LIMESTONE VS LIMESTONE IN THE DURAMICA VARIANT
Limestone remains one of the oldest and most captivating choices for construction. Architectural masterpieces built from this stone not only captivate with their beauty but also carry a rich historical imprint. The Great Wall of China, the Pyramids of Egypt, the Moscow Kremlin, St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, and the Temple of Ġgantija in Malta - all bear the unique imprint of limestone. With its help, it is possible to recreate not only classical architectural forms but also individual and modern design solutions. Limestone finds application in the creation of slabs for load-bearing walls, wall blocks, facing bricks, wall stones, and tiles for both interior and exterior finishes.
Limestone is a sedimentary rock formed from fine stone particles compacted under pressure. This stone forms in two ways. Firstly, living organisms such as oysters, mollusks, and corals use calcium carbonate to create their shells and bones. After their death, these organisms break down, forming deposits on the ocean floor, which, under the pressure of waves, compact into limestone. The second method involves the evaporation of water containing calcium carbonate particles, leading to sediment formation, which also compacts and becomes limestone.
Limestone has a light color, such as white or gray, due to the presence of calcium carbonate in its composition. It is important to note that impurities such as sand, clay, and organic matter can influence its color. The appearance of limestone varies from black to white, жж dark brown limestone is most commonly encountered.
Positive properties of limestone for construction:
Aesthetic appeal
Safety: Organic limestone is considered safe.
Plasticity: Easy processing allows for the creation of various forms.
Sound and thermal insulation: Ideal for interior work.
Negative properties of limestone for construction:
The drawbacks of limestone when used as a building material are completely eliminated in Dramica panels with a limestone surface:
1. Fragility and weathering: Limestone is fragile and prone to weathering, making it less durable and requiring additional surface protection.
In the Duramica variant, limestone has a robust base made of either ceramic granite or aluminum, making it a durable facing panel.
2. Interaction with metal: The stone contains acidic compounds, making its proximity to metal structures undesirable. This can cause rust on the metal surface, damaging its structure and affecting the decorative coating of limestone.
In the Duramica variant, the panel's internal base comes into contact with metal – either ceramic granite or aluminum – eliminating the risk of rust.
3. Low resistance to external influences: Limestone is a weak material in terms of resistance to environmental factors. It poorly withstands dirt, urban soot, and dust, leading to a deterioration of the surface appearance and changes in color shades.
Need for additional processing: Protective surface treatment of limestone is required after installation, involving the application of several layers of primer mix to maintain the attractiveness of the facing.
Limited application in urban conditions: Due to its low resistance to external factors, the use of limestone on facades in urban conditions becomes practically impossible.
Changes in shades under external influences: Due to the urban environment, light shades of limestone may acquire a dirty appearance that is challenging to eliminate and penetrates inside the material.
In the Duramica variant, limestone undergoes double hydrophobization and special treatment, protecting it from external influences. No additional treatment is required, and the panels can be successfully used even in aggressive urban environments.
4. Porosity and high water absorption can lead to gradual material deterioration.
In the case of Duramica limestone, water absorption and the influence of microorganisms are practically zero.
5. High cost: Despite its drawbacks, limestone can be a relatively expensive material for facade cladding, making it not always accessible to a wide range of consumers.
In Duramica panels, a thin 3 mm layer of limestone is applied, making the cladding more economically advantageous compared to traditional limestone.
In conclusion, limestone, despite its centuries-long history in construction and aesthetic appeal, comes with certain drawbacks such as brittleness, interaction with metal, low resistance to external influences, and the need for additional treatment. However, developed panels like Dramica with a limestone surface, such as Duramica, effectively address these issues, providing strength, resilience to external factors, and economic benefits. These innovative solutions allow preserving the aesthetic beauty of limestone while minimizing its drawbacks and expanding its application in urban environments.
