By Mr. T.A Srikanth
AG Marble and Granite, UAE
When selecting natural stone for mega construction projects, the margin for error is razor thin. With massive budgets, tight schedules, and high visibility, the materials and decisions must be flawless. Natural stone—while offering timeless beauty and unmatched durability—demands more than a basic procurement approach. It requires a deep understanding of the material’s nature, behavior, and regional nuances.
The solution? Enlist seasoned professionals with years of experience working with natural stone in similar regional environments. This includes quarry owners, geologists, processors, factory heads, fabricators, and consultants who have successfully delivered major stone-based projects. Their insights can help you avoid costly missteps and ensure long-term performance.
Here’s a detailed guide to selecting the right natural stone—with clarity, precision, and leadership at every step.
Step 1: Define Clear and Contextual Project Requirements
Begin by assembling your core project team—consisting of: - Senior architects and design leads - Structural and civil engineers - Experienced stone consultants
This team should collaboratively define the technical and visual requirements of the stone, including: - Durability and lifespan relative to the environment - Weathering performance, especially in extreme conditions (desert, humidity, coastal) - Color consistency and natural variation limits - Desired finishes: honed, polished, flamed, sandblasted, etc. - Maintenance cycles and ease of restoration
Clear criteria from the outset create a reliable
Step 2: Identify and Onboard Proven Natural Stone Experts
This phase separates standard projects from world-class ones. Go beyond commercial contractors and instead recruit: - Quarry managers with expertise in extraction quality and volume - Factory supervisors knowledgeable in cutting, polishing, and finishing – Fabricators, Installers and fixers who’ve worked on high-profile stone installations
These experts bring more than knowledge—they bring foresight. Vet them thoroughly for: - Certifications and technical credentials - References from similar regional mega-projects - Proven ability to collaborate with designers and project managers
Step 3: Conduct In-Depth Material Investigation and Sampling
Allow the experts to lead this technical deep dive: - Access geological surveys and stability reports for quarries - Investigate vein orientation, mineral composition, and quarrying techniques - Procure block and slab samples of significant size for proper analysis
The samples should be tested in certified labs for: - Compressive and flexural strength - Water absorption and porosity levels - Freeze-thaw durability, if applicable - Slip resistance and thermal performance
Testing should simulate real-world conditions as closely as possible.
Step 4: Evaluate Supply Chain Stability and Sustainability
Aesthetics are important but so is supply reliability. Your consultants must: - Verify the quarry’s available reserves and long-term yield capability - Assess legal and environmental compliance of extraction - Evaluate logistical feasibility and lead times for consistent delivery
This ensures the selected stone is available in required quantities throughout the project’s life cycle—without surprises.
Step 5: Install Real-World Mock-Ups and Field Trials
Mock-ups are not optional, they are essential. They help in: - Evaluating stone behavior under natural lighting and environmental exposure - Testing bonding strength and installation techniques - Observing visual consistency and blend across lots
These prototypes offer a final check before committing to large-scale procurement. It’s here that experienced eyes can detect problems others would miss.
Step 6: Make the Final Selection Through a Consensus Panel
Final decisions should be made by a collective panel of: - Architects - Engineers - Stone specialists - Project managers
This team should consider: - All test results and mock-up findings - Material aesthetics and compatibility with other finishes - Practical factors like long-term maintainability
Avoid unilateral decisions. A panel-led consensus ensures balanced judgment across technical and visual criteria.
Step 7: Tendering and Selection of Stone Supplier, Fabricator, and Installer
Tendering for natural stone should be done with strict technical and qualitative controls. The process should include:
1. Prequalification: - Invite only companies with demonstrated experience on mega-projects - Evaluate past performance, regional experience, certifications, and technical staff qualifications - Review their source quarries, fabrication facilities, and installation capacity
2. Tender Package Requirements: - Include detailed specifications, drawings, and expected tolerances - Outline dry-lay, QC, and mock-up expectations - State clear guidelines for delivery schedules, sample approval, packing method, and warranty terms
3. Bid Evaluation Criteria: - Not just lowest price—evaluate on: - Material origin and consistency - Fabrication standards and machinery used - Quality control process in place (including dry lays, inspections) - Site manpower experience and installation history - Technical submittals and testing certificates
4. Interview and Factory Visit: - Conduct technical interviews with shortlisted bidders - Visit fabrication sites and dry-lay areas for hands-on quality assessment
5. Award and Scope Split: - Ideally split scope across specialist suppliers, fabricators, and installers only if coordination is possible, otherwise award a turnkey stone package to one party with demonstrated end-to-end capability
This structured approach ensures the best value—balancing quality, consistency, technical ability, and reliability for mega-scale natural stone execution.
Step 8: Establish and Monitor a Comprehensive Quality Control Plan
Once the stone is approved, the project team must define a robust quality assurance system. It should include: - Block selection protocols at the quarry - Inspection points during slab processing (dimension, finish, tone matching) - Packaging and handling specifications to prevent damage during shipping - Checklists for site handling and installation methods
A full-time stone QC team should be deployed to oversee every phase—from extraction to site delivery.
Step 9: Dry Lays, Installation Methods, and Installation Materials
In Middle East projects, dry lays play a vital role in ensuring consistency and precision: - Dry laying all cut-to-size pieces in the factory allows for pre-installation visual inspection, tone adjustment, and pattern alignment. - Every piece is photographed, numbered, and approved by the consultant/client before packing. - Any replacements or reshuffling are handled proactively before site delivery.
Installation methods vary based on application: - For flooring, the standard method involves full-bed wet installation using high-strength adhesives or cementitious mortar with mechanical backing if required. - For cladding, especially above 2 meters, mechanical fixing systems (SS clamps, anchor pins) are used along with epoxy or marble glue bedding for secure attachment. - For bathrooms, staircases, vanity tops, thresholds, and column wraps, a combination of dry installation and resin or epoxy bonding is applied, ensuring both safety and finish.
Approved installation materials typically include: - Polymer-modified tile adhesives (e.g., C2TE S1 grade) - Two-part epoxies for high-traffic or moisture-prone zones - Anchors, SS clamps, and mechanical pins for ventilated facades or suspended cladding - Expansion joints and silicone sealants in high movement areas
Proper substrate preparation, leveling, and back-buttering techniques are crucial for adhesion and long-term performance. All installation works must follow relevant ASTM, BS, or EN standards, and periodic inspections should be conducted by independent QA/QC teams.
Step 10: Final Inspection and Successful Handing Over
The final phase is critical to ensure all stone works meet contract expectations and are handed over seamlessly. This includes:
1. Comprehensive Final Inspection: - Conduct joint inspections with client representatives, consultants, and QA/QC teams - Check all surfaces for alignment, joints, polishing finish, grouting consistency, and compliance with drawings and approved samples
2. Snag List and Rectification: - Prepare a detailed snag list identifying any minor defects or inconsistencies - Assign deadlines for corrections and ensure all rectifications are certified by the supervising consultant
3. Documentation and Certification: - Submit full documentation package including: - Material origin certificates - Lab test reports – Installation methodology - Dry-lay records - Maintenance manuals
4. Client Walkthrough and Approval: - Conduct an official client walkthrough - Secure final acceptance sign-off with written approval
5. Warranty Activation and Maintenance Plan: - Provide warranty documents clearly stating coverage - Hand over the stone care and maintenance schedule with cleaning product recommendations - Offer training to client facility teams on preservation techniques
By concluding with a methodical and well-documented handover process, the project achieves not just completion—but excellence.
Final Thoughts: Natural Stone Is Not Just a Material—It’s a Legacy
Natural stone is as much about permanence as it is about beauty. It creates the surfaces and structures people admire for generations. That’s why every decision—from quarry to façade—must be made with foresight, discipline, and respect for the craft.
By involving the right experts, conducting thorough research, and implementing strict quality control, your project not only avoids common pitfalls—it becomes an enduring statement of excellence.
Choose wisely. Build boldly. Let the stone tell your story for decades to come.
Annex: Applicable International Standards for Natural Stone Projects in the Middle East
Below is a categorized list of the relevant ASTM, BS (British Standards), and EN (European Norms) standards referenced throughout this guide:
1. Testing Standards:
ASTM C97: Absorption and Bulk Specific Gravity of Dimension Stone
ASTM C99: Modulus of Rupture of Dimension Stone
ASTM C170: Compressive Strength of Dimension Stone
ASTM C1353: Abrasion Resistance of Dimension Stone Subjected to Foot Traffic
EN 12372: Flexural Strength Testing of Natural Stone
EN 12407: Petrographic Examination of Natural Stone
2. Stone Classification and Properties:
EN 12440: Natural Stone - Denomination Criteria
EN ISO 14688: Geotechnical Investigation and Testing
BS EN 1469: Slabs for Cladding – Requirements
EN 12058: Slabs for Flooring and Stairs – Requirements
EN 12057: Modular Tiles – Requirements
3. Installation and Fixing:
BS 5385: Wall and Floor Tiling Code of Practice
EN 12004: Adhesives for Tiles - Requirements and Test Methods
ASTM C881: Epoxy Resin Systems for Bonding Fresh to Hardened Concrete
BS EN 1991-1-5: Actions on Structures – Thermal Actions
BS EN 1991-1: General Actions (Wind, Thermal, etc.)
BS 6093: Design of Joints and Jointing in Building Construction
4. Maintenance and Handover:
BS 8221-1: Cleaning and Surface Repair of Buildings - Code of Practice
BS 7543: Guide to Durability of Buildings and Building Elements
5. Sealants and Waterproofing:
ASTM C920: Elastomeric Joint Sealants
BS 6213: Guide to the Selection of Construction Sealants
6. Environmental and Safety:
ISO 9001: Quality Management Systems
ISO 14001: Environmental Management Systems
ISO 45001: Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems
