ALL ABOUT NATURAL STONE

INTRODUCTION OF NATURAL STONE

Natural stone is a material that time has made strong and man has made beautiful. Because of these qualities, you may use natural stones for floors, countertops, fireplaces, tables, window sills, and many other applications.

There is growing interest in creating beautiful, timeless, homes that are also sustainable. In today’s marketplace, with many materials and design options fighting for your attention, natural stone stands out as the perfect choice for meeting all of your needs while also enhancing the sustainability of your home.  Natural stone is versatile enough to achieve the aesthetic, performance, and cost goals on both the exterior and interior of your home over the long term.

SOME KEY FEATURES OF NATURAL STONE

• NATURAL STONE IS LOW MAINTENANCE
• HIGHLY DURABLE
• LEAVES LESS CARBON FOOTPRINT
• 100% NATURAL
• QUARRIES ARE EASILY RECLAIMABLE

How long does natural stone last?

One of the reasons natural stone countertops are such a great investment is because they last. According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), stone countertops are rated as able to last a lifetime, over 100 years, and more.

Are Stones durable?

Stone, in general, is considered a durable material; however, not all stones are as durable as one might anticipate. Stone durability is dependent on its composition, which can affect strength and appearance, and environmental exposure factors. Stone durability is greatly influenced by its use and exposure.

What is meant by the durability of stone?

When we are going to define the durability of a material, it is the term used for an ability of a material to stay for a service life within the surrounding milieu, even without any damage or unforeseen maintenance requirement.

What is the strongest type of stone?

Granite - Although diamond is probably the hardest natural material with a rating of 10 on the Mohs scale, granite is by far the strongest and most durable of natural stones measuring 6 on the Mohs scale that is used as a construction material. In fact, it is the most-popular dimension stone that is widely used all over the world.

BENEFITS OF NATURAL STONE

1. Stone is a natural material.

Stone is a natural product of the Earth, the original green building material. It does not require other materials or resources to create it. There is an abundant supply with different veining, textures, colors, shapes, and technical characteristics that make it possible for the stone to be used in a wide range of applications. Stone’s varying appearance is the result of millions of years of geologic change and mineral composition. The natural stone contains no harmful chemicals or toxins, so you can rest assured that your interior environment will be healthy, an important component of sustainable design. Stone is also available regionally and locally. Regionally manufactured and extracted materials reduce environmental impacts by reducing emissions of greenhouse gasses during transportation of the materials. 

2. Stone is very durable.

Stone stands the test of time, which means the choice to use natural stone will only enhance the value of your home while reducing the need to replace materials over a longer period of time. Stones such as slate, limestone, travertine, and granite will all age beautifully and gracefully, providing years of use and enjoyment. Stone can easily stand up to high traffic and use in areas such as courtyards, foyers, kitchens, and baths and may be designed to last for 50 or even 100 years. Durability is especially important when choosing sustainable materials so that resources aren’t used to create new materials as often.

When you compare materials, consider them from a life-cycle cost perspective. Even if the stone is more expensive initially, it will more than pay for itself and reduce future costs compared to other materials that need to be repaired or replaced frequently.

3. Stone offers ease of care and maintenance

If maintained properly, the stone will last for years and reward you with its beauty. There is a wide range of fabrication options and finishes that can be applied to natural stone that will also enhance its performance, including extending its life, resisting weather and wear and tear, or making the stone more slip-resistant. Most stones can simply be cleaned with mild dish soap and water. There are also cleaners made specifically for natural stone that are affordable and easy to use. Many of these cleaners are approved to meet sustainability standards, which means they contain no harmful chemicals and won’t pollute the environment. 

4. Stone is Recyclable

Stone is completely recyclable and has the potential to serve many different uses and purposes over its lifetime. Salvaging and recycling stone is a very viable option and a sustainable way to ensure that the useful life of the material will be lived out to its fullest. Environmentally, utilizing recycled stone can eliminate the energy, water, and other resources needed to generate new products from virgin or raw material sources, ultimately reducing or avoiding impacts to ecosystems and resource supplies.

There are many potential uses and applications for recycled and salvaged stone. For instance, an old stone building can be disassembled and the stone reformed or refinished for use as paving materials, retaining walls, or an exterior facade. Small flat stones can be repurposed and strategically designed to create a mosaic floor or wall design. Stone fragments can also be adhered together to create a completely new design or appearance. These materials can also provide a sense of history or nostalgia in a home.

5. Stone is quarried and manufactured sustainably

Advancements in technology, including improved methods of quarrying, extraction, and fabrication have led to increased options and reduced costs of stone products, making natural stone easier to use and more desirable than ever before. Conserving resources, preventing pollution, and minimizing waste are some ways the stone industry is working to be eco-friendly through practices that support sustainable design requirements.  Through your selection of natural stone, you can be a part of using a material that is natural and is handled in a sustainable manner from the quarrying stage through to its installation and useful long life. Discuss these practices and options with your stone supplier or contractor and contribute to this green practice for your modern home design elements.

ADD BY EXPERT AND EXPORT TEAM OF BHANDARI MARBLE GROUP KISHANGARH CONTACT 9829040013