Types of Building Stones and Their Applications

In today's world, choosing the right building materials is one of the most important stages in any construction project. Building stones, as one of the most widely used and beautiful options in this field, play a significant role in the design and construction of structures. In this article, we will examine the various types of building stones and their applications. Additionally, Oxygen Stone Company, as one of the pioneers in providing high-quality stones, will assist you in making the best choice for your projects. Join us to learn about the features and advantages of each type of stone and make an informed decision.

Characteristics of a Good Building Stone

In general, a good building stone should meet a series of standards in physical properties, appearance, and mechanical tests, depending on the conditions of use (exterior and interior cladding, flooring, high-traffic areas, etc.). Nevertheless, the characteristics that a good building stone should possess are as follows:

1. High Strength: The stone must be resistant to pressure and mechanical loads to perform well against potential stresses and damages.
2. Durability and Stability: The stone should withstand environmental factors such as moisture, heat, and temperature fluctuations.
3. Aesthetic Appeal: Building stones should be visually attractive and contribute to the beauty of the structure.
4. Cutability and Malleability: The stone should be easily cut and shaped to be formed into various designs.
5. Appropriate Weight: The stone should have a suitable weight to facilitate easy transportation and installation.
6. Reasonable Price: The cost of the stone should be reasonable to ensure it is economical for construction projects.

These characteristics assist in selecting the appropriate stone for construction projects.

Common Types of Building Stones

In general, stones are categorized into various types based on their design, color, material, and quality. The most common types include the following:

1) Travertine

This stone, which falls under the category of sedimentary stones, is a type of porous limestone formed from the sedimentation and deposition of hot spring deposits. Travertine has a porous texture and comes in various striped colors, with its color diversity resulting from differences in the compositions present during sedimentation, which manifest as different streaks. The fewer soluble elements in the water from these sources, the lighter the stone's color will be. Among the best light and cream travertines is the Abarkuh travertine, which comes from the cream travertine stones of the Abarkuh region in Yazd. This stone has a cream and beige background, with brown, white, and pink streaks visible on its surface.

2) Marmarite

In general, the term "marble (marmarite)" in the industry refers to all limestone or dolomitic stones that can be polished, even if they have not undergone metamorphosis. Marmarite is a commercial term that is almost specific to Iran and has no place in the lexicon of petrology. Marmarites or dense limestone stones are the result of the compression of calcium carbonate or aragonite deposits due to the pressure of overlying layers, and sometimes show signs of weak metamorphism. Pure marmarite is bright white. Light gray to black colors are due to carbonaceous materials, green colors are usually due to chlorite or other silicates, pink and red colors are due to the presence of very fine dispersed hematite or manganese carbonate, and yellow and cream colors are due to the presence of limonite.

Macchia Black stone or black marble is one of the most luxurious and beautiful stones used in the construction industry for many years. Macchia Black is a type of limestone that contains significant amounts of graphite, which gives it its black background.

3) Porcelain  Stone (Crystal)

Scientifically, this stone falls under the category of metamorphic stones with the recrystallization of limestone, which forms different decorative stones with various designs depending on the degree of metamorphism and crystal growth. The famous and oldest Porcelain stone mines in Iran are located in the Sanandaj-Sirjan structural zone. Laibid Porcelain stone is a stone with a white background and irregular gray and black lines. The porcelain and crystalline nature of this stone gives it excellent polish and shine, resulting in a beautiful light reflection, and due to its outstanding analysis, it is considered one of the superior crystal stones in Iran and the world.

4) Granite

Granite is an igneous rock with a volcanic origin that possesses considerable hardness and strength. Interestingly, this stone is mentioned as one of the best flooring materials for buildings, and it can also be used for the exterior facades of buildings, especially in very cold areas, as a durable stone with low water permeability and minimal expansion and contraction. Additionally, due to its very reasonable price, durability, and color stability, it can be considered an ideal facade stone.

5) Marble

Marble is a type of metamorphic limestone that is white and translucent, and it is quite resistant to weather conditions. However, due to the possibility of weathering under climatic conditions and the risk of becoming cloudy under light exposure, it is mainly used indoors. Marble can transmit light due to the presence of large and distinct mineral crystals, which is also the reason for its use in decorative and ornamental applications.

What is the best type of stone used in construction?

To determine which building stones can be considered the best, one must first become familiar with the physical, chemical, mechanical, and aesthetic properties of various stones, and then pay attention to the intended use of that stone and the location where it will be used. Therefore, the following discusses the key characteristics of a good stone for facades and flooring

Characteristics of the best facade stone

In general, two types of natural stones are commonly used for building facades: sedimentary stones (with a limestone base) and igneous stones (the granite group). Limestone stones usually have specific fans due to the veining seen in them, while granite stones, which were often used in modern buildings, are no longer used for exterior facades due to their high weight, low water absorption, and lack of adhesion to the building structure.

The exterior facade of a building is particularly important due to its exposure to weather conditions (rain, frost, sunlight, and pollutants). The best facade stone must have specific characteristics to withstand these factors. The best facade stone possesses unique features such as durability, natural beauty, and thermal performance. It resists weather, corrosion, and impact, making it a cost-effective (considering its efficiency) and popular option for the facade of any type of building.

The natural beauty of the stone enhances the visual appeal of the structure, while its excellent thermal performance helps regulate indoor temperatures and reduces energy consumption for heating and cooling. The best facade stone should be free of harmful minerals, as these can react to weather conditions and lead to premature deterioration. The presence of impurities concentrated in one point or along a line is a weakness and can cause the stone to degrade.

Finally, when selecting the best facade stone, attention should be paid to its adhesion to the mortar and the likelihood of it falling under various weather conditions and potential earthquakes. Therefore, considering the characteristics of each stone, travertine stones and, to a lesser extent, crystal stones are suitable for use in the facades of construction projects.

Characteristics of the best flooring stone

To examine this issue, the characteristics of flooring stones will be discussed in terms of indoor and outdoor spaces. Indoor flooring stones can be divided into three sections:

1. Indoor flooring such as living rooms, bedrooms, etc.: Various types of stones can be used for these spaces, but typically, marble stones (marmarite) are more commonly used, and in luxury spaces, marble is also among the suitable options. In this part of the building, book-matched and form-matched slab stones should not be overlooked as they provide a very beautiful and unique appearance to the interior space.
2. Flooring for shared spaces such as covered parking, lobbies, hallways, and staircases, elevator flooring: In shared areas of the building, due to higher foot traffic compared to inside the house and the likelihood of wear and damage, the stone used must have greater resistance to abrasion and corrosion. For example, granite is preferable for parking floors, while porcelain, marble, and granite can be used for hallways and lobbies. For elevator floors, which experience more traffic, durable stones like granite, porcelain, and even marble with suitable technical characteristics should be used.
3. Flooring for wet areas such as bathrooms, showers, and kitchens: In these spaces, the waterproof nature of the stone used and ease of cleaning and maintenance are of special importance.

For the flooring of outdoor spaces (yards, gardens, sidewalks, etc.), stones should be selected that are resistant and stable against varying environmental conditions such as cold, heat, sunlight, humidity, acid rain, etc., and should not suffer from wear, breakage, or deformation over time.

Therefore, in general, outdoor flooring stones must have the following characteristics due to the harsh conditions they will face:

• The thickness of outdoor flooring stones should not be less than 2 centimeters: The thicker the stone, the greater its compressive capacity and the lower the likelihood of damage and breakage.
• The surface of outdoor flooring stones should be slip-resistant: If a polished finish is used for outdoor flooring stones, it will become slippery and dangerous during snow and rain or when water is present. Therefore, the surface of outdoor flooring should be executed with non-polished finishes (flamed, grooved, textured, etc.).
• The stone should enhance the beauty of the outdoor space: While adhering to all the technical and physical considerations mentioned, the selected flooring stone should also showcase its beauty and be visually appealing.
• Reasonable price of the flooring stone: Since the area of outdoor flooring is usually large, its price will significantly impact the overall cost.
• Granites and basalts with non-polished finishes are among the durable stones that can be safely used for the flooring of office buildings, residential buildings, etc. Some travertines and marbles can also be used for this purpose, but it depends on the level of traffic and pressure on the floor as well as the technical specifications of these stones.
• For parks, busy sidewalks, villas, and gardens, the types of stones used are somewhat different; for this purpose, stones like malon, river pebbles, and cubic stones can be used.

Conclusion

In this article, we became familiar with the various types of building stones, the characteristics of a good building stone, and the best building stones. To select the best facade and flooring stone, various criteria must be considered, and decisions should be made based on the explanations provided in this article. Esteemed buyers of building stones can obtain high-quality stones at reasonable prices for facades and flooring from reputable and direct sources such as Oxygen Stone Company.