What Are Some of the Most Common Things Limestone is Used For?

Limestone is a carbonate sedimentary rock that is used for a variety of things. If you're unfamiliar with limestone, you could be wondering what it is used for. The truth is that there is a good chance that you have been exposed to limestone without realising it since it's actually used for a lot of different things. These are some of the most common things that limestone is used for.

Building Construction

Limestone doesn't have a lot of pores, and it's strong and dense. It can handle abrasion well, and it is weather resistant in a variety of different climates. Because of all of these things, it's a popular building material when lots of different types of structures are being built.

Road Construction

When roads are being installed or repaired, there are usually a few common goals. First of all, the roads should be durable and should be able to withstand regular traffic without issues. Additionally, since road construction projects can typically get quite expensive, sticking to a budget is usually an important goal, too. Luckily, limestone makes it possible for those who are involved in road construction to achieve both of these goals. Limestone is an affordable material that works well for pouring asphalt.

Concrete Installation

You might not think that limestone is used when concrete is poured for things like patios and paved driveways, but this often is not the case. Although it's not the only type of aggregate that is used in concrete -- for example, river gravel is commonly used -- limestone is actually very commonly used for this purpose. Many people find that it's a better aggregate for concrete than river gravel because it creates stronger and more durable concrete. Therefore, particularly for commercial concrete installations, it's a popular choice. Some concrete pouring companies purchase concrete mix that already contains limestone. In other cases, concrete companies create their own concrete mix and add their own limestone.

As you can see, limestone is commonly used for a number of different things. If you're involved in one of the industries above, there is a good chance that you will end up working with limestone at some point or another. If you hire someone for one of these types of jobs, there is a good chance that they will use limestone. Luckily, limestone is a common, easy-to-acquire and affordable material, so putting it to use when it's beneficial to do so is typically pretty easy.

For more information about limestone and how you can use it, reach out to a local supplier.

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