6 Common Home & Garden Uses For Limestone

People have used limestone as a material and treatment method since ancient times. It's a popular option for many home and garden projects, and here are six of the most common uses you'll find.

Facing

The yellow color of limestone makes it appealing, especially in landscapes where there isn't much to brighten things up. It holds up well in block or sheet form, and that makes it great for facing on walls. Limestone is heavy, though, so you don't want to use it for anything you might need to move or that could fall.

Structural Work

As materials go, it's hard to find anything that holds up as well for retaining walls. Limestone weathers very well, and many people deploy it in regions that get lots of wind, rain, or snow. Be aware, though, that its reactivity with acids means it might not hold up well in regions where acid rain from industrial pollution is a problem.

Treatment

That reactivity may be problematic in some circumstances, but limestone can also act as a filter. If you're trying to amend the soil, for example, placing limestone nearby can help you tinker with the pH levels. You'll often see it used in water filtration systems where alkalinity is an issue, and it also can restore nutrients in soil or water.

Pavers for Walkways

Durable and appealing materials make for wonderful additions to walkways. The ability of limestone to hold together well in sheet form also allows it to be easily deployed as a paver. Its reactivity allows you to etch it, too. If you want to add textures or patterns to the stone, that's easy.

Generally, limestone should be avoided for use in driveways, though. It is porous and prone to staining. You'll have a hard time cleaning it up if oil or transmission fluid gets on it.

Water Features

Many of the world's most visually-appealing tropical waters are on top of limestone formations. The Bahamas, for example, have high concentrations of limestone. If you want to add stone at the bottom of a water feature, the yellow stone has immense potential. That's especially the case if the area gets a lot of light. An additional benefit comes from the filtration value.

Decorative Gravel

Crushed limestone is an interesting choice for use in many settings. You might use it at the edges of a sidewalk, for example, to add some appeal. Similarly, it works well as a driveway material because it's easy to replace if the stones do get stained.