Limestone Fireplaces
Limestone for fireplaces, is one of the most popular and currently
fashionable types of stone to be found in fireplace showrooms today.
There are many different types of
limestone fireplaces, most are off white to beige in colour with
light to medium veins. Although some limestone's can be almost a
plain off white, all may have obvious fossils in them...
After all, limestone is made of fossils!
We are fortunate! Good Limestone is plentiful in Europe and prices are
relatively low for imports, especially in Spain, Portugal and Turkey,
where many of our suppliers are based!
Limestone, being relatively soft, is well suited for cutting and shaping
into fireplaces of all styles and types... Choices in design are now
vast for Limestone fireplaces, although with imported limestone fireplaces,
sizes may not be that flexible - if you're looking for a particular
size, then it may be better to work with our design team and explore
your options.
Caring for your limestone fireplace is important as the stone is open
poured and is absorbent. Limestone, can stain and mark easily, especially
in its first year! It is recommended that all limestone fireplaces are
chemically sealed!
There are several specialised products on the market that are excellent
for this purpose... Do not be tempted by cheap sealants, as it may alter
the colour and hardly do the job of protection at all.
At By The Fireside, we can seal your fireplace for you... This costs
a little extra, but believe me its well worth it!
To clean your limestone fireplace, simply use a damp sponge with a dashing
of washing up liquid in a small amount of water (say a pin head of washing
up, to a mug of water) - If your limestone fireplace is well sealed,
this is all that should be required... Never use polish on limestone
or propriety cleaners, as they will darken the colour and could create
ugly patches on the surface of your limestone fireplace!
Gas or electric fires
Limestone fireplaces are best suited to go with gas or electric fires,
as they are very clean burning.
Coal and wood burning fires or stoves are far more grubby and this could
get on the limestone surface, giving you a cleaning job - if your limestone
fireplace is well sealed, any dirt, should come off... Limestone fireplaces
are suited to the extra heat given off by a real fire, but gas or electric
can be cleaner!
The one thing to avoid with a limestone fireplace is shovelling on the
surface of a limestone hearth. If you are likely to do this with your
chosen fire, either change the fire or use a different stone for the
hearth... Black granite is an ideal choice, as dirt is harder to see!
Limestone Choices
Agean limestone from Turkey - off white... Almost plain!
Portuguese Limestone - a general term for beige limestone from various
areas in Portugal.
Moca crème - a beige and veined limestone from Portugal... Very popular
and durable!
Semi Rijio - currently, the most popular Portuguese / Spanish limestone
for fireplaces... A light fawn to vanilla in colour with light beige
veining. Looks absolutely beautiful!
Calisa Capri - more off white than Semi Rijio and a little more mottled
from fossils in the limestone... Still a very attractive stone!
Moleanus - a limestone from Portugal... Lightly mottled cream with a
slight sheen.