Quarrying
has a long and rich history which has helped push forward human progression
over centuries. Quarries are locations where rock, minerals and sand are
extracted from the ground - also known as an open-pit mine. For thousands of
years, quarries have been used to source construction materials for cultural
landmarks - from the pyramids to the Parthenon - however, the techniques have changed
over time.
In the past,
the very first quarries were excavated using just hammers, picks and chisels
and would have taken huge amounts of labour to excavate. The stone would then
be transported - sometimes for miles - to a construction site where it could be
used as a building material. This process would have claimed the lives of
countless people and would have been arduous for the workers to say the least.
Today, we
can speed up the process of excavating quarries exponentially, however,
excavating with machinery causes more environmental damage. This is just one of
the many reasons that people are beginning to choose reclaimed stone from
quarries. Here we detail the uses and many benefits of reclaimed stone.
What is Reclaimed Stone and Where Does it Come
From?
Reclaimed
stone - also known simply as recycled building materials - is building material
which has been recycled from past construction projects via quarries like ours
which vet the material to ensure it is safe to use and is structurally sound.
Both the
construction and demolition processes tend to create huge amounts of waste. In
fact, the construction industry produces one of the largest portions of waste
of any industry in the UK. The industry creates 45% of CO2 emissions in
the UK, accounts for 60% of all material used and 33% of waste created.
One major
way of combating these worrying figures is by being more conscious of the waste
we create during the construction process by amending designs to take this into
account and reducing waste that way. Similarly, ‘designing for deconstruction’
also considers the process of deconstruction into the construction process so
that as much of the material used can be reused for further projects. However,
waste will always be created to some extent, so it’s imperative to also
effectively recycle the waste that is created.
Waste from a
construction, deconstruction or demolition project can be salvaged and diverted
back to quarries where it can be checked for quality, sorted, stored and then
sold back to construction companies or private individuals hoping to use the
materials for further projects. Along with actively planning for reduced waste
into projects, reusing the waste in another project is a great way to further
reduce the environmental impact as well as providing cheaper materials.
From Landscape Gravel to Crushed Concrete, How
You Can Use Reclaimed Stone in Projects
You can use
natural stone in almost any DIY or commercial project, including:
● Commercial building construction
projects
● DIY home improvements
● Projects for your garden
● Renovating the inside of your
property
● Decorative features
The Benefits of Reclaimed Stone
So, now you
know exactly what reclaimed stone is, where it comes from and how it is used,
what exactly are the benefits of using recycled stone as opposed to new
materials?
Environmentally Friendly
First and
foremost - and as already discussed - one of the main benefits of using
recycled materials for any type of construction project is that it helps to
reduce your carbon footprint and the construction industry’s impact on the
environment.
With
constant news on the TV about the impact we’re having on the Earth, it’s
becoming more and more important for people from all walks of life to ensure
they reduce their carbon footprint. Instead of choosing a building material
which is brand new and has had to go through a process which causes damage to
the environment, by choosing something that’s been recycled, you’ll be reducing
the waste that goes to landfill as well as making your new project
eco-friendly.
Cheaper
As well as
being much better for the environment, recycled aggregates are cheaper than
sourcing brand new materials for your construction project, no matter how large
it is. Reclaimed stone products are significantly cheaper than new products
which means that they can make the project far more cost-effective. If you’re
working on a home renovation then you will want to save a large amount of the
budget for the interior and finish, and using reclaimed stone can help you
achieve this.
Still Durable and Stylish
Although
reclaimed stone is far cheaper and more eco-friendly than new material, it
doesn’t sacrifice any of the style or durability of new materials. In fact,
weathered material is often highly sought after for a number of building
projects. If you want to build a property, renovate a property or build a
smaller project out in your garden, using reclaimed stone will give you an aged
aesthetic which is extremely hard to replicate. Giving your building a historic
look will make it stand out from the rest.
As well as
being stylish, reclaimed stone is also still extremely durable. Traditionally,
older building materials - like natural stone - tend to be tougher than newer
materials, so sourcing these older materials will actually improve the
structural soundness of your project. In the past, building material producers
were far more concerned with making things that lasted rather than mass
production which accounts for the increased strength of the material. If you’re
building a property or an outhouse in your garden that you want to look stylish
and remain strong for years to come, you should certainly consider reclaimed
stone.
Similarly,
if you’re working on the renovation of a listed building, using reclaimed stone
will allow you to better match the materials to the aesthetic of the home
you’re renovating. Weathered, reclaimed stone will more likely matchan older
property.
Flexible Options Available
You might
think that utilising reclaimed materials might reduce the sizes, finishes and
styles of material you have available to you but you’d be wrong! There is still
a wide range of finishes and sizes to choose from, as professionals are on hand
to help cut down larger slabs or reduce the thickness to fit your requirements.
They’re Easy To Source
Reclaimed
materials are also very easy to source. Simply head down to a quarry - like us
at WH Thompsons - and ask to see their reclaimed materials. Here you’ll be able
to choose from a wide range, at cheaper prices and all whilst keeping your
project eco-friendly.
William Thompson & Son: Providing Reliable
Quarry Services in Dumbarton, Glasgow and Lanarkshire
If you’re
looking to source high-quality aggregate stone for your next DIY or commercial
construction project in Dumbarton, Glasgow and Lanarkshire, look no further
than William Thompson & Son. We’re a family-run quarry business with over
seven decades worth of experience providing businesses and private individuals
with the aggregate products they need as well as plant hire
and haulage services.
Our
customers use us to source a wide variety of stone-based materials - from
concrete and reclaimed stone to asphalt. Our products can be used for
small-scale DIY projects or even large construction projects like new roads or
bridges.
To find out more, please feel free to
contact us
today. You can find us at William Thompson
& Son (Dumbarton) Ltd, Birch Road, Dumbarton, G82 2RN, call us on 01389
762271 or email us at
info@thompsonquarries.co.uk.
