Rutland Architectural Blog

Friday, July 23, 2010

Green Building Materials - Copper - Natural Stone

Copper and natural stone make ideal green building materials for both the exterior and interior of all buildings, including commercial, public and residential buildings. What is green building? Simply put green building means the construction, renovation or remodeling of houses, public and commercial buildings so they are more durable, environmentally responsible, energy efficient and healthier for their occupants throughout the building's lifespan or life cycle. This is basically accomplished by designing and constructing buildings that last a long time, are more efficient, use less energy and water and are healthier spaces to occupy and live in. Historically, well designed and constructed buildings have delivered short term goals of utility, economy, durability and comfort. Green building really just takes the next step in building even better homes, commercial and public buildings by improving on their long term durability, quality, efficiency, high performance, human health, environmental impact, life cycle cost and sustainability. A building's total life cycle cost includes it's design, siting, construction, operation, maintenance, repairs, replacements, renovation, deconstruction, salvage, disposal and recycling. Green building materials typically include: renewable plant materials such as quick growing straw, bamboo and wood from sustainably managed forests; materials which are non-toxic, reusable and recyclable such as dimension natural stone, recycled stone and recyclable metals. Eliminating construction materials and interior finishes which have emissions of toxic gases such as formaldehyde and VOC's improve a building's indoor air quality and is healthier for occupants. Moisture control and eliminating biological or organic sources of mold, bacteria, fungi and pathogens will also promote healthier air and living space. Implementing green building techniques reduces negative impact on human health and the environment during multiple phases including the production of building materials, building construction, occupation, building operation and maintenance of a green design building. While many green buildings cost a premium which averages just less than two percent initially, green building will typically yield a financial return or savings of over ten times that initial premium during the life of the building. Green building simply saves money, protects the environment and provides healthier living spaces. The strong case for green building is abundantly clear considering the positive impact on human health, our environment and our finances.

copper mining quarry in Chile pictured here

natural stone quarry shows dimensional stone from mined natural stone deposits in Beijing, China pictured here

Copper Mining Quarry and Natural Stone Quarry

Natural resources such as copper and natural stone are mined or quarried and minimally processed natural materials as opposed to artificially manufactured materials, faux or simulated materials. Pure copper and natural stone share many green building material qualities: they are mined or quarried directly from the earth and minimally processed using environmentally conscious techniques; all waste material can be used or recycled; they require no external finishes or chemical treatments; they generate no harmful emissions or byproducts; they do not promote growth of mold, germs or other harmful pathogens; they are healthy, hygienic and non-toxic; they promote more even indoor temperature and healthier indoor air quality; they are moisture and corrosion resistant; they weather extremely well naturally; they are not flammable materials; they are not damaged by water; they do not break down, decompose, decay or deteriorate like previously living organic materials and most man made materials; they age beautifully and gracefully as natural patina formation, discoloration, pitting, dents or cracks enhance character and natural appearance; they require little upkeep or maintenance; they are extremely durable, outlasting the owner's lifetime and the building's lifespan; they are salvageable, reusable, absolutely recyclable and retain their value extremely well. Copper and natural stone are two of the oldest, most durable building materials used by mankind and countless buildings and structures incorporating natural stone and copper architecture stood for centuries. Copper and natural stone were used because they were abundant resources found directly in the natural environment, required minimal processing and were fairly easy to work with. Today spending even a little more for natural, earth friendly, durable materials has proven cheaper in the long run because they won’t have to be replaced as often, maintained as much and can be recycled. Considering on building materials life-cycle cost, rather than focusing solely on initial cost can yield some eye opening results.

green building Sala at Penn State with Gold LEED certification pictured here

City Center building with Gold Leed certification in Las Vegas pictured here

LEED Gold Penn State SALA and City Center LEED Gold in Las Vegas

We spotlighted the Penn State Sala building above in a previous blog for it's heavy use of copper (over 80,000 pounds) helping it achieve it's U.S. Green Building Council Gold LEED certification and remarkably at no additional cost over conventional building. The recent City center in Las Vegas also received LEED Gold certification by the U.S. Green Building Council for six of it's buildings, including Aria, Vdara, Crystals, Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas and Veer Towers. That made City Center one of the largest sustainable green building developments in the entire world. The immense project entailed collaborative involvement by eight renowned architecture firms. Green building material selection, included extensive use of natural stone for interior spaces and exteriors of the buildings. While other green materials were considered, natural stone provided the architecture with a natural textured, tactile feel and the richness, warmth, comfort, earthy look and colors they sought. The Aria building encompasses 70,000 square feet of natural quartzite stone cladding in a varying thickness mosaic pattern on it's exterior walls. Inside the buildings, different uses of natural stone were employed including a mosaic stone, stacked stone, flat honed or polished stone, to provide contrasting looks and changes in texture. Everyone involved with the project was happy with the results and the buildings continue to garner positive feedback and compliments. See additional pictures of City Center and information on it's green building features in the Stone World article Stone Contributes to LEED Certification for New Las Vegas Landmark

architectural copper work and natural stone masonry on home pictured here

natural stone wall cladding and copper gutters on house pictured here

Architectural Copper Work and Natural Stone Wall Masonry

View additional natural stone pictures of genuine natural stone installations at the Rutland Minstone website, encompassing natural stone tile flooring, natural stone walls, natural stone patios, garden stone paving, landscaping, slate roofs and stone columns. Slate, travertine, quartzite, limestone, sandstone and flagstone tiles, wall veneer panels and pavers are some of the featured natural stone applications. With large advances in mining, processing and shipping technology, use of natural stone has grown from use primarily only in major buildings and large expensive estates to becoming a staple in homes and buildings of every size and budget today. There has been a drastic reduction of genuine stone prices over the last decade or so. Around the world there is now an enormous inventory of natural stone and even more is being discovered every day. A combination of many technological advances and this very plentiful supply have combined to make natural stone very affordable and price competitive with man made materials, while having better green building characteristics and life cycle cost benefits. People have embraced the beauty and elegance of this unique, all natural material for their floors, wall coverings, kitchens, baths, outdoor landscaping and paving. Consumers prefer natural stone because it is the real thing which can not be duplicated in a laboratory or factory but is nature's very own genuine product. Natural stone is created by nature in many thousands of color variations with no two natural stone pieces exactly the same. Nothing approaches the uniqueness, durability, wide applicability of genuine natural stone and pure copper. From the beginning of time to far into the future, copper and natural stone have always been excellent green building materials while having natural beauty, grace, warm richness and timeless elegance.

7/23/2010 9:06 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Wednesday, July 07, 2010

Natural Stone Tile Flooring - Natural Stone Wall Veneer

Natural stone products are the focus and specialty of Rutland Minstone, a natural stone wholesale distributor and newest member of the Rutland group of companies. Rutland Minstone is wholly a natural stone importer - supplier and is the sole wholesale stone distributor for the United States, North America, Caribbean and South America for manufacturer Minstone. Minstone is the source of the highest standards in pure rock, slate and genuine natural stone, mined directly out of the ancient hills around Beijing, China. Natural stone products now available through Rutland include: stone tile flooring; natural stone wall veneer; flagstone patio pavers; garden stone walls; landscaping stone; walkway stone paving; stone columns; cobblestones; stepping stones; random slate pavers; roof slate tile; castle stone; bar stone mosaic tile; stone tile mosaic floor and mosaic wall; bullnose tile for stone steps and stairs; slate tile flooring and slate wall; travertine tiles and tumbled tile; limestone tile flooring and limestone wall; sandstone tile; quartzite tile; antique stone wall cladding; stack stone wall panels; fireplace stone veneer; interlocking stone corner and stacking stone wall panel system.

natural stone mining, natural stone processing and manufacturing pictures

Natural Stone Mining and Processing

Natural stone products are very versatile as stone can be used equally inside or outside. Natural stone is very durable, easy to maintain, weathers well and natural stone is also beautiful, elegant and timeless design wherever it is used. Natural stone tiles can be used on all interior walls and floors including kitchens, bathrooms and showers, especially low water absorption slate tile. Stone fireplace surrounds or stone veneer walls have always been particularly popular. The natural stone wall cladding that is used on interior walls can also be used on a building's exterior walls and on stone retaining walls and stone columns. Natural stone tile patterns and mosaics lend attractiveness and heightened architectural interest to walls and floors anywhere. Natural stone tile mosaic patterns and stone wall systems have been developed that allow builders, designers, landscapers, architects and property owners to create the most visually pleasing and stunning genuine natural stone, rock and slate profiles. Natural stone thin veneer is a lighter weight, easier to install, more affordable genuine alternative to full stone veneer and makes natural stone wall coverings a viable option for any project by architects, builders, designers and re-modelers.

natural stone fireplace veneer - stone fireplace surround pictured here

Natural Stone Fireplace Surround
flagstone patio pavers flagstone flooring pictured here

Flagstone Patio Pavers in Sunroom
black slate tile flooring pictured

Black Slate Tile Flooring

Rutland Minstone genuine natural stone products can be applied to virtually any structurally sound surface inside or outside and are designed to be easily and quickly installed. This enables you to quickly get professional looking results and a richly elegant appearance. A system of interlocking stone wall veneer panels, stone mosaic and tile patterns presents a very cost effective application of fantastic rock, slate and natural stone effects for new and existing homes, commercial building projects and landscaping work. Rutland Minstone supplies pure rock, slate and natural stone products for builders, architects, contractors, interior designers, landscapers, re-modelers, homeowners and property owners. Minstone has over 25 years experience providing pure rock, slate, limestone, travertine, quartzite, sandstone and flagstone products which meet the highest international standards yet are available at the most competitive wholesale pricing. Rutland provides natural stone imports at wholesale distributor direct prices and offers natural stone shipping throughout the U.S., Canada, Caribbean, Mexico and South America. Rutland has over 40 years experience in construction, roofing, guttering, architectural copper work and metal fabrication with manufacturing facilities in the U.S. and abroad. Rutland has extensive experience with international shipping and is a global wholesale supplier of product. Visit Rutland Minstone's Natural Stone Products website or peruse their Natural Stone Catalog for additional stone products information and to view many more pictures of Minstone natural stone installations and Minstone products.