How to Select a Sustainable Natural Stone

Jun 28

Natural stone is extremely durable and long-lasting, with many stones lasting for centuries without needing to be replaced. Overall, natural stone is a sustainable and eco-friendly building material that can contribute to a more sustainable built environment.

What’s it Made of?

The most eco-friendly natural stone is one that is locally sourced and minimally processed. This reduces transportation emissions and energy-intensive manufacturing processes. Additionally, choosing a natural stone that is abundant and readily available can reduce the environmental impact of quarrying and mining.

Manufacturing Process

The embodied energy of a material refers to the amount of energy required to extract, manufacture, transport and install it. Natural stone has a low embodied energy, as it requires minimal processing and transportation compared to synthetic materials. Look for locally sourced stone to keep transportation to a minimum.

Durability and Longevity

Natural stone is extremely durable and long-lasting, with many stones lasting for centuries without needing to be replaced. This means that it does not need to be replaced as frequently as other materials, reducing the environmental impact of production and transportation.