Stone in the Restoration of Architectural Heritage - Deterioration of Stone Structures Caused by Humidity

Abstract

Over the centuries, stone as the elementary building material has not only been the substance used for constructing buildings but also the subject of arts and crafts. Aesthetics of stone has come into use in the Middle Ages, Renaissance and Baroque as well as architectural works implemented in the 19th and 20th century. The diversity of use but mostly the range of stone masonry and elements in the whole volume of our architectural heritage is forcing us to look for effective protection methods. The deterioration of stone structures most frequently encountered include undoubtedly the undesired water intrusion and dampness which ultimately precludes habitability of interiors, causes the loss of thermo-physical properties as well as static distortion of the object. There are multiple methods of excessive dampness rehabilitation, which are, however, in case of valuable and protected works of architecture, limited to technological procedures in compliance with the principles of heritage protection. On the case studies of redevelopment of the burgher house in Banská Štiavnica and the Prónay manor house in Lučenec, we will present the available methods of rehabilitation and determinants for utilisation of the selected method.