Whether you’re planning a self build home, an extension or a renovation, stone construction remains one of the most environmentally friendly building methods available. We’ve spent years working with natural stone, so we know the ins and outs of how to keep your project as eco-friendly as possible.
The real impact of stone construction on our environment
Before we get into solutions, let’s talk about what actually happens when we quarry stone.
Every time a new quarry is opened, it disrupts local wildlife habitats. When we tear up the earth to get to the stone beneath, we destroy local plants and impact all the animals living in the area. Quarrying has a negative effect on our local ecosystem, which is already in a fragile state due to climate change.
Quarrying stone is an intensive process that requires heavy machinery. Those massive extracting and cutting machines are energy-hungry beasts that need lots of fossil fuels to run.
Stone processing also uses more water than you might think – especially for cutting and dust control. There’s also a lot of waste material that ends up serving no purpose.
With all this in mind, if the sustainability of your project is important to you, make sure you source your stone from the right place.
How to source stone sustainably
Use minimally processed stone
Highly processed stone that is cut, smoothed, and polished to perfection can look very beautiful, but this process increases its environmental footprint. More processing means more energy and water required. Raw or minimally processed stone has less of an impact on our environment. It has its own type of beauty too – it can bring a unique character to your project.
Go local
Where stone construction is concerned, closer is almost always better. Stone is very heavy and shipping it across countries (or continents) burns a lot of fuel. Choosing stone that has been quarried locally lowers the overall footprint of your project because you don’t have to transport it as far. Locally sourced stone also has other benefits. You’re supporting your local economy and opting for a building material that is suited to your local weather conditions. For some residential projects, it’s better to choose stone that blends with the area’s existing architecture – especially if you need to obtain planning permission from the local council.
Partner with an environmentally conscious quarry
Some quarries are revolutionising how we source stone for construction, changing their practices to make their processes more responsible. Look for ones that:
- Have water recycling systems in place – this reduces the amount of new freshwater required for processing stone
- Use modern cutting techniques to minimise waste – for example, diamond wire sawing allows us to get as much usable stone as possible from the raw material.
- Actively restore quarried land – replanting trees through reforestation programs helps to encourage ecosystem recovery after mining area
- Aim to power their operations with renewable energy – new technology is emerging all the time, and there has been some progress made towards the use of renewables and energy-efficient machinery.
Choose recycled or reclaimed stone
This is our favourite way to obtain stone for a construction project. Reclaimed stone is salvaged from demolition sites of old buildings, roads, or bridges. Since these stones don’t require quarrying or much processing, their environmental impact is massively reduced. They offer a weathered look that can add a lot of uniqueness to your build. Recycled stone is available from certain suppliers who specialise in eco-friendly building materials. You can also ask around in your local area to see if anything is being demolished.
Future-proofing your stone construction project
Building regulations are getting stricter about environmental impact, and stone construction is no exception. By choosing sustainable stone now, you’re making a smart investment. Properties built with sustainable materials typically hold their value better and are becoming increasingly attractive to buyers.
Ready to build sustainably?
Stone construction doesn’t have to come at the expense of the environment. By making informed choices about your materials, you can create something beautiful that future generations will appreciate.
We’ve been in the sustainable stone construction industry for over 20 years. We can help you with anything you need to build, but our specialities are in barn conversions, extensions, conservation & restoration and self builds.
Want to chat about your upcoming project? Get in contact with us today.