What Is Limestone?
Limestone is a sedimentary rock made mostly of calcium carbonate. It forms from the accumulation of shells, coral, algae and other marine organisms, or from chemical precipitation in water. Over time, these deposits are compacted and cemented into rock.
What Is Limestone Used For?
- Building blocks and façades
- Flooring and wall cladding
- Cement and lime production
- Road aggregate
- Garden and landscaping stone
- Sculpture and carving
In Pakistan, limestone formations in the Salt Range, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan supply building stone and the cement industry.
The Main Types of Limestone
Travertine
Formed by mineral springs depositing calcium carbonate, trapping gas bubbles that leave characteristic holes. Popular for floors, walls and bathrooms. FB Marble stocks 27 travertine designs.
Tufa
A porous, spongy limestone formed in cooler freshwater springs. Light and soft; used in gardens and decorative features.
Chalk
A very soft, fine-grained white limestone made from microscopic marine organisms. Used for writing chalk and in agriculture, not for building surfaces.
Coquina
A loosely cemented limestone made of shell fragments. Very porous; used in some regions for building and landscaping.
Oolitic Limestone
Made of tiny rounded grains called ooids. Uniform and easy to carve; prized for architectural stonework.
Fossiliferous Limestone
Contains visible fossils such as shells and corals. Decorative and characterful for walls and floors.
Lithographic Limestone
Extremely fine-grained; historically used for printing.
Crystalline Limestone
Partially recrystallised; a transition towards marble.
Limestone vs Marble
Marble is limestone that has been transformed by heat and pressure into a denser, crystalline stone with veining. Both are calcium carbonate and react with acids.
Care
Limestone is soft and porous. Seal it regularly, clean with pH-neutral products and avoid acidic spills.
Talk to FB Marble
FB Marble & Granite has supplied and installed natural stone across Pakistan since 2001. Visit our showroom at 51 Y Jamun, Bedian Road, near the DHA Phase 5-6 Interchange, Lahore, or WhatsApp +92 323 4148908 with your measurements for a free quote. Browse our granite, marble, quartz, porcelain and onyx collections on fbmarble.com.
