Description:
e term "building stone" includes all stones for
ordinary masonry construction, as well as for ornamentation, roofing,
and flagging. A very wide variety of stones is used for this purpose,
including practically all varieties of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic
rocks. There are a few, however, which are more commonly
used than others, because of their widespread occurrence and durability.
The color of a building stone quite often gives it a popularity
which determines, to a large degree, the extent of its use. New England
brownstone is probably the best example of this.
The growth of the brick industry and also of the cement industry
has opened a severe competition with building stones. Brick and concrete
blocks being cheaper, are widely used in many sections of the
country. Solid concrete, in many cases, has replaced stone for not
only super-structures but sub-structures as well. However, there is
still a very great demand for high class building stones and probably
always will be. 11 p.