Building stone qualities to look for:
There are literally hundreds of different types of building stone. However, only a few are considered both durable and economic to work with. Several qualities are required for building stone to be considered effective:
- Strength and durability – Almost all rocks have enough strength for most building uses, however, only the hardest, such as Hillburn granite are suitable for high wear areas such as steps and paving. Good building stone needs to be resistant to decay from frost, pollution and general wear and tear.
- Color and polish – Building stone needs to have a pleasing color and texture for both commercial and residential uses and for use in decorative areas. Some stone may be too bright/light in color for use in natural landscaping or on the home as cladding.
- Ease of use – Building stone that can be easily carved and shaped, but which also retains strength in building applications and under pressure of weight is ideal stone to use.
Building Stone Groupings
There are three major categories rock which can be used as building stone:
- Igneous are rocks that have crystallized from magma. Volcanic rocks have erupted from a volcano, while plutonic rocks have cooled at depth and are often coarse grained. Granite is an igneous rock type.
- Sedimentary are rocks laid down as layers, often on the seafloor. This category of rocks includes limestone, sandstone and mudstone.
- Metamorphic are either igneous or sedimentary rocks that have been recrystallized by the effects of pressure and heat. For example, marble is metamorphosed limestone, schist is metamorphosed sandstone and slate is metamorphosed mudstone.
We Love Granite - Why Granite?
Granite is one of the most commonly occurring and widely used stones in the world. As building stone, it is ideal because it has a visibly crystalline texture, creating a unique, beautiful look, which is also incredibly durable. Granite offers permanence in color and texture, making it a suitable building stone for a variety of projects. It often has soft gray pink, green and blue tones that work well in a wide variety of natural and architectural settings. It is simply one of the best stones to use for building applications.
Building Stone adds beauty and value to your home and surrounding landscape features. If you are looking to add building stone to your home, then give Legacy Stoneworks a call. We are leaders in building stone supply. Contact Legacy Stoneworks for your free estimate today!