A new Italian name will be added to the Statements showroom. No we did not hire another Italian, instead we are bringing in a fabulous new stone. IL Casone is a sandstone product quarried and fabricated in Firenzuloa Italy, the only area which this particular type of stone with a long historical tradition is excavated.

Alberto and Lorenzo Bartolomei, the directors of IL Casone, have been committed for years to reviving and updating Italian stone-dressing skills (finishes). This quest for quality is made possible thanks to the innovative technology used during both phases of quarrying and dressing. IL Casone prides itself on the combination of skilled workers and product control. It is this combination which allows them to do custom sizes and finishes. They also believe when a customer requests a special order the customer assumes the role of privileged communicator of the company. IL Casone sandstone is so unique it is used in numerous places around the world; Piazza Vittorio Veneto in Trieste; the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Benjamin Platz building complex in Berlin. It is also used in Apple Retail Stores throughout the United States including the University Village and South Center stores. We have selected two colors: Petra Columbino and Griga Perlo. Both colors will be stocked in a honed finish and will be available in the sizes 12″x25″, 25″x25″ and 25″x36″. These sizes are ideal for countertops. Our customers will also be able to special order any color, size, thickness or finish for delivery in 90-120 days.

Since sandstone is a new product for us some stone care and installation information is necessary. Sandstone is a sedimentary rock composed mainly of sand-size mineral rock grains. Most sandstone is composed of quartz and/or feldspar, a group of rock forming minerals which make up as much as 60% of the earth’s crust. Like sand, sandstone may be any color, but the most common colors are tan, brown, yellow, red, gray and white. Since sandstone beds often form highly visible cliffs and other topographic features, certain colors of sandstone have been strongly identified with certain regions.

Sandstone requires similar care to that of limestone for it is just as porous. It can be used outside but requires good drainage. When installing the stone it should have sufficient pitch, or elevation. This way, the stone should not absorb water from underneath and will have a chance to dry. An example of this would be to lay larger size floor tiles on coarse gravel with joints left open for drainage. If installed outside this product should not be subject to any types of salt. The product is great for interior or exterior wall cladding and for use on fireplaces. IL Casone recommends major sealing but in a slightly different way. Since sandstone is composed of many small pieces mashed together there is a great deal of space left between. IL Casone recommends sealing your stone really well the first time and then once a month every month for the first 6 months of installation. The reason for the extra precaution is to fill the little spaces between the sand with sealer. Once spaces are filled, after 6 months, your sandstone acts as any other natural stone product and requires only yearly sealing. Sealed sandstone can also be used in a shower application.

Overall IL Casone will be a great new addition to our showroom and our collection. We will be installing the Griga Perlo in our Pioneer Square space, which will be a great way to test it out, so please come and take a look.