Types of building stones and their uses

TYPES OF BUILDING STONES AND THEIR USES

1. Granite

It is obtained from igneous rocks. It is hard, durable and available in different colours. It is highly resistant to weathering and has good crushing strength. It can take mirror-like polish.

Uses

- Granite is used for the construction of walls, columns and bridge piers.

- It is used for steps, sills and facing works.

- Also, it is used as ballast for road metal, rail track and coarse aggregate for concrete.

- It is unsuitable for carving.

2. Basalt and Trap

Basalt and Trap are also quarried from igneous rocks. These are hard, tough and durable and available in different colours.

Uses: Basalt and Trap are used for constructing masonry floors, ornamental or decorative works and as road metal.

3. Chalk

Chalk belongs to sedimentary variety. It is pure white stone, soft and easy to form powder.

Uses: Chalk is used in preparing glazer's putty and also as colouring material in the manufacture of Portland cement.

4. Limestone

It is derived from sedimentary rocks. It is easy to work. It consists of a high percentage of Calcium Carbonate.

Uses: Limestone is used for the manufacture of cement. It is also used for floors, steps, walls and as road metal.

5. Sandstone

It belongs to sedimentary variety. Its structure shows sandy grains. It is easy to work and dress. It is available in different colours. Its strength is low.

Uses: It is used for different building works like facing works, carving, steps, walls, columns and as road metal.

6. Laterite

It is derived from metamorphic rocks. It is sandy clay stone. It is porous and soft. It can easily be quarried in blocks. It contains high percentage of iron oxide.

Uses: It is used for wall construction, rough stone masonry work and as road metal.

7. Gneiss

Gneiss is metamorphic in nature. It is easy to work and splits into thin slabs.

Uses: It is used as thin slabs for flooring, street paving, rough stone masonry work, etc.

8. Marble

Marble is metamorphic. It can take good polish. It can be easily cut with saw and carved. It is available in different colours.

Uses

- Marble is used for flooring in the form of slabs, wall lining, facing work, steps, columns, etc.

- It is also used for interior decoration and such ornamental works. Taj Mahal is built fully of white marbles.

9. Gravel

It is available in river beds in the form of pebbles of any kind of stone.

Uses: It is used for surfacing road. It is also used in concrete.

10. Slate

Slate is metamorphic. It is black in colour and can be split easily.

Uses: It is used as roofing tiles, paving works and as damp-proof course in buildings.

11. Quartzite

It is metamorphic. It is hard, durable, brittle and crystalline. It is difficult to work.

Uses: It is used in rubble masonry, concrete aggregate, retaining walls and as road metal.

1. COMPARISON OF BRICKS AND BUILDING STONES

Bricks

1. Brick is lighter than stone.

2. Made from clay.

3. Free from cracks, flaws and lumps.

4. Hard and sound.

5. Water absorption less than 15%.

6. Absorbs less heat.

7. Uniform in size and shape.

8. Less Durability and Labour Cost.

9. Less cost of manufacture.

Stones

1. Stone is heavier than brick.

2. Obtained from rocks.

3. Free from clay holes and flaws.

4. Very hard and tough.

5. Water absorption less than 0.6%.

6. Absorbs heat more than a brick.

7. Can be shaped to the desired size.

8. High durability and Labour Cost

9. Quarrying and dressing are costly.