Limestone is an excellent choice for outdoor steps as it boasts many of the same qualities as bluestone. Unilock Limestone is available in Natural Edge Step units, as well as Fullnose Coping units that provide a safe, rounded edge to make your outdoor steps easy and comfortable to traverse.
Full Answer
What is the difference between bluestone and unilock limestone?
Like bluestone, limestone is durable and boasts a natural non-slip surface. Unilock Limestone comes in the captivating shades of Black River, Hearthstone and Winter Mist, making it perfect for blending with the natural colors of the landscape. Unilock Limestone also has a velvety finish with a very fine grain.
Should I Choose bluestone or limestone for my outdoor steps?
Bluestone and Limestone are both natural stone options for outdoor steps, so here are some characteristics to help you decide between them for your Spring Lake Heights, NJ, project. With its naturally rough texture, bluestone is a good choice for outdoor steps.
What type of rock is bluestone?
Like flagstone and limestone, bluestone is a sedimentary rock, formed by the fusing of particles deposited by rivers, oceans and lakes. This often results in a very similarly sized grain for all three. Bluestone typically has a fine-grained, moderately textured surface.
What is the difference between limestone and flagstone?
Limestone’s silky texture makes it well suited to relaxed, elegant spaces or patios with a mediterranean feel. Occasionally, Limestone can also be used to create clean, minimalist spaces. Flagstone, on the other hand, is well-suited to vibrant, lively areas, a country, rustic or cottage theme, or simply a laidback backyard setting.
What is better bluestone or limestone?
Bluestone's subtle coloring is often best suited to formal and traditional designs. Limestone's silky texture makes it well suited to relaxed, elegant spaces or patios with a mediterranean feel. Occasionally, Limestone can also be used to create clean, minimalist spaces.
Is limestone or bluestone more expensive?
Whereas a bluestone patio may cost approximately $16 per square foot installed, the cheapest limestone starts there and prices can climb to as much as $40 per square foot; surface or edge treatments will add to the final tab. But limestone is worth it.
Is bluestone the same as limestone?
In North America, bluestone is essentially sandstone or limestone that was originally extracted from New England quarries during colonial times, although similar stone formations were later found in the river valleys of Pennsylvania and Virginia.
Is limestone good for front steps?
Coming to the natural stone treads, the inherent physical properties of limestone make it well suitable application for stairs, especially outdoors.
Is limestone good for outdoor patios?
Limestone is a hard material that fairs well under exposure to the elements, making it an excellent candidate for patio floors.
Is limestone hot on feet?
Limestone is also a great choice for poolscapes. Its light color deflects heat and stays cool on bare feet.
Why is bluestone so popular?
Since it is nonporous, bluestone is difficult to stain and will not absorb water, so it tends to maintain its color. Plus, the stone doesn't naturally retain heat that could be damaging in hot climates. The durability of bluestone makes it a popular choice for paving stones all over the world.
Does bluestone fade in the sun?
Traditional bluestone is also susceptible to fading over time as minerals within its makeup oxidize and lighten when exposed to air and sunlight, so the deep blue that initially attracts buyers seldom lasts.
Is bluestone hard or soft?
Bluestone is very hard and therefore difficult to work, so it was predominantly used for warehouses, miscellaneous walls, and the foundations of buildings.
What is the best stone for front steps?
Sandstone. Sandstone is the most common type of natural stone used in outdoor projects—many ideal bullnose steps projects found with sandstone material.
Are limestone steps durable?
Limestone is a sedimentary stone that takes many years to form. Like bluestone, limestone is durable and boasts a natural non-slip surface.
Is bluestone good for steps?
There are many different uses for bluestone pavers and other cut bluestone materials. While most people instantly think of walkways and pathways, the strength and durability of this natural stone makes it perfect for steps, treads, driveways and other types of paving projects.
Is bluestone cheaper than flagstone?
It's important to keep in mind that bluestone is a dark-colored stone that retains more heat than lighter colored flagstones and can be the more expensive option between the two. When it comes down to it, both are great options and your final decision may be based on the overall look of the stone.
What's the difference between limestone and flagstone?
Limestone is an easily damaged, special decorative material suitable for decks, pool details and patio areas. The term flagstone refers to large, dense, moisture-impervious thick, irregular-shaped stones typically used in exterior applications.
Is blue stone the same as slate?
However, these are two separate stone types due to their individual properties and compositions, which cause each to have unique architectural and construction uses. Despite their differences in appearance and their formation processes, bluestone and slate are similar in that they are both varieties of flagstone.
How much are limestone steps?
Limestone steps cost around $25 to $50 per linear foot or $1,300 to $3,250 for an average-sized staircase with installation. The installation costs are comparatively budget-friendly compared to others, costing between $30 and $80 per linear foot.
What is the difference between bluestone and limestone?
Bluestone’s subtle coloring is often best suited to formal and traditional designs. Limestone’s silky texture makes it well suited to relaxed, elegant spaces or patios with a mediterranean feel. Occasionally, Limestone can also be used to create clean, minimalist spaces.
What color is limestone?
Limestone’s colors range from white, sandy beige and golden brown to subtle greys and even reddish brown. Limestone also often contains gentle gradients of color that give it a soft, elegant appearance. RELATED: USING STONE VENEER TO ADD CHARACTER TO YOUR OUTDOOR SPACES.
What is bluestone? What are its features?
Like flagstone and limestone, bluestone is a sedimentary rock, formed by the fusing of particles deposited by rivers, oceans and lakes. This often results in a very similarly sized grain for all three. Bluestone typically has a fine-grained, moderately textured surface. What makes this stone different is its range of handsome colors. This stone’s deep blue, green, and grey shades are why so many people choose it for their landscape. If you are building a patio, or constructing walkways or steps throughout your backyard, bluestone lends a certain formality and depth. The cool and neutral tones of bluestone are ideal for highlighting elements of greenery or the warm coloring of brick. As a matter of interest, the depth of bluestone’s color is often related to the depth at which it was quarried. Bluestone from shallow quarries tends to be lighter and less dramatic in color.
What is limestone made of?
Limestone is composed of comparatively small particles and often has a high calcite content. This is what gives limestone its characteristic silky, almost powdery feel that makes it perfect for providing a luxurious feel for patios and walkways.
What is bluestone? What are its characteristics?
This often results in a very similarly sized grain for all three. Bluestone typically has a fine-grained, moderately textured surface. What makes this stone different is its range of handsome colors. This stone’s deep blue, green, and grey shades are why so many people choose it for their landscape. If you are building a patio, or constructing walkways or steps throughout your backyard, bluestone lends a certain formality and depth. The cool and neutral tones of bluestone are ideal for highlighting elements of greenery or the warm coloring of brick. As a matter of interest, the depth of bluestone’s color is often related to the depth at which it was quarried. Bluestone from shallow quarries tends to be lighter and less dramatic in color.
What colors are used in flagstone?
Flagstone exhibits a broad range of color - dark browns, greys, golds, reds and blues - and can often contain a combination of colors in a single slab. Flagstone is ideal for creating areas of high visual interest and adding an earthy appeal to your landscape.
What is bluestone?
Bluestone typically has a fine-grained, moderately textured surface. What makes this stone different is its range of handsome colors. This stone’s deep blue, green, and grey shades are why so many people choose it for their landscape.
Which is more expensive, limestone or bluestone?
Limestone will be significantly more expensive, but it seems bluestone gets very hot (and you already said it had a rougher texture), so since you have little ones whose feet you care about, I would go for limestone if I were you as it seems to be the superior product.
Why would you pick limestone?
So you would pick the limestone because you think it will look less grimy? We get a ton of rain and the patio won't get much sun over the winter months, so this is definitely a concern for me.
What does bluestone mean?
Oops I spoke too soon! Apparently bluestone is just a descriptive term, and can mean any number of kind of rocks, from limestone to basalt to sandstone.
Is the Empire State building a limestone structure?
Limestone structures are very prevalent where I live. The Empire State building and the Pentagon were built with it (see Wiki page on "Limestone.) I'm not familiar at all with bluestone, but just read that one type (bluestone seems to be a term that covers several types of rock) fades over time. I guess I'd want to know exactly where it was mined, and find out if that type is known to fade.
Is it "part gypsy" or "part bluestone"?
Part Gypsy -- Yes, it can be very confusing because there can be several different names for the same rock. Generally, though, when people call something bluestone, they are referring to what's in the picture momhappy attached below.
Does bluestone chip?
Thanks for chiming in! Yes, I have heard that bluestone is somewhat prone to chipping. Not sure if limestone is any harder, but I will be sure to ask our contractor since I imagine our kids will be riding their bikes on the patio.
Which is more dense, bluestone or limestone?
Bluestone is much more dense (it will still freeze and may crack but you will likely have fewer shear offs). Another thing all together is that blue stone may be slicker than limestone but you can put a sealer on the treads to couteract that when they are wet.
Is bluestone more porous than limestone?
Limestone is more porous which would concern me in a freeze as trapped water could cause fissures. Bluestone is much more dense (it will still freeze and may crack but you will likely have fewer shear offs). Another thing all together is that blue stone may be slicker than limestone but you can put a sealer on the treads to couteract that when they are wet. There are a bunch of nonskid sealers on the market and the ones I have used don't change the color/appearance in any way. Good luck.