Indiana Limestone

We hope that you find the following information helpful as you explore the Limestone possibilites for your next project. If you don't find quite the answers you were looking for here, please don't hesitate to contact us at 773-763-9700 or ask a question by e-mail and it will be our pleasure to help you.

A1. What is Indiana Limestone?

Formed over 300 million years ago during the Mississippian geological epoch, Indiana limestone is from the stratigraphic formation known as Salem limestone. This limestone is comprised of over 97% calcium carbonate (CaCO3). It is characteristically a freestone, without pronounced cleavage planes, possessing remarkable uniformity of composition, texture, and structure.

Indiana limestone has a high degree of machinability, allowing it to be shaped and textured at low cost. Over 150 years of successful use as an exterior cladding material has proven its ability to resist the forces of weather and pollution. Its light buff color blends easily with almost any other building material making it very practical for use as trim pieces in the form of sills, coping, quoins and keystones.

Did you know:

That nearly 2.7 million cubic feet of Indiana Limestone is quarried each year?
That Indiana Limestone can be quarried and milled with greater efficiency, in terms of energy consumed, than most competing building materials?
That Indiana Limestone has stood the test of time in structures all over the world where its strength, beauty, and durability have made it the material of choice in many older load-bearing structures as well as cladding stone in the modern context?
That the Indiana Limestone industry employs stone cutters and carvers whose skills in working limestone into complex shapes and into art forms remain world class?
For more information on Limestone, Inc. and how to specify cut Indiana limestone, download the PDF file.
Indiana Limestone is a natural product formed some 300 million years ago in the shallow seas that covered southern Indiana. This Mississippian-age grainstone has a very uniform texture and grade, and it has gained world-wide acceptance as a premier dimension stone. Indiana Limestone weathers naturally over time and the stone's color mellows and lends into a pleasing natural patina. The appearance of Indiana Limestone actually improves with age.

Indiana Limestone is a freestone, which means that it exhibits no preferential direction of splitting and can, therefore, be cut and carved in an almost limitless variety of shapes and sizes. This property allows the stone to be planed, turned on a lathe, sawed, and hand worked to match the requirements of the most demanding architectural designs. Indiana Limestone exhibits three colors: gray, buff, and variegated, which includes patterns of both gray and buff. At Limestone Inc, we chose to fabricate only the Buff color Limestone due to the high demand of this color stone in Chicagoland.

For more information check out this Wikipedia article.

A2. Where can I see some examples of your work?

We are more than pleased to welcome you into our Offices & Fabrication Shop for a small sampling of our capabilites. Our work speaks for itself. Use Project References as a self guided tour and experience the Limestone possibilites first hand.

A3. How can I find an experienced stone mason in my area?

Contact MAGCC/Blue Book/Yellow Pages/Ask a Friend.

A4. Will someone come out to my jobsite/home and take measurements?

Yes, we do provide this service. However, if you are already working with a mason they can do this and then place the stone order accordingly.

A5. What is the typical lead time on an order?

Lead times vary depending on the size of the material and the number of pieces ordered. While we do not stock any precut material we can typically cut a sill or coping order within 1 week. Call our office for current lead times on larger projects.

A6. What are your hours of operation?

Our business hours are Monday - Friday 7am - 3pm, Saturdays 7am - Noon. It is always wise to schedule an apointment if you are working from or with a blueprint. This will ensure our staff is available and has time specially set aside to attend to your project.

A7. How can I order Address Stones on line?

Other than the information you want on the stone you must also choose a font and stone shape. See the following PDF files to view your options.

A8. Are there any special requirements for laying Tumbled Limestone?

Yes there are. See Installation & Technical Guide to Tumbled Stone.

Back to top

A9. How do I clean limestone on my fireplace and stairs?

For information on this subject see Repairing Damage and/or How To Avoid Small Area Stains. Also visit the Indiana Limestone Institute.

Back to top

A10. What are some helpful tips for installing Indiana Limestone?

Yes, here are a few. Click here Indiana Limestone Installation Recommendations to see white paper.

Back to top