WAT BINNE DE Sêftere Natuerstiennen EN Wêr KINNE SE GEBRUK WORDEN? lânskip stien

Wêrom binne guon natuerlike stiennen 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.

Unregelmjittige stiennen

Sedimintêre rock

Kalkstien, sânstien en skaly binne de meast foarkommende soarten sedimintêre rotsen. Dizze waarden foarme troch geweldige druk, oer miljoenen jierren, dy't droegen op sedimint dat op 'e oseaanflier fallen wie.

Slate

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.

Kalkstien

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.

Sânstien

Sânstien wie nei alle gedachten de meast brûkte boustien foar 1800, foar alles fan brêgen oant statige gebouwen. Sa't út syn namme ôflaat wurde kin, wurdt it foarme doe't sân, organysk materiaal, kalsyt en in ferskaat oan oare mineralen yn 'e rin fan 'e millennia fusearre waarden ûnder ongelooflijke druk. Beskikber mei of in grof of fyn textuur en tradisjoneel levere yn in matte finish. Yn it foarste plak crème, read of griis yn it Feriene Keninkryk, syn kleur hinget ôf fan de ekstra mineralen befette deryn. Silika jout wytheid, wylst izer in read-brune tint sil jaan. De wichtichste gebieten fan tapassing binne muorren en flier, as eksterieur.

Moarmer

Marmer is in derivative fan kalkstien, foarme troch de metamorfoaze fan kolossale waarmte en druk oer miljoenen jierren. Hoewol relatyf sêft yn ferliking mei oare stiennen, hat marmer de neiging om ongelooflijk goed te polearjen. Tradysjoneel wurdt marmer brûkt yn doarren en helpt om in hege finish te meitsjen.