative pieces.
- Yes. Being a natural product, slight variations in pattern and color are expected, which add to its uniqueness and organic appeal.
- Yes. Sandstone pairs beautifully with marble, granite, and basalt in mixed-material applications such as flooring borders, feature walls, and landscaping.
Durability & Sustainability
When properly maintained, sandstone can last over 100 years. Many historical structures made from sandstone have stood the test of time for centuries.
Yes, high-quality sandstone is resistant to rain, heat, and moderate freezing. However, proper sealing is essential for longevity, especially in extreme climates.
It performs well with adequate sealing and drainage. Anti-salt treatments may be needed near coastal regions to prevent efflorescence.
- Yes. Sandstone is a natural material with minimal processing and low embodied energy, making it an eco-friendly option for green buildings.
- No. Unlike synthetic materials, sandstone is non-toxic, free from VOCs, and contributes to better indoor air quality.
Sandstone is slightly softer than granite or basalt but is more workable and suitable for detailed carvings, making it ideal for decorative use.
While sandstone is generally durable, its hardness can vary depending on the type and the specific application. Some types are softer and more susceptible to wear and tear.
- Yes, sandstone is porous, which means it can absorb liquids. Sealing is often recommended to protect it from stains and water damage.
Basalt Stone
Design and Application
- Basalt is used in flooring, wall cladding, pavements, kitchen tops, cobblestones, monuments, and structural applications due to its strength and modern appearance.
- Absolutely. Its sleek, dark aesthetics make it a favorite for minimalist, contemporary, and industrial design projects.
- Yes. It handles extreme weather conditions, heavy loads, and high foot traffic, making it ideal for public pathways, driveways, and outdoor patios.
Yes. Being formed from volcanic lava, basalt is naturally heat-resistant and safe for fire pits, kitchen counters, and chimney surrounds.
- Yes. Basalt’s dense structure and resistance to UV rays and water make it excellent for exterior cladding and elevation facades.
- Yes. Its slip-resistant texture and strength make it ideal for interior or exterior stairs in both residential and commercial buildings.
Common finishes include honed, polished, flamed, leathered, bush-hammered, and brushed. Each creates a different look and slip resistance level.
Yes. It can be custom cut to almost any size or thickness, making it suitable for both intricate tilework and large-format installations.
- Basalt is generally more consistent in color—usually grey to black—though minor tonal variation may occur due to mineral content.
Yes. It’s used in monuments and contemporary sculptures due to its density and smooth finish after polishing.
Yes. It pairs beautifully with wood, metal, and lighter stones like marble or sandstone for contrast in design.
Its matte finishes absorb light, making it perfect for cozy or dramatic interiors. Polished basalt reflects light more and works in modern settings.
Installation and Maintenance
Yes. It is less porous than sandstone and resists most stains when sealed. Daily cleaning with a soft cloth and mild detergent is enough.
When sealed properly, basalt resists most stains. However, oil-based stains and watermarks can occur on unsealed surfaces.
Depending on usage and location, basalt should be resealed every 1–3 years to maintain its resistance to stains and moisture.
Use a stone-safe alkaline cleaner and a soft brush. For tough stains, use a poultice or consult a professional cleaner.
Yes. Avoid acidic solutions like vinegar or lemon-based cleaners as they may etch the surface.
Polishing is optional. Basalt can be finished to matte or gloss depending on the look you desire. Polished basalt requires more maintenance to retain shine.
Durability & Sustainability
- Basalt is one of the hardest volcanic rocks, extremely dense and resistant to cracking, making it ideal for heavy-duty structural and exterior applications.
Basalt performs exceptionally well in both freezing cold and high-heat climates due to its thermal stability and low water absorption.
Yes. Basalt is a natural resource that requires minimal chemical processing. It’s fully recyclable and has a low carbon footprint.
No. When installed and maintained correctly, basalt remains structurally sound for decades with minimal degradation.
- Yes. Its dense surface discourages biological growth, though regular cleaning is still advised in damp, shaded areas.
Absolutely. Its longevity, recyclability, and natural composition make basalt a preferred choice for green construction and LEED-certified projects.