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The use of natural stone is enjoying renewed popularity thanks to improvements in stone processing technology, better construction techniques and innovative architectural designs. In many countries, natural stone has become an important source of export revenue. The global stone business includes natural stone block products, tiles for cladding, floors and stairs, memorial stones and stone used in external construction such as paving, kerbs, walls and armour stone.
Natural stone is often an excellent choice in situations involving demanding environmental conditions, high aesthetic standards or extreme chemical and mechanical durability. In cities, corrosion and weathering of construction materials by air pollution often requires the use of granites and other
silicate rocks on building facades.
Natural stone is ecological and 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.
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.
Whether you're building a new house or remodeling, natural stone offers you unparalleled beauty, permanence, and uniqueness – and adds true value to your home. See what others are saying about natural stone:
Natural stone is a key part of two of the top 10 elements of design in the home that are resonating with today's buyers: the desire for low-maintenance/no-maintenance materials and the use of natural materials inside and outside the home.
Natural stone is a key part of two of the top 10 elements of design in the home that are resonating with today's buyers: the desire for low-maintenance/no-maintenance materials and the use of natural materials inside and outside the home.
Cooler
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.
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.
