Stone

> Stones are pieces that nature gives to us to construct and create different things out of it. > I've heard about granite and marble > They are heavy, strong, hard to transport and they were very useful in construction when people couldn't buy concrete, bricks or metals. > Because they are strong, they don't deteriorate so easy and they give a beautiful look to the construction.
 * **What are stones?**
 * **How many kinds of stone do you know?**
 * **What characteristics do stones have?**
 * **Why are stones used in construction?**

 __Paragraph about Stones:__

Stones must be the oldest material used for construction. From the oldest civilizations to our times, stones have been used to make places to live, monuments for religious and cultural purposes and for decoration.

But, as any other material used in architecture or urban planning, stones have advantages and disavantages. Let's begin first with the benefits. Stones can last through big periods of times, they can get any shape by sculptural treatment and they are found in nature, so, they never get over. On the other hand, stones are difficult to quarry, transport and cut, they can't resist tension, **so they can't be used as lintels or as floors**, and some types of stones are truly expensive. **The most simple work that can be done with stones is rubble. It consists of bonding in mortar some broken stones. The strongest stonework is ashlar masonry, which consists of regularly cut blocks that support only direct downward loads.**

In conclusion, stone is a really useful material for construction and decoration, but we have to be aware of the negative parts of using it. **Nowadays, stone is more used as a surface venner for its practical and expressive qualities**. Stone is a natural resource that can be used anytime and everywhere and if you have the money to get it easily, it will offer you unlimited options to raise and embellish your home.

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