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Applications

Architectural restoration
Ashlar blocks and carved work
Sills and lintels
Steps and balustrades
New construction
Pavers (blocks and slabs)
Retaining walls
Interior flooring

Example of Stoke Hall quarry

Considerations when designing with dimensional stone*
Quarrying– block removed to production
unit
Processing– block is cut to size
Lead Times– production planning is only
one part of the lead time. Research and
selection, designing the stone, and
contractual obligations can all add to the
timescale.
Color– important to discuss the range of
color within a quarry at an early stage of
the project
Finishes– since a number of finishes are
available, specifying the texture is critical
Physical Suitability –standard test results
are available, specific projects may
require special testing
Sizes– early discussion with the quarry
will ensure that design requirements
can be realized

*“dimensional stone” refers to any stone which is to be
processed to specific dimensions, with blasting kept to
a minimum to ensure the integrity of the quarry block

*Red Sandstones from the U.K.*
*Medium-grained texture, with subtle bedding planes*	*Close bedding and fine grain size. St. Bees has been in use for hundreds of years*	*Medium-grained and strong enough to be used effectively in all planes.*

Some of America's earliest public buildings--including the White House and the U.S. Capitol--were built of sandstone. In the 1840's, darker sandstones became popular, and were used to build thousands of church and private residences, especially in the Northeast. Quarries producing brown and red sandstones (called "brownstone") were active in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

By World War I, architectural taste had shifted to other construction materials, and many of the domestic stones were already showing significant decay. Today the need for high-quality brownstone, driven by the critical demands of those responsible for the preservation of our cultural heritage, is steadily increasing.