Limestone is one of those materials that is extremely versatile. It is formed though a variety of means (evaporative, marine), and many of its forms have practical use in modern day construction. Limestone, by definition is a rock that has at least fifty percent calcium carbonate within it. This allows for the rock to usually very cheap in bulk and is sturdy enough for building. Here are a few varieties of Limestone, including their qualities and what they’re used for.

Chalk

Chalk is a soft variety of limestone with a very fine texture, usually seen in white or light gray. It mainly forms from the shells of dead microscopic marine organisms such as foraminifers. It can also be formed from the calcified remains of marine algae.

Coquina

Coquina is another form of Limestone, which looks like a poorly put together rock that is composed of broken shell debris. While, coquina itself is not used in modern architecture, it is often quoted as natural land decoration.

Tavertine

Tavertine is a form of limestone that is deposited by mineral hot springs. It often has a fibrous look to it and is colored in white, tan, rusty or even cream-colored. Tavertine is one of the most commonly used materials in modern architecture, this day.

Because there are so many different types of Limestone, there are also different types of materials that can be made out of them. Again, we will list a few things Limestone can make, although there are many more things that can be made.

Dimension Stone

Dimension stone is Limestone that is often cut into slabs and blocks of specific sizes for use in construction and architecture. You can find it being used for floors, window sills, as stairs, or an exterior of a building, making it a “jack of all trades” if you will.

Roofing

Limestone can also be used in roofing granule mixtures by crushing limestone into a fine particle. It is often paired with asphalt for roofing because of it’s weather and heat resistant qualities.

Portland Cement

Portland cement is the most commonly made mixture from Limestone. It is a type of fill that is made by heating Limestone in a kiln along with other materials such as shale. Once it is heated and mixed, it will cool as a fine powder which is used as the standard cement fill you see today.

Limestone is such a great natural resource, isn’t it? If you ever need Limestone for any of your potential construction plans, NickelRock in San Marcos, TX can help you with whatever you may need. We also offer transportation services for our goods so that you won’t have to worry about hauling the material yourself. Give us a call today at 210–468–0290 and see what we can do for you.