| Q
2317: Our architect wants to include a number of sandstone or limestone walls
in our new residence, using diamond cut, 200mm thick limestone building blocks.
He has recently become concerned about one of the proposed walls which separates
the ensuite and main bathrooms. In the ensuite, the wall is to form part of the
shower cubicle. He is concerned that the limestone cannot be sealed well enough
to be suitable for use in such wet areas. For this particular wall he is now planning
to use matching limestone tiles instead. After reading the findstone web site
for a hour or so, I am more confused than ever about the issue of sealants and
the suitability of limestone as a building material. I obtained a quotation
for the supply of the limestone blocks from Bruhn Building Stone of Mt Gambier,
and they advised us not to use their limestone in wet areas, but didn't say why.
I presume that water penetration is the issue, but what are the consequences?
These limestone walls are actually blades that "cut" through the house; and thus
they are exposed to outside elements too. Why is water penetration not a problem
for the exterior limestone, only the interior? Can you provide some expert advise
to us? We love the idea of the "feature" limestone walls that our architect has
in mind, but don't want to end up with exterior or interior structural problems
or even bathroom surfaces that are overly difficult to maintain (e.g. will soap
or shampoo affect the limestone; is the use of unfilled limestone in the bathroom--for
that raw look the architect is aiming at--a practical nightmare for maintenance?)
Would these issues disappear if we used sandstone instead of limestone? Paul,
Australia, July 27. |
R1:
Dear Paul: There you have the very reason why I never recommend anybody to use
limestone in their homes. Limestone is too wide a definition, and while most of
the limestone available are going to be all right, some will not, and nobody will
ever be able to solve the emerging problems! Here, we're in a situation where
even the dealer advise you not to use their product in a wet environment! That
speaks volume about the suitability of that particular limestone for your project,
all right!
I don't know if the specifiers (architects and decorators) from
Down Under are as stubborn (just to use a nice word!) as their American counterparts
(but I would be surprised if they weren't!)
If you have authority over
your architect (I don't know why, but it looks to me that the homeowners are all
to often overwhelmed by them!...) I would tell him or her to think honed marble
instead, or else! Maurizio, USA |
