Green Building Features of Indiana Limestone
Sustainability
Since the first organized quarry opened in 1827 in Stinesville, Indiana, just west of Bloomington, Indiana Limestone has earned its title as the Nation's Building Stone. Its warm neutral color and ease of shaping, combined with its amazing durability, has made it the product of choice for governmental, educational, commercial and residential buildings alike. The industry has produced buildings that have been in constant use for more than 100 years. Requiring only the occasional re-pointing of joints and, if desired, periodic cleaning, Indiana Limestone is virtually maintenance-free. There are also many man-made materials available that market themselves as "stone." These, like all concrete products, may develop shrinkage cracks over time, and many have reinforcement rods that can rust. Many also have coloring agents that can fade over time. Indiana Limestone is a 100% natural material that develops a patina and improves in appearance throughout the years.
Eligible for LEED credits.
Low energy Inputs.
Inert – no VOC emissions.
Naturally formed & durable – life span of more than 100 years.
Durability
Projects utilizing Indiana Limestone include the Indiana Statehouse and Chicago City Hall, dating back to the 1870s; the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC, built in the early 1890s; and the Cotton Exchange Building in New Orleans, the first project for which the stone was shipped from Indiana "cut to fit and ready to set" in the early 1920s. Indiana Limestone projects exist in every American city, in smaller towns and villages, in Canada and in every type of atmosphere.
Low Life Cycle Costs
Indiana Limestone is virtually maintenance-free, requiring only the occasional re-pointing of stone joints and cleaning, if desired. With proper installation and minimal care, Indiana Limestone projects will serve present and future generations for many years to come.Recyclable
Indiana Limestone can be taken from one project and re-used on another, as elements in another building, landscape stones, in perimeter walls, or even as site fill. It's completely inert - it came from nature and can go back to the same. And it's common in restoration projects for the majority of the original stone to remain in place for continued use when the restoration work is completed.Environmentally Friendly Production Processes
Improved technology has resulted in a more environmentally friendly industry. Most companies recycle their water and many have air-handling systems in their mills. Quarry land is often reclaimed, either for use as land for quarry offices and outbuildings, or as nature preserves. The use of modern production equipment has resulted in overall noise reduction as well.
LEED Credits Availble for the use of Indiana Limestone
- MR Credits 1.1 & 1.2 Building Reuse, Maintain 75-95% of Existing Walls, Floors and Roof
MR Credits 2.1 & 2.2 Construction Waste Management, divert 50-75% from disposal
MR Credits 3.1 & 3.2 Materials Reuse, 5-10%
MR Credits 5.1 & 5.2 Regional Materials
SS Credit 7.1 Heat Island Effect
EA Credit 1 Optimize Energy Performance
