Time to gather stones

Nikolai Ovchinnikov What material is chosen for the outer lining of the country house? Here's a question that baffles many. All because of finishing materials are now such an abundance of which in their wildest imaginations did not think either Montferrand or Russia, to create architectural masterpieces exclusively from natural stone. Classics knew the secrets of this extremely durable, extraordinarily beautiful material created by the most talented architects - nature. Material to enliven the facades and exterior staircases, even under the eternally gloomy Petrograd sky - look at the buildings, centuries-old standing on the banks of the Neva, and comments will be redundant ... And if you follow the example of their ancestors and decorate your home with natural stone? The answer is obvious: you will not regret it. So, the first important quality of natural stone, we identified - beauty. Indeed, it is difficult to name any other finishing material, which is so harmoniously combining the rigor and efficiency, the monumentality and grace. St. Petersburg and Berlin, Amsterdam and Yerevan - this pearl of world architecture, framed in granite, marble, tuff second, equally important, plus the stone - its strength and durability. Say, a stone finish at home - for centuries, it will last as long as the house itself will stand. Not true! In Amsterdam, discovered the house, which was finishing his senior. It turned out that in the XIX century, the owners had to demolish the old building - to restore it is not possible, a granite porch, outdoor stairs and the basement of the sample of the XVIII century have been so expensive that they rented and moved into a new house. And they regularly serve to this day! And not just served - and even decorate the building. Cons ... Sure, they have a stone there. The main objective lack of natural stone - the weight. Indeed, he is one of the toughest finishing materials. But this does not mean that the stone should be immediately deleted from the list of applicants to furnish your home. Simply require significant calculations, taking into account the type of stone, building height, type of finish, how to mount. But - for centuries. Another negative - specifically, "horror story", which began to distribute some publications and Internet portals, is associated with radioactivity of natural stones. What to say here? Just the fact that all too exaggerated. First, radioactive, not all species, but only igneous (granite, diorite, gabbro). Secondly, there are hygiene regulations and radiation safety standards of finishing materials, which must be confirmed by appropriate certificates. No self-respecting provider without such a certificate does not go to market lot of the stone. And none of discerning buyers will not get the stone, not asked, in what field and when it is extracted, and in what way, and not having read the certificate. We must know what to pay a tidy sum, as a natural stone - one of the most expensive decorative materials. This, incidentally, is also considered to be his fault. In fact, the high price - another advantage of the stone. Because good is never cheap. Strong as granite, beautiful, like marble Kohl Speaking of suppliers of natural stone, it is worth saying that the world leader is Italy, where it is processed about 70% produced in the world of stone. As soon as there is more or less interesting stone, his first delivery to Italy and unwind as a brand, and then later spread to other countries. This is due to the fact that in Italy a very strong tradition of working with natural stone and master have unique processing techniques and calibration of this natural material. In recent years, Italy on the world market became crowded China, primarily due to supply very cheap stone. But what is the stone? If Italian is a perfect calibration, the calibration of the Chinese stone leaves much to be desired - the difference plate thickness can reach up to 10 mm! Russia is lagging behind the extraction of stone from other countries (in Greece if one person has 50 kg of marble annually, we have - 1.2 kg), but the industry has progressed in recent years. Great value (especially for quality) has a way of quarrying. The most common - with the help of the explosion. Cheap, but there are cracks in the stone, reducing its strength. Yes, and wasted blasting rocks - a third is quite a suitable material goes to waste. More cost-chipping rocks with the help of air cushions: in the rock makes a hole and lay the tank, in which high pressure is pumped into the air. The most expensive and most efficient production method - the method of cutters. No microcracks and loss of valuable material! The Chinese prefer to blow up the rock, the Italians - to cut it. What eventually gets to the market of finishing materials? What are the most popular among developers breed of natural stone? MARBLE - translated from the Greek word "brilliant" - in full compliance with this breed evaluation of sedimentary origin. A stunning beauty, perfectly workable, but it is extremely sensitive to all the aggressive influences stone. Most often it is used for interior decoration of country homes, at least - for external (eg, make a marble porch). Prices per square meter - 35-150 dollars, and exclusive varieties may not only be expensive, but very expensive! GRANITE - Latin for "grainy" - a magmatic origin, is the standard hardness and strength. Due to its unique properties: strength, frost resistance, low abrasion and water penetration - is used for both internal and external finishing. The cost of the "square" - from 40 to 300 dollars, "exclusive" would cost two to two and a half times more expensive. Slate refers to metamorphic rocks. It is not as bright and flowery, like marble or granite, but the color of his noble. Some time ago, slate was used only for outdoor decor (they even paved streets), but now it became increasingly used as an elite finishing material. Especially good are bright, flashy Indian and African slate. Cost - from $ 75 per square meter. Sandstone - a porous sedimentary rock, which is all good, but is afraid of high humidity. Sandstone is processed very easily, and fits perfectly lies in the design project. And inexpensive - from 5 to 20 dollars per "square". LIMESTONE - rock of organic origin. A very interesting stone, with which you can create incredibly beautiful "painting" because it contains fossilized organisms and plants. Variety of limestone - a decorative coquina consisting of fancy shells of ancient mollusks - a real gift for lovers of the exotic! The cost of limestone depends on its quality, the bottom line - from 5 to 30 dollars per square meter. And the stones need protection features exterior cottage with natural stone are endless. For example, the basement at home, standing on the side of a steep, overgrown with wild forest hill, trim "wild" granite and the walls - bright limestone. Granite finish almost merges with the slope, and it seems as if the house is embedded into the granite rock. The spectacle of indescribable! The list of architectural decisions with stone infinite, however, there is one significant "but." Qualified to work with natural stone can not every designer and architect. Professionals must not only possess high artistic taste, but also to know the purely technical details to take into account compatibility of some rocks with others, density, porosity, water absorption, salt, frost, acid rock, on what basis - to offer the best option attachment, calculate the pre- weight of the assembly. In general finishing of stone - it is painstaking work, based on a distinguished engineering calculations, otherwise the costs can not justify themselves. Ideally, the exterior is to be designed in conjunction with the entire building. This does not mean that you can not decorate the finished stone building, just in case the possibility of an architect will be limited to: structural features of the aligned houses can not afford to use exactly the stone, which is like the owner. These masters "customizing" the house itself and its decoration by the owner, developed the concept at home, taking into account the tastes and desires of those who will live in it. If the owner wishes to emphasize the solidity and impregnable possessions - the architect chooses the dark marble or granite, if you want to show their availability, openness, and an optimistic outlook on life - a light marble, limestone, sandstone begin, of course, from the base. For facing the cap requires a dense, frost-resistant stone, preferably dark colors, because the lower part of the house most affected by the disaster. Granite or sandstone dark color will be most welcome here. Effectively looks porch of polished granite, the truth must be applied to it a special non-skid strips, otherwise go for such steps in the snow or rain is dangerous - they are transformed into a skating rink. But the marble used for wall or cap the porch is not worth: a few years he has completely lost its marketability. Not survive contact with the snow, water, mud and loose rocks - limestone and coquina. The choice of stone for walls is dictated solely by considerations of design, and limitations are much less than for the lining of the cap. You can safely take a light friable rock. Just need to properly equip the gutters to prevent water dripping from the roof is not on the wall, and from there, otherwise there will be light surface dirty smudges. The main restriction in the choice of facing stone for the walls is unacceptable Neighborhood silicate rocks (sandstone) with carbonate (marble, limestone, coquina). With their direct contact information contained in silicates silicic acid reacts with calcium carbonate, which is the basis of calcareous rocks, and both the stones are destroyed at an accelerated pace. All other species may be exposed to them without much damage. Mounted on a stone with an adhesive sealant or mixtures (so-called wet method) or by means of various fastening systems. There are also intermediate option when the stone is mounted on the wall, mechanical, and the space between it and the wall is filled with a solution. In this case, the stones are mounted not only "the wall", but also with each other. Very cautious attitude requires most beautiful and whimsical stone - marble. That it is not yellowed, it is laid on white adhesive compounds and are closely monitoring that, under the plate did not hit any metal object such as a nail. Over time, a nail rust, rusty stain tread on sensitive marble, and he will not get rid of any chemicals. In recent years, increasingly began to be used mounted on the mounting section of the lattice or hanging tires, which greatly expands the possibilities of finishing: between the wall and facing constantly circulates the air, hence no condensation, and the walls do not need to specially prepare for laying the stone because of this kind of mounting irregularities or absence of the plaster does not matter. So, finishing stone is completed. Remains the most recent stroke - to protect the stone from the harmful effects. With that now there is no problem: developed a set of water-and stain-resistant impregnation, as well as compounds that protect the stone from acid rain, oil, from the appearance of mosses, lichens and microorganisms. There are even impregnated to protect against bullies - fans mural spray paint. Remove from unprotected surface of the stone spray paint is difficult, and when impregnated with a special compound is not in the cellar. With due regard to house a stone finish, as in the case mentioned above the building in Amsterdam, can serve as a longer way home.