Marble, From Quarry to Project

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Key Learning outcomes

The extraction and transportation of Marble to the processing factory
The process in the factory
The different finishes of marble
Test results
The packing of marble for transportation to the project
The environmental effect of marble

This CPD is to help you understand the journey that marble takes, starting from the quarries, to then the process at the factory to then the finished project.

You will learn about all the methods and processes involved.

Marble is a metamorphic rock composed of recrystalised carbonate materials. Due to its natural formation there are many different colours and styles, and it is particularly popular because it can take a very high polish/sheen which makes it a good choice for many different types of projects.

It’s sourced in many countries around the world as it is one of the oldest natural building materials known to man - Its life cycle for a commercial project, if specified and selected correctly, should be assumed to be a minimum of 20 years before it will need cleaning and polishing and then as long as the building is standing, there are many historical examples of marble staying as fresh as its installation day for hundreds of years.

Marble can be applied to any project and any situation, there really aren’t any unsuitable applications. There are unsuitable finishes of marble for specific projects, but no unsuitable applications as long as the finish is chosen correctly.

1.0 The extraction and transportation of Marble to the processing factory

Blocks of marble are extracted from a quarry through a process of cutting into the stone in large block shapes; the blocks can be 20-25 tonnes in weight, and then have to be transported to the processing factory.
Blocks can be around 20-25 tonnes each so have to be transported separately or in pairs from the quarry to the factory
When the blocks arrive at the factory, first thing that happens is they are allocated, measured, scrutinised for any possible defects that may require repairs, numbered on each side, photographed on each side, and images are stored on our database.
This allows colleagues in other locations and countries to know what is available in the factory and use the live stock images as a reference when speaking to architects and contractors.
Each face of each block has to be photographed so that we know what the finished slab side will look like; as each piece is unique this can be important to knowing what the customer will receive before it is cut.
Quite often the customer wants a specific grain or feature and this is a good point to discuss these requirements.
Measuring the length, width and height of each block allows us to determine how many slabs we can get from each block and the finished slab dimensions, some finished slabs can be as big as 3000 x 2100 mm, others can be much smaller.

A marble quarry

Provider company overview

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About

Temmer

Temmer London Showroom
TTC
26 St. Cross Street,, EC1N 8
London
EC1N 8UH

The information contained in the CPD article web pages is not intended and accordingly shall not be relied upon either as a substitute for professional advice or judgement or to provide legal or other advice with respect to any particular circumstance. RIBA Enterprises accepts no responsibility for loss occasioned to any person acting or refraining from action as a result of the information contained.

Marble, From Quarry to Project

1.0 The extraction and transportation of Marble to the processing factory

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