Natural Stone – The Oldest Sustainable Material

Why is that almost everyone consider natural stone as the oldest sustainable material? One of the reasons behind is that natural stone have already proves its existence on the earth surface billions of years ago. Also with the addition of precious landmarks and earth structures such as Taj Mahal, Coliseum in Italy, and some of the Victorian houses, natural stone has proved it stand a test of time.

Natural stone comes is a wide array of styles, colors, and composition. They offer durability yet they require low maintenance. They could go with whatever theme you may have especially if its natural. Natural stone also varies in texture. Even though we expect that natural stone as being natural are irregular in shape and coarse in texture, some natural stones are smooth and shiny.

The use of natural stone as natural building material also reduces the emission of carbon dioxide which is because the only energy consumed is upon quarrying and processing. In the operation and maintenance of natural stone buildings, any kind of energy can be used. Also the visual appearance of any natural stone building even remains almost unchanged over a decade. That’s the reason why maintenance and cleaning cost remains low.

Natural stones cannot be compare to any other man-made stone even though man-made stone are finer and smoother. Manufacturers have tried over and over to make stone like that of the effects of natural stone, but with no success. Yes, they could produce products which is good but it is not real stone.

Natural stone flooring need not to be shiny. In fact, more people stay away from shiny flooring because it can easily get scratches. However, some wants to have a more aged looking floor and natural limestone which is one of the most in demand types of natural stone could be used because natural limestone can be scratched, brushed or blasted.

Natural stone is a sustainable and the best choice building material for everyone.  It could last a lifetime as you wish.

Naturally Beautiful Natural Stones

Natural stones have been used for more than a century and it is the timeless choice of many experts and could last a lifetime once correctly installed and fabricated. Believe it or not, natural stone is the experts choice in every household projects. It is really suitable in every household application, thus it can provide lifelong service.

Natural stones comes in different types, colors, shape, texture and composition. It varies from where it originates and its composition and characteristics. Granite, limestone, sandstone, and slate are the most common natural stone that was utilized and incorporated inside and outside of the house. They differ in their durability, color, pattern as well as of texture. These natural stones could be used for centuries to create beautiful roofs, floors and walls. Below are some types of natural stone, its classification and purpose.

Sandstone is rock mainly composed of sand sized rocks or grains. Most sandstone is composed of quartz and/or feldspar because these are the most common minerals in the Earth’s crust. Like sand, sandstone may be any color, but the most common colors are tan, brown, yellow, red, gray and white. Since sandstone beds often form highly visible cliffs and other topographic features, certain colors of sandstone have been strongly identified with certain regions. Sandstone are resistant to weathering and this makes sandstone a common building and paving material. The cement of sandstone may be rich in various materials; Silica, Iron, Calcium Carbonate, all of which contribute to the final color and characteristics of the sandstone.

Limestone is a sedimentary rocks composed of mineral calcite. It is an important stone for masonry and architecture vying with only granite and sandstone to be the most commonly used architectural stone. Limestone is used as a facade on some skyscrapers, but only in thin plates for covering rather than solid blocks.

Granite is a common and widely occurring type of intrusive, felsic, igneous rock. It is usually have a medium to coarse grained texture. Granite is nearly always massive (lacking internal structures), hard and tough, and therefore it has gained widespread use as a construction stone. Granite is an igneous rock and is formed from magma. Granitic magma has many potential origins but it must intrude other rocks. Granite has been extensively used as a dimension stone and as flooring tiles in public and commercial buildings and monuments. Granite can be worked to achieve every type of finish from traditional hand tooled, flame textured, shot blasted, acid washed, or honed to highly polished mirror finishes.

Slate is a fine-grained, foliated, homogeneous metamorphic rock derived from an original shale-type sedimentary rock composed of clay or volcanic ash through low grade regional metamorphism. Slate can be made into roofing slates, also called roofing shingles, installed by a slater. Slate has two lines of breakability: cleavage and grain, which make it possible to split the stone into thin sheets. When broken, slate retains a natural appearance while remaining relatively flat and easily stackable. Slate tiles are often used for interior and exterior flooring, stairs, walkways, and wall cladding.

The above mentioned were few of the naturally beautiful occurring natural stones. Natural stone is the so called natural superior surface material. It have proved its superiority among man-made materials and could withstand daily use indoors and extreme weather outdoors without diminishing its natural beauty. It really brings the natural world into your home.

Realstone Rainscreen Facades and Cladding Systems

Changes in the weather conditions could lead to a depreciation of a building and could added cost in the maintenance and strengthening the life of a property. The growing need for a new technology that could maintain and strengthen the life of a property lead to the development of rainscreen.

The Generix rainscreen system is one of the latest technology that evolved following years of research and development by Realstone and partners within the facade marketplace. The Generix system comprises of a series of facade tile options. The facade panels is available in a wide range of natural stone such as sandstone, limestone, granite and slate, also included terracotta, cedar panels, Corium clay brick tiles, steel, aluminum, zinc, copper and stainless steel.

The excellent load-bearing qualities of the Generix substructure now allows certain stone and granite of varying thickness to be precision cut and installed with speed and accuracy. Tested to CWCT Rainscreen Facade specifications the Realstone’s natural stone range has been specially selected for a versatile pallet of colours.

Developments are calling for fast track construction techniques to enhance performance with regard to build time and programme. Architects are choosing more and more varied facade treatment as an alternative to traditional products. With this, Realstone Facades are doing on going research and developing the best rainscreen facade system solutions to offer new technology for architects and clients looking to make the difference with quality.

How Green is Natural Stone?

Go Green!!!

Environmentally friendly, eco-friendly, nature lover, these must be some of the commonly used adjective describing the term ‘Go Green’. But first and foremost we have to define what’s the meaning of the word “green”.

The Wikipedia defines green as a color, the perception of which is evoked by light having a spectrum dominated by energy with a wavelength of roughly 520–570 nanometres. In the subtractive color system, it is not a primary color, but is created out of a mixture of yellow and blue, and is considered one of the additive primary colors. Culturally, green has broad and sometimes contradictory meanings. In some cultures, green symbolizes hope and growth, while in others, it is associated with death, sickness, envy, or the devil. The most common associations, however, are found in its ties to nature.

How green is natural stone?

Natural stone is considered green because, as the name suggests, it’s natural, thus it’s green. Mostly products that comes from nature without the mixture of some man-made content is considered green. However, how we distinguish or classify a green product depends upon the process it undergoes.

Natural stone is considered one of the best building products because stones are highly recyclable, renewal, and at the same time it is re-usable and the effect it cause to the environment is less . Waste products of stones are also recyclable, can be converted to another additional products, and every bits of it has it’s unique use. Waste stone does not decompose, thus it does not create green-house gases and air pollutants. Lastly, the process where natural stone undergoes to be finished and polished as well as the maintenance of it requires less energy compared to any other product.

What Makes Natural Stone Timeless?

Natural stone is one of a kind product of nature. It is one of the most durable surfaces on earth. With it’s combined durability, natural beauty, and correct installation, natural stone could last a lifetime.

As people increasingly invest to enhance the living space, they want products that could stand the test of time, thus natural stone becomes popular as well as it increase it’s demand on production. It’s variation with color and texture, makes it more visually interesting and the right natural choice.

Natural stone is the material of choice for professional architects, landscapers, and home builders. As what other people say, natural stone is a professional and environment friendly. Because of being ecofriendly, it is a natural choice for every professional projects.

Uniqueness and decorative ability of a natural stone makes its own identity and character. Every natural stone stand out one from the other, that’s why being a product of nature, expect that natural stone has no duplicate pattern.

Natural stone could be very contemporary and elegant, and with the help of some information above, these makes natural stone timeless.

Rainscreen Cladding: A Progress in Construction Methods

First we have to define what Rainscreen Cladding is.

The Wikipedia defines rainscreen cladding as a construction facade system which consists of the subframe and different finishes like the ceramic tiles, reconstituted stone boards, ceramic granite based on a natural stone, high pressure laminates, composite aluminum panels or fiber-cement board. It is the attachment of an outer skin of rear-ventilated cladding to a new or existing building. The system is a form of double wall construction that uses an outer layer to keep out the rain and an inner layer to provide thermal insulation, prevent excessive air leakage and carry wind loading. The outer layer breaths like a skin while the inner layer reduces energy losses. The structural frame of the building is kept absolutely dry, as water never reaches it or the thermal insulation.

But what are the main benefits of having a rainscreen on buildings and other properties?

Rainscreen cladding protects your properties from the rain water that erodes on the walls of your property. Thus, makes your property lasts for decades. It also adds to the sophistication of the design of your walls.

Quality suppliers of rainscreen is on the rise, thus finding the right suppliers is a must and you should give time to research the right and trusted suppliers on the internet.

Is it expensive?
Yes, it is a more expensive system and requires more time and effort as well as tremendous kind of materials to be used. But as long as it is well made with correct application, it will meet and satisfy customers expectations.

The key to a good construction is cooperation and modernization.

The development of rainscreen will continue as long as there are people who done research regarding construction methods and infrastructure development to improve the architectural and construction industry. This will lead to a highly sophisticated and well constructed properties and establishments.

Granite Countertops

Natural stone tiles is your solution on high-quality stone tiles. Even though it seems a little bit expensive, having a countertop made of natural stone tiles such as granite is such an elegant gift for yourself as well as to your home.

These days, having a granite countertop is a status symbol for the rich people. These become very fashionable and striking one, especially at luxurious homes and hotels.

Granite is a very well known natural stones, because of the durability, uniqueness, and of adding elegance in every countertops.

The price of granite tiles for countertops depends upon the country it was originated and the uniqueness of its color and pattern. If you have any property like a house with granite countertops, it increases the property’s value and charm.

A Touch of Natural Stones

I am wondering why natural stones could be as shiny as crystal clears like a floor in the image above. Today, commercial industries are on rise. They have supply quality natural stone tiles that suits in every area of our homes, in the kitchen, dining room, and especially at the living room.

Stone tiles comes in a wide variety of kinds and quality as well as in textures and colors. Natural limestone is the most common vying granite and sandstones.

A touch of natural stones add elegance in every homes. It is an excellent choice for an excellent chooser.

Natural Stone Pathway

Natural stones is a wonderful and practical option if you are thinking of paving the pathway of your homes. The beauty and durability as well the the naturality of natural stones add color and uniqueness in every homes, building, and establishments.

Imagine yourself walking in a pathway made of natural stones. You can feel the lightness and coolness as you step over those medium-sized, color blended natural stones?

Natural stones is useful not only to improved pathways but to beautify homes, ponds, and gardens. The costs varies depending on its quality and the place where it is originated.

Imagining Your Dream House

Don’t you know that sometimes the house you imagined reflects who you are? Surely, countless people have dreamed of having their own dream house. Children loves fantasizing, and at this age many of us have imagine the house of our dream.

When I was a child, I dreamed of a having a small, simple, bungalow house at the top of the hill with lots of trees around. The house was made of natural stones with wide and clear glass windows. The house itself looks like a simple but elegant traditional house with beautiful flower garden at the front .

Some people say that a house of your dream reshaped as you grow. Yeah its true. As I age, my dreamed house reshape into a big, elegant, luxurious 2 story house, with wide and tall gates also made of natural stones. The house backyard has a wide swimming pool with well-furnish landscaped garden around it.

Imagine your most fantasized house. How it was built, the materials used, the people who are responsible of building, the interior designs, the most relaxing features around it, and of course the person who you want to be with in your dream house. There’s no fault in imagining the house of your dream. Instead, it lifts up your spirit and helps you achieve your greatest fantasy.