[ What is slab stone? [ 7 Features

In the world of architecture and interior design, the selection of appropriate materials can significantly impact the beauty and quality of a space. One popular option in this regard is slab stones, which have garnered the attention of designers and architects due to their diverse colors and unique patterns. In this article, we will explore various types of slab stones, including Macchia Black slabs, Cream and Silver Travertine slabs, and Bianco Crystal slabs. We will also examine the role of Oxygen Stone Company in providing these high-quality and diverse products. Join us to learn more about the features and applications of these beautiful stones.

Features of Slab Stone

Before discussing the features of slab stone, it is essential to define it. After extracting raw stones in the form of blocks from the quarry and transporting them to stone processing factories, cuts are made using specialized machines such as saws and wire cutters, which is referred to as slabs. After the stone is cut into slabs, further processing operations such as grinding, polishing, epoxy application, veining, and edge finishing are performed on the stone.

Slab stone is one of the types of natural stones that is very popular in the construction and decoration industry due to its specific characteristics. Below are some important features of slab stone:

1. Beautiful appearance
2. Durability and strength
3. Possibility of creating book-matched and form-matched surfaces
4. Easy maintenance
5. High quality of stone
6. Variety of applications
7. Capability for design and lighting suitable for the environment

Stages of Slab Stone Production

The process of producing slab stone varies significantly based on the type of stone and its physicochemical properties. Consequently, different stones undergo different processing methods. Generally, the stages involved in transforming raw stone from the quarry into slabs are described as follows:

1) Raw Stone Block Extraction:

The first stage in processing building stones involves cutting and extracting stones in the form of blocks from the mountains. This operation is performed using cutting machines and the blocks are transported to the stone processing factory. These blocks, are typically loaded onto trucks by loaders at the quarries and unloaded at the factory using cranes. For more information on the sizes of coupes and additional details, you can refer to the article "What is a Stone Coupe?"

2) Preparation and Cutting of Stone Coupe:

Before the stone coupe enters the processing stages, it must be prepared. In this stage, stones that require significant protection during cutting, especially those with cracks, need an epoxy injection during the so-called vacuum process. After initial preparation, the coupe is placed on a special transport wagon using a gantry crane and transferred under the saw blades. These specialized blades cut the raw stone into slabs of predetermined thickness in a reciprocating motion.

3) Reinforcement:

After the sawing process, depending on the type of stone, a series of reinforcement activities are necessary to fill any holes on the slabs. Accordingly, the cut stones are placed on large wheels or trays for batch kilns. A mesh layer matching the dimensions of the slabs is then laid over them, and epoxy is evenly applied to the stone and between the mesh grids. The stones are then placed under radiant kilns or in batch kilns to accelerate the curing process of the epoxy through heat. After this stage, the stones are removed from the kiln and various methods are used to finish both sides, with additional epoxy application to fill any potential gaps and holes. For travertine stones, this process is specifically applied to the surface to fill the stone's holes with mastic resin.

4) Finishing:

Finally, the slabs are prepared for finishing or the final processing stage. Various types of finishing are performed based on customer orders, the texture of the stone, and its application, including grinding and polishing, honed finish, leather finish, bush-hammered finish, leather bush-hammered finish, and other custom finishing methods such as scratch grooves and cut-brick processing.

5) Final Cutting and Market Offering:

In the last stage, the slabs are cut according to customer orders or maximum dimensions are considered for cutting. The produced stones are priced and offered for market sale. For consultation on selecting the appropriate slab stone for your construction project, you can contact the experts at Oxygen Stone Company.

Various Types of Slabs

Slab stones are categorized into various types based on the type of stone, color, and dimensions. The most common classification based on stone type includes the following:

1. Marble (Marmarite)
2. Onyx or Marble
3. Travertine
4. Crystal or Porcelain
5. Granite
6. Basalt.

Advantages of Using Slab Stone

The use of slab stone is highly appealing to customers for various reasons. This stone is attractive due to its higher strength and stunning beauty. Additionally, the reduction of waste and scraps during production, high precision and quality in cutting, and superior quality compared to tile stones are considered advantages. The ability to use slab stone in book-matched and four-matched styles is a distinctive feature of this type of stone. Furthermore, the capability for lighting effects on it makes this type of stone an ideal option for various projects.

Applications of Slab Stone in Construction

Some important applications of slab stone include:

1. In Outdoor Spaces: Using durable building stones like travertine, porcelain, and granite in slab form can be a practical and unique idea for your home's outdoor area.
2. In Indoor Spaces: This includes flooring for living rooms, walls of homes and commercial complexes, conference halls, hotels, and luxury restaurants. The use of slab stones, especially book-matched and four-matched slabs, enhances the beauty of walls, such as the wall behind the television or in your living or reception area. Using various types of travertine or marble slabs, such as silver and cream travertine or Macchia Black marble, can add aesthetic appeal to the interior of a building.
3. In Bathrooms and Restrooms: Due to the high strength and durability of slabs, they can be used in designs, especially for bathroom and restroom walls. Porcelain wall coverings, particularly Bianco porcelain with natural veining, combined with golden fixtures, provide exceptional beauty to the bathroom and restroom environment, making it incomparable to traditional tiling.
4. In Lobby Designs: Slab stone is used as flooring or as part of the lobby walls.
5. In Kitchen Decoration: It is used for kitchen flooring, countertops, dining tables, kitchen islands, and as walls between cabinets.
6. In Low-Light Environments: Using light-colored slabs with dark veining in low-light areas is a very unique design idea. This not only makes the space appear larger but also makes cleaning easier, as fingerprints are less visible. Bianco porcelain slabs are one of the best examples for use in low-light environments.
7. In Bright Environments: If your kitchen space is large with adequate lighting and you aim to create a luxurious and distinct atmosphere, the best option is to use dark slabs with light veining, such as gold or white. We recommend using Macchia Black or Macchia Gold marble with a black background and white and gold veining.

In addition to the aforementioned applications for slab stone, various types of this stone can also be used for decorating elevator walls, fireplace walls, pool walls, or even terraces and balconies.

Conclusion

In this article, we explored the various stages of processing building stones and transforming them into slabs. Stones are processed in factories using different methods, resulting in changes to their appearance and texture. Processing is chosen based on the type of stone, its polishability, hardness, and of course, its intended use. Esteemed buyers of building stones can obtain high-quality stones at reasonable prices for facades and flooring from reputable and direct sources, such as Oxygen Stone Company.