Sustainable building starts with Oamaru Stone
Oamaru Stone is a unique natural combination of strength, beauty, and high-performance that cannot be reproduced by a single synthetic building material. So let’s take a deep dive into what makes Oamaru Stone the clear choice when you want to maximise the sustainability credentials of your new build, extension, or renovation.
Nothing lasts like Oamaru limestone
A short drive through the Victorian Quarter in Oamaru will tell you all you need to know about the ability of Oamaru Stone to stand the test of time. Those magnificent buildings have stood on the waterfront, aging gracefully for over 150 years, and still look spectacular. Oamaru Stone doesn’t rot, rust, or warp, and it can often be repaired or restored, rather than needing replacement.
Natural beauty that improves with age
Oamaru Stone develops a rich, warm, delicately textured patina over the years that adds character to a building. It won’t peel, fade, or decay, and just needs a little care and maintenance to keep it looking at its best.
A longer lifecycle
Repairing something already in use is a much more sustainable strategy than replacing it with something newly produced. Repairs use fewer resources and less energy. What’s more, Oamaru Stone can be reclaimed and reused in new structures. That extends its lifecycle and reduces waste – both extremely good ways to improve the overall sustainability of a building. Read how we’ve contributed to saving Christchurch’s heritage buildings.
A natural thermal regulator
In places like New Zealand (especially Southland, Otago, and Canterbury) where we experience massive annual temperature variations, Oamaru Stone’s ability to regulate temperature through its high thermal mass is a clear advantage. It absorbs heat during the day and slowly releases it at night. The benefit is a house that’s naturally cooler in summer and warmer in winter, and of course, reduced energy costs to maintain a comfortable, healthy temperature.
Acoustic performance
Oamaru Stone provides excellent sound insulation, making it ideal if you want a quiet living or working environment. Sound transmission from inside or intrusion from outside is minimised creating an island of tranquillity in a hectic world. Find out more about Oamaru Stone for interiors and exteriors.
Superior fire safety
As you might expect Oamaru Stone is non-combustible, so it acts as a protective barrier rather than a fuel source. Under fire conditions, Oamaru Stone doesn’t release toxic fumes, and it maintains its structural stability and strength.
Lower processing inputs
We don’t need a big factory to make Oamaru Stone. It comes from a quarry on our property just outside Oamaru and is sliced out of the ground using a giant circular saw. Then it’s cut into blocks of different sizes, and sometimes carved into intricate shapes using our CNC machine. Once it’s ready the blocks are simply strapped to pallets and dispatched to building and construction sites all over New Zealand.
Structural strength
There’s a genuine feeling of permanence in a building constructed with Oamaru Stone. It has high compression strength, which is ideal for load-bearing walls in houses and commercial buildings.
The unique Oamaru Stone sustainability advantage
While manufactured and processed building materials can replicate one or another of the attributes of Oamaru Stone, there isn’t anything that combines everything in one product. But amazing Oamaru Stone does it all naturally. So if you want a building that’s genuinely sustainable from the ground up, Oamaru Stone is the clear choice.
To find out more give us a call today on 03 433 1134 or email sales@oamarustone.co.nz