Gray Basalt

Gray Basalt

It is used for road paving and outdoor floors.

The complete, detailed technical sheet for gray basalt based on its physical and geological properties:

Profile: Gray Basalt

• Stone name: Gray basalt (Grey Basalt)
• Trade name: Gray basalt, Chinese gray basalt, gray volcanic basalt stone.
• Geological classification: Extrusive volcanic igneous rock (Volcanic Igneous Rock).
• Type: 100% natural rock.
• Quarry: Found in areas of ancient lava flows; well-known quarries include Vietnam, China, and parts of Jordan, Syria and Yemen.
• Color and appearance: Light to medium gray (Light to Medium Grey), with a fine speckled or very granular appearance, and often more uniform in color distribution than black basalt.
• Hardness: Ranges from 5.5  to 6.5 on the Mohs scale (Mohs Scale), an excellent hardness that makes it superior to most limestones and marbles.
• Water absorption: Low, ranging from 0.5%  to 1.5% Very slightly higher than black basalt due to the nature of its fine voids.          
• Density: Ranges from 2.6  to 2.8 g/cm³.
• Abrasion and scratch resistance: Very high; it withstands friction and heavy pedestrian and vehicle traffic without surface wear.
• Weather resistance: Excellent; resistant to high temperatures, frost and humidity, and its color does not fade or change under sunlight (UV).
• Ideal use:
  • Sidewalks, public squares and gardens, in the form of cobblestones (Cobblestones) or tiles.
  • Swimming pool surrounds (thanks to its moderate color, which does not absorb heat to a burning degree).
  • Modern building facades (Modern Cladding).
  • Outdoor floors and driveways for homes and villas (Driveways).
• Suitable finishes:
  • Tooled / bush hammer (Bush-hammered) :To give a rough, anti-slip texture.
  • Matte (Honed) :A smooth, moderate texture that brings out the beauty of the gray color without shine.
  • Blasted / rock face (Split Face) :A prominent natural rocky look widely used on facades.
  • Pitted or flame-treated (Flamed) :Gives it a rough natural texture and excellent slip resistance.
• Advantages:
  • Moderate color: It does not absorb the sun's heat as intensely as black basalt, making it comfortable to walk on in summer.
  • High durability and a very long service life.
  • A modern look that fits perfectly with "modern" and minimalist (Minimalist) architectural designs.
  • Very good stain resistance when properly treated.
• Disadvantages:
  • Very slightly less hard than dark black basalt.
  • Requires installation skill due to its weight and hardness during cutting.
  • Some types may show temporary damp patches after rain until they dry completely, due to their microscopic porosity.
• Maintenance: Easy; periodic cleaning with water and neutral cleaners. Applying a sealer (Sealer) once every few years is recommended in areas exposed to oils or heavy dirt to keep it clean.
• Alternatives: Gray granite (such as Sherka Gray or Flamenco), andesite stone (Andesite), or hard gray limestone.
• Average price: Medium to high; it is generally slightly cheaper than pure black basalt, and the price depends on the country of origin and the required thickness (such as 2 cm tiles versus 5 or 10 cm paving cubes).