1. Beautiful and unique
The first of the 10 reasons to use natural stone is that it is beautiful. Projects using natural stone are unique and exhibit unparalleled character. Natural stone is visually appealing, offers endless design possibilities, and fits naturally into any landscape. Architecture, monuments and hardscapes utilize natural stone to provide a calming emotional connection for those who experience them.
2. Natural stone offers flexibility
Another reason to use natural stone is its versatility. Stone is the world’s smoothest, most flexible building material! HDG offers basalt, granite, marble, limestone, sandstone, slate and travertine for interior and exterior applications including: monuments, interior floors, exterior patios, walkways and decks, landscape elements, toppings, wall caps, wall cladding, columns, water tables, roofing, pavers, stair treads and risers, wood paneling, components including fireplaces, water features , stone benches, etc. Most projects have a stone variety that is included both inside and outside the project, even at the poolside and curb.
3. Suitable for every design you want
Hand or machine applied stone finishes can fit almost any desired design. Some finishes simply spark a designer’s imagination, while others offer practical advantages such as slip resistance. Whether in the landscape or in the architecture of a building, texture is what makes stone exciting. Variations in color, pattern and texture are visually interesting and impossible to replicate in other materials. Stone finishes include: polished, honed, litchi, adze, flame, pineapple, mushroom, split/tilted, corduroy, sandblasted, scored, scored and carved, antique, etched, naturally fissured, and engraved. See also stone finishes and their applications.
4. Excellent durability
Natural stone may seem more expensive due to the skills required for quarrying, transportation and installation. But when you consider the longevity of the finished project, whether it’s a private home or a public square, those who invest in it think and believe it’s worth it. Domestic or commercial buildings built with stone can last up to 100 years. Natural stone is unaffected by rot, insects, and even fire.
For example, slate tiles are perfect for sprinkling rainwater on a roof. Slate has an extremely low water absorption index of less than 0.4%. Slate roofs may last up to 100 years, outlasting man-made roofing materials and even the building’s occupants. However, these same slate tiles don’t hold up well to heavy vehicular traffic. For this reason, turn to granite. Granite is the material of choice for municipal restricted facilities, and its strength and durability have been documented over decades of vehicular abuse.
5. Cubic stones offer a wide range of possibilities
Now with modern computing, any pattern, shape or size that can be drawn can be replicated in stone. Cool geometric patterns, wave patterns and textures are possible by CNC machines. Combine this with the character and vigor of hand tools, hammers, additions or scoring patterns and the possibilities are endless.
6. Less resource intensive and reduces the cost
Once built, stone structures are less resource intensive and due to the high temperature qualities of the stone, retain heat in the winter and stay cooler in the summer. This can reduce the cost of temperature control while providing a more comfortable environment for occupants and visitors. Modern architects and builders may choose to utilize the properties of natural stone for a number of interior or exterior projects rather than the entire structure. Favorite applications include using marble, limestone, and granite in fireplace surrounds.
7. Natural stone is sustainable
The upfront quarrying, cutting, dressing and finishing of the stone, transportation and on-site installation may seem time and cost intensive, but consider that stone structures can last for centuries. Other buildings may have a greater environmental cost over that time. HDG building materials can be obtained by recycling the beautiful natural stone that has been with us for 100 years and has many remaining lifetimes. Giving natural stone a second life is also good for the ecosystem-eliminating the energy, water, and other resources needed to produce new products. When designers use natural stone in their projects, it shows concern for the environment.
8. Easy to maintain
Compared to man-made materials, there is little need for cleaning or chemicals to maintain natural stones. Homeowners and building owners will need to carry some maintenance insurance to prevent vision loss. The good news is that because stone has long been used as a building material, there are now proven practices and products to maintain, restore and rehabilitate any stone surface, whether those surfaces are indoor countertops, shower walls, floors, etc. or outdoor patios, pavers, columns, tops and cladding.
9. Increase Property Value
Using natural stone in building construction is a long-established way to maintain and even increase resale value. The use of exterior stone adds to the appeal of the inhibitor and attracts more potential buyers. Low maintenance levels and longevity are important factors for many buyers. Using stone inside and outside, the building sets a higher standard for current and future occupants. Perhaps the most important reason to use natural stone in your building project is that you will grow to appreciate your home while you still live in it.
