11 Stone Materials Redefining Sustainability in Construction
Introduction
As the world moves toward a more sustainable future, the construction industry is facing increasing pressure to adopt green practices and materials. One of the core components of sustainable construction is the careful selection of building materials that have minimal environmental impact. Stone products, which have long been a staple in both traditional and modern architecture, are now evolving to meet the sustainability standards of today’s world.
Sustainable stone products not only reduce the carbon footprint of buildings but also offer long-term durability, recyclability, and energy efficiency. From cladding and wall systems to flooring and facades, these materials can drastically improve the environmental profile of construction projects. By choosing sustainable stone products, builders can achieve their design goals without compromising on sustainability.
In this article, we’ll explore some of the most interesting and innovative stone products available today, each selected for its exceptional sustainability performance. From lightweight cladding systems to modular walling solutions, these products demonstrate that sustainability and beauty can go hand in hand in construction. Whether you are a designer, architect, or builder, understanding the sustainability benefits of these materials can help you make more informed choices in your projects.
1- Knauf GIFAfloor DB 40 Green by Knauf Gips KG
Product Overview
The Knauf GIFAfloor DB 40 Green by Knauf Gips KG is a high-quality raised access floor panel made primarily from stone aggregates. This product is designed for use in dry hollow floor systems, often with loose-laid carpets or for access openings. The panels are constructed to meet the industry standards of EN 12825:2001 for raised access floors and EN 13213:2001 for hollow floors, ensuring they meet durability and structural requirements in a wide range of construction projects. This product is widely used in both commercial and residential settings due to its superior performance and adaptability.
Sustainability Performance
One of the key sustainability features of the Knauf GIFAfloor DB 40 Green is its Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) certification. The EPD is a critical certification that quantifies the product’s environmental impact across its lifecycle, from raw material extraction to disposal. Although specific embodied carbon data for this product is not provided, its compliance with sustainability standards indicates a focus on minimizing environmental impact.
The use of stone aggregates, a natural material, adds to the product’s sustainability credentials, as stone is known for its longevity and recyclability. Furthermore, the Knauf GIFAfloor DB 40 Green is designed to be easily disassembled and reused, contributing to circular economy principles in construction.
Advantages and Use Cases
The Knauf GIFAfloor DB 40 Green offers several advantages over conventional flooring materials. Firstly, its EPD certification ensures that it meets rigorous environmental standards, making it a strong candidate for green building certifications such as BREEAM and LEED. Its durability and adaptability make it ideal for raised access floors, which are commonly used in offices, data centers, and other commercial buildings that require easy access to underfloor services.
Another advantage is its recyclability, as the panels can be dismantled and reused in future projects, reducing the need for new materials and minimizing waste. The product’s design also allows for easy installation and maintenance, further contributing to its sustainable profile by reducing labor and material usage during the construction process.
2- Darney Heritage Walling by Hutton Stone
Product Overview
Darney Heritage Walling by Hutton Stone is a stunning split-face sandstone walling system sourced from Northumberland, United Kingdom. This 140mm-high stone is sawn bedded and sawn-ended, making it ideal for cavity walls and decorative walling projects. With its rustic aesthetic and durability, Darney Heritage Walling adds both function and beauty to building facades.
Sustainability Performance
This product comes with a pre-verified Environmental Product Declaration (EPD), which quantifies its environmental impact throughout its life cycle. Sandstone is a natural, long-lasting material, and the use of locally sourced stone reduces the embodied carbon typically associated with transportation. Moreover, Darney Heritage Walling can be easily dismantled and reused, further promoting circularity in the construction sector.
Here’s a case study on how products by Hutton Stone were used for sustainable restoration.
Advantages and Use Cases
Darney Heritage Walling is perfect for projects that require both structural integrity and aesthetic appeal, such as cavity wall systems and decorative exterior walls. Its durability ensures that it can withstand the test of time, requiring minimal maintenance and repairs. This makes it particularly suited for heritage projects and sustainable new builds, where the environmental footprint of materials is a key consideration.
In addition to its aesthetic qualities, the stone’s recyclability makes it a highly sustainable choice, particularly in projects seeking green certifications or striving to reduce waste.
3- BeerEcoSten® Evjen — The Polar Selection by Beer Sten AS
Product Overview
BeerEcoSten® Evjen by Beer Sten AS is a product group that includes various stone products such as pavers, wallstones, and curbs. This versatile product is sourced from Norway and offers a wide range of applications in both commercial and residential settings. The product line is designed for ease of installation and sustainability, with only curb stones requiring adhesive concrete.
Sustainability Performance
The BeerEcoSten® Evjen product group boasts an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD), providing evidence of its low environmental impact. The product’s sustainable sourcing from local Norwegian stone quarries significantly reduces transportation-related carbon emissions. Additionally, the product is designed for longevity, reducing the need for frequent replacement, which aligns with sustainable construction goals.
Advantages and Use Cases
BeerEcoSten® Evjen is ideal for paving, walling, and curbing applications, especially in projects that prioritize sustainability. Its low-maintenance and durable nature make it suitable for outdoor installations, where longevity is crucial.
Furthermore, its minimal adhesive requirements and low embodied carbon make it an excellent choice for green building projects seeking to reduce material waste and environmental impact. This product is especially suited for sustainable urban development and landscape architecture.
4- Steni Colour by Steni AS
Product Overview
Steni Colour by Steni AS is a highly customizable façade panel system that allows for endless design possibilities. Available in 80 standard colors and three surface gloss levels, Steni Colour enables architects and designers to create striking building exteriors with a wide range of finishes. The panels are manufactured with stone aggregates, providing both aesthetic appeal and structural integrity.
Sustainability Performance
Steni Colour is EPD-certified, ensuring that its environmental performance has been carefully measured and optimized. The use of stone aggregates contributes to the product’s durability and recyclability, while the wide range of design options ensures that the product can be adapted to various projects with minimal waste.
The panels are also resistant to weathering and require minimal maintenance, making them a sustainable option in terms of both material longevity and resource efficiency.
Advantages and Use Cases
Steni Colour panels are particularly well-suited for façade cladding, where customization and durability are key considerations. The wide range of color and gloss options allows designers to create unique architectural features without compromising on sustainability.
Additionally, the panels’ long lifespan and low maintenance requirements make them a cost-effective and environmentally friendly choice for both commercial and residential buildings.
5- AKDO Aluminium Honeycomb 20 mm by Silkar Madencilik San. ve Tic. A.S.
Product Overview
The AKDO Aluminium Honeycomb 20 mm by Silkar Madencilik San. ve Tic. A.S. is an innovative lightweight stone cladding solution that combines natural stone with an aluminum honeycomb structure. This design allows for large-format stone installations that are both structurally sound and environmentally conscious.
Sustainability Performance
This product offers significant sustainability advantages due to its lightweight design, which reduces the amount of raw material required while maintaining the aesthetic of natural stone. The Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) certification ensures that the product meets high environmental standards, including reduced transportation emissions due to its lighter weight.
Additionally, the use of advanced technology to cut stone into thin sheets minimizes waste during the manufacturing process, further contributing to its sustainability profile.
Advantages and Use Cases
AKDO Aluminium Honeycomb 20 mm is particularly suited for large-scale installations where traditional stone might be too heavy or expensive to use. Its lightweight structure makes it easier to install, reducing labor costs and environmental impact associated with transportation.
This product is ideal for use in commercial buildings, lobbies, and feature walls, where aesthetics and sustainability are both important considerations.
Explore AKDO Aluminium Honeycomb 20 mm on 2050 Materials Platform.
6- Granite (G-358) Fasade by Naturstein Montering AS
Product Overview
The Granite (G-358) Fasade by Naturstein Montering AS is a natural granite façade stone that is sourced from open pits and processed in a stone quarry. This high-quality granite is designed for use in façade cladding and flooring, offering durability and timeless aesthetic appeal.
Sustainability Performance
Granite (G-358) Fasade is backed by an EPD certification, ensuring that its environmental impact has been thoroughly assessed. Granite is a highly durable material that requires little maintenance, making it a sustainable option for long-term projects. The product is quarried and processed with sustainability in mind, and its long lifecycle reduces the need for frequent replacements.
Additionally, the granite’s natural composition ensures that it can be recycled or repurposed at the end of its useful life, contributing to material circularity.
Advantages and Use Cases
The Granite (G-358) Fasade is ideal for façades and high-traffic areas where durability and longevity are crucial. Its ability to withstand weathering and heavy use makes it a sustainable option for both commercial and residential buildings.
The product’s EPD certification also makes it an excellent choice for projects seeking green building certifications, such as LEED or BREEAM, where sustainable material selection is a key factor.
7- Revêtement mural attaché en pierre naturelle d’Anstrude et de Bleu-de-Lignières by Polycor | Natural Stone
Product Overview
Revêtement mural attaché en pierre naturelle d’Anstrude et de Bleu-de-Lignières by Polycor | Natural Stone is a natural stone cladding product sourced from Canada. This attached wall covering uses a combination of Anstrude and Bleu-de-Lignières stone, offering a high-quality, durable solution for exterior facades. It is designed for use in both residential and commercial buildings, delivering a timeless, natural aesthetic that complements various architectural styles.
Sustainability Performance
The Revêtement mural attaché en pierre naturelle d’Anstrude et de Bleu-de-Lignières is certified with an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD), providing transparency into its environmental footprint. The use of natural stone not only ensures durability but also promotes sustainability by reducing the need for frequent replacements and minimizing waste.
While specific embodied carbon data is not provided, the natural composition of the stone means that it has a lower environmental impact compared to many synthetic cladding materials. Additionally, natural stone is inherently recyclable, contributing to the circularity of building materials.
Advantages and Use Cases
This natural stone cladding product is ideal for exterior wall facades, offering both aesthetic and functional benefits. The durability of natural stone makes it a long-lasting choice for buildings, while its minimal maintenance requirements reduce the environmental and financial costs over time.
The timeless look of the stone also enhances the architectural value of the building, making it suitable for a wide range of projects, including residential homes, commercial buildings, and public infrastructure.
8- Gabion 2x1x1 Mesh 8x10 Wire PVC by Maccaferri
Product Overview
Maccaferri’s Gabion is an engineered cage constructed from double-twisted hexagonal woven steel wire mesh. Delivered flat-packed, the gabions are assembled on-site and filled with stone, making them a modular and flexible building material. They are used in a wide range of applications, such as retaining walls, channel linings, hydraulic control structures, and erosion protection.
Sustainability Performance
The sustainability performance of Gabions lies in their adaptability and use of natural materials like stone. Their ability to be filled with locally sourced stone reduces transportation emissions and helps integrate the structures into the natural environment.
Advantages and Use Cases
Gabions are particularly advantageous in retaining walls and erosion control systems, where their flexibility and permeability allow them to withstand environmental stressors like water flow and soil movement. Their modular design also makes them highly versatile, allowing for custom solutions in civil engineering projects.
Explore Gabion 2x1x1 Mesh 8×10 Wire PVC on 2050 Materials Platform.
9- Iddefjord Granite by Naturstenskompaniet Norge AS
Product Overview
Iddefjord Granite by Naturstenskompaniet Norge AS is a medium-grained, grey-white granite that can be used for various outdoor applications, including curbstones, street stones, walls, steps, and more. Known for its durability, it is resistant to extreme weather conditions and requires minimal maintenance.
Sustainability Performance
Iddefjord Granite is EPD-certified, which ensures that its environmental impact has been assessed and minimized. Granite’s long lifespan, resistance to wear, and recyclability make it a sustainable choice for public infrastructure and urban developments.
Advantages and Use Cases
Due to its weather-resistant properties, Iddefjord Granite is ideal for outdoor public spaces and infrastructure projects. It can withstand both climatic and mechanical stresses, making it a durable, sustainable material for streets, curbs, and building facades.
10- BeerEcoSten® Porto — The Star Selection by Beer Sten AS
Product Overview
BeerEcoSten® Porto is a diverse product group from Beer Sten AS that includes paving stones, wallstones, and curbs made from natural stone. The product is available in various colors and sizes, offering both aesthetic and functional solutions for outdoor spaces. Curb stones require adhesive concrete for installation, while other elements can be installed without it.
Sustainability Performance
This product group follows EPD standards, which ensures that the environmental impact of its materials and processes are documented and minimized. Its reliance on natural stone and minimal use of adhesives makes it a sustainable choice for various projects.
Advantages and Use Cases
BeerEcoSten® Porto is highly adaptable for landscaping and paving projects, offering flexibility in design. Its sustainable sourcing and minimal adhesive use contribute to reducing the overall environmental impact of a project. It is well-suited for both commercial and residential outdoor areas.
Explore BeerEcoSten® Porto — The Star Selection on 2050 Materials Platform.
11- Larvikite Klåstad Block by Larvikittblokka AS
Product Overview
Larvikite Klåstad Block drilled bottom and top with broken front, is a Norwegian natural stone by Larvikittblokka AS is a unique stone block made of larvikite, a coarse-grained rock that is over 300 million years old. Known for its characteristic blue color due to its feldspar mineral content, the stone block is processed and ready for installation with a drilled bottom and top and a broken front.
Sustainability Performance
This product is EPD-certified and has a low embodied carbon footprint of 0.0525 kgCO2/kg. Larvikite is a durable and recyclable material, making it a sustainable option for building projects. Its long lifespan reduces the need for frequent replacements, further enhancing its sustainability profile.
Advantages and Use Cases
Larvikite Klåstad Block is ideal for architectural and landscaping projects where durability and aesthetic appeal are crucial. Its striking blue color and high wear resistance make it an excellent choice for facades, landmarks, and public infrastructure.
Conclusion
The selection of sustainable stone products is an essential part of modern construction, where the focus on reducing environmental impact is paramount. From lightweight cladding systems like AKDO Aluminium Honeycomb to heritage walling products like Darney Heritage Walling, each of these innovative materials showcases the potential of stone to contribute to greener building practices.
Choosing sustainable stone products not only enhances the longevity and aesthetic appeal of a building but also aligns with the growing demand for sustainable construction solutions. As we move toward a future where sustainability is at the forefront of architectural design, these products serve as a prime example of how traditional materials can be reimagined for a more sustainable world.
Explore the full range of sustainable materials by visiting the 2050 Materials Platform. Our platform is dedicated to professionals in the architecture, engineering and construction industry looking to easily find beautiful and sustainable building materials that contribute to a greener future. Visit our blog for more research on sustainable building materials.
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