COLOR, APPLICATION, AND PATINA: THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN USING NATURAL STONE
Belvedere Estate: Walker & Moody Architects and Tucker & Marks Interior Design
Two of the greatest attributes of stone as a building material are its strength and durability. Because of its place in the legacy of world structures, stone adds depth of natural and human history to your home or garden. To make sure that you utilize its potential, QuarryHouse recommends you consider a few things:
Coloration and Natural Light: Like any design element, the color palette of the stone you are using is a primary concern. Because it is a natural material, it is seldom monochromatic, and it is usually best to think of it in terms of a range of colors as opposed to a single hue when installed.
For this reason, a single small sample is often not enough to determine if the coloration of stone will work. When sorting through stone samples, ask your Stone Contractor or quarry for several good-sized samples to see how variation plays out from piece to piece. Bring the samples to the site and view them in context.
Jade Stone Ink Stone in a village in Hunan, China
Type of Stone and Application: Certain kinds of stones are more durable than others and will react differently under stress. Sandstones, for instance, are much softer than granite and are less durable as a walling material. Some stones are strong in mass but weak in smaller dimensions. A stone that seemed unbreakable at a thickness of four inches may sheer off quickly at a depth of an inch and a half. Marble has been the stone of choice for European carvers for centuries, both for its structural and aesthetic properties. If you are looking for intricate details or finishes in your stone, make sure it is a suitable carving stone.
Old Farm Wall in the Lake District of England
Stone Patinas over Time: Just like wood, quarried products change in appearance over time, though unlike wood, this process seldom results in a loss of structural integrity. Also unique to stone is the surprising range of changes it can go through in the weathering process. Iron deposits in some rocks will oxidize and can cause the material to streak or rust. Aging effects are a part of the historical aesthetic of stone as viewed in the cobblestone streets of Europe or the sidewalks of New York, showing moss growth and surface wear.
Building in natural stone can bring beautiful dimensions to your project if you follow the basic guidelines. See the full range of colors in the stone and how they interact with the conditions at your site, choose the right type of stone for your application, and understand how that stone will age over time.
