Dimension stone is a natural stone or rock that has been chosen and then finished (which consists of trimmed, cut, drilled, ground, or other) to specific shapes and sizes.

Texture, Colour and Pattern, and surface finish of the stone are also normal requirements. Another important selection criteria is durability: the time measure of the ability of dimension stone to endure and to maintain its essential and distinctive characteristics of strength, resistance to decay, and appearance.

Stone and rock types

A variety of metamorphic, igneous and sedimentary rocks are often used as decorative and structural dimension stone. These rock types are more commonly known as limestone, limestone, marble, travertine, quartz-based stone and slate. Varieties of dimension stone that are normally considered to be special minor types include, soapstone (massive talc), serpentine, alabaster (massive gypsum) and various products fashioned from natural stone.

A variety of finishes can then be applied to dimension stone to achieve diverse architectural and aesthetic effects. A polished finish gives the surface a high luster and strong reflection of incident light (almost like a mirror). A honed finish provides a smooth, satin-like ("eggshell"), no reflective surface. More textured finishes include sandblasted, brush-hammered and thermal. A brush-hammered finish, similar to a hounds tooth pattern, creates a rough, but uniformly patterned surface with impact tools varying in coarseness. A sandblasted surface provides an irregular pitted surface by impacting sand or metal particles at high velocity against a stone surface. A thermal (or flamed) finish produces a textured, non-reflective surface with only a few reflections from cleavage faces, by applying a high-temperature flame. This finish may change the natural colour of the stone depending on mineralogical composition, particularly with stones containing higher levels of iron.

Suitable for the Kitchen or Bathroom

There is an extraordinarily wide range of colours, available in thousands of patterns. These patterns are created by geological phenomena such as mineral grains, veins, inclusions, cavity fillings, streaks and blebs. In addition, rocks and stones not normally classed as dimension stone are sometimes selected for these applications. These can include tiles made of agate, jade and jasper.

Stone (mainly granite) countertops and bathroom vanities both involve a finished slab of stone, usually polished but sometimes with another finish (such as honed or sandblasted). Industry standard thicknesses in Great Britain are 3/4" (2 cm) and 1.25" (3 cm). Often 2 cm slabs will be laminated at the edge to create the appearance of a thicker edge profile. The slabs are cut to fit the top of the bathroom or kitchen cabinet, by measuring, template or digital template.

Here in our workshop we have a highly skilled and knowledgeable masonry team that work with you to produce works of art. We have a magnificent collection of materials, colours and textures, which are all available to view in our exclusive Kirk Langley showroom.

For more information on dimensional stone please get in touch with Impala Stone on 01332 824 200 or email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..