What is Oamaru stone made of?

Oamaru Stone is a natural lime stone, a calcareous stone composed mainly of calcium carbonate.

Where is Oamaru stone from?

Ōamaru stone building products are sourced from high quality, abundantly occurring natural deposits of limestone in the Waitaki region of New Zealand. Across the world, and for centuries, because of its abundance, limestone is used extensively in construction projects.

How do you clean a Oamaru stone fireplace?

To clean stone, a moss or mould killer should be applied by thoroughly wetting the surface with product. When the moss killer has taken effect, clean with a hard bristled brush. In some areas where there is a build-up of moss or mould, a wire brush may be required.

Is Oamaru stone expensive?

Attractively priced. When compared to synthetic building products, the cost of Ōamaru stone is attractive. Taking into account the long life and low long-term maintenance costs, over the lifetime of a home, a natural stone like Ōamaru stone offers real value.

How is limestone formed in NZ?

Not much sediment from land entered these coastal waters, and layers of shells and bones from billions of sea creatures accumulated on the sea floor. These hardened into rocks, which were eventually uplifted and now form the country’s karst (weathered limestone) landscapes.

How do you seal Oamaru stone?

The stone can be further damaged by frost when the water in the porous stone freezes and cracks the stone surface. It is possible to treat the stone with Kiwicare NO Leaks Masonry Sealer to make it water repellent.

Can you paint over Oamaru stone?

A. Yes but painting does require use of two pack paints and the painted surface will not have the features of the original granite stone.

How old is Oamaru stone?

The lifetime of Ōamaru stone is at least one century, if we look to limestone buildings overseas, we can say centuries long. With the proper planning and construction, buildings of limestone have survived for many hundreds of years.

Is limestone rough or smooth?

You might think that limestone, because it is a stone, will have rough edges, and that could turn you away, especially if you are thinking about flooring. But limestone actually has smooth edges that feel great against the feet.

What happens to limestone over time?

If, over time, a body of limestone has been squeezed and deformed by great heat and pressure deep beneath the Earth’s surface, its structure and composition changes to form a recrystallised limestone known as marble, which can contain over 95% calcium carbonate.

What do you seal Oamaru stone with?