We seem to live in a world largely composed of man-made materials, steel, aluminium, PVC, concrete and macadam, whilst natural materials such as stone and wood are being relegated to the background in building projects. Man is moving away from those natural elements which served him so well in the past, in favour of more efficient and pliable materials. Whilst wood is unique in its individuality, with no two trees having exactly the same growth and grain pattern within their specific genus, natural stone has just as much beauty and is generally naturally stronger than wood.
Why choose stone over wood?
Stone is not a living entity, so does not deteriorate as such through ageing. It may gradually transform or erode over generations of weather exposure, but this often adds an additional element of character to the material. Centuries-old stone buildings give testament to the strength of the material itself and its patterns of wear.
What are stones made from?
Stone itself is a natural solid formation comprising one or many minerals which, as the earth’s crust expanded and eroded, were pushed by heat and pressure up to the earth’s surface, forming immense rock beds, some of which were up to one hundred million years in the making. There are thousands of types of stone, most of which are quarried in Spain, Italy, Turkey, USA, Mexico, China, Taiwan, India, China, Canada, France and Brazil, which form in different manners. As such, different types of stone have diverse strengths and characteristics which you should consider when deciding to use stone in any construction or decorative project. One of the main considerations should be whether you want the stone to remain clean and pristine or be allowed to age naturally and blend into its surroundings, particularly if the structure is sited outdoors, for instance, a wall, arbour, archway, seating area on a patio or balcony or a whimsical sculpture forming the central focus of any specific area.
Ask a stonemason for advice before making any decision on materials
A stonemason who knows his materials would be able to advise you on the best type of stone to use on any project you are planning, as well as any requirements for keeping it clean and pristine. Since stone is a natural element, some cleaning chemicals and procedures may damage the surface or integrity of the stone area. Stone is naturally alkaline in composition, as are dirt and soil, so these elements are naturally drawn to one another, and this must be considered when choosing the right type of stone for your project.
The four categories of stone explained in brief
A stonemason works with four main categories of stone, being Sedimentary, Metamorphic, Igneous, and Man-made. It is important to understand the characteristics of each type of stone to ensure their suitability for the project at hand. A stonemason will be able to advise you in this regard, as well as the availability and pricing associated with each type.
Briefly explained:
- Sedimentary rocks are formed through a combination of fragments from other rocks and the remains of plants, animals and other organic materials, usually formed in deserts, oceans and lakes and compressed with the weight of the earth above them and bonded to form rock beds through heat and pressure over millions of years. Sandstone, fossilstone (a type of limestone), travertine, soapstone and limestone fall into this category. Colours and structural composition vary among these different materials. Sandstone is a durable composition of quartz grains bonded with agents such as silica, calcium, clay and iron oxide and is either light brown or red. Fossilstone contains natural fossils like plants and seashells. Travertine is formed through the accumulation of calcite found in hot springs and is characterised by numerous holes formed from the steady flow of water through the stone. These holes are often filled with synthetic resins or cements for strength and durability, but if this is not done, is high maintenance. This stone is found in a cream or reddish hue. Soapstone, a soft stone composed of a variety of talc, is dense, wears well, and is largely resistant to stains. Limestone is composed mainly of calcite, with low graining, and presents a smooth granular surface. It varies in hardness and denser samples may be polished. It appears in white, yellow, brown, grey or black, but stains more easily than marble.
- Metamorphic stone forms through natural changes from one type of stone to another due to heat, pressure and minerals (hence its name). Such variations may result in colour or texture differences or the development of a crystalline formation. Marble, consisting mainly of calcium and dolomite, originated from limestone that softened due to heat and pressure and reformed into marble because of mineral changes. This has resulted in a heavily veined and grainy stone of differing colours and is a prized stone. Slate is fine-grained comprising clay, sedimentary rock, shale and even quartz in some instances. This black, grey or green stone is thin and breaks easily.
- Igneous stones originate from volcanic materials, such as liquid magma which cooled under the earth’s surface and absorbed minerals, gases and liquids which formed new and various coloured crystalline rocks. Green and brown Serpentine stone results from such changes and comprises much magnesium. Serpentine is classified as a metamorphic stone due to the structural changes which gave rise to its development. Another stone that has originated through natural changes is Granite, composed mainly of feldspar, quartz and potassium in different ratios, and which presents in darker colours with a granular appearance due to the presence of mineral grains. Although harder than marble and thus easier to maintain, it remains porous and is subject to staining.
- Man-made stones are manufactured products comprising resin or cement mixed with stone chips, such as Terrazzo, a cement mixture mixed with marble and granite chips, or cultured or faux Marble, made from a resin mix and paint, or painted to resemble marble.
Can stonemasons create indoor or outdoor furniture and structures?
Stonemasons may work with all of the above categories of stone. Their work may take them outdoors to build stone bridges, stone structures of many different designs, walls, window frames, archways, building exteriors and floors – both exterior and interior. They can be called upon to turn a block of stone into a beautiful piece of furniture such as a table or a statue, often with intricate and unique carvings. Any article made from stone is necessarily heavy and this should be considered when commissioning any item of furniture that needs to be moved regularly. A stone coffee table, for example, may take two or more people to move it, depending on its size, shape and material. A carved stone bench needs to be placed where it is intended to remain, especially if the main component is cement and stone chips.
Want a stone feature wall? Ask a stonemason to help!
Stonemasons also fit cladding to the exteriors of buildings to provide an additional level of water- and weatherproofing, or to add an architectural or attractive element to the structure. Many modern buildings – whether private, commercial, or other public structures often feature a wall or section of a wall with stone cladding fitted by an experienced stonemason. This adds an eye-catching element to an otherwise plain exterior.
So what other work is undertaken by stonemasons?
Stonemasons are also responsible for repairing damaged stonework on historical buildings, monuments, cathedrals, buildings, statues and headstones, including sourcing and cutting the stones to fit where needed. They are also the specialists responsible for carving new memorial headstones and ornamental stonework. The difference between a stonemason and a bricklayer is that stonemasons work with stone and not brick, and vice versa. As with skilled bricklayers, stonemasons are in high demand for their expertise, experience and advice on all aspects of stonework. For more information on this topic and to find a stonemason in your area, please see Uptasker’s Stonemasons articles.
