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1 Natural stone
fascinates
Natural stone is a natural product, whose individual
properties are determined by the type and bonding of the minerals
comprising the natural stone. Natural stone holds an outstanding
position among all building materials: components of natural stone
are unique specimens, which can be combined with each other and with
many other materials. Natural stone is no uniform industrial
product, but shows the history of its origins.
2 Natural stone is ecological
Natural stone as a building material is found naturally in virtually
finished form. No energy is needed for its actual manufacture.
Energy is only consumed for quarrying and processing, but the share
is small compared with other building materials. The stone is
extracted mostly from relatively small quarries without major
blasting operations. The unused stone waste can be used directly for
filling in the parts of the quarry where stone has been extracted.
Nothing is lost in the complete cycle of natural stone quarrying,
processing and returning to nature.
3 Natural stone is environmentally
compatible
As a natural building material natural stone contains no pollutants
that are damaging to the health. Natural stone can be used safely in
food areas. It is incombustible and is a class A building material
to DIN 4102. Natural stone also releases no substances that are
hazardous to health in case of fire. Natural stone also requires no
auxiliary chemical substances such as protective coatings,
impregnating agents or coatings before it can be used as a building
material.
4 Natural stone is varied
No other building material has as many different colors and
structures as natural stone. Various surface finishing processes
make this variety virtually unlimited. Developers and architects
therefore have a broad spectrum of choice, which allows matching to
any desired appearance or ambience. Natural stones are often chosen
for their good visual and technical qualities. Natural stone is
available in a variety of different colors, structures and textures.
A suitable natural stone is available for virtually any requirement
imposed on a building material.
5 Natural stone is individual
Natural stones are quarried in large blocks and cut to the desired
size in the natural stone companies. The size of the natural stone
slabs is limited only by the size of the rough blocks and not by
standard dimensions specified by production. The sizes can be
adapted individually to meet planning requirements. Any desired
shape can be provided, not only square or rectangular slabs. Modern
processing machines allow inlay work in natural stone. The variety
of the stones and the individual processing and design possibilities
constitute the uniqueness of the building material.
6 Natural stone ages well
Whereas many building materials become unsightly in the course of
the years, natural stone retains a natural patina, which is not
detrimental to the beauty of the natural stone. Many natural stones
are like good wine: They only attain their full elegance with
advancing years. Natural stone can also be cleaned easily and
cheaply. Even centuries-old floor coverings of natural stone can be
ground and restored to their original condition. The lifetime of
natural stone is extremely long. With the right planning and
construction, buildings of natural stone have been known to survive
for many thousands of years.
7 Natural stone is
three-dimensional
Any desired solid stones can be produced as well as slab sizes.
Interesting light and shade effects can be created by milling
grooves and flutings in the stone surfaces. Such processed slabs
radiate strength and solidity when mounted on a facade. Solid
components like mouldings, frames and pillars permit an aesthetic
structure.
8 Natural stone is attractively
priced
If the total costs of a building material are considered over a
useful life of 30 years or more, independent investigations show
that natural stone is no more expensive than comparable synthetic
building materials. The relatively high investment costs are offset
by the low long-term maintenance costs and long life. The cost of
cleaning and maintenance of natural stone is low.
9 Natural stone is physically
practical
Natural stone has very good thermal conductivity and a large heat
storage capacity. Natural stone as facade material absorbs the heat
radiated by the sun and prevents unwanted heating up of the
building. Tests show an energy requirement of 100–150 kWh/m² for
multi-storey buildings with stone facades, in contrast to an energy
requirement of 300–700 kWh/m² for the necessary heating and cooling
of glass facades.
10 Natural stone is durable
The high pressure resistance values of many natural stones have
given the material a reputation of being an everlasting building
material. Only the so-called stainless steels, which are costly in
production, achieve the durability of natural stones. Natural stone
is also the most durable material with the lowest abrasion values
for floor coverings. Coverings of granite or similar hard stones
show hardly any signs of wear even after decades of use. |
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