5 Facts about stone you didn’t know before
Stone as a Revolution
Since the utilization of stone and rocks as a basic shelter designed by the cavemen, stone became an essential part and a revolutionary element in the world of construction and space design.
And on a regional level, stone is the official architectural language of the vernacular and traditional style of design in Jordan in particular and the Levant region in general. It’s the image that reflects the history of the building and the character it is trying to manifest and show.
“Every block of stone has a statue inside it and it is the task of the sculptor to discover it.” –Michelangelo
Architects agree that building stone is a really attractive material. But it is the combination of attractiveness, strength, and durability that set stone apart from other building materials.
Stone, or rock, is a natural substance that is quarried and mined from the earth and used in a variety of applications in construction.
Stone can be used in masonry, including decorative elements such as pillars, swags and porticos. Also in floor and wall tiles and cladding. Paving and roof coverings, kitchen work surfaces and countertops.
Adding on, fire surrounds, staircases and other decorative elements. It can also act as a component of concrete, mortar, cement, asphalt and some bricks.
Methods of Quarry
There are basically two ways of quarrying stone. Dimension stones are extracted in a highly selective manner, using time-consuming and expensive methods for freeing the blocks from the surrounding rock. The other method is through mining.
Types of Stone
Different types of stone lend themselves to different uses depending on their characteristics. It is important to get the right advice to ensure that the correct kind of stone is used.
To start with, there is alabaster. A mineral composition of gypsum, light-colored, translucent and soft, alabaster was commonly used in the medieval period for religious carvings, such as altars, tombs and effigies.
Moreover, there’s basalt. Basalt is an igneous rock that is formed from molten rock that has solidified under pressure. It has a uniform grey color and is very hard and compact. Its most common use is as an aggregate but polished basalt is also used for flooring, monuments and other stone objects.
The most commonly known in Jordan is the lime stone. Limestone lends itself to use as floor tiles throughout a building and bathroom wall tiles, shower trays, cladding and vanity tops. It is also frequently used in the fabric of a building such as façades, cornices, pillars and other decorative features, especially in conservation areas where traditional building materials are required.
There are various types of stone that you can find through this link.
The process of applying stone has many variations, depending on the type of application and the method you want to represent it. In Jordan for example, using stone on facades has some different methods according to the application process. For instance, there is the traditional cladding of stone to the mass of the building using concrete, and there is also mechanical cladding without using an adhesive.
At Phi Contracting Co. we understand the importance of stone application and its effect on the architectural language locally. We have the skill set and knowledge to create your vision and design.