Masonry Magazine November 2010 Page. 20
INDIANA LIMESTONE
characteristics that make up the stone. The structural soundness of each grade of Indiana limestone is, essentially, identical.
Select-Fine-grained stone, having a controlled minimum of inclusions and veining.
Standard-Average- to large-grained stone, permitting an average amount of inclusions and veining.
Rustic-Large- to coarse-grained stone, permitting an above-average amount of inclusions and veining.
Variegated-An unselected mixture of the other three grades, permitting both the buff and gray colors.
When specifying Indiana limestone, it is necessary to identify the color and grade required, as well as the surface finish to be applied to the stone. It is recommended that all stone for a project be furnished by a single quarry for the best color control. Indiana Limestone Institute notes that large-scale samples, including sample walls (mock-ups) complete with connections and joint closures, can be helpful in selecting stone color and quality. These sample wall constructions should be pre-planned and included in bid specifications, where their additional expense is warranted. Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., showcases the durability and consistency of Indiana limestone. First began in 1907, construction ended 83 years later, when the last finial was placed in 1990.
Sustainability
INDIANA LIMESTONE is a 350 million-year-old representation of life naturally fused to form a unique building material. Because it is extracted with relative ease, Indiana limestone is an outcrop formation that adds little to the already low energy inputs of its workability. Cladding countless monumental buildings, Indiana limestone has shown that it withstands the tests of time, and when decommissioned, can be reused or returned harmlessly to the earth.
Naturally formed
Inert-no VOC emissions or pollutants
Low energy inputs
Durable-lifespan greater than 100 years
Eligible for LEED credits.
Indiana limestone has the following sustainability features:
Low Lifecycle costs. Indiana limestone is virtually maintenance free. It requires only occasional re-pointing of stone joints and cleaning, if desired. With minimal care, Indiana limestone projects will serve present and future generations for many years to come.
Reusable/recyclable. It is common in restoration projects involving Indiana limestone that the majority of the original stone remains in place for continued use, once the restoration work is completed. Indiana limestone also can be taken from one project and re-used as elements in another building, for landscape stones, perimeter walls, or even as site fill. It's completely inert; Indiana limestone came from nature and can go back to same.
Environmentally friendly production processes. Since the first organized Indiana limestone quarry opened in 1827, Indiana limestone has been in constant use, making an impact on American architecture. Projects