-Moleanos-
Description & Features
Moleanos, also known as Vidraço de Moleanos or Creme Moleanos, is quarried at the village of Moleanos in the municipality of Alcobaça (Leiria district), within the Maciço Calcário Estremenho limestone massif of central Portugal, one of the country's most important ornamental stone areas. It is a Middle Jurassic limestone made almost entirely of calcite, with a peloidal and bioclastic composition. The background is light cream-beige – in strong daylight it looks almost off-white – with small scattered brownish-grey grains and sparse, fine greyish lines that give a calm, even look. According to the data sheet of Portugal's National Laboratory of Energy and Geology (LNEG), apparent density is 2.60 g/cm³, water absorption 1.4%, compressive strength 146 MPa and flexural strength 11.9 MPa, while after 56 freeze–thaw cycles flexural strength remained at 10.8 MPa. It is cut into slabs and tiles and takes polishing, honing and brushing, while for exterior floors slip-resistant treatments such as sandblasting or bush-hammering are preferred. It is used for interior and exterior floors, wall and facade cladding, stairs, window sills, bathrooms and garden landscaping. Because it absorbs liquids and is attacked by acids, it needs sealing and cleaning with neutral products, especially in bathrooms and on countertops.
Why choose Moleanos
- Classic Portuguese limestone from Moleanos
- Calm cream-beige colour with a fine, even texture
- EN test values from the LNEG geological laboratory
- Proven frost resistance – also for exteriors
- Many finishes, from polished to slip-resistant
Technical Specifications
| Geological Type | Sedimentary rock – limestone (peloidal–bioclastic, Middle Jurassic), traded as marble |
| Country of Origin | Portugal |
| Quarry / Region | Moleanos, Alcobaça municipality, Leiria district – Maciço Calcário Estremenho limestone massif |
| Color & Pattern | Light cream-beige background, almost off-white in strong light, with small scattered brownish-grey grains and sparse fine grey lines |
| Hardness (Mohs) | 3 (calcite – the stone consists almost entirely of calcite) |
| Density (g/cm³) | 2.60 (EN 1936 – LNEG data sheet) · 2.64–2.66 in distributors' tests |
| Water Absorption (%) | 1.4 (EN 13755 – LNEG) · 0.6–0.8 in distributors' tests; open porosity 1.5–3.4% |
| Compressive Strength (MPa) | 146 (EN 1926 – LNEG) · 139–160 in distributors' tests |
| Flexural Strength (MPa) | 11.9 (EN 12372 – LNEG) · 10.9–13.6 in distributors' tests |
| Frost Resistance | Resistant: after 56 freeze–thaw cycles (EN 12371) flexural strength was 10.8 MPa (LNEG); widely used for paving, steps and facades; for exterior floors choose a slip-resistant finish |
| Acid Sensitivity | Sensitive – limestone of almost pure calcite; acids (lemon, vinegar, wine, descalers) dull and etch the surface |
| Recommended Finishes | Polished, Honed (satin/matt), Brushed, Sandblasted / bush-hammered / flamed (slip-resistant, for exteriors) |
Common Applications
Frequently Asked Questions
Export & project supply
SKARIS MARBLE supplies Moleanos to stone importers, fabricators, architects and hotel projects outside Greece. From our facility in Thessaloniki we handle the whole order in-house:
- Slab selection and matching – we grade and match the slabs for colour and veining, so a large order stays uniform across the whole project.
- Cut-to-size and finishing – pieces cut, edged and finished to your drawings, numbered per room or elevation and ready to install.
- Mixed shipments – Greek marbles, granites, porous limestone (porolithos) and quartz surfaces can be combined in one order.
- Export packing – crated and labelled for sea or road freight, ex-works Thessaloniki; delivered terms quoted on request.
Send us your drawings or quantities and we will come back with a quotation and availability.
