As a direct variation to the Moleanos limestone, this particular limestone displays most of the given elements, since both share the same structure and are extracted from the same quarries. The Moleanos Blue is fairly hard with a relatively uniform background and a light blue greyish colour. The grain can range from fine to medium and the surface can contain all sort of elements, such as fossils, shells and some lighter and darker spots. Despite being quite famous internationally, this is a natural stone whose supply doesn’t always meet the demand, due to shortage of resources. The recommended applications for the Moleanos Blue covers about everything in both interior and exterior scenarios, like cladding, flooring, stonework, masonry and wall coverings. On the other hand, each application normally requires a specific type of finishing. Learn more below.

Honed

The honed finishing produces a very uniform and consistent background, while removing the natural shine of the stone. The result is a matte surface with almost no reflection and a significant porosity. Additionally, the colours lose intensity and become lighter – a pale blue-greyish colour is the main tonality in this finishing. All the core elements of the Moleanos are quite visible and well preserved through the numerous shells, fossils and occasional shaded areas. The honed finishing is recommended for flooring applications in general, but it is also commonly found in exterior projects that include cladding and wall coverings.

Main Features: Uniform background; matte surface; natural elements; subtle blue-grey colour.

Top Applications: Interior and exterior flooring.

Polished

The general appearance of the polished finishing is very similar to the honed one, with the main difference laying on the surface’s intense shining. The polished finishing also enhances the original colour of the Moleanos Blue, where the blue and grey tonalities are greatly highlighted. All the typical Moleanos elements, like shells and fossils, are even more visible in this finishing, since the increased shining makes them more perceptible. Additionally, the limestone becomes more resistance and durable with almost no porosity. The polished type is ideal for indoor applications, including wall coverings, decoration, bath design and flooring.

Main Features: Shiny surface; increased durability; intense blue-grey colour.

Top Application: Interior flooring.

Flamed

The flamed finishing is a result of directly exposing the stone to high temperatures, which creates a rough surface. This technique generates a protective layer made of thin roughness, an endurance feature that is ideal for all types of exterior applications, such as cladding, flooring, paving and landscaping. This finishing presents a very rough and anti-slippery surface, followed by a fading natural colour in the shape of a lighter and pale blue-greyish colour. Despite of still preserving most of the Moleanos core elements, the flaming type is quite abrasive and uniform, which smooths the visibility of some elements, like shells and fossils.

Main Features: Rough and non-slip surface; increased durability; subtle blue-grey colour.

Top Application: Exterior flooring.

Sandblasted-Brushed

The technique combination of sandblasted and brushed is one of the most popular finishings for exterior flooring with Moleanos Blue, mostly because it produces a fairly rough and anti-slippery surface that increases endurance and durability.  The core elements of the Moleanos limestone are also visible across the background, specially shells and fossils. Also, the sandblasted generates very small craters that slightly highlights the natural colours of the stone. Therefore, the colour becomes slightly lighter. Finally, this finishing obtains the best results on exterior projects, with a particular focus on flooring and paving.

Main Features: Rough and non-slip surface; increased durability; highlighted blue-grey colour.

Top Application: Exterior flooring.

Check our blog for more content on other natural stone finishings. For special deals, supply or business inquiries, contact us directly.

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With a growing reputation, Portuguese grey limestones are quite reliable, especially in terms of background uniformity and colour consistency. They usually present a very considerable hardness and an impressive versatility, that makes them suitable for about any type of application or project. Also, they present a high availability and a competitive pricing – ideal conditions when it comes to business. There is certainly a huge variety of grey limestones from Portugal, but only a few have been able to enter the international market. At the current time, there are four limestones that have been growing in both, popularity and demand at a global level.

1. Moleanos Blue Limestone

The Moleanos Blue is possibly the most famous blue-grey limestone from Portugal. It displays a set of superior attributes, including a very smooth and uniform background. Additionally, it presents a pale blue-grey colour, followed by some darker areas and occasional natural elements, like fossils, shells and calcite. This grey limestone is recommended for almost any sort of application, due to its versatility and increased hardness. However, cladding and flooring are generally the most common applications when it comes to Moleanos Blue projects.

Main Features: Uniform background; increased hardness; consistent grey-blue colour.

Recommended for: Exterior and interior applications in general.

2. Moleanos B1 Limestone

As a direct alternative to the Azul Valverde, the Moleanos B1 is a grey limestone with a high utility value. It presents a pale light grey colour and a quite uniform background, with hardly any visible elements. Overall, this is a limestone with a very plain and regular surface, which makes it a perfect choice for cladding, flooring and decoration projects. Despite this preference, the Moleanos B1 is recommended for all exterior and interior applications. Additionally, the Moleanos B1 is one of the main replacements for the well-known Azul Valverde, non-existent at the time.

Main Features: Very uniform background; increased hardness; consistent pale grey colour.

Recommended for: Cladding, flooring and decoration.

3. Moleanos B3 Limestone

Known for its diversity, the Moleanos B3 is a variation of the Moleanos limestone, which presents a little less purity. This is a multi-colour limestone, with light grey as the main colour and blue and beige as the secondary tonalities. The background is somewhat uniform, as it displays strong signs of natural elements, particularly fossils and calcite. Moreover, the Moleanos B3 is a very hard type of limestone, which together with its versatility makes it suitable for essentially any project.  Still, the main applications for this limestone are exterior ones, specifically exterior cladding and landscaping.

Main Features: Somewhat uniform background; increased hardness; strong signs of elements; multi-colour.

Recommended for: Exterior cladding and landscaping.

4. Perlato Limestone

The Perlato Limestone is a grey limestone that presents an interesting appearance, composed by the abundancy of calcite and fossils. These natural elements create some lighter areas but overall, this is a somewhat uniform limestone. In terms of structure, the Perlato displays a consistent grey colour, as well as an increased hardness. As a versatile limestone, the Perlato can be suitable for a wide range of applications. Despite the consolidate position in Portugal, the Perlato is not so known abroad and is still developing its own market.

Main Features: Somewhat uniform background; increased hardness; consistent grey colour.

Recommended for: Exterior and interior applications in general.

For more information about grey limestones from Portugal or any other natural stone, contact us directly for a specialized feedback.

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In general, beige limestones from Portugal are characterized by versatile features, including a substantial hardness and a wide range of finishing and application possibilities. Also, they normally display a uniform background with a consistent beige colour, which might contain some subtle variations, like brownish and whitish tonalities. The Portuguese market is surely very rich when it comes to the supply and availability of this type of limestone. However, not all of them are equally demanded due to several factors, such as popularity, versatility and price. Below, we present the most popular and on-demand beige limestones from Portugal.

1. Moca Cream Classic Limestone

The Moca Cream Classic has an incredible demand worldwide, since it’s one of the most popular natural stones from Portugal. This is a multi-faceted limestone with its own personality, mainly displayed thought its strong thin veins, in shades of beige and brownish coffee. The background is quite uniform with a consistent beige colour and medium to fine grain. Additionally, it may present some elements, like occasional spots and shells. In terms of applications, the Moca Cream Classic can be used on about everything but cladding is definitely the main preference.

Main Features: Uniform background; strong veinage; consistent beige colour.

Recommended for: Cladding; coverings, flooring and interior applications.

2. Moca Cream Fine Limestone

The fine variation of the Moca Cream is also a highly demanded limestone from Portugal, as it presents a more discrete and sublime appearance. In comparison with the Moca Cream Classic, this limestone has less availability and a superior price. Besides the fine grain, this beige limestone has a very clean and uniform background, followed by a subtle thin vein and a consistent light beige colour. It may contain occasional spots and shells. Despite its versatility, the Moca Cream Fine is mostly used on cladding and interior applications.

Main Features: Very uniform background; subtle veinage; consistent light beige colour.

Recommended for: Cladding; coverings, flooring and interior applications.

3. Moleanos Classic Limestone

Another popular beige limestone from Portugal is the Moleanos Classic, which has a very wide availability and a well-established market all over the world. With a persistent beige colour and a uniform background, the Moleanos Classic is all about consistency, with hardly any variation. The surface also displays a medium grain that might contain some fossils and shells. Moreover, this limestone is very hard and resistant, making it even more suitable for about all types of applications, including cladding, flooring, stonework and masonry.

Main Features: Uniform and plain background; high hardness and durability; consistent beige colour.

Recommended for: Interior and exterior applications.

4. Moleanos Fine Limestone

Alongside the previous entry comes the Moleanos Fine. This is a beige limestone with a quite representative supply-demand curve, as well as a well-built market. The main characteristics of this natural stone are: a very plain and uniform background, a consistent light beige colour, fine grain, increased hardness and durability, and some discreet signs of fossils. There is no real limitation when it comes to projects involving the Moleanos Fine, as it can be used on almost all types of interior and exterior applications.

Main Features: Very uniform and plain background; high hardness and durability; consistent light beige colour.

Recommended for: Interior and exterior applications.

5. Rosal Limestone

With a growing demand and an in-development market, the Rosal limestone has become a more accessible choice in the last few years. Although not as popular as the previous limestones, the Rosal still presents a very fine structure with a quite regular pattern and a discrete look, making it very uniform in terms of background and colour. However, this is considered to be a soft natural stone, therefore it is rather recommended for most types of interior applications. The Rosal limestone might contain some veinage and very occasional elements.

Main Features: Very uniform and plain background; fine structure; soft hardness; consistent beige colour.

Recommended for: Interior applications.

6. Cabeca Veada Limestone

The Cabeca Veada limestone is known as the “new star” in the market, due to its similarity to the well-established Moleanos Fine limestone. This beige limestone presents a quite uniform background, with a light beige colour and some occasional darker brown spots and shades. It is quite predictable with a very plain structure, fine grain and hardly any contrast. There’s a huge availability for this product, as well as a growing demand. The Cabeca Veada is mostly used on exterior cladding and interior applications.

Main Features: Very uniform and plain background; fine structure; consistent light beige colour.

Recommended for: Exterior cladding and interior applications.

The post How to Choose: Beige Limestones from Portugal appeared first on Outlet.

The Moca Cream is a very versatile beige limestone, mostly known for being the ex-libris of the Portuguese limestones. With two main variations, it can either display a rich and parallel veinage or an extremely uniform background, both with an intense beige colour and medium grain. The Moca Cream has a very high production level, since it’s currently a reference limestone for architects and interior decorators from all over the world. It also counts with an incredible demand, especially from the Chinese market, which has shown a special interest for the stone in the past few years. In terms of finishings, this is a quite versatile stone as stated above, therefore it can accept almost all techniques. However, not all of them are widely used due to market trends. Discover the four most popular Moca Cream finishings.

Honed

By persevering the natural elements of the Moca Cream, the honed finishing creates a rich yet plain and uniform background, with occasional spots, medium grain and a typical veinage, which characterizes this limestone. The honed surface is quite matte and dull, while the colouration is highly consistent through light beige tonalities. This is one of the most used finishings, in which exterior cladding is perhaps the most popular application.

Main Features: Uniform background; matte surface; natural elements; persistent light beige colour.

Top Application: Exterior cladding.

Polished

With a very similar appearance to the previous finishing, the polished technique also preserves and enhances all the natural elements of the Moca Cream limestone. As a result, the grain and veins are more visible and the beige colour is intensified, turning a bit brownish sometimes. The surface is rather shiny and reflective, with a quite clear and uniform background. The polish finishing is recommended for interior applications, especially for flooring and wall coverings.

Main Features: Uniform background; shiny surface; natural elements; persistent beige colour.

Top Applications: Interior flooring and wall coverings.

Brushed

The brushed finishing creates a carved effect with a rugosity texture, where the hard parts of the stone become more visible and the softer ones become rather carved. Apart from a roughness and uniform background, it also contains great anti-slippery properties. In terms of colour, the beige becomes lighter and most of the natural elements become subtler. This finishing is recommended for all types of flooring, paving and landscaping, including pool covers.

Main Features: Uniform background; rough and carved surface; non-slip properties; light beige colour.

Top Applications: Interior flooring and decoration.

Bush-Hammered

Highly recommended for exterior applications, the bush-hammered finishing generates uniformly distributed craters across the surface of the stone, creating a very plain and uniform background. The natural elements fade away, including the vein, grain and original colour, which becomes extremely subtle, almost white. Additionally, the stone attains strong anti-slip properties and a quite rough texture. This is most commonly used on cladding projects.

Main Features: Uniform background; rough and dotted surface; non-slip properties; whitish colour.

Top Application: Exterior cladding.

Split-Face

The split-face finishing is characterized by parallel cuts craved into the stone, a feature that provides a rough yet organized structure. The cuts are displayed at the exact same distance, showing the interior and exterior parts of the stone. This effect is particularly interesting and popular for all sorts of exterior cladding projects, mainly because it produces a slightly rustic appearance. This finishing features several tonalities of beige.

Main Features: Irregular but organized background; rough and lined surface; light beige colour.

Top Application: Exterior cladding.

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This beige limestone presents a light beige colour with slight greyish tonalities. In terms of grain, it can vary from thin to medium depending on the variation. It also shows dispersed brownish spots and some fossils. Overall, this is a very durable, uniform and versatile limestone, which can be used on almost all types of projects with no limitations. Thus, it is commonly used in both interior and exterior applications a bit all over the world. However, the differentiation comes with the type of finishing, since each one presents specific attributes that suit certain applications more than others. Below, we present the four most popular Moleanos Classic finishings.

Honed

With a substantial porosity and a matte surface, the honed finishing still shows all the elements of the Moleanos limestone, including the grain and shells. However, the natural shine is in the most part removed leaving a dull and very uniform surface with little to no reflection. Additionally, the original colour loses intensity, as it turns into a paler lighter beige. The honed finishing is very popular in the international market, as it can be used in about everything. Still, it is mostly recommended for both interior and exterior flooring, along with some cladding and coverings.

Main Features: Uniform background; matte surface; natural elements; subtle light beige colour.

Top Applications: Interior and exterior flooring; cladding.

Polished

The polished finishing is probably the most common type for the Moleanos limestone. This technique highlights the properties of the stone by making the surface really shiny with almost zero porosity. It makes the Moleanos grain and fossil elements quite visible and it enhances the natural colour by turning it into a very intense and bright beige. The polished finishing also improves the durability and resistance of the stone, which makes it highly recommended for many interior applications, such as flooring, wall coverings, decoration and kitchen countertops.

Main Features: Shiny surface; increased durability; intense beige colour.

Top Application: Interior flooring.

Sandblasted and Brushed

Combining the sandblasted and brushed techniques generate a slightly rough and anti-slippery surface, which is ideal for certain application types, like cladding, landscaping, paving and exterior flooring. This finishing keeps most of the elements of the Moleanos limestone through the visible grain and fossils. On the other hand, it highlights the natural beige colour, as it becomes quite intense and persistent. While the sandblast method enhances the colour, the brushed wears out of the softer part of the stone, giving it a rather aged appearance with increased durability.

Main Features: Non-slip surface; increased durability; persistent beige colour.

Top Applications: Cladding and exterior flooring.

Bush-Hammered

The bush-hammered finishing generates a non-slip rough surface. This technique is quite abrasive and it makes the Moleanos limestone lose most of its essence, including the original colour and visible fossils. As a direct result, the surface becomes very plain and uniform with a pale light beige tonality – a clear differentiation from the original limestone. Due to these singular properties, the bush-hammered finishing is typically recommended for high traffic external areas, thus its vast usage on exterior flooring, paving and landscaping.

Main Features: Uniform background; rough surface; non-slip properties; subtle light beige colour.

Top Applications: Paving and exterior flooring.

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