WAT IS DIE SAGTER NATUURLIKE KLEINE EN WAAR KAN DIT GEBRUIK WORD? landskap klip

Hoekom is sommige natuurlike klippe considered to be soft when they all appear to be hard? The answer lies within ‘relative’ hardness. Mohs scale of hardness was invented in 1812 and compares the relative hardness of ten minerals. Diamond is the hardest and rates a 10, while granite is the toughest natural stone at 6. Limestone comes in at 3 as does its metamorphic counterpart, marble. Softer stone is easier to dress or carve but does not wear or weather quite as well as harder stone. Here we discuss some of the more popular soft stones along with suitable applications.

Onreëlmatige klippe

Sedimentêre gesteente

Kalksteen, sandsteen en skalie is die mees algemene tipes sedimentêre gesteentes. Dit is gevorm deur geweldige druk, oor miljoene jare, wat neerslaan op sediment wat op die seebodem geval het.

Leisteen

The layers in slate are described as being “foliated” and they are easily split apart to create whatever thickness is required. UK slate is considered to be hard and was traditionally used as roofing, while soft slate is found in China, Spain, Italy and the USA. With a broad range of natural slate colours, a multiple array of designs can be achieved, from contemporary to classic, rustic to refined. Slate is often recommended for high traffic areas, thanks to its remarkably durable composition. It is also non-porous and does not easily react with acid liquids. It is fire proof, weather resistant and achieves good slip resistance dues to its riven finish.

Kalksteen

Limestone is a very common building material and is formed mainly from the mineral calcite, derived from the calcium in bones and seashells deposited over the millennia and forced together through pressure. While it also contains magnesium, it is harder and more weather resistant, and can also be polished. Portland stone from the eponymous island in Dorset is probably the single most famous type of limestone and was used to build many of London’s great buildings. It is used for external cladding as well as paving, fireplaces and other internal and external decorative features. Its soft colours are its trademark visual attributes.

Sandsteen

Sandsteen was waarskynlik die mees gebruikte bousteen voor 1800, vir alles van brûe tot statige geboue. Soos uit sy naam afgelei kan word, word dit gevorm wanneer sand, organiese materiaal, kalsiet en 'n verskeidenheid ander minerale oor die millennia onder ongelooflike druk saamgesmelt is. Beskikbaar met óf 'n growwe óf fyn tekstuur en word tradisioneel in 'n mat afwerking verskaf. Hoofsaaklik room, rooi of grys in die Verenigde Koninkryk, sy kleur hang af van die bykomende minerale wat daarin vervat is. Silika gee witheid, terwyl yster 'n rooi-bruin tint sal gee. Die hoofareas van toepassing is mure en vloere, of buite plaveisel.

Marmer

Marmer is 'n afgeleide van kalksteen, gevorm deur die metamorfose van kolossale hitte en druk oor miljoene jare. Alhoewel dit relatief sag is in vergelyking met ander klippe, is marmer geneig om ongelooflik goed te poets. Tradisioneel word marmer in deure gebruik en help om 'n hoë-afwerking te skep.