Is natural stone an eco-friendly option?
The number of man-made materials has exploded in the last 30 years, and as sustainability is a major issue, one can not overlook the impact of building materials used on a project. While natural stone is considered a finite resource, it has consistently provided effective results and has been used for thousands of years.
What Research Shows
The University of Stuttgart conducted research that compared different flooring materials for their ecological impact. Among the materials compared included natural stone, ceramic, terrazzo, engineered stone, fixed carpet, laminate, parquet, and PVC. The focus of the study not only on the material itself. It also compared the floor structure entirely (screed, mortar, adhesive, etc.) needed when using each of the options.
To ensure the validity and reliability of the findings, the study was conducted over a 50-year period of use both in commercial and private environments. The researchers took into consideration the production process of each of the materials, this allows them to differentiate between man-made and natural materials from the production point of mean. Engineered stone for example included the process of making the resin. On the other hand, the natural stone was analysed based on the process of quarrying the material.
What Makes Natural Stone Eco-Friendly
The study by the University of Stuttgart provides evidence that natural stone is the most eco-friendly option of the set tested. This is based on the fact that;
- Natural stone is used almost in its natural form. This means that only a little additional energy is needed to finish the material.
- The ecological life-cycle impact of natural stone is approximately 84% lower than that of an equivalent size ceramic tile.
- Natural stone contains no dangerous substances and it is virtually non-flammable. This makes it not just safe for use, but also friendly to the environment.
- Natural stone is available in all sorts of colours, sizes, and veining. This makes it diverse it useful and applicable in almost all types of constructions.
- Natural stone is highly durable. It can be repolished to make it almost like new and its appearance lasts for long.
As the green building movement grows in popularity, natural stone is emerging as the perfect material choice. Not only is natural stone durable, but it also outlasts many of the other building materials. Most of the historical structures as far as the Greek, Roman, and Egyptian eras still remain to date. Natural stone requires little processing and manufacturing. This is quite different from man-made surfaces that require the use of bonding agents like polymer resin and other chemicals.
Another factor that sets natural stone apart from man-made materials its extraction doesn’t emit VOCs, compared to the production of quartz or ceramic. Lastly, all natural stone slabs can be recycled in multiple ways to re-purpose the material.
