Everything You Need to Know About Belgian Bluestone Want to create a timeless look with your next stone project? Belgian Bluestone is one material you won’t want to overlook. Its dark and smoky color, along with its hints of charcoal gray, make this beautiful stone a versatile option for nearly any space. More About Belgian Bluestone Belgian Bluestone (also commonly referred to as Petit Granit or Pierre Blue) is a unique limestone with an incredible history that dates back approximately 350 million years when the sea covered the southern portion of Belgium. At the current location of Soignies, the water level was relatively low. As a result, living organisms known as crinoids were found in high levels in this area. Over time, layers of sediment formed in the seabed and compacted the limestone mud. Today, this incredible stone is mined exclusively in Belgium and, because of that, contains high levels of visible ancient fossils, corals, and calcite veins. When mined and polished, the stone itself boasts a beautiful dark and smoky color that’s complemented by the light gray and white fossils, as well as the occasionally visible calcite vein. Applications for Belgian Bluestone There are many potential applications for Belgian Bluestone, ranging from interior to exterior projects. Often, we see this stone used for interior flooring, especially in kitchens, bathrooms and mudrooms. Belgian Bluestone can also be an excellent countertop choice due to its eye-catching appearance. This stone is suitable for use in wet applications, making it a popular choice for shower floors and walls. In addition, Belgian Bluestone can be used for interior fireplace facings to create a beautiful focal point. The monochromatic tone of this limestone makes it an ideal choice for use as a fireplace slip and hearth; it combines beautifully with a contrasting wood or stone mantel. Belgian Bluestone is often used for paved patios and walkways in exterior applications. Because it remains stable through harsh freeze-thaw cycles, it can be confidently used outdoors, even in the harshest climates. In order to make the material slip resistant, a grip finish is applied to the stone which lightens the color of the stone from charcoal to gray. Belgian Bluestone grip finish tiles are available 16” wide by random lengths ranging from 8” to 31”. It’s an excellent choice for many projects because it is homogenous in color and relatively low-maintenance. Its hardness and low-porosity mean it is naturally resistant to damage from extreme temperatures. Plus, trade professionals enjoy Belgian Bluestone because it is easy to work with. Belgian Bluestone Options From Connecticut Stone Connecticut Stone is proud to carry beautiful Belgian Bluestone in a wide range of size and shape options, as well as a number of different finishes to suit your needs. Currently, we carry Belgian Bluestone in European finish tiles (an undulated surface with cobbled edges) or honed tiles (honed surface with rectified edges) if you’re looking for a more modern or contemporary look. The following sizes of Belgian Bluestone are available in a European finish: 24″ x 24″ x 3/4″ 16″ x 24″ x 3/4″ 16″ x 16″ x 3/4″ 8″ x 16″ x 3/4″ 8″ x 8″ x 3/4″ The above sizes are also available for the honed finish options but the thickness is ⅜” thick instead of ¾”. In both finishes, sizes can be purchased individually or they can be combined in a pattern. We offer special order sizing to accommodate any project. In addition to Belgian Bluestone tile, we also offer both 2cm and 3cm slabs for your countertop, fireplace, and other projects. We have a full fabrication shop on premise to cut, shape and finish your custom project. If you have questions about Belgium Bluestone or want to place an order for your next project, reach out to our knowledgeable and friendly team today!
