Bichos
Limestone · Portugal · 1 photo
In brief. Bichos is a beige limestone from Portugal. Petrographically it is classified as limestone. Marmi di Carrara supplies it as blocks, slabs of 2 and 3 cm, tiles and cut-to-size elements, in the finishes typical of this family: honed, brushed, tumbled, sandblasted. Typical uses: flooring, wall cladding, façades, architectural elements.
AboutTechnical sheetWhere to use itFinishesWeightsCarePhotosFAQ
About Bichos
Bichos is a brown limestone quarried in Portugal, known for its warm chocolate-brown background and the abundant fossil remains that characterise its surface. The stone is microcrystalline in texture, giving it a fine, uniform grain, while shells and marine fossils appear as lighter markings that lend each slab a distinctive, natural pattern. This Portuguese limestone is appreciated for interior flooring, wall cladding, bathroom surrounds and decorative features, and it can be supplied honed, polished, brushed or sandblasted according to the project. Marmi di Carrara supplies Bichos limestone as blocks, slabs in 2 and 3 cm thicknesses and cut-to-size pieces, with photos of the actual slabs sent before purchase.
Brown microcrystalline limestone, abundantly fossiliferous.
Dominant tones measured on our photo
Where to use Bichos
| Interior floors | Good |
|---|---|
| Wall cladding | Excellent |
| Kitchen worktops | With care |
| Bathrooms and wet areas | Good |
| Exterior paving and façades | Good |
| Frost exposure | With care |
| Back-lighting | Not suitable |
General guidance for the limestone family. The right thickness, finish and treatment for Bichos are confirmed on your project.
Weights and logistics
| Thickness (mm) | about 25 kg/m² |
|---|---|
| Thickness (mm) | about 50 kg/m² |
| Thickness (mm) | about 75 kg/m² |
| Thickness (mm) | about 100 kg/m² |
| Thickness (mm) | about 125 kg/m² |
| Slab 300 × 180 cm, 2 cm | about 270 kg |
| Slab 300 × 180 cm, 3 cm | about 405 kg |
| 20-foot container (about 27 t) | about 540 m² of 2 cm slabs |
Weights are calculated from the typical density of the stone family; the packing list of each shipment states the real weight.
Finishes for Bichos
Honed
Smooth and matt, with a soft satin look. Hides small scratches and etching better than a polish and is safer underfoot.
Brushed
Worked with abrasive brushes for a slightly undulating, silky surface that follows the grain of the stone. Warm to the touch and easy to live with.
Sandblasted
A fine, even roughness obtained with a jet of sand. Lightens the colour and gives grip: used for exteriors, steps and pool surrounds.
Tumbled
Edges and surface are softened in a drum for an aged, antique look. Typical for travertine and limestone floors.
Care and maintenance
- Clean with water and a neutral detergent made for natural stone; rinse and dry.
- Avoid acids and descalers (vinegar, lemon, anti-limescale sprays): they etch calcite and dull a polished surface.
- Seal with an impregnating protector after laying and repeat when water no longer beads, typically every 1–3 years on tops.
- Wipe wine, coffee, oil and citrus juice straight away, especially on kitchen and vanity tops.
- A dulled or scratched surface can be re-honed or re-polished on site: the stone is the same through its whole thickness.
How to order
- Send sizes, thickness, finish and destination with the form.
- We reply with photos of the lots available now and a written offer.
- You approve the slabs or the block; for large projects we prepare a dry-lay.
- Cutting, finishing, quality check and packing in wooden crates or bundles.
- Shipping worldwide from Carrara, with packing list and documents.
Bichos photo gallery
Every photo has its own page with tones, details and technical sheet.
Similar stones
Other limestone materials in beige & cream tones to compare.
More stones from Portugal
Brecha Acinzentada · Brecha DA Arrabida · Brecha Portuguesa · Brecha Tavira Amarela · Amarelo Claro · Amarelo Cristal Transmontano · Amarelo DE Felgueiras · Amarelo DE Fonte DE Arcada · Amarelo DO Vimieiro · Amarelo Escuro · Amarelo Esposende · Amarelo Fino · Amarelo Frades · Amarelo Ouro · Amarelo Pardo · Amarelo de Figueira · Amarelo de S. Martinho · Anta · Azul Atlantis · Azul Fino · Azul Transmontano · Azul de Apalhao · Azulalia · Branco Acinzentado DO Douro · Branco Almeida · Branco Ariz · Branco Caravela · Branco Coral · Branco DA Neve · Branco DE Candoso · Branco DO Vimieiro · Branco Pérola · Branco Vimieiro · Branco de Alcains · Branco de Cardoso · Branco do Porto · Cinza Escuro · Cinza Rodrigo · Cinza Telões · Cinzento Alpendurada
Shipping and returns
Shipping cost depends on weight and distance and is stated in the written offer; within Italy it starts from € 300 per shipment. Goods can be returned within 14 days: a 30% restocking fee applies and the return transport is paid by the customer. Pieces cut to size cannot be returned.
Questions and answers
Where does Bichos come from?
Bichos comes from Portugal.
How much does a slab of Bichos weigh?
A 2 cm slab of this stone family weighs about 50 kg per square metre; a 3 cm slab about 75 kg.
Is Bichos suitable for kitchens and bathrooms?
Typical uses of limestone are flooring, wall cladding, façades, architectural elements. For kitchen tops we recommend a suitable finish and sealing: tell us your project and we advise the right solution.
Which finishes can I have on Bichos?
The finishes normally used on this stone family are honed, brushed, tumbled, sandblasted. The finish is chosen according to where the stone goes: polished or honed indoors, textured finishes where grip is needed.
Can Bichos be used outdoors?
For the limestone family our guidance for exterior paving and façades is: good; for frost exposure: with care. We confirm thickness and finish on your project and climate.
How do I clean and protect Bichos?
Use water and a neutral stone detergent, avoid acids and descalers, and seal the surface with an impregnating protector.
Do slabs of Bichos all look the same?
No. Natural stone changes from block to block and even within the same block. This is why we send photographs of the lots available at the moment of the offer, and book-match slabs from the same block when the design needs it.
How do I get a price for Bichos?
Prices depend on the selection, thickness, finish and quantity. Send the form with your sizes: we reply with photos of the lots available and a written offer.