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Dimension Stone Design Manual DSDM All Chapters Locked secured document

The Dimension Stone Design Manual is the stone industry’s single-source reference for dimension stone design and construction facts and details. The 2022 edition includes major revisions regarding natural stone installation and new Horizontal Installations and Vertical Installations chapters. It also includes newly created and consistently formatted drawings and graphics. New graphics explain coursed ashlar, split-face stone, and dry-stack detailing. Expanded anchorage graphics showcase additional anchor types currently in use. Graphics have also been updated to include continuous insulation components and thermal separations where necessary. All new graphics are compliant with ASHRAE codes. Also included are descriptions and technical data of individual natural stone varieties; general installation guidelines; guidelines and typical detailing for horizontal surfaces, vertical surfaces, countertops, wet areas, and furniture; and maintenance of exterior and interior stone installations. 521 pages; 25 chapters; 80 drawings/graphics

May 1, 2022

Dimension Stone Design Manual DSDM Chapter 00 - Table of Contents

Dimension Stone Design Manual 2022 is the stone industry's single-source reference for dimensional stone design and construction facts and details. Contents include sections on granite, marble, limestone, serpentine, soapstone, travertine, quartz-based stone and slate with product descriptions and technical data; general installation guidelines; guidelines and typical detailing for horizontal surfaces, vertical surfaces, wet areas, furniture and countertops; maintenance of exterior and interior stone installations; and a glossary of terms relating to dimension stone.

May 1, 2022

Dimension Stone Design Manual DSDM Chapter 03 - Stone Selection Locked secured document

This chapter covers the various considerations involved in selecting a specific stone for a specific application. Aesthetic issues, finish definitions, physical/mechanical properties, samples and mockups, and factors influencing cost are discussed in the chapter. This chapter is taken from the 2022 Dimension Stone Design Manual (DSDM).

May 1, 2022

Dimension Stone Design Manual DSDM Chapter 16 - Wet Areas Locked secured document

Stone surfaces in wet areas encompass concerns that are not part of other stone installations. This chapter is divided into five subsections: Stone Toilet Partitions, Stone Urinal Partitions, Stone Shower Partitions, Stone Slab Shower Linings, and Stone Tile Shower Linings. Descriptions of stone soundness requirements, stone porosity limits, warnings about plumbers’ putty, anchorage and waterproofing details, floor slope requirements, and curb height requirements are included in all applicable areas. This chapter includes 10 pages of graphics. This chapter is taken from the 2022 Dimension Stone Design Manual (DSDM).

May 1, 2022

Dimension Stone Design Manual DSDM Chapter 17 - Stone Counter and Lavatory Tops Locked secured document

With the boom in natural stone countertop usage, the fabrication and installation of stone countertops has become an incredibly large sector of the natural stone industry. Fourteen pages of text and 17 pages of graphics make this one of the largest and most comprehensive chapters in the manual. Stone material properties and selection, customer communication, cabinet and substrate requirements, field measurements, allowable spans and cantilevers, sink mounts, edge profiles, shims, adhesives, sealers, seams, tolerances, lippage, resin impregnation, reinforcements, repairs and outdoor kitchen guidelines are all addressed within this chapter. The graphics show basic kitchen layout considerations, overhang details, corbels, sink mounting, backsplashes, edge profiles, and an example shop drawing. This chapter is taken from the 2022 Dimension Stone Design Manual (DSDM).

May 1, 2022

Dimension Stone Design Manual DSDM Chapter 20 - Stone-Faced Precast Concrete Veneer Locked secured document

With anchorage using an entirely different hardware profile than other stone veneers, stone faced precast warrants its own section. This brief chapter shows the common detailing used in this popular composite cladding system. This chapter is taken from the 2022 Dimension Stone Design Manual (DSDM).

May 1, 2022

Dimension Stone Design Manual DSDM Chapter 21 - Restoration and Maintenance Locked secured document

The Restoration & Maintenance chapter covers topics most pertinent to those in the restoration business, including equipment, repairs, and troubleshooting, restorative processes, sealers, and working with commercial and historic buildings. Also included are over 100 photos, providing visual aids for many of the topics highlighted in the Troubleshooting section. This chapter is taken from the 2022 Dimension Stone Design Manual (DSDM).

May 1, 2022

Dimension Stone Design Manual DSDM Chapter 23 - Glossary of Stone Industry Terms Locked secured document

The Glossary of Stone Industry Terms contains over 500 terms and includes over 90 illustrated terms. A list of reference materials for additional reading is included. This section is a must have for the reader to get the full benefit from the rest of the Dimension Stone Design Manual. This chapter is taken from the 2022 Dimension Stone Design Manual (DSDM).

May 1, 2022

Dimension Stone Design Manual DSDM Chapter 24 - Appendix

Conversion tables, Mohs Scale of mineral hardness, Slab Production Table, a list of additional resources (technical modules and bulletins), and an ASTM Classification Index for Dimension Stone.

May 1, 2022

Joint Sealants: Products & Application for the Natural Stone Industry Locked secured document

Understanding some chemistry is important when selecting sealants for natural stone. This technical bulletin presents an overview of the design, use and application of joint sealants which are used in the natural stone industry. Discussed are various chemistries and other important considerations for selection of sealants for natural stone installations and the application of the sealant. The intention is to provide a source of information to better understand sealants and provide resources for further research into the industry. It is not intended to provide an inclusive discussion of the sealant industry.

September 8, 2015

Sealing Natural Stone Locked secured document

Should natural stone be sealed? In some cases it makes perfect sense to seal the stone. Once properly sealed, the stone will be protected against everyday dirt and spills. In other cases, it is best to leave the stone untreated. Topical sealers can alter the surface texture and finish, as well as build up on the surface creating a layer that is less durable than the stone.

September 8, 2015

Care & Cleaning of Natural Stone Locked secured document

This popular 12-page consumer/showroom brochure provides easy care tips to extend the life and preserve the beauty of natural stone. It also includes general information about sealing, stain identification, and stain removal tips.

January 29, 2024

Quick Reference | Residential | Countertops | Care & Maintenance | Sealers

Dimension Stone Design Manual DSDM - Historical Versions

Since its initial publication in 1971, the Dimension Stone Design Manual (DSDM) has been the stone industry’s single-source reference for dimension stone design and construction facts and details. Published by the Natural Stone Institute (previously the Marble Institute of America or MIA), the DSDM serves as the authoritative source of information on the suitable application of natural stone products and supports standards of natural stone workmanship and practice. The current DSDM is version 2022 and is available for download in this Resource Library as a separate item. This product allows you to download past versions of the DSDM and earlier marble standards published by the Natural Stone Institute. You will receive a zip file that includes: • Dimension Stone Design Manual 8.0 (2016) • Dimension Stone Design Manual 7.2 (2011) • Dimension Stone Design Manual 7.1 CH 13-15 (2010) • Dimension Stone Design Manual VII (2007) • Dimension Stone Design Manual VI (2003) • Dimension Stone Design Manual V (1999) • Dimension Stone Design Manual IV (1991) • Dimension Stone Design Manual III (1985) • Dimension Stone Design Manual II (1983) • Dimension Stone Design Manual IR (1976) • Dimension Stone Design Manual I (1971) • Marble Engineering Handbook (1962) • Marble Engineering Handbook (1960) • Interior Marble (1964) • Interior Marble (no date) • Exterior Marble (1961) • Exterior Marble (1955)

May 11, 2022

Absorption of Limestone Cladding for Use Below Grade Locked secured document

Is there a documented maximum absorption for a limestone cladding that extends below grade?

May 1, 2020

Sample Preparation for Absorption Testing Locked secured document

We are sending samples for absorption testing. Since the stones will be sealed in the final installation, we’re assuming that the test pieces need to be sealed in the same manner. Is this correct?

March 2, 2020

Stone Properties Fail to Meet Standard Locked secured document

We’re reviewing data on a limestone for a project that we designed. Our specification calls for a Class II limestone, and it appears that this stone falls short of that. Does that mean that we’ll have problems with it in the future? Should we reject it?

September 1, 2019

What is the best sealer? Locked secured document

What is the best sealer? We’ve tried several different sealers for various stones and various applications, but it would be simpler to just have one sealer in inventory to use for everything.

September 1, 2015

Plaster Spot Drying Time and Relative Humidity Locked secured document

We do a lot of interior lobby cladding projects using 2 cm marble, travertine, or limestone anchored with traditional wire tie and plaster methods. It seems like years ago we were always working in enclosed space with the air conditioning running. Now, in the majority of our jobs, we’re forced to work without air conditioning and in some cases without the lobby even fully enclosed. It’s taking forever for our plaster spots to dry out. Is there an MIA standard that mandates conditioned air for interior stone setting?

March 1, 2015

Recommended Best Practices Locked secured document

The following material is intended to provide basic guide lines for the architect, engineer, stone contractor, stone fabricator, anchoring device fabricator, and other interested parties for the safe and economical use of building stone in construction. It offers guide lines for the design and application of building stone using metal gravity anchors and/or lateral anchors to: (a) clad solid concrete or masonry, (b) clad the structural frame of a building, either directly, or to subframes, or to curtain walls which are attached to the building structure. It also includes guide lines for the design and application of paving stones.

January 1, 2010

Resin Filled Slabs Locked secured document

We are bidding to fabricate and install a small project using Santa Cecelia granite from Brazil. The general contractor insists on purchasing the slabs themselves. We are concerned that the purchased slabs will have resin on them. Is this a problem?

July 1, 2009

Silicone Sealants and Staining Locked secured document

When is the MIA going to wake up and put something in your manual to prohibit the use of silicon sealants with stone? Everyone knows that silicon stains stone. How many more jobs have to get ruined before you guys put a stop to its use?

May 1, 2009

Exterior Cladding Joint Width Locked secured document

We are installing an exterior marble façade using butt tight joints. We are at a loss as far as how to seal the joints. Can you recommend a sealer for tight joints exterior adhered marble?

March 1, 2009

Impregnating Sealer Locked secured document

We recently installed a kitchen top of a Chinese Gold granite. We sealed the stones with our usual product. The homeowner is complaining that the stone turns dark when wet, although the color returns to normal after it dries out. We sent a tech to the site to reseal the tops, but the problem hasn’t gone away. Is there a benefit in sealing a third time? Or are we just using the wrong sealer?

July 1, 2008

Natural Stone Institute

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