Stones such as slate, basalt, marble, gneiss, quartzite, laterite, travertine, limestone, sandstone, and granite are among the many options for building materials.
Stones used in construction shouldn't be easily damaged by weathering, cracking, or other flaws that weaken the material. Quarrying solid, large rocks yields usable stones for building.
The unique characteristics of each stone make it suitable for a wide range of building uses.
Some varieties, such as basalt and granite, are used in large-scale building projects because of their superior properties, including strong compressive strength and durability.
Still, stones like gneiss may be used for relatively small building projects despite their weaknesses (such as a lack of compressive strength and the presence of harmful chemicals in their components).
Therefore, stones serve dual roles in construction and design.
Stone Types Used In Building Construction
Granite
Granite is a popular stone choice for construction projects.
Granite is still widely utilised due to its hardness and durability, even though it is no longer the most common building stone.
It is a crystalline igneous rock that ranges in grain size from fine to coarse.
Because of its superior crushing power, this stone commands a premium price. It can survive extreme weather conditions, too.
The granite stones are usually polished after being cut into slabs. After that, it might become stone flooring or stone veneer.
The issue with using granite is that it burns easily.
However, it is resistant to vinegar, curds, and lime juice, making it ideal for use in construction.
Because of this, granite is a good material for kitchen countertops.
There is a wide variety of construction uses for granite, including bridge piers, stone columns, dams, curbs, retaining walls, coarse aggregate for concrete, ballast for trains, damp-proof course and exterior cladding of walls, and monumental uses.
Granite is crystalline and may range from very small grains to large ones.
The compressional strength of this material is in the region of 100 MPa to 250 MPa, making it very strong and long-lasting.
Furthermore, it has a low transmission value, the least porosity, and high frost and weather resistance but a low fire resistance.
It has a range of colours from pale-grey to pink and takes polish nicely.
The polished granite is suitable for covering columns and walls and is utilised as tabletops.
Basalt
Roads, concrete aggregate, concrete, rubble masonry for bridge piers and river barriers, and dams are just a few of the many places you'll find basalt stone, also called traps.
The grains of basalt range from medium to fine, and the stone itself is dense.
This stone has a compressive strength of 200 MPa to 350 MPa and a density of 18 KN/m3 to 29 KN/m3.
Basalt can withstand the elements, is impervious to water, is very hard, and is challenging to mould into small details.
Basalt may range from a very dark grey to almost black.
Marble
When limestone is subjected to high enough temperatures and pressure, it metamorphoses into marble.
This stone has a compressive of around 70 MPa and is very hard and compact in its native state. However, in the range of 2.65, its specific gravity is rather low.
Marble may be fashioned into any desired form by being cut and shaped. Its popularity as a decorative material stems from the fact that it exists in a variety of colours, including white and pink.
The polish looks great on marble, too. That's why it's possible you'll like it so much as a home design element.
Limestone
Sedimentary rocks like limestone occur when particles are deposited over time due to weathering.
Calcium carbonate is the primary component of this rock.
Since it is relatively soft compared to the other rocks discussed here, it may be readily shaped for use in a wide range of construction applications.
Approximately 55 MPa is the compressive strength of this stone. As well as magnesia, it is often combined with tiny quantities of alumina and silica.
The substance is said to be magnesian when the percentage of magnesia is 10% or above. The Dolomites are limestone with more than 45% magnesia.
Limestone is the primary cement component and is used in constructing roads, buildings, and other pavements.
However, limestones should not be used as face stones near factories that release toxic fumes into the air or near the ocean, where salty breezes might damage them.
Travertine
Travertine is a popular construction material known as lapis Tiburtinus, after the quarry near Tibur, Italy, from whence it was first extracted.
Many ancient structures, like the Colosseum, were constructed using it. In addition, China is home to several cave systems with travertine stones.
It's perfect for outdoor spaces, including patios, walkways, and courtyards. It has a compressive strength of between 80 and 120 MPa and a specific gravity of 1.68.
Stone's surface is pitted with holes and troughs, giving it a porous, concentrically textured appearance. It ranges from grey to a vivid coral red and may be polished to a smooth, glossy sheen.
Sedimentary rocks like travertine are often discovered around warm and cold mineral springs. Limestone caverns are also a common natural habitat for the stone.
In scientific terms, it is a kind of limestone created when water dissolves deposits repeatedly, leaving behind calcite and aragonite.
However, in building, architecture, and interior design, travertine and limestone are two distinct stones. It has a fibrous, marble-like texture and is a very appealing stone.
The colours are really soothing and natural looking. In addition, it requires less upkeep than most other natural stones.
Laterite
Plastering the outside of a structure made from laterite is required. It's rich in iron oxide and simple to work with in block form.
Depending on the kind, laterite has a compressive strength of anywhere from 1.9 MPa to 2.3 MPa, with the latter being the stronger of the two.
The colour of laterite ranges from grey to brown to red to yellow to brown.
Slate
Slate is a metamorphic rock created when shale is subjected to low temperatures and pressures. Minerals, including clay, quartz, and mica, make up the bulk of their makeup.
As a result, the slate is hard and brittle due to its fine-grained, foliated structure.
In addition to its more common black colour, this stone sometimes appears in shades of greenish-grey, grey, or purplish-grey.
Slate's foliation makes it simple to cut into slabs, which may be further shaped by hammering or sawing along the resulting ridges. Compressive strength ranges from around 75 MPa to 210 MPa.
Gneiss
Since this stone contains harmful chemicals, it is only utilised for low-impact projects.
Gneiss stone, on the other hand, particularly the harder kinds, might be used for building.
Compressive strength might be anywhere between 50 and 200 kPa.
It may range in colour from pale grey to pink to purple to greenish grey to dark grey, and its grains can be very fine or very coarse.
Onyx
Onyx is a kind of marble composed mostly of calcite. It's a lot more delicate than stone. It may etch or stain as well.
Onyx is more see-through than marbles. It is often used in buildings with lights to highlight its attractiveness.
There is a lot of variation and veining in this stone.
Therefore no two onyx stones are ever the same. Due to this characteristic, onyx is a popular choice for decorative purposes.
However, it is also considerably more delicate than other stones.
Quartzite
Quartzite is a metamorphic rock formed when sandstone is exposed to intense heat and pressure. This stone's crystalline structure and granular texture are its most distinguishing features. However, quartzite is difficult to shape because of its brittleness and hardness.
Quartzite has a crushing strength of around 115 MPa. Quartzite may be found in many tones, including grey, white, and pale yellow.
This stone is perfect for use in the kitchen due to its density and resistance to chemical weathering.
Sandstone
Sandstone is a sedimentary rock made up of minerals, including feldspar, silica, quartz, and others.
Brown, white, red, yellow, grey, and dark grey are just a few of the colours that may be found in this stone. In terms of compressive strength, it is around 65 MPa.
The greater the concentration of minerals, the greater the rock's hardness. That's why there's such a range in sandstone hardness.
This is also why sandstone is so versatile; it can be shaped and formed without much effort.
Building Stones Buying Guide
The greater the concentration of minerals, the greater the rock's hardness. That's why there's such a range in sandstone hardness. This is also why sandstone is so versatile; it can be shaped and formed without much effort.
When deciding on a stone to utilise, it is important to keep all these factors in mind.
By now, you must have realised that not all stones are the same and that there are many factors to think about while evaluating a stone.
We'll describe some features of high-quality stone for construction so you can make an informed decision. You may find some examples of this in the list below:
Weight
Stones used for construction are likely rather hefty. Some of the heaviest natural stones, such as granite and basalt, are suited to structural support.
Durability
Stones with a compact structure, such as travertine and basalt, are also hardy. Similar to how homogeneous stones with little water absorption tend to last long.
Colour And Appearance
Stones may provide colour and texture to a building, so it's important to choose those that complement the aesthetics of your house.
However, be mindful of the structure as well. Stones with high concentrations of iron may be damaged by iron oxide, making them look ugly and eventually falling apart.
Compactness
The durability of a stone is directly related to how compact it is. Basalt and travertine, for example, are the most compact materials mentioned.
Hardness And Toughness
The best stones for construction are those that are both robust and hard. This durability makes them resistant to everyday wear and tear, such as pen marks and hammer nicks.
Grain Fineness
The smoothness of the grain is a crucial factor in the success of the moulding process. Therefore, fine-grained rocks, such as basalt, are a good option.
Resistance To Electricity
The greatest option for construction stones is one that has diminishing electrical resistance even when wet. Slate, and other similarly non-absorbent stones, provide the strongest and most consistent resistance to electricity.
Resistance Of Fire
Use stones with a similar composition for your construction projects. Avoid ones that include iron oxide or carbonate of calcium. These minerals are the weakest links in the fire resistance of stones.
Absorption And Porosity
Water seeping through a building's stone is bad news since it may weaken the stone over time. It's not only water; there are also vapours and acids. Select porous and absorbent stones.
Strength
Stones having a high compressive strength should be used for construction. This ensures that your structure will be sturdy and resistant to natural disasters like earthquakes.
Conclusion
The stone materials are available for construction range from slate and basalt to marble and gneiss to quartzite, laterite, travertine, limestone, and sandstone.
Weathering, cracking, or faults that weaken the material shouldn't make stones readily damaged.
As a result of its extreme hardness and resistance to weather and water, basalt may be used in a wide variety of applications. It is possible to cut and mould marble into any shape.
Cement, used for paving roads, buildings, and other surfaces, is mostly made from limestone.
A kind of limestone known as travertine is formed when water dissolves deposits repeatedly, leaving behind calcite and aragonite. It's a beautiful stone with a fibrous, marble-like texture. Because of its fine-grained, foliated structure, slate is durable and fragile.
Onyx, a kind of marble, is made up of mostly calcite. Quartzite comes in various colours, from grey and white to tan and mild yellow.
Minerals, including feldspar, silica, quartz, and others, make up sandstone, a sedimentary rock. Construction projects benefit most from using strong, hard stones.
Stones with high iron content are more susceptible to being corrupted by iron oxide, which may make them seem unsightly and cause them to crumble to pieces.
Water infiltration through a building's stone may be prevented using porous and absorbent stones.
Content Summary
- Stones such as slate, basalt, marble, gneiss, quartzite, laterite, travertine, limestone, sandstone, and granite are among the many options for building materials.
- Quarrying solid, large rocks yields usable stones for building.
- The unique characteristics of each stone make it suitable for a wide range of building uses.
- Some varieties, such as basalt and granite, are used in large-scale building projects because of their superior properties, including strong compressive strength and durability.
- Therefore, stones serve dual roles in construction and design.
- GraniteGranite is a popular stone choice for construction projects.
- Furthermore, it has a low transmission value, the least porosity, and high frost and weather resistance but a low fire resistance.
- The grains of basalt range from medium to fine, and the stone itself is dense.
- The polish looks great on marble, too.
- That's why it's possible you'll like it so much as a home design element.
- Since it is relatively soft compared to the other rocks discussed here, it may be readily shaped for use in a wide range of construction applications.
- As well as magnesia, it is often combined with tiny quantities of alumina and silica.
- It's perfect for outdoor spaces, including patios, walkways, and courtyards.
- Limestone caverns are also a common natural habitat for the stone.
- However, travertine and limestone are two distinct stones in building, architecture, and interior design.
- It has a fibrous, marble-like texture and is a very appealing stone.
- LateritePlastering, the outside of a structure made from laterite, is required.
- SlateSlate is a metamorphic rock created when shale is subjected to low temperatures and pressures.
- As a result, the slate is hard and brittle due to its fine-grained, foliated structure.
- There is a lot of variation and veining in this stone.
- Due to this characteristic, onyx is a popular choice for decorative purposes.
- The greater the concentration of minerals, the greater the rock's hardness.
- That's why there's such a range in sandstone hardness.
- When deciding on a stone to utilise, it is important to keep all these factors in mind.
- By now, you must have realised that not all stones are the same and that there are many factors to think about while evaluating a stone.
- Stones may provide colour and texture to a building, so it's important to choose those that complement the aesthetics of your house.
- However, be mindful of the structure as well.
- The durability of a stone is directly related to how compact it is.
- Basalt and travertine, for example, are the most compact materials mentioned.
- The best stones for construction are both robust and hard.
- The greatest option for construction stones has diminishing electrical resistance even when wet.
- Slate, and other similarly non-absorbent stones, provide the strongest and most consistent resistance to electricity.
- Use stones with a similar composition for your construction projects.
- Avoid ones that include iron oxide or carbonate of calcium.
- These minerals are the weakest links in the fire resistance of stones.
- Select porous and absorbent stones.
- Stones having high compressive strength should be used for construction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Granite is one of the most used stones for building construction. While not the main stone used for construction, granite is popular because of its hard, durable qualities. A deep-seated igneous rock, it has a fine to coarse grain with a crystalline structure.
Basalt stone, also known as traps, is commonly used in road construction, as aggregate in concrete production, and in rubble masonry works for bridge piers, river walls, and dams. The basalt stone structure is medium to fine-grained and compact.
Marble is the king among building stones, although using it comes with a cost that is not measured by the initial price of the stone initially – modern production methods have made it affordable – but by the cost of maintenance, for it does need regular maintenance to keep it pristine.
The main difference between limestone and marble is that limestone is a type of rock created by the deposition of sand, mud, and shells in oceans and lakes. Marble is a rock that establishes because of the formation of mountains leading to recrystallization. Limestone is a sedimentary type of rock.
Slate is a good waterproof, Fireproof & durable material with more than 100 years of life span. Moreover, the energy requirement and carbon emission during its life span are very low, making it a great sustainable material. Also, slate requires very little production and maintenance costs, making it an economical building material.
