When it comes to trends, it’s often been said that what is old will become new again, and this is especially true when it comes to natural stone for sale. Architectural stone has been prized as a building material throughout the ages, with many ancient civilizations using granite and marble to construct some of the greatest monuments of mankind.
Although natural stone for sale is prized for its aesthetic timelessness and air of luxury, it’s also a popular sustainable building material. Many home builders and buyers want homes that not only look beautiful, but that are also environmentally sustainable. Although there are a variety of building materials available, natural stone for sale stands out as a material that is both aesthetically pleasing and environmentally responsible.
Sustainable design consists of efficient resource use ? energy, materials, and water ? and the reduction of a building’s impact on human and environmental health throughout the life cycle of the building. Using low-impact materials such as natural stone for sale can help to support sustainable design. Here’s how:
Natural stone is…well…natural
As an Earth-made material, natural stone slabs for sale are as “green” as it gets when it comes eco-friendly and sustainable building materials. Not only is there an abundant supply of natural stone, but it also doesn’t require the addition of any other materials or resources to create it. Unlike some building materials that contain petroleum products, natural stone is without harsh chemicals and toxins.
Natural stone is durable
Very few building materials can stand the test of time, but natural stone does so both easily and gracefully. Many ancient structures built with natural stone are still standing today, as evidenced by the Parthenon. Constructed from mostly limestone and marble, the Parthenon has stood since roughly 438 BC. How many building materials can last that long? Because of its inherent durability and longevity, natural stone is one of the most sustainable building materials currently available. And with a number of finishes and treatments that can be applied to enhance its performance, natural stone is easy to care for and maintain. This completely eliminates the need for harsh chemical cleaners that pose a danger to both human and environmental health.
Natural stone is recyclable
Did you know that natural stone is completely recyclable? Natural stone is incredibly versatile and can be used for a number of different purposes in its lifetime. Recycling and salvaging natural stone reduces waste and is an environmentally responsible way to utilize resources. Instead of creating new products from virgin stone or raw material, natural stone can easily be repurposed with low environmental impact.
Advances in quarrying and federal environmental regulations have made the process of extracting natural stone environmentally responsible and safe. For more information about the sustainability of natural stone as a building material, reach out to a professional stone supplier for more information!
