Dijon limestone is one of the most popular and enduring flooring options, but many customers may want to know the properties of Dijon limestone. Whether you are planning an indoor or outdoor project, such as a kitchen or a patio, it is helpful to know exactly what Dijon limestone is, its benefits, and how it can be used to enhance your space.
This blog will cover the properties of Dijon limestone, along with how these make Dijon limestone the perfect natural stone tile for your next indoor or outdoor project.
Material
Dijon limestone is a type of natural stone, meaning it is naturally occurring and quarried from the earth before being made into tiles and other natural stone products. Being a sedimentary stone, Dijon limestone is formed over millions of years.
This makes it particularly dense and hard wearing, as well as meaning it features traces of fossils and other elements such as calcite. This adds to the natural character of each individual tile, providing a unique texture and one-of-a-kind look to each and every Dijon limestone floor.
Durability
As it is a dense sedimentary rock, Dijon limestone is a very durable and hardwearing option. The body of the tile is strong, making it more resistant to cracking than other stones, and the surface finish is resilient to drops or knocks from pans and other heavy household items.
Footfall is also not an issue, as the surface of the stone will not wear away with use. All of this means that Dijon limestone is a great option for those with busy family homes, or areas that see a lot of usage such as kitchens, hallways or patios, providing a flooring option that will last for years to come.
Variation
One of the main attractions of Dijon limestone is the natural variation. A noticeable way in which Dijon limestone can vary is in shade. Some stones, such as sandstone, can feature quite a swing between shades, whilst Dijon limestone features a subtler difference between hues.
A Dijon floor will display subtle shifts from slightly darker and warmer, to paler pastel honey tones, making for a beautifully natural look in keeping with projects from traditional to contemporary.
Another way in which Dijon limestone can vary is the unique characteristics in the tile. This can include perfectly preserved fossils, as well as veining, pitting, and flecks of sediment.
All of this means that each tile is going to be completely individual compared to both the other Dijon tiles in your project, and even all other Dijon limestone tiles produced, providing a charming one of a kind floor.
Often customers want to showcase characterful and interesting tiles by placing them in prominent parts of the space, letting the natural beauty of the tiles take centre stage.
Dijon Blend limestone is an option that presents a further array of variation, being that it is a second selection of the premium Dijon limestone. This selection features a greater shade difference from tile to tile, with some that are a darker, richer beige, as well as a higher amount of characteristics such as pitting, oxidisation, and calcite veining.
The Dijon Blend limestone provides a more rustic and cost-effective option for expansive spaces or for projects that call for a traditional country blend of colours and texture.
Finish
Another important property of Dijon limestone is its finish, and the different finishes available. When planning your Dijon limestone project, you can rely on a beautiful range of finishes to suit different styles of home and décor. Dijon Tumbled limestone provides a traditional yet versatile option, with a smooth surface finish and softly tumbled edges meaning it fits with both traditional and modern properties.
The occasional natural surface pitting also makes for good grip underfoot for both indoors and outdoors. Here you can see Dijon Tumbled utilised in a warm, wood themed kitchen, matching perfectly to the tones of the oak-fronted units.
For a tile with more texture and with a truly rustic charm, Dijon Seasoned limestone offers a stone that is perfectly suited to country kitchens, gardens and living spaces, and works wonderfully in projects such as period cottages or rustic barn conversions. The edges are tumbled, and the surface has a rougher texture created by an acid wash during manufacturing.
This process also provides a pale chalkiness compared to other Dijon finishes. This country kitchen featuring Dijon seasoned shows its timeless appeal when laid in a period property, showcasing the added surface texture in keeping with its traditional surroundings.
If you are working to a more contemporary style, then Dijon Brushed fits that look perfectly, featuring all of the beautiful character and fossils of Dijon limestone with straight cut edges and a slight sheen to the surface.
The finishing process also brings out an extra richness to the colours within the stone, perfect for enhancing the clean, contemporary style of your home with natural stone detail, pattern and colours. This outdoor Dijon Brushed paver project showcases Dijon limestone in a modern garden setting.
Ease of Maintenance
Many have a misconception that natural stone is difficult to look after, but with a few key steps, Dijon limestone remains an enduring material that requires simple maintenance. Dijon limestone is naturally porous, and so even though it is very dense, it is still important to apply a suitable sealant. This is especially imperative with indoor areas that see regular footfall or food and drink spillage.
The cleaning process once sealed is often just as easy as with other types of flooring. We recommend occasional hoovering with a soft brush attachment and mopping using a dilution of cleaner that is safe for use on natural stone, such as Lithofin Wash and Clean. We advise against any harsh acidic cleaning products such as bleach as this can damage the stone over time.
To help prevent stains seeping past the sealant, it is always advisable to mop up spillages as and when they occur. You can also dilute acidic spillages such as red wine before wiping to minimise the chance of staining. Read further on how to clean natural stone tiles here.
Overall, Dijon limestone’s durable and hardwearing nature means that no matter how demanding and busy your lifestyle is, Dijon limestone is sure to stay looking its best for years to come. Hopefully this post helps you to understand that whether a contemporary take on a kitchen space or a traditional and rustic cottage garden, there are different types and finishes of Dijon limestone to suit your particular style.
For more information on the Dijon limestone options discussed, feel free to get in touch and visit the Quorn Stone website.