柔らかい天然石とは何ですか？どこで使用できますか？景観石

なぜ一部の 天然石 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.

不規則な石

堆積岩

堆積岩の最も一般的な種類は、石灰岩、砂岩、頁岩です。これらは、何百万年もの間、海底に沈んだ堆積物に非常に大きな圧力がかかって形成されました。

スレート

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.

石灰岩

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.

砂岩

砂岩は、1800 年以前には橋から荘厳な建物まで、あらゆる建築石材として最も一般的に使用されていた石材です。名前から推測できるように、砂、有機物、方解石、その他さまざまな鉱物が数千年にわたって信じられないほどの圧力を受けて融合して形成されます。粗い質感または細かい質感のどちらかが利用可能で、伝統的にマット仕上げで提供されます。英国では主にクリーム色、赤、または灰色ですが、その色は含まれる追加の鉱物によって異なります。シリカは白さを与え、鉄は赤褐色を与えます。主な用途は、壁や床、または屋外の舗装です。

大理石

大理石は石灰岩の派生物で、何百万年にもわたる巨大な熱と圧力による変成作用によって形成されました。他の石に比べて比較的柔らかいにもかかわらず、大理石は驚くほど磨きやすい傾向があります。伝統的に大理石はドアに使用され、高級な仕上げを演出するのに役立ちます。