Types of Building Stone

Building stone as know as dimension stone which is derives from one of three naturally occurring rock types:

    1.   Igneous stone

• Hard and non-porous rock formed either the slow or quick cooling of molten magma.
• Example: Granite à used for building wall.

                                    à Some types of granite consist of mineral salts which cause spalling where the surface of stone falls off

Igneous stone

Granite

    

2.   Sedimentary stones

• Soft and fairly porous rock formed from deposits of eroded pre-existing rock that settled in layers. Mostly on sea beds and became compacted.
• Example: - Sandstone à used for wall.

                                       à Too porous and fragile for load-bearing structures.

                               - Limestone à used for wall.

Sedimentary stone

Sandstone

Limestone

3.   Metamorphic stones

• Hard and non-porous rock formed from pre-existing rock that has been altered by intense heat or pressure.
• Example: - Marble

                               - Slate à used for roofs and floors.

                                   à Consists of harmful minerals that break down on exposure to the atmosphere causing stone damage.

Metamorphic stone

Marble

Slate

Types of Brick

  Stock

-          - A traditional type of brick in slight irregular shape. It is made using a moulding

        process called soft mud moulding. It is one of the most popular brick. Wide range 

        of colours are available.

Engineering
  -It is used for their performance characteristics rather than their appearance. It is most suitable for groundworks, manholes and sewers, retaining walls and other situations. In these situations,the most important factor is strength and resistance to frost attack and water. 

 

Fletton

-It is also called Londons and only manufactured by Hanson Brick. It is made of deposits of Oxford clay. Wide ranges of colours and textures are available for this type of brick. It is particularly popular for matching existing brickwork.

 

                               Handmade

-It is literally made by hand of skilled craftsmen through throwing clay into moulds. It has distinctive appearance with creased face and longstanding durability. Handmade bricks were used to build most historic buildings. It is important for prestige housing projects.
 

Re-Pressed

-It is wirecut brick which repressed to create a solid brick with very precise size tolerances and distinctive surface texture. It is also called the 'Jacobean’. It is a high quality product that can be used effectively in housing.

Special Shapes
- It is manufactured by Hanson Brick to enhance the company's extensive range of facings. There are over 70 special shapes available from Hanson. It consists of both standard and purpose made shapes which enable flexible design and execute any imaginative design detail. High quality finish to brickwork can provide extra durability and protection to vulnerable areas and can save time on-site by overcoming extensive hand cutting.
 

 Wirecut
- It is made by extrusion of a continuous column of clay. It is cut by the wire but not before the column has been textured. It is suitable for almost every type of application. Wide range of colours and textures are available. It is relatively inexpensive compared to other types of brick due to the highly automated production process.