If you need to replace your driveway, paving stones are a economical choice. In addition to being able to be used in myriad patterns, they can be easily replaced if they become stained with dripping oil or damaged in other ways.
Whether it's a fireplace, decorative wall, retaining wall, patio, or the entire exterior of your home or building, we use the best stone from select quarries for superior results.
Are you a property manager? Set the office buildings you are responsible for apart from the cookie-cutter look that peppers the commercial countryside. Stone can be used upgrade office interiors or exteriors to help make them more attractive to potential tenants.
If you have a stone retaining wall on your property, that's an ideal location for an outdoor fireplace. Using the existing wall for support, the fireplace can become the focal point of a redesigned outdoor living area.
Mortar doesn't have to be the standard gray that is so familiar. It can be tinted to provide an interesting complement or contrast to the stone you've chosen or to highlight any secondary colors it may have.
When properly installed, paving stones will not buckle or crack like asphalt or concrete. Because they are set individually and are not a rigid surface, they shift as the ground beneath them shifts.
Expand the available seating in your outdoor living area by having stone walls incorporated into the overall design. These ledge-like features can also be used for potted plants to create a more intimate look.
If you have large and open areas in your home or place of business, adding low walls made from stone is a great way to break up the area without losing usable space.
Depending on the purpose and location, mortar does not always need to be used in stonework. In some cases the weight of the materials and the natural friction that is created is all that is needed to hold things in place.
The freeze/thaw cycle can weaken and damage the mortar in your stonework, even if it only happens occasionally. At the beginning of spring and in the fall, the mortar should be inspected for signs of deterioration and repairs or repointing performed.
Humans are tactile beings and have an innate desire to touch things. Manufactured stone, with all of the different textures available, invites people to touch it, adding an extra architectural dimension to the finished project.
Can't decide what type of stone to choose? Going native is a good choice. It will blend better with your landscaping, and will be closer to the design patterns of older homes in your area.
For a unique look inside your home or for your patio, consider using slate. It is an exceptionally durable product that will stand up to years of heavy traffic without breaking or losing its color.
Natural stone patios around a pool or adjacent to the home can make the most mundane areas a work of art. Our stonework skills can help you create almost any ambiance. You are limited only by your imagination.
An outdoor fireplace made from stone boosts the appeal of your house if you should decide to put it on the market. It extends the living space, accentuates the warmth and vitality of your home, and sends a welcoming message.
Because of the superior skill and craftsmanship of our stonemasons, adding stone work facades, walks, walls or accents can increase the value of your home. When stonemasonry is done properly, it presents an image of fine artisianship and attention of detail.
Because manufactured stone is cast in molds, there is a consistency to the product that cannot be realized with natural stone. This means that the materials easily fit together for a more stable structure.
Stonework accents, patios, and outdoor structures add a timeless look to the exterior of any home. Not only does stone enhance curb appeal, it's an investment that pays for itself by increasing property values.
If you're remodeling and want to use stone, stone veneer is a good option. This consists of a single layer of stone attached to another surface. It can be installed either indoors or out and incorporated into a number of design motifs.
Mortar began to be used in stonework sometime around 3000 b.c.e., and the oldest known structure still in existence is the Ziggurat of Sialk in Iran. The mortar formula used remained the same until Portland cement was invented in the 1820s.
Because of its consistency, manufactured stone is great when adding to your home or landscaping design a little at a time. Install what you can afford now and when you're ready to expand, pick up where you left off with no loss of quality or look.
Stone masons still follow the ranking system developed for guilds in the Middle Ages. A master mason has a shop in which he employs those working as apprentices and journeymen, all working towards being masters. Each ranking has certain standards which must be met before advancing in the trade.
When designing outdoor living space and landscaping, remember that stonework is not limited to sidewalks and retaining walls. Stone structures and paving designs, can transform a boring landscape into an area of eye-catching elegance.
As soon as you see damaged stonework, make arrangements to have it evaluated and repaired. Waiting will make it worse and increase the costs of the work that needs to be done.
Stone can be ordered in various edgings and different thickness, depending on the look you want. We will discuss the pros and cons of your selections with you so you can make an educated choice for your project.
If you have an older home that has stonework in need of repair or replacement, we can help. We have the skills to match existing stone, mortar or grout so the new materials blend seamlessly with the old.
What is Faux stone, or stone veneer? It is a building material made from concrete molds and colored to look like natural stone. The stone veneer looks exactly like stone but is relatively cheaper, being, on average, 1/3 to 1/2 the cost.
Contrary to what many think, the word marble does not mean “having streaks of different colors.” It means “sparkling” or “shiny” and specifically “gleaming rock.”
Can you name the world’s largest open-faced granite quarry? Well, if you’ve guessed Mount Airy, then you’re right! Nicknamed The Granite City, this quarry is located in North Carolina.
Why should you use natural stone in construction applications? Natural stone has proved its reliability as a building material through centuries. It is durable, easy to use, and easy to clean. Natural stone is associated with quality, luxury, and permanence.
Do you know that 54% of crushed stone imported into the United States comes from Canada? It is followed by Mexico at 31% and Mexico at 8%. The remaining 7% is imported from other countries.
What are the applications and uses of stones? Stones can be used in the construction of buildings, bridges, retaining walls, and other structures. It also includes building components such as foundations, walls, floors, chimneys, sills, and steps.
If you are noticing white film on your chimney or porch, that is due to efflorescence. The white crystalline or powdery deposit on the surface of masonry materials like stone is usually formed by water seeping through.
Did you know that granite surfaces are harder and impervious to acids? However, proper care and maintenance is still required to retain its shine and beauty for several years to come.
What’s the difference between cultured and natural stone? Cultured stones are man-made stones made from lightweight concrete products. They come in an array of styles and colors. Natural stones are more challenging to work with but the results are unmatched.
Quoins are large rectangular masonry blocks used as cornerstones in traditional buildings. They provide structural support to buildings as well as acting as an important aesthetic element.
Historical evidence shows that the roads the Romans built were made from broken stones. Astonishingly, many of those roads are still intact and carry traffic today.
Natural stones are eternal. Many ancient temples, cathedrals, mosques, palaces and official buildings made of natural stone still exist with the same elegance. However, in our modern buildings, the life-cycle of natural stone is usually considered around 80 years.
Do you know that the patterns and colors of every piece of granite are unique? All slabs of this natural stone are different because they have different formations and compositions.
The Great Pyramid of Giza is a wonderful example of masonry. This marvelous wonder is more than 5,000 years old and uses 2,300,000 blocks of stone.
There are different finishes for natural stone that highlight its beauty and also serve a certain purpose. Some of these finishes include polished, sawed, honed, flamed, bush-hammered, aged, silk effect, brushed, leather finish, split finish, and antique.
In the Middle Ages, stonemasons used various types of stones to construct castles and cathedrals. The structure, when completed, was finished with a whitewash or paint of a single color.
Dirt, dust, sand, and grit are the primary culprits of damaged stone floors. Therefore, routine cleaning is a must to keep them looking new. Use a dry, untreated microfiber mop or a vacuum to remove dust. Damp mopping is recommended once per week.
Having an attractive outdoor living space is a dream of most homeowners. Use stone to create fireplaces or pits, seating areas, patios, walls, or other architectural features .
How long a stone sealer lasts depends on the quality of application and maintenance. It also depends on the wear and tear of daily usage and exposure to harsh elements, such as floor cleaners.
Stone is considered one of the most durable building materials. It can withstand extreme temperature changes and also hold up to heavy storms. Since stones are non-combustible, they protect the buildings from fire.
Which state leads the production of crushed stone in the United States? Well, if you’ve guessed Texas, then you’re right! Delaware is the only U.S. state that does not produce crushed stone.
How is a “Honed” finish is different from a “Polished” finish? A honed finish is a smooth matte finish while a polished finish is a shiny finish that can range from low to a high mirror finish.
The loss of shine on certain natural stone flooring, such as marble and granite, is mainly due to excessive wear. To prevent it, place doormats at all entrances and keep the floor dust-mopped.
Which is the largest solid granite building in the world? Well, if you’ve guessed the “Palacio de San Lorenzo de El Escorial” in Madrid, Spain, then you’re right! It is a historical residence of the King of Spain.
You should never put a hot pan or skillet directly on your natural stone countertop. It is recommended to use hot pads or trivets to help keep the heat off the surface.
If you have brick on your house, you can still apply thin stone veneers to enhance the beauty of your home. A thin coat of mortar is applied to the brick and the stone veneer is installed directly over it.
A patio made from paving stones can be a great upgrade for your home. They are available in such a wide range of colors, tints, and textures that you will be able to create a completely new look for your outdoor living area.
Rough, misshapen building stone, set in mortar but not in regular courses is called rubble masonry. It can be the outer surface of a wall or used to fill the core of a wall, which is faced with cut stone.
You should never put a hot pan or skillet directly on your natural stone countertop. It is recommended to use hot pads or trivets to help keep the heat off the surface.
If you have brick on your house, you can still apply thin stone veneers to enhance the beauty of your home. A thin coat of mortar is applied to the brick and the stone veneer is installed directly over it.
Consider the finish you want on your stonework. Polished or honed, textured or flat, there are many combinations to select from, with each having its own aesthetic appeal. We can help you pick the right look.
Depending on the purpose and location, mortar does not always have to be used with stone. In some cases the weight of the materials and the natural friction that is created is all that is needed to hold materials in place.
A patio made from paving stones can be a great upgrade for your home. They are available in such a wide range of colors, tints, and textures that you will be able to create a completely new look for your outdoor living area.
Rough, misshapen building stone, set in mortar but not in regular courses is called rubble masonry. It can be the outer surface of a wall or used to fill the core of a wall, which is faced with cut stone.
You should never put a hot pan or skillet directly on your natural stone countertop. It is recommended to use hot pads or trivets to help keep the heat off the surface.
If you have brick on your house, you can still apply thin stone veneers to enhance the beauty of your home. A thin coat of mortar is applied to the brick and the stone veneer is installed directly over it.
