What is basalt stone?
Basalt stone is a fine-grained dark colored rock made from a type of lava that cools sufficiently quickly on the Earth’s surface. It has become one of the most popular stones when it comes to construction and makeover of the large surfaces since the stone is hard wearing, very resistant to abrasion and it originates from nature. Here’s why many people decide to buy basalt stone for their construction projects and landscaping needs:
- Strength and Durability: Basalt is extremely rigid and thus suitable for use for any part which has tendency to experience high traffic or abrasion like flooring, driveways, and pavements.
- Heat Resistance: Originally found in some volcanic regions, basalt is heat resistant and can be effectively used around the garden or backyard spaces, fireplaces and in the kitchen as countertops.
- Non-Slip Surface: If honed or flamed basalt gets slightly rough surfaces it becomes non slippery and can be ideally used in areas such as decks around swimming pool or patios.
- Natural Appearance: Its colors are naturally earthy – Basalt can be black, grey, or dark green at most – and that makes it look popular in both contemporary and classic designs.
- Low Maintenance: It is fairly low upkeep, aside from regular sealing as well as occasional instances of washing.
While it blends well with most other materials besides wood, adding basalt to your project as paving stones, tiles or even decorative boulders can serve purpose and look great.
Basalt stone price in Australia
The basalt stone price in Australia depends on the location of the stone, the availability, quality of the stone, the cost of processing and transportation. Local basalt is usually cheaper than imported basalt since the costs of transporting the later are usually high. However, if the basalt is sourced from areas where quality stone is produced, for instance Turkey or India, it may be slightly expensive. Availability is another factor—scarce in areas of high demand, this will increase costs, while large deposits can lead to lower costs. The quality and the grade of the stone are also important; the denser and more durable basalt costs more, and if it contains less impurities and has homogenous color and texture.
The finish and processing of the stone can also influence the price of the stone in the market The finish and processing of the stone can also influence the price of the stone in the market Polishing, honing or flaming also increases the cost since it involves more work to be done. They also cost more than the standard sizes, shapes, or thicknesses due to the extra measure needed to produce them. Thicker basalt slabs are more costly since it takes more material to make them, and they are also heavier, affecting both cost and transportation. When discussing shipping, transportation costs can play a major role in the final price, especially in the case of imported basalt which has to be transported over long distances.
Moreover, installation costs which are different from the material prices can depend on the stone size and format. The installation of large, irregular slabs is more difficult and expensive than installing smaller, uniform tiles. Fluctuations in market, economical conditions and price of fuel also influence the total cost of basalt especially the imported ones. Knowledge of these factors can help you make a better decision when buying basalt for your projects.
Uses of basalt stone
Basalt stone has so many different applications in construction, decoration and landscaping. Next, we will discuss the uses of basalt stone.
Basalt slab
Basalt slab is used in landscaping in both form and function. Due to their natural properties, excellent weather resistance and sleek appearance, they are suitable for a variety of exterior uses. Here are some of the main uses of basalt slabs in landscaping:
Basalt Paving and Walkways
These natural stones are commonly applied to make beautiful paths, tiles, and patios in gardens or outdoors. They are safe for pedestrian traffic and when honed or flamed, they do not become slippery and dangerous for use by people.
Basalt flooring for Patios and Terraces
Due to the heat resistant and high strength properties of basalt, it is best used in patios or terraces that are located outside the home. They are smooth and elegant to the touch and are able to offer a natural and durable surface that is able to stand the harsh weather conditions without fading.
Retaining Walls
Basalt can also be used in large slabs for constructing retaining walls as it serves both as structure and as a design feature. The inherent toughness of basalt means that the wall will be durable and the dark, sleek appearance of the material complements the landscape design.
Water Features
Basalt is commonly used in areas such as water features, fountains or ponds. This is due to the fact that it can withstand water erosion and because of its smooth, contemporary design it can produce stunning features in a landscape.
Basalt Steps and Staircases
The basalt slabs can be shaped into steps for outdoor staircases, which will create a dramatic and modern feel to multi leveled gardens or other areas. This makes them long-lasting, and they do not break easily despite the fact that they are used often.
Seating Areas
In some designs, there are larger basalt slabs used for sitting in gardens or any other open space. They are a sculptural addition that fits the context of the green environment and at the same time act as benches.
Borders and Edging: Basalt slabs can also be used as borders or for edging around plant beds, pathways or lawns to give well-defined edges in the landscape.
Basalt pavers
The following are the benefits of basalt pavers in construction projects, which explain why they are used in different projects. Here are some of their key uses:
- Paving and Driveways: Basalt pavers are very strong and can withstand traffic and other abuses that are likely to be encountered on paths, patios and driveways. They are beautiful natural additions to any landscape and they are very durable structures.
- Commercial and Residential Projects: Basalt pavers can be applied in commercial and residential places. They offer a hard wearing base for car parks, plazas and other public areas. In residential areas they can be used to design beautiful and comfortable outdoor living spaces.
- Historical Restoration: Historically, basalt pavers have been used in construction of historical buildings and monuments. They are long-lasting and have an aesthetic that is perfect for restoration and conservation of heritage buildings.
- Outdoor Living Spaces: Basalt pavers can be employed to design and develop attractive and efficient areas for outside living including patios, pathways and courtyards. They are natural and have an elegant appearance that can fit in any design concept.
- Public Spaces: The basalt pavers have been applied in many areas of public access such as parks, squares, and public structures. They are long lasting and do not require much attention and this makes them suitable for areas with many people.
- Architectural Features: Basalt pavers can be incorporated into a structure as walls, columns and sculptures. As they are natural and strong they can be used to incorporate some interesting features in any structure.
- Landscaping: The application of basalt pavers can be applied in landscaping projects as pathways, walls and even as decoration. They can be used to enhance the interest of the outdoor space since they come in their natural color and texture.
- Sustainability: It is a natural stone that is very hard wearing and does not need much in the way of looking after. This makes it a suitable material for construction works since it does not require frequent repairs and replacements.
- Safety: The surface of the basalt pavers is smooth and does not cause slipping; therefore, it can be used in walkways and patios. They are also fade and color resistant which helps in that they do not lose their color or become faded after some time.
- Versatility: It comes in different sizes, colors and finishes and is therefore applicable in many construction projects. They can be used to come up with all styles, ranging from traditional to modern styles.
In general, basalt pavers are highly durable, aesthetically pleasing and versatile and can be used in a wide range of construction applications. This makes them more natural and long performing hence meeting the market demands for residential and commercial buildings.
Basalt stone flooring tiles
Basalt stone flooring tiles are popular in both construction and landscaping for their durability, aesthetic appeal, and versatility. In construction, they’re used for indoor flooring in kitchens, bathrooms, and living areas due to their resistance to wear, heat, and moisture. In landscaping, basalt tiles are ideal for patios, pathways, pool decks, and outdoor seating areas, as they are slip-resistant and weatherproof. Their sleek, modern look makes them a great choice for contemporary designs, while their toughness ensures longevity in high-traffic or exposed areas.
Best place to buy basalt in Australia
There are several ways you can buy basalt in Australia, depending on your needs and preferences:
- Buy Basalt from Local Quarries and Stone Yards: Purchasing from quarries allows you to see the stone before and sometimes, it is cheaper than from distributors due to the large quantities that one may order.
- Specialized Stone Suppliers: These businesses offer advice, consultation and even tailored cuts, all of which are specialized. Some also include delivery and installation services in the price of the products they are selling.
- Buy Basalt Online: Especially useful for when a customer can easily look through numerous offers and choose the most suitable one, and where the stone will be delivered right to the customer’s door.
- Home Improvement Stores: Large companies such as Bunnings Warehouse sell basalt pavers and tiles and they are usually on special or on sale.
- Architects and Designers: If you are using a designer, he or she can get you special or better still good quality basalt and organize for the transportation.
- Bulk Orders for Large Projects: In most cases, it is possible to negotiate and get good prices especially if you are a commercial buyer or if you are planning to undertake a large landscaping project.
- Reclaimed Stone Suppliers: For a more sustainable or unique option, buying from second-hand suppliers where basalt can be sourced from also gives a character and is cheaper.
Regardless of the path you choose, quality, delivery, and the supplier’s credibility should always be valued to give maximum value!
The advantages of Basalt stone
Basalt stone offers several advantages for landscaping. The advantages of Basalt stone include:
- Durability: It is extremely durable and immune to weathering, wear and tear and erosion hence is perfect for use in exterior applications.
- Aesthetic Appeal: It has a natural dark color that gives a contemporary classy appearance which is suitable for both modern and classic furniture designs.
- Low Maintenance: It is a low maintenance material that only needs to be sealed and cleaned once in a while on basalt.
- Slip Resistance: If it is honed or textured, then it offers a slip-resistant surface, making it suitable for use in pathways, patios and pool areas.
- Versatility: Basalt can be incorporated in many forms including pavers and tiles, decorative stones and boulders, and edging.
These qualities make basalt the best material to use in construction of long lasting and attractive landscape.
how is basalt formed?
Basalt is a type of rock that comes out when lava hardens quickly from volcanic activities. Magma is molten or partially molten rock from the Earth’s mantle when it has found its way to the earth’s surface it comes out as lava. You find this lava gradually flows and spreads out, and in the process it can cool within a period of less than a few days hence forming the fine-grained basalt rock. Due to the fast cooling, it does not allow big crystals to from, which confer the smooth texture to basalt. This volcanic rock is associated with different geological environments including mid ocean ridges, volcanic islands and continental flood basalts.
Basalt is one of the most important and common extrusive volcanic rocks. Based on how rapid cooling of lava at the surface of earth is, it usually is in grey to black colors.
Basalt is an igneous rock and it is mainly composed out of plagioclase and pyroxene minerals, similarly to gabbro. the difference between them is that basalt has a fine-grained texture while gabbro is a coarse-grained rock. Basalt can form as an extrusive rock from lava flow or it can form in small intrusive bodies like a thin sill. One of the important facts about basalt is that it is the most abundant bedrock on earth which means that it covers the most of the surface of earth. For instance, ocean basins most areas are underlain by basalt. However, it is not a common rock on surfaces of the continents. An interesting fact about basalt is that, it also covers the Moon and much of the Moon’s surface is made out of flood basalts or basaltic lava flows. These areas on the Moon are called “lunar maria.” Basalt on Earth can mostly be found on three environments, In order of oceanic divergent boundaries, oceanic hotspots, and mantle plumes or hotspots under the continents.
Basalt has wide range of uses. The crushed form of it can be used as an aggregate in construction projects, road beddings, concrete aggregate, asphalt pavement aggregate, railroad ballast, filter stone and may other purposes. It also can be cut into dimension stones and polished for uses such as floor tiles, building facades, monuments, and even art.