It’s no surprise that limestone has been used in construction since humans began building structures larger than huts. This versatile material, employed by civilizations across the world, boasts incredible strength, durability, and hardness while still being workable with precision. Limestone is truly the Goldilocks of building materials: not too hard, not too soft, but just right.
In the modern world of building materials, limestone stacks up exceptionally well. It offers a thermal rating three times that of brick and superior acoustic properties. It doesn’t fade, chip, or flake like render, nor crack like Hebel or foamboard. Limestone has far less embedded energy (the energy used to produce it) than any comparable product and is entirely natural, making it an excellent environmental choice. Plus, it’s absolutely stunning to look at.
So, we know limestone is good, and we know it looks amazing, but surely it’s only an option for the uber-rich and their mansions in Toorak, right? Not necessarily. Ravida is currently building a custom-designed home in Hawthorn East using limestone from the premium limestone suppliers Bruhn Limestone in South Australia. Our skilled stonemason, Cash from Build Right Stone, is doing the laying, and not only is it looking magnificent, but the cost is also closer to that of brick and render than expected. So, while it remains more expensive, it’s not as much as you might think, and the value is undoubtedly there! Limestone is a true luxury product—natural, unique, beautiful, timeless, and desirable. Any extra spent on the build is more than covered by the end value of your home.
Like every luxury home Ravida builds, the quality of the materials and the skill of the tradespeople must be of the highest order. With limestone, this is definitely the case. Limestone dimensions differ from those of standard brick construction, so the design and technical drawings need to account for this. Limestone mouldings are machined onto the block that sits within the wall, unlike typical decorative mouldings that are often made of foam and plastic. Cutting and laying limestone is a skill, not a task, and should be done by an artisan stonemason like Cash.
When considering building your luxury home, you should talk to us about using limestone as your building material. At Ravida, we ensure every home is designed and built to the highest standard, and limestone’s exceptional qualities make it a perfect choice for your dream home.
