Natural Stone: Function or Aesthetic?

Prior to joining the Natural Stone Foundation Webinar, I knew stone in the consumer sense of the word: the earth is a big rock. Despite that, my eyes would always marvel at marble and stone statues at various city parks, glossy sheets of travertine floors in historical Chicago lobbies, and various stone found in Chicago’s architecture. Entering the hard to comprehend stone industry has been a joy and slightly overwhelming, but I have learned that every slab is like a different person – there are no twins, triplets, or quadruplets in quarries, as stone slabs are all different!

While some architects and designers may not consider the maintenance or restorative side of stone, it is imperative for consumers to understand the function of stone in the design. Discerning between aesthetic and function early in the planning process will yield the stone best suited for the project. While aesthetics is the main reason for most consumers, using stone is a naturally sustainable option when selecting materials because it can be restored. Testing stone slabs before using them in your project will allow for the consumer to determine where the stone will function and meet the aesthetic requirements. Stone gives you the color, pattern, and the texture you’re looking for, in whatever form you are contemplating.

After attending the “Using Natural Stone in Residential Architecture” webinar provided by the Natural Stone Foundation, I have a greater appreciation for the knowledge, craftsmanship, and dedication it takes to work in the stone industry. Try visiting the Natural Stone Institute’s website at www.naturalstoneinstitute.org to get your inner geologist’s mind flowing; there is a bevy of rock-hard information on natural stone! Utilizing stone in any part of your projects will yield a beautiful, everlasting result that will grow with us as companies, our clients, and alongside our ever-shifting Earth.

Sylvia E. Adzido

Sungloss Marble Restoration Company

773.685.2500

Junior Consultant