Among the most commonly used building stones. The following types of stones are important-
MARBLE:
Marble is a metamorphic rock of calcareous composition and often of a layered structure.
Composition: Marble is formed in nature from limestone through the process of metamorphism.
Its essential mineral is recrystallized Calcite (CaCO3). Besides, it may have some impurities finely dispersed throughout the mass.
Texture and Structure: In texture, marble is a fine-grained rock with a uniform granular (sugar-like grains) surface. It shows metamorphic structures developed under heat.
Color: Marble occurs in almost all colors from pure white to dense black. The color of marble depends on the impurities that are finely distributed in it during its formation.
Building Properties: An excellent quality marble satisfies all the requisite properties of a building stone. They are quite strong, uniform in texture, least porous and take an excellent polish. They are suitable both as ornamental stones and for general construction.
SANDSTONE:
These types of stones are sedimentary rocks, siliceous in composition and mostly stratified in structure.
Composition: The essential mineral of all the sandstones is Quartz (SiO2). Among the accessory minerals, micas, felspars, and dark minerals are sometimes present.
In cemented varieties of sandstones, the cementing material may be siliceous, ferruginous, calcareous or clayey in nature.
And this is most important in as far as defining the suitability of a sandstone for building construction is concerned.
Texture and Structure: They occur in medium to fine-grained texture and stratified structure.
Color: Sandstones occur in many colors: white, gray, pink, red, maroon and dark.
Building Properties: Some sandstones are excellent building stones.
These are the varieties that have a light color, and are rich in quartz and have a siliceous cement and a line grained uniform texture.
They must be free from fine layers or minerals like mica and chlorite.
GRANITE:
A typical granite is an Igneous rock. Its essential mineral components are mineral Orthoclase and mineral Quartz.
It may also contain small quantities of accessory minerals like hornblende, mica, and tourmaline, etc.
Texture and Structure: Granites are coarse to medium-grained in texture, massive, unlayered and crystalline in structure.
Color: They are commonly of light colors and often spotted.
Granites occur in appealing colors and have a capacity to take very fine, Glossy, mirror-like-finish on polishing.
Building Properties: Most granites possess excellent building properties such as; high strength and hardness, low absorption value, least porosity, good resistance to frost and weathering, excellent durability.
These have, however, poor resistance to fire.
LIMESTONE:
Limestones are sedimentary rocks of calcareous composition and generally showing a stratified structure. They are made up of Calcium Carbonate.
Composition: The essential mineral of all limestones are Calcite (Ca CO3). which may make up as much as 99 percent of some Limestones.
Most limestones, however, consist of a good proportion of Magnesium Carbonate (Mg CO3).
Texture and Structure: Most Limestones are invariably fine textured. Some of them may contain fossils.
In structure, they may be stratified or sometimes massive. They also show great variation in texture and structure.
Color: It varies greatly in limestones. From pure white (Chalk) varieties, Limestones of Grey and dark varieties are also known.
The color depends on the presence of accessory minerals finely dispersed in the carbonate matrix.
Building Properties: All Limestones are not useful for building construction.
Some varieties may be practically unfit (those which are rich in clay or are very soft) whereas other varieties of Limestones may make excellent building stones.
These are dense, compact, fine textured varieties which are free from cavities and cracks. They can be easily dressed and take a very fine polish.
The use of limestones as facing stones should be avoided in areas where the air is polluted with industrial gases and also in coastal regions where Saltish winds can attack them.
In both cases, air is likely to strike the rock chemically and change its surface to spots of reactive compounds. Limestones are widely used in the making of cement.
PAVING STONE
Pavers are used all over the world to avoid that concrete look & impermeable surface around the house and thus giving breath to the ground. Paving stones allow the patio to become permeable. Paving stones laid with generous gaps give rainwater a chance to peep in directly into the ground. A look of Paving stones with gaps filled with pebbles give a stunning look to your exteriors. Bring a touch of European style and elegance to your home.
Bhandari Marble Group will be glad to assist you in selecting the best products for your application. It will keep looking fantastic for generations. Contact us for More information at 9829040013 or visit us at www.bhandarimarblegroup.
