Tuff - what is its role in the construction of architectural objects and houses ?

Tuff: what are its properties?

Tuff - naturally occurring stone that was thrown during a volcanic eruption.Also often it consists of an impurity non-volcanic rocks.The most common fields are located in Iceland, Italy, Armenia, USA, Cape Verde, on the Kamchatka Peninsula (the Valley of Geysers), New Zealand.

has a porous structure and is considered an excellent material for a decorative finish.It is provided with excellent consumer properties, for use as a base material in the construction (brick like).Enumerate its properties.

• Provides good thermal and acoustic insulation .
• High frost (about 50-600 cycles).
• Excellent waterproof .
• resistance to various atmospheric phenomena (not deformed).
• Light weight , which is an average 0,75-1,6 t / m3.
• easy processed and put into the construction process.
• Durability and strength .

Species tuffs

Speaking in general about the varieties of tuff, it identified two large groups (not to be confused with volcanic tuff): siliceous (or sinter)

and tufa (travertine). first formed after the loss of the hot springs (geysers) in the course of evaporation and cooling of silicon compounds on the surface.

tufa deposited in natural barriers, about freshwater sources.Formed by water saturation of calcium carbonate.That is why the presence of a "cascade" can be found in these places.Usually it has brown or orange-yellow color.

should also be said about tuff , which is formed during volcanic eruptions.Contains in its composition of volcanic glass, minerals (pyroxene, feldspar), fragments of volcanic rocks and some secondary education.

Each of these is equally suitable both for construction and for finishing works.They differ from the other fields, as well as the physical and chemical composition, which is determined by each individual source.That is, in every place (in Armenia, Italy, USA) tuff has its own characteristics.

Scope tuff

used this material for interior and exterior walls.They veneer facades of buildings and adorn the interior.This was made possible thanks to its porous structure and diversity of colors.For example, the most popular are white, orange, red, black, yellow, brown, purple, pink tuff.Internally it is used for interior fireplaces, wine cellars, walls lounges.

Also this material through hydraulic properties is used as an additive for various mixes (cement plaster solution, including cement, lime air).Once it is made resistant paint.Separately should be said about the production of building stones, blocks.

architectural buildings, churches and houses of tuff produced unusually warm and strong.It is quite easy to process (cut and polished), which simplifies the process of installation.Among the most famous buildings are: The Church of the Virgin Mary in the town of Gyumri, Noravank monastery complex near the gorges of the Arpa River, Noravank monastery in Armenia, Lalibela church in northern Ethiopia.For its construction was used volcanic tuff.

Some of this material (better tufa) are used to create objects in the landscape design (including reservoirs).

In addition to the aesthetic appeal of travertine allows the cultivation of various plants on its surface.