Architecture and stone

Ever since mankind began to build, stone has attracted attention. A tough and strong gift of nature that he could use to build a shelter. Over time, stone has always been one of our main building materials. Today, hundreds of years later and with all the advances in technology, we humans have not lost interest in this gift of nature, and modern architecture is as much interested in stone as it is in ancient Greek architecture.

The difference between modern architecture and its use is the use of stone. Today, the main use of stone is for decorative and aesthetic purposes. The stones used for construction are very dense and heavy species.

Common stones used in construction include sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous rocks. These stones are especially suitable for architects due to their high durability, good strength and strength, while being beautiful. In the meantime, marble is one of the types of building sedimentary stones that are very popular in our country.

International classification of Iranian marble

As can be guessed from the name of marble, this stone is also a family close to the famous marble stone which is known in English as Marble. However, as it seems, the classification of stones with the name of marble has no universal application.

 In fact, marble is a name that only in the Iranian domestic stone market refers to a type of stone that is known internationally under the Marble branch.

International marble is a type of rock that is a combination of metamorphic and calcareous rocks. The weight of this type of stone is heavier than ordinary limestone and consists of calcite crystals. Different types of marbles, such as dolomite marbles, have a single connective or mosaic texture.

What is marble?

Marble is a type of sedimentary rock. This rock is formed by the deposition of limestone due to high heat and extreme long-term pressure. Heat and pressure alter the texture and structure of calcareous rocks, which become marble.

The weight of metamorphic limestone, like marble, is higher than that of limestone. However, marble is not considered to be one of the hardest rocks and, on the contrary, it is classified as a soft rock.

Transformation and non-metamorphic rocks that can be polished and polished are called soft rocks. Usually the appearance of marble is light and they have white and milky colors and are generally streaked.

As mentioned, these rocks are the result of the compression of calcareous rocks under high pressure and heat, which is why they occur to have attractive fossils. Something you will never find in artificial marble.

The difference between natural and artificial marble

Marble can also be produced artificially. The difference between this artificial stone is its strength and weight. In terms of weight, artificial marble is almost half the size of natural stone and can be moved and installed more easily.

The strength of artificial stone has been improved by laboratory methods and through special formulations. The water absorption of artificial stone is much lower than natural stone. In artificial stone, it is possible to produce customized designs and colors that do not have natural stones, but are very limited in terms of application.

Differences and similarities between marble and onyx

Marble is the result of changes in limestone. The rate at which these crystals change and grow creates a variety of decorative stones that have different names and differ in texture. Marble with large crystals and in white or gray colors is called crystal, and white crystal marble is called Chinese stone.

Onyx is the same as marble, except that it takes more time to transform. The texture of onyx is locked together. Marble has a variety of colors, including white, gray, black, green, yellow, purple, and red. The purest type of marble is white like marble.

Various main features of marble

Marble, like other building materials, has its own characteristics that make it a unique stone and has advantages and disadvantages that you should keep in mind when using it.

Hardness of marble

More ornate decorative stones should be used more carefully. Marble is one of these types of stones that has less hardness than other types of stone and its hardness cannot be compared with hard stones such as granite. On the other hand, this level of difficulty can be considered a positive factor in the discussion of  polishing.

But on the other hand, the disadvantage is that marble cannot be used in certain areas. For example, using marble as flooring in busy and crowded neighborhoods is not a wise thing to do. Because in the long run, it causes it to fall apart and ruin it, and it destroys its  beauty.

Marble against atmospheric and natural factors

Marble cannot be classified as the most resistant to weathering and natural factors. At least in the face of heavy weather conditions, one should not expect much from this delicate stone. Long-term contraction and expansion can damage marble.

Intense light can also harm marble in the long sunlight. It is best to avoid this stone, especially in neighborhoods that are in constant proximity to severe weather conditions.