The past quarter century has seen a near revolution in the availability, versatility, and cost of architectural stone. Enormous technological advances in fabrication, transportation, and installation have combined with the emergence of new sources of stone in China, India, Southeast Asia, and the former Soviet Union to produce an astounding variety of choices for architects interested in incorporating stone into their designs. But, beyond the visual aesthetic of a sample, how can an architect determine whether a particular stone possesses characteristics suitable for a specific project? This is a crucial question, since an improper selection can cost thousands, or even millions, of dollars to correct. In Architectural Stone, Mark Chacon takes the guesswork out of stone selection, design, and installation. He provides detailed information on geological formation, physical characteristics, and fabrication techniques for igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic stone, and explains how these factors affect design and installation. Taking a how-to approach, he offers detailed instructions for all major installation techniques and examines the materials, systems, and specifications required for each technique, as well as methods of finishing, sealing, and maintaining installed stone. Finally, he presents detailed guidelines for the selection of stone, including selection criteria and practical concerns, special considerations for interior and exterior installations, informal testing and practical analysis, and the availability and suitability of particular types of stone. The only one-stop source for complete information on building stone, Architectural Stone also provides: * More than 100 field photographs detailing the quarrying, fabrication, and installation of a wide variety of building stone * Architectural details that describe the intent and use of stone in building systems * Computer-generated images of the geological formation of stone The first and only comprehensive reference for owners, architects, interior designers, and other building professionals working with stone, this book provides authoritative, up-to-date answers to critical questions on every aspect of using stone as a building material.