Natural Stone Fact vs. Myth: Addressing Common Misconceptions  

Natural stone is a beautiful, durable, and sustainable material that can be used for a broad range of interior and exterior applications. Unfortunately, some design professionals are hesitant to specify natural stone, either because they are unfamiliar with the product or have questions regarding its maintenance requirements. In fact, when the natural right stone is selected for the right application and installed properly, it can perform for decades.

Photo courtesy of Gallegos Corporation

The columns and cladding for the Ralph Carr Colorado Judicial Center in Denver are composed of granite.

Natural stones are stones that have been harvested from their in-situ positions in the earth, then cut and machined into final products without alteration to the natural fabric of the materials. They may be cut into shapes, including slabs and tiles. Though a resin or sealer may be applied to the face, the internal fabric of the stone is unchanged. By contrast, engineered products that are made from aggregates bound together with cementitious or resin binders do not meet the definition of natural stone.

This abundant and variable material defines many of the world’s iconic buildings, both ancient and contemporary. The fact that some of these buildings have endured for centuries is a testament to the material’s strength and resistance to wear. Dimension stone is cut or sawn into specific shapes. It can be finished by honing, polishing, or sandblasting, all of which affects the stone’s appearance. Many types of natural stone, including granite, marble, and limestone, can be fabricated into thin panels and used on the exterior of buildings.

Versatile, beautiful, and durable, natural stone has long been mankind’s preferred building material. The applications for natural stone are nearly limitless. Historically, stone served as the structure for many buildings; today, it is more typically used as nonstructural cladding. Natural stone is used extensively in landscaping, serving as pavers, walkways, walls, and other outdoor structures.

Inside, stone can be installed as flooring and countertops, as well as in vertical applications, such as wall cladding. Other options include mantels, fireplace surrounds, bath surrounds, and furniture.

How Natural Stone Is Classified

When specifying natural stone, it is important to have basic knowledge about the material’s inherent characteristics; this way, you can choose the appropriate stone for the given application. The stone’s mineral composition and how it was formed can tell you much about how it will perform.

Natural stone can be divided into two broad categories based on its chemistry, or mineral composition. Calcareous stones such as marble, limestone, and onyx are made of calcium carbonate and tend to be affected by acids, even common ones like lemon juice. Siliceous stones are made of silica or silicates and make up close to 95 percent of the earth’s crust. They include such common minerals as quartz, feldspar, and mica. Siliceous stones tend to be strong and resistant to acids.

Natural stone also can be categorized by how it is formed. Sedimentary stones are formed from preexisting rocks or the bodies of once-living marine organisms. Metamorphic stones are created through a combination of heat, pressure, and time. Igneous stones have their start as molten material that originates from deep with the earth near active plate boundaries.

Specifying Natural Stone

The Natural Stone Institute recommends proper testing, specification, and installation of natural stone. To meet these requirements, design professionals should work closely with a quarry or distributor during the specification process. Also consider using fabricators and installers that have been accredited by the Natural Stone Institute, as they have been tested and audited on their craftsmanship abilities.

One of the most important resources for design professionals is the set of standards and testing procedures developed by ASTM International and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). These standards guide the natural stone industry and help protect end users. In fact, most architectural specifications require that stone meet certain specified ASTM or other testing standards before it will be accepted for use.

Design professionals can seek test data from a quarry, material supplier, or fabricator. In addition, these experts will be able to provide anecdotal and historical information about the performance of a given material. They may refer you to projects that used the same stone in a similar application. For more information, visit bit.ly/2Q9gsBR.

ASTM Test Standards

ASTM Test Standards relevant to natural stone can be divided into two broad categories: those that pertain to the stone’s physical performance, and those that tell us something about how the stone will perform under certain circumstances.

ASTM C97: Absorption and Bulk Specific Gravity of Dimension Stone is the test method used to determine the absorption of water, expressed as a percent by weight, and the bulk specific gravity, which is the means by which density is determined.

ASTM C170: Standard Test Method for Compressive Strength of Dimension Stone is used for all dimension stone types, using a specimen that is a rectangular prism, cube, or cylinder. The compressive strength is reported as the failure stress in either lbs/in² or MPa.

ASTM C99: Standard Test Method for Modulus of Rupture measures the bending or flexural strength of a stone material under a single-point load.

ASTM C880: Standard Test Method for Flexural Strength of Dimension Stone evaluates bending strength using two points of loading and a sample that is the actual thickness of the stone to be installed.

ASTM C1353: Standard Test Method for Abrasion Resistance of Dimension Stone Subjected to Foot Traffic Using a Rotary Platform, Double-Head Abraser determines the degree to which a stone material can withstand scratching or abrasion using an instrument called the Taber Abraser.

ANSI DCOF (dynamic coefficient of friction) measures slip resistance of an object in motion and is relevant for flooring applications.

ASTM C1354: Strength of Individual Stone Anchorages in Dimension Stone evaluates the performance of individual anchors with a specific stone product.

Which Tests for Which Application?

The test data you seek will largely depend on the application. If the stone is going to be installed outside, it must be resistant to weathering and decay, as it could be exposed to temperature extremes, freeze-thaw cycles, pollutants, and chemicals such as deicers. Because stones in interior applications are sheltered from the elements, the range of choices is much wider. However, there are special considerations for interior stones that are to be used in flooring applications or installed where they could be exposed to chemicals, grease, or prolonged moisture.

If the stone is being used in a structural capacity, you should seek test data for compressive strength and flexural strength. If the stone is to be exposed to the elements, study the stone’s absorption, porosity, and permeability. In addition, you may want to seek test data for how it reacts to freeze/thaw cycles. If the stone is to be installed in a vertical application, study the anchorage system and specify ASTM C1354. If the stone is to be used in a floor areas that receive foot traffic, it should be tested for abrasive hardness and slip resistance. Absorption and density are also important considerations.

Comparing Natural Stone to Other Materials

ASTM test data allows specifiers to objectively compare one product with another based on certain attributes, such as abrasion resistance and absorption rate.

Let us consider countertops, which lend themselves to an almost overwhelming range of options, from natural granite and marble to engineered quartz, solid surface, and laminates.

There are several considerations when specifying countertops. The material should be scratch resistant, and you should also understand how the material reacts with acids so you can properly care for and maintain it. Countertops used for food preparation should be easily sanitized. As always, choose the correct material for the proper application.

With this in mind, key characteristics to study include hardness and absorption rate. A quick way to evaluate a material’s hardness is its Mohs Hardness Scale rating. This scale rates the relative hardness of a material between 1 and 10; the higher the number, the more resistant to scratching.

ASTM C97 test data will inform you of the material’s absorption rate. However, the stone’s mineral makeup is the key determinant of how resistant it is to chemicals and acids. Therefore, it is important to research the individual stone. Again, the fabricator, quarrier, or distributor will be an excellent resource.

Though it is by no means the only choice, granite is an extremely popular building material, in part because it is hard, stable, and has a low absorption rate while also being beautiful.

Let us look at an example comparing test data of different countertop materials, first considering the material’s hardness as measured by the Moh’s scale. Glazed porcelain tile and engineered quartz are around 7, while granite ranges between 6 and 8.

Next let us consider absorption rate. Porcelain tile is classified as impervious and has an absorption rate of less than 0.05 percent. Engineered quartz has an absorption rate of 0.05 percent, which is also considered very low. The absorption rate of granite ranges from 0.05 percent to 0.40 percent; the application of a quality sealer can further reduce the absorption rate.

As these data show, the differences in hardness and absorption rate among these three materials are quite small, and each is likely to perform equally well. In this case, the decision of which material to specify should be made by considering other factors, such as aesthetics and sustainability.

Testing Products

If you are not sure how a product will perform, you always have the option of testing it yourself.

For example, a geologist tested several materials side by side: two samples of granite, both sealed with an impregnator; two samples of engineered quartz; one sample of sintered surface (a heated and highly compressed blend of clays, feldspars, silica, and other minerals); and one sample of poured concrete with gravel aggregate that had been sealed with an acrylic polymer sealer.

These samples were tested for hardness, acid resistance, thermal resistance, staining, and cleaning with an abrasive pad. The tests were performed using common household items; for example, she used vinegar to test for acid resistance, turmeric paste and food dye to test for staining, and a hot skillet (both dry and oiled) to test for heat resistance. A series of “hardness picks” was used to determine the material’s hardness according to the Moh’s scale.

The results showed that both the granite samples and sintered surface held up very well to all of the tests. One of the samples of engineered quartz suffered heat damage from the hot skillet, and one showed staining from food coloring, turmeric, and hot oil. Both engineered quartz samples became dulled when scrubbed with an abrasive pad. The concrete sample fared the worst in terms of stains and scratches, as it is a soft and porous material.

Photo courtesy of Natural Stone Institute

The Universal Testing Machine is used to perform many physical properties tests, including flexural strength (ASTM C880), modulus of rupture (ASTM C99), and anchor pull tests.

Comparing Granite and Engineered Quartz

Granite and engineered quartz are both popular choices for countertops. To understand how they perform, let us look at how each material is made.

Granite is composed of igneous rock that once flowed as molten magma. As the magma cools it forms crystals. This process takes place deep within the earth over a great period of time. Variations in the composition of magma and the rate of cooling account for granite’s wide range of colors and patterns, resulting in a dense, durable stone with many practical applications.

Manufactured quartz is composed of mineral quartz, pigments, and polyester resins, which bind the material together. These ingredients are mixed together and poured into a mold, where a combination of heat, compaction, and vibration are used to cure the slurry into slabs. The resin helps create a low-porosity surface.

Most granites are composed of two minerals, mineral quartz and feldspar, with smaller amounts of hornblende, biotite, and other minerals. Mineral quartz has a hardness of 7, while feldspar has a hardness of 6 to 6.5. Engineered quartz has a hardness of around 7, although the pockets of resin will be much softer than the mineral particles they surround.

Both granite and engineered quartz have low absorption rates, although the percentages for granite varies depending on its source and crystal structure. Both are nonreactive to household acids; however, some granites should be sealed periodically to protect them from staining. The resins in engineered quartz make it susceptible to permanent damage by heat.

Aesthetically, both granite and engineered quartz come in a variety of colors and patterns. Note, however, that engineered quartz tends to be uniform, whereas granite will have natural variation, even if subtle.

Of course, there are additional criteria to consider other than performance and aesthetics. In the next section, we will see how to evaluate materials for their sustainability by looking at their entire life-cycle impacts, including the opportunities for recycling and reuse.

Image courtesy of Natural Stone Institute

As this chart illustrates, many commonly specified countertop materials are highly stain and scratch resistant, but they differ when it comes to the environmental impact of manufacturing.

Common Myths About Natural Stone

While there is little disagreement over the beauty and timelessness of natural stone, there is considerable confusion around its cost, care and maintenance, and sustainability. Let us look at some of the common myths surrounding natural stone.

Myth: It Is Too Expensive

Many specifiers and customers shy away from natural stone because they assume that it is too expensive. While it is true that there are high-end natural stone products out there, the large spectrum of natural stone options on the market ensures that there is a stone for nearly every budget, application, and aesthetic preference. In addition, many natural stone products are in a similar price range as other popular options, such as quartz, large-format porcelain, sintered surface, concrete, and glass.

The price of a given natural stone product will depend on many factors, including demand, availability, and distance from the quarry or fabricator. Incidentally, working directly with a quarry or fabricator can save the client money and gives you a direct line to information about the stone and the company’s practices.

In addition, when you consider the full life-cycle cost of the product, natural stone is not only competitive but also a sound investment because of its durability and longevity. Consider the service life of various flooring products—including ceramic tile, vinyl, and laminates—over a 50-year time span. Natural stone flooring will not have to be replaced in that time and in fact should last at least another 50 years. In that same time span, vinyl may have to be replaced up to three times; in addition, the maintenance costs may be higher. In another example, tile has a comparable lifespan to natural stone, but it requires more maintenance, especially of the grout, which requires regular cleaning and periodic restoration. A life-cycle cost analysis can help you compare the total life-cycle costs of different options—including maintenance, replacement, and disposal—and will ultimately save the client money in the long run.

Myth: It Is Hard to Maintain

Many natural materials require some degree of maintenance. Wood floors, for example, must be swept, cleaned, and oiled to protect them from scratches and stains. Similarly, natural stone requires routine cleaning and maintenance to ensure that it stays as beautiful as the day it was installed. These procedures are not difficult or time consuming; often it is a matter of understanding the products and regimes that are appropriate for that particular stone.

In addition, natural stone can often be repaired, restored, and refinished should a stain, scratch, or etching occur. Most man-made imitations cannot be returned to their original state.

Myth: It Is Not Sustainable

Unfortunately, some people have preconceived notions about the natural stone industry’s practices, with images of vast mining operations that harm workers and the environment and leave gaping holes in the landscape afterward. In fact, quarrying is a well-regulated operation; what is more, the natural stone industry holds a Sustainability Standard for quarriers and fabricators. This along with stone’s naturally low carbon footprint help make it an excellent choice for green building projects.

We will take a deeper dive into the sustainability of natural stone later in this course. Now, let us consider the best practices for the care and maintenance of natural stone.

The Care and Maintenance of Natural Stone

You would not use citrus-based or acidic cleaners to clean a marble vanity. In fact, the most critical factor in properly caring and maintaining natural stone is understanding the stone's geological classification and composition. This information is vital for selecting the best cleaning products and regimes for the particular stone.

That said, there are some general recommendations for cleaning most natural stone products, many of which are applicable to most other materials as well. First, choose a neutral cleaner, stone soap, or mild liquid dishwashing detergent to clean stone surfaces, and avoid abrasive pads. This is a good rule of thumb for all surfaces, not just natural stone, as harsher cleaners and abrasive pads may dull or scratch the finish. Acidic or abrasive cleaners can also damage grout in tile surfaces. In addition, many suppliers offer products specifically formulated for cleaning stone. The manufacturer’s directions should be followed. Use warm water to dilute the product if necessary, as a concentrated solution may leave a film or streaks.

Products that contain lemon, vinegar, or other acids should be avoided, as they may dull or etch calcareous stones. Similarly, scouring powders or creams often contain abrasives that may scratch certain stones. Rust removers should never be used on stone products, as the trace levels of hydrofluoric acid in these products will attack silicates and other minerals.

Cleaning procedures for natural stone, engineered quartz, sintered surface, and tile are similar. A clean rag mop should be used on floors and a soft cloth should be used on other surfaces, such as countertops. The area should be rinsed thoroughly after washing with the soap solution and dried with a soft cloth. The rinse water should be changed frequently. One notable difference between natural stone, engineered quartz, and tile compared with laminates is that laminates should not be flooded with water, as moisture can penetrate the seams and possibly cause delamination. Tiled surfaces also require periodic maintenance of the grout to prevent or remove the buildup of dirt and other materials.

Wet areas have special considerations. Using a squeegee after each use can minimize the buildup of soap scum. To remove soap scum, use a nonacidic soap scum remover or a solution of ammonia and water (about ¹⁄₂ cup ammonia to 1 gallon of water). Frequent or overuse of an ammonia solution may eventually dull the surface of some stone types.

To Seal or Not to Seal

The porosity of stone products varies; some will require more frequent sealing; others may not need to be sealed at all. For some stone products, periodic sealing can help protect the surface from dirt and reduce the incidence of staining; however, there are several factors to consider before breaking out the sealer. The type of stone, its finish, its location, and how it is maintained all need to be considered when determining how to protect the stone.

Impregnators are water- or solvent-based solutions that penetrate below the surface of the stone, where they become repellents. Impregnators are typically hydrophobic (water repelling) and oliophobic (oil repelling). They keep contaminants out without preventing moisture from inside the stone from escaping. Hence, these products are considered “breathable” since they allow the transmission of vapor. Impregnators are recommended for surfaces that frequently contact water and oils—for example, vanity tops and food preparation areas. Make sure the impregnator product is nontoxic and safe for use around food preparation.

Finally, it is important to understand that sealing is not a cure-all for stains. Sealers slow the absorption rate of porous materials; they do not make stone stain proof. Regular use of coasters and trivets and jumping on spills right away will complement the protection provided by the sealing product.

For guidance on sealing and the care of natural stone, visit bit.ly/3eHo48Y.

Special Considerations: Marble

Marble is softer than granite and may be susceptible to scratches and etching. The hardness of marble is comparable to other household materials, including solid surface, hardwoods, and resins in engineered quartz. Because it is a calcareous stone, marble is softer and more vulnerable to stains, scratches, and etching, especially when the surface comes into contact with an acidic substance.

Such common kitchen items as tomatoes, citrus fruits and juices, vinegar, and sodas are acidic. Wine and oils can also cause stains if not wiped up in a timely manner.

Etching and stains can be prevented by the diligent use of cutting boards, trivets, and coasters. Marble countertops should be cleaned regularly, but the product must be appropriate for the material. Mild soaps and stone cleaners are safe choices.

Some varieties of marble may benefit from an impregnating sealer; however, application and maintenance frequency may depend on stone variety and use. It is best to consult the sealer manufacture for specific product recommendations, which can range from every year to every 10 years or more. The surface treatment makes a difference. Polished marble may show etching, while honed surfaces may make etching less noticeable. Refinishing can restore the surface of marble countertops to its original luster; a honed surface can be refinished less frequently. One way to test whether the stone needs resealing is to drop a small amount of water onto the countertop. If it leaves a dark spot after a couple of minutes, the marble needs to be treated.

Special Considerations: Granite

Granite requires regular cleaning. Daily wiping with a mild, neutral cleaner should be adequate.

As with any stone surface, the use of cutting boards, trivets, and cooling racks can protect the material from stains. Paying attention to areas that are frequently exposed to water can help prevent the buildup of calcium and magnesium, which can leave a dull, whitish film on any surface.

Some varieties of granite may benefit from an impregnating sealer. However, application and maintenance frequency may depend on stone variety and use, so it is important to consult the sealer manufacturer for specific product recommendations. Some may not need sealing at all or will only require one application. Others may require several applications to properly seal them. Penetrating sealers should be used for surfaces that see heavy use or are exposed to water on a daily basis, such as bathroom and kitchen counters. A sealer can last up to 10 years; however, inappropriate cleaning products can compromise the sealer.

Natural Stone and Sustainability

Natural stone is naturally sustainable. It has been used for millennia, often requiring minimal processing. Natural stone is not bonded together with petroleum-based resins, nor is it created in a factory. Stone is durable, will not need replacing, and requires little maintenance. The material does not emit harmful chemicals and is 100 percent recyclable.

Because of these characteristics, natural stone has a favorable life-cycle environmental impact when compared with other building materials, especially when sourced locally. In addition, a sustainability standard developed for the natural stone industry ensures the sustainability of certified stone products, from cradle to gate. By working with a quarry that has implemented socially and environmentally responsible practices, including a plan for reclamation, you can feel confident that you are specifying a product with a good environmental pedigree. Natural stone products can also contribute to green building certification.

An Enduring Life Cycle

The best evidence for the durability of natural stone lies in the many iconic buildings that still stand centuries after they were built. In contemporary architecture, there is a trend to “build for the future,” with an understanding that a “green” building is one that will stand the test of time. Materials and products with a longer life cycle can help contribute to the longevity of these buildings and reduce the embodied energy and energy associated with replacing them.

Whether the application is a stone floor, countertop, or wall cladding, natural stone should last for at least 100 years or longer. When the building is finally demolished and/or the stone product removed, it is easily recyclable. In fact, nearly 100 percent of stone from deconstructed projects is recyclable and may be recovered for use in new buildings, or crushed for use in roadbeds and other infrastructure.

Embodied energy tallies the energy consumed by all the processes associated with the production of a building, including mining and processing of natural resources, manufacturing, transport, and product delivery. The embodied energy of a building material can be equivalent to many years of operational energy.

Natural stone is nearly complete as a building material in its natural state; it has one of the lowest embodied energy values of any comparable building material.

Once extracted, natural stone requires minimal processing or fabrication. Consequently, the energy associated with quarrying and preparing stone for market is quite low compared to many other materials used in similar applications—for example, ceramic tile, carpet, and vinyl flooring.

A German study that compared the life-cycle impacts of several floor coverings showed that natural stone has the lowest global-warming potential (GWP) of all of them. According to the study, which used environmental product declarations (EPDs) provided by manufacturers to compare impacts, the GWP of carpet was more than 20 times higher than that of natural stone tile.

Because stone is so durable, it does not need refurbishing or replacement. A stone floor, for example, will easily last 50 years or more and require little maintenance other than routine cleaning. In that same period, carpeting may need replacing up to four times.

It should be noted that transportation energy can be quite high for natural stone, as it is a dense (heavy) material. However, natural stone is a single-ingredient material. Other competing materials contain multiple ingredients, each of which require transportation to the manufacturing facility and contribute to the total environmental impact.

Consequently, sourcing stone products regionally can go a long way toward reducing the material’s environmental footprint. In addition, most green building rating systems incentivize the support of products and businesses that are close to the project site. Regionally manufactured and extracted materials reduce environmental impacts by reducing emissions of greenhouse gasses during transportation while supporting local economies. Fortunately, there are stone quarry sites within 500 miles of nearly every building site in the United States and Canada. Selecting reclaimed material is another good option that will extend the stone’s operational life and reduce the embodied energy of your project.

Health and Indoor Air Quality

Natural stone can support good indoor air quality. Because it is a natural material with few if any additives, it is easy to “vet” and unlikely to contain any harmful materials or chemicals, such as those included on the Living Building Challenge’s Red List. Be aware, however, that processing may add resin or cementitious fillers, fiberglass mesh backing, topical or penetrating sealers, or other chemicals; be sure to seek material transparency documents for these products.

Research conducted by the University of Tennessee's Center for Clean Products found that natural stone does not directly emit any volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Low- and no-VOC setting materials may be specified to ensure indoor air quality is not compromised. Natural stone also does not release harmful substances when exposed to fire, and the material is itself noncombustible.

Photos courtesy of Polycor

These photos from an active quarry show how much stone has been harvested over a 10-year period.

The Sustainability Standard

In 2014, the natural stone industry established the sustainable stone certification standard. ANSI 373: Sustainable Production of Natural Dimension Stone provides natural stone quarriers and fabricators with third-party verification of their sustainable practices. The standard also allows builders and designers to confidently specify stone as a sustainable material. Finally, the standard will help drive continual improvement in the industry as preference is shown to products that have been certified as sustainable.

ANSI 373-2019 applies to all processors of natural stone, from quarry operations to final stone fabricators. The standard utilizes a point-based system with both required and optional criteria in 10 categories. Certification is based on point totals and includes four tiers of certification: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Operations must be monitored and reevaluated periodically to maintain their certification. The chain-of-custody (COC) standard complements the sustainability standard. Its aim is to drive sustainability throughout the supply chain, ensuring that natural stone products that are produced with best practices are also handled throughout the supply chain in a manner that ensures and upholds their sustainability.

The 10 categories in ANSI 373-2019 are:

Water: minimal freshwater use in processing and ensuring good quality of water being released back to the environment

Energy: energy-efficient operations with low carbon impacts

Custody & Transportation: efficiency of the transportation and handling of stone

Chain of Custody: an unbroken chain of certified organizations from quarry to the end user

Chemicals & Materials: safe management of chemicals within operations and avoidance of Red List chemicals

Excess Materials: low amounts of excess processed material and solid waste that goes into landfills

Innovation: promoting continuous improvement and transformation of the industry

Site Management: site-specific measurement plans to ensure responsible management of environmental impacts

Land Reclamation: responsible and sustainable reclamation of quarry sites once operations have ceased

Human Health & Safety: plans to ensure that workers are provided with a safe and healthy work environment

Corporate Governance: social responsibility through workplace regulations and employee/community programs

Green Building Programs

ANSI 373 was updated in 2019 to align with evolving green building programs, such as the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and the International Living Future Institute's Living Building Challenge.

These changes are helping designers and project teams meet their sustainability goals. Let us examine how certified natural stone products can contribute to these goals.

LEED v4

In LEED v4, certified natural stone can contribute to Option 1 under the credit Building Product Disclosure and Optimization: Sourcing of Raw Materials, provided that the facility and/or quarry operation has earned certification, including either optional credit 7.2.1: Ecosystem Boundaries or 7.2.2: Environmental Impact Assessment. This option, found under the Material Resources category, requires the use of at least 20 different permanently installed products from at least five different manufacturers “that have publicly released a report from their raw material suppliers that includes raw material supplier extraction locations, a commitment to long-term ecologically responsible land use, a commitment to reducing environmental harms from extraction and/or manufacturing processes, and a commitment to meeting applicable standards or programs voluntarily that address responsible sourcing criteria.”

In addition, natural stone that has earned an approved label such as Declare may contribute to Option 1: Material Ingredient Reporting under the credit Building Product Disclosure and Optimization: Material Ingredients. This option requires that the project use at least 20 different permanently installed products from at least five different manufacturers that use a USGBC-approved program to demonstrate the chemical inventory of the product to at least 0.1 percent (1,000 ppm). Material ingredient reporting uses a wide range of programs, including Cradle to Cradle and health product declarations (HPDs). Since natural stone is composed of a single (and natural) ingredient, it is an easy product to document.

Living Building Challenge

The Living Building Challenge has been instrumental in pushing the building industry toward a more holistic approach to green building. It consists of seven categories, called Petals, which address various aspects of a healthy, sustainable building. The Materials Petal strives to “help create a materials economy that is nontoxic, ecologically restorative, transparent, and socially equitable.” Under the Materials Petal, the Responsible Industry Imperative requires that project teams advocate for the creation and adoption of third-party-certified standards for sustainable resource extraction and fair labor practices. For stone, project teams must advocate to quarries and/or manufacturers of all dimension stone products used within the project for certification under ANSI 373.

In addition, natural stone is supportive of several other Imperatives, including the Biophilic Environment and Healthy Indoor Environment, which both fall under the Health & Happiness Petal.

The Scoop on Quarries and Fabricators

The natural stone industry has long been committed to sustainable practices. That said, quarrying and processing operations are not without impacts. Choosing certified stone can help ensure that you are rewarding sustainable operations while meeting the “green” goals of your project.

In addition to its sustainability standard, the Natural Stone Council publishes best practices for transportation, solid waste management, water management, and quarry site management. Unfortunately, many people equate quarrying with mining and are unaware of the best practices that are employed by many quarries and fabricators.

Most natural stone quarries have a small footprint and operate in the same location for decades. In most modern quarries, the stone is meticulously extracted with little to no blasting, as this can fracture the stone. Quarries strive to minimize waste and utilize most if not all of the extracted stone, often finding creative ways to divert “waste” into new income streams. In some cases, donating or recycling scrap is possible.

As noted earlier, transportation energy can be significant, as stone is incredibly dense, or “heavy.” Industry best practices range from centralizing freight management to choosing carriers that use fuel-efficient vehicles, and even switching to reusable and non-plastic packing materials. All of these strategies not only help reduce the environmental impact of transportation but also save the operation money.

ANSI 373 encourages quarry operators and fabricators to minimize freshwater consumption and ensure the quality of water released back to the environment. Operators must develop and maintain an annual water inventory, and recapture and recycle a minimum of 25 percent of the total water used. In fact, some operations recycle far more than that.

Most quarries will have plans in place that seek to limit habitat loss, waterway damage, erosion, pollution, noise, and vibrations. In addition, they will have a reclamation plan to guide rehabilitation of the site once the operation is closed. ANSI 373 requires that certified quarries develop such plans; many states also require them. According to ANSI 373, plans should include proposals for site cleanup, infrastructure renewal, site safety, and ecosystem restoration. It is also recommended that stone companies work with the original landowners or the local community when developing their plans.

Even before the sustainability standard was developed, many shuttered quarries have been converted into parks and reservoirs.

The 684-acre Quarry Park and Nature Preserve located just outside of St. Cloud, Minnesota, provides a compelling example of how a once-productive quarry has been reclaimed as an attractive recreation destination. In summer, people flock to the quarry to swim, picnic, hike, fish, and rock climb; in winter, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are popular. From the 1880s to the 1960s, several stone companies operated quarries in present-day Quarry Park, which opened to the public in 1992.

Other creative uses for old quarries include golf courses, amusement parks, housing developments, and shooting ranges.

Image courtesy of Natural Stone Institute

Engineered quartz has greater embodied energy than natural stone because there are many more steps in the manufacturing process.

Conclusion

Natural stone is a beautiful, versatile material with many possible applications, both inside and out. In addition to lending a timeless quality to building projects, natural stone is a key component in biophilic design. Natural stone elements can help create a serene, warm environment that promotes well-being and supports health. Unfortunately, some clients are reluctant to specify natural stone out of concern for its cost, maintenance requirements, and sustainability. As design professionals, you can help clear up these misconceptions, guiding clients to select stone products that are appropriate for the application—and that with the proper care will last for decades. In addition, you can show them how natural stone can help them attain their sustainability goals while lowering the overall environmental impacts of the construction and operation of their buildings.