Sustainable stone for the construction industry
A look at stone from the point of view of sustainability, environmental impact and the effect on human health and wellbeing. |
Contents |
[edit] Characteristics of stone
[edit] No embedded carbon
Unlike many other building materials, the quarrying and fabrication of stone releases no embedded carbon, the only greenhouse gases released during quarrying are those used by the fuel to power the quarrying equipment.
[edit] Longevity
Stone is the ultimate long-term building material as the plethora of historical buildings still standing after millennia attests. Used both internally and externally, stone will last for as long as the building with very little maintenance.
[edit] No chemical treatment
Stone does not require treatment with chemicals to render it waterproof and in itself does not pollute or contribute to sick building syndrome, although care must be taken in the choice of fixing materials.
[edit] Recyclable
Stone can be recycled at the end of the building’s life. Building stone is reusable in another building, and any stone fittings that are broken or damaged in removal can be used for mosaics, construction ballast and so on.
[edit] Quarrying stone
To ensure maximum sustainability, specifiers should take care to choose a stone which comes from a plentiful resource rather than a rare or scarce one, and to pick a quarry that is responsibly managed from an environmental point of view as well as a human one.
The Stone Federation has established the Ethical Stone Register, which allows you to verify whether the stone contractor you are using is taking measures to ensure that the stone it buys has been sourced responsibly and ethically.
[edit] Transporting stone
Choosing stones from local quarries minimises the greenhouse gas emissions involved in transporting a heavy material. It also allows you to verify easily that the quarry is responsibly managed. Likewise, the choice of a stonemason close to the installation site ensures that CO2 emissions during transportation of the finished material are minimised.
[edit] Stone fabrication
Select a stonemason that has an environmentally-friendly factory to ensure minimum harm to the environment. The fabrication of finished items from stone involves cutting and in some cases polishing which requires power and water. Modern factories will have taken steps to ensure that the majority of power needs are met by renewable sources and that rainwater harvesting and recycling of greywater makes them self-sufficient, rather than using-up precious resources. Recycling waste material is also a factor that should be taken into account.
[edit] Installing stone
The use of a fabricator close to the site will minimise CO2 emissions during transportation. The method of installation should also use techniques and materials that cause the least possible harm to the environment and to human health.
--Stonecircle 12:38, 03 Sep 2019 (BST)
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Building with structural stone.
- Choosing stone.
- Defects in stonework.
- Finding stone to conserve historic buildings.
- Inspecting stone sample panels.
- Kentish ragstone.
- Masonry.
- Modern Stonemasonry.
- Natural stone cladding.
- Natural stone for Interiors.
- Natural stone tiles.
- Natural stone.
- Patio stone.
- Penarth Alabaster.
- Portland Stone.
- Sourcing indigenous stone.
- Sourcing stone to repair Exeter Cathedral.
- Stone dressing.
- Two New Ludgate Portland Stone Feature Wall.
- Types of stone.
- Use of Stone in Monks Lantern Weybridge.
[edit] External references
Featured articles and news
Introducing or next Guest Editor Arun Baybars
Practising architect and design panel review member.
Quick summary by size, shape, test, material, use or bonding.
Types of rapidly renewable content
From forestry to agricultural crops and their by-products.
Terraced houses and the public realm
The discernible difference between the public realm of detached housing and of terraced housing.
Put digitalisation and sustainability at the core of curricula
Project management educators are urged.
Looking back at the influence of climate events
From a designer and writer: 'There are limits to growth but no limits to development'.
Terms, histories, theories and practice.
Biophilic design and natural light
Letting in the light and natural elements into spaces.
APM Programme Management Conference 2024
Strategies for Success.
Residential takes the reins as contract awards even out
Contracts down, but remain above the last quarter of 2023.
Celebrating Eid and the largest mud-brick building.
Barry Kingscote claims prestigious CIOB CMYA Award.
The British Mosque: an architectural and social history
The story of some 1,500 mosques or more in Britain.
Heat pump refrigerants, efficiencies and impacts
R12 to R1270 what are the differences?
Global heat pump market in 2023
Challenging times with positive but modest outlook.
Beyond the infrastructure pipeline
Opportunities and chokepoints.