MIA+BSI Launches Natural Stone Testing Lab

Words: Mia AllenMIA+BSI is proud to announce the creation of a natural stone testing lab. This lab, powered by the association, offers state-of-the-art testing and reporting capabilities for industry members who are introducing new stone, need project-specific testing, or have outdated technical data. Published in June 2014, ASTM C1799, Guide to Dimension Stone Test Specimen Sampling and Preparation, recommends that test data used for stone performance evaluation be generated within the previous three years.

Special pricing for testing is available for MIA+BSI members, large volume orders, and bundled packages. All testing is performed in-house in MIA+BSI’s lab. Testing services are available for the following:
  • ANSI A137.1 Dynamic Coefficient of Friction Using the BOT 3000
  • 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 C880 Flexural Strength of Dimension Stone
  • ASTM C1353 "Abrasion Resistance of Dimension Stone Subjected to Foot Traffic Using a Rotary Platform, Double-Head Abraser"
  • ASTM C1354 Strength of Individual Stone Anchorages in Dimension Stone
  • Freeze/Thaw Testing
MIA+BSI Technical Director, Chuck Muehlbauer, stated: “We believe that MIA+BSI members will find value receiving testing services from its own association. Simply stated, money spent on required testing will stay in the industry. Additionally, the lab will further afford our technical department with the means to produce technical studies and reports of value to the membership and industry.”

For a quotation and/or additional information on testing services, please contact Stephanie Guilfoyle (stephanie@naturalstoneinstitute.org). Learn more at www.naturalstoneinstitute.org/lab.
From Day One to Long-Term Success: Onboarding Strategies for Contractors
January 2026

The construction industry is facing one of its toughest challenges in decades. Companies are struggling to find enough skilled workers while competing to keep the ones they have. At the same time, projects are becoming more complex, deadlines are tighter,

Finding the Right PPE for Your Work
January 2026

When it comes to PPE, one thing’s for sure: safety isn’t one size fits all. The work you’re doing, where you’re doing it, and even what time of year it is, can all make a big difference in what gear actually works. Price, comfort, and job performance all

Back Injuries: The Real Cost and How to Prevent Them
January 2026

The mention of back injuries makes mason contractors cringe, and for good reason. Masons lift heavy objects every day, all day long. When a person sustains a back injury, it is serious. It affects every part of their life, from their ability to perform wo

Detailing for Durability: The 2026 Guide to High-Performance Stone Veneer Transitions
January 2026

Some of the most expensive failures involving manufactured stone veneer installations don’t come from the stone at all, but rather from the material transitions and flashing around it. Transitions are weak points in the overall cladding where water can fi