Why Cuddapah Stone Tiles Are All the Rage
Get up close and personal with this hard-wearing and handsome vernacular material
Also spelled Kadappa or Kadapa, this naturally-occurring sedimentary rock is from the limestone family. Although it is commonly known as black limestone, Cuddapah obtained its local name from ‘Kadapa’, a city of south-central Andhra Pradesh, from where it is mostly sourced. Owing to its hardy and long-lasting nature, this beautiful black stone can be employed to accentuate home interiors as well as exteriors.
How is this stone processed?
Raw black limestone rocks are sawed or machine-cut into uniform tiles, slabs, bricks, walling stones, curb stones and cobbles of various thicknesses and dimensions as per the application.
Cuddapah is available in the market in natural, honed, brushed and polished surface finishes. Even though these stones do not absorb water, Cuddapah tiles are layered with a sealant to make them non-slippery and to retard staining. They can be polished again and again during their lifetime to maintain a fresh look.
Raw black limestone rocks are sawed or machine-cut into uniform tiles, slabs, bricks, walling stones, curb stones and cobbles of various thicknesses and dimensions as per the application.
Cuddapah is available in the market in natural, honed, brushed and polished surface finishes. Even though these stones do not absorb water, Cuddapah tiles are layered with a sealant to make them non-slippery and to retard staining. They can be polished again and again during their lifetime to maintain a fresh look.
See how the black Cuddapah-tiled floor of this Delhi home boosts the gravity and tactility of the setup.
See living room floors in Houzz photos
See living room floors in Houzz photos
I love how Cuddapah, laid with a white grout, adds depth and a raw vibe to this Goa vacation home here.
Look for flooring tiles and stone in Houzz products
Look for flooring tiles and stone in Houzz products
Cuddapah tiles line the passage in this Surat home, reinforcing the overall rusticity of the space.
No, Cuddapah is not just for traditionally-styled homes. This contemporary Delhi home flaunts a rich dark floor of black limestone paired with warm hues of wood.
This Belgaum home features a carpet-style custom tile setting on the floor with yellow Jaisalmer stone, red sandstone, white marble and black Cuddapah stone.
Common applications and thicknesses
Flooring and skirting tiles: 10-22 millimetres
Shelves and countertop slabs: 15-25 millimetres
Paving blocks, cobbles and bricks: 25-60 millimetres
Commonly available floor tile sizes
30 x 30 centimetres
30 x 40 centimetres
30 x 60 centimetres
40 x 40 centimetres
40 x 60 centimetres
50 x 50 centimetres
60 x 60 centimetres
60 x 90 centimetres
Many retailers take personalised orders to custom-cut these tiles in other sizes, as well.
Read more:
Fibre Cement Boards: The All-Rounder Elevation Solution
Why Athangudi Tiles Are All the Rage
Tell us:
Does your home feature Cuddapah? We would love to see them! Do share pictures in Comments below.
Flooring and skirting tiles: 10-22 millimetres
Shelves and countertop slabs: 15-25 millimetres
Paving blocks, cobbles and bricks: 25-60 millimetres
Commonly available floor tile sizes
30 x 30 centimetres
30 x 40 centimetres
30 x 60 centimetres
40 x 40 centimetres
40 x 60 centimetres
50 x 50 centimetres
60 x 60 centimetres
60 x 90 centimetres
Many retailers take personalised orders to custom-cut these tiles in other sizes, as well.
Read more:
Fibre Cement Boards: The All-Rounder Elevation Solution
Why Athangudi Tiles Are All the Rage
Tell us:
Does your home feature Cuddapah? We would love to see them! Do share pictures in Comments below.
- Cuddapah is a highly compact, impervious and durable stone which demands very little maintenance. The stone’s high tolerance to wear and tear, heat and moisture makes it suitable for high-traffic areas, wet areas and exteriors, too.
- Although it is commonly used for flooring, this multifaceted stone can be used as wall cladding, kitchen shelves, cabinet and cupboard shelves, skirting, exterior paving, coping and more.
- The stone’s black colour bestows an intense look to interiors and its tactility complements most interior design styles.
- Being a vernacular material, it is readily available with nearly all stone dealers in the market. Similarly, it is relatively easy to find skilled labour to install it. Ultimately, acquisition and installation becomes hassle-free and economical. Plus, one gets the green advantage of using a natural material in place of synthetic ones.
Find manufacturers and showrooms in the Houzz directory of professionals