Galala limestone from Egypt
Egyptian stone, or Galala, is a very even cream limestone. We mostly use it for large floors, indoor stairs and vanity tops. It absorbs more than marble, so it gets sealed when it's laid.
Where it works
Large indoor floors, because it's even and a 60 m² living room won't end up with darker patches. Indoor stairs, with a bullnose or quarter-round nosing. Vanity tops, fireplaces, indoor sills and surrounds. It goes well with pale wood.
Where we don't use it
We won't recommend it for a kitchen worktop: it soaks up oil and lemon marks it. Not outdoors in frost without a good frost test on the batch, and not as a polished shower floor.
Fitting
We fix it with white adhesive. Grey adhesive can show through and darken it in places. Polished, it has a soft shine. Honed, it hides wear better on a busy floor. Floors are laid at 2 cm, stair treads at 3 cm. It comes in tiles from 40 × 40 to 60 × 60 cm, random-length strips for long hallways and slabs for vanity tops.
Before you order
Ask for a sample of at least 30 × 30 cm. Wet half of it and you'll see what a "wet look" sealer would do to the whole floor. Keep the sample, it's your reference on delivery day. Absorption figures change from batch to batch, so we ask the supplier for the data sheet.
Care
Seal when laid, then again depending on use. Neutral soap. A grease stain is dealt with quickly using an absorbent poultice left for 24 to 48 hours. A dull floor can be ground and recrystallised.
See stone staircases, vanity tops and travertine. Call 07 45 20 76 39.
Frequently asked questions
Another question? Call the workshop: 07 45 20 76 39
Is Galala a marble?
No, it's a compact limestone. It gets called marble because it takes a polish.
Why white adhesive?
The pale, fairly porous stone can let grey adhesive show through and darken it in places.
Is it fine for a staircase?
Yes indoors, with a profiled nosing and a honed finish so it's less slippery.
Free quote
Send your measurements or a photo of the room and we will call you back. The quote costs nothing.