Boulder Fire Pits for a Unique Style

A fire pit can add light and heat to your outdoor living space. Imagine late nights conversing around a fire, right in your backyard. Make s’mores, stay warm and light up the night with a fire pit that also matches your style. If you love a natural look, a boulder fire pit may be the perfect style for your patio.

You will see many different types of fire pits if you spend some time on Pinterest. Brick, concrete, pavers and natural stone are common materials to create a fire pit for your patio. However, boulder fire pits are less common, yet can be a unique option for those who want a natural-style fire feature. Large boulders can last for decades, making a perfect enclosure for your fire.

Types of Boulder Fire Pits

While you can use boulders that are free-standing to make a fire pit, for a cleaner, professional design, mortar is necessary. Boulders can be used to create the main border, with mortar in between to create even and solid walls. Another option is going big – a boulder large enough to encompass the fire on its own. Creating a dip on the top of a giant boulder is the ultimate in natural stone fire pits, a beautiful focal point for your patio.

If you want to build a unique boulder fire pit, it all starts with finding the right boulders. Visit your local quarry that has boulders for sale to find the right sizes and shapes for your new fire pit. You can create a fire pit that will last for many years, adding beauty, warmth and light to your outdoor space.

Posted on behalf of:
Alliance Stone
5420 Campground Rd
Cumming, GA 30040
(404) 759-0617

Why Big Boulders are Trending for Landscaping

When it comes to landscaping options, natural stone has been a top-seller for years. Flagstone patios, fieldstone retaining walls and various natural stone fire pits are popular in landscaping and outdoor living spaces. Another natural stone element that is trending for landscaping are big boulders. These mammoths of natural stone are versatile and appealing for several uses in landscaping. Here are a few reasons why you should consider boulders for your next landscaping project.

Durable Borders

Boulders can withstand the elements and will last a lifetime. For edging your garden or driveway, they create a durable deterrent to keep vehicles off your turf or planted areas. If they are hit, they will not need repair like a fence or decorative edging material.

No-Maintenance Furniture

Boulders are perfect for seating around fire pits or in garden spaces. Boulders can also be used for displaying potted plants and other decorations. They do not need maintenance and blend in with their natural surroundings. A quick rinse with a hose it all that is needed to keep them clean.

All Shapes and Sizes

You can find small, medium and large boulders in various colors and shapes. Each one is unique and adds a personalized touch to your landscape design. Use smaller boulders to edge a dry creek bed for drainage or to decorate around a garden pond, varying sizes for a natural appearance to your landscaped areas.

There are many creative options for using boulders in your landscaping. Visit your local quarry to find the right boulders for your next landscaping project and enjoy the beauty of using natural stone to improve the overall design of your outdoor spaces.

Posted on behalf of:
Alliance Stone
5420 Campground Rd
Cumming, GA 30040
(404) 759-0617

Decorate and Protect with Defense Boulders

Are you looking for options to protect your lawn, business or home from vehicles? Perimeter barricades are used to keep vehicles from entering areas for safety and protection, but not all are esthetically pleasing. One option that can add beauty and protection for your home or business is defense boulders. Here are some benefits to using boulders for your perimeter protection needs.

  • Natural beauty. Unlike boring bollards, boulders are natural and irregularly shaped for a beautiful look for your perimeter protection needs. They blend in with your landscaping while providing a valuable function.
  • No painting/repairs. The only thing that will need paint or repairs if someone hits your defense boulders is the vehicle. Boulders will stand up to almost any vehicle and will look no worse for the wear if they are hit, unlike metal or wood bollards. Low maintenance is one of the best benefits of using boulders for perimeter protection.
  • Durability. Defense boulders will last for decades, a worthy investment for your home or business. They do not rust and are unlikely to break, even after many years of service.
  • Excellent protection. Whether you just want to protect your lawn from vehicles driving on the grass or are protecting your business from attack, boulders offer excellent protection. They are functional, yet beautiful, for the best of both worlds.

If you are looking for a way to protect your perimeter without making your home or business look like a military fortress, defense boulders are a wonderful option. You can find large boulders suitable for perimeter protection through local quarries; many will deliver and place your boulders since they tend to be difficult to transport and move.

Posted on behalf of:
Culbreth Stone
1968 US-41
Pelham, TN 37366
(423) 930-8249

Protect Your Lawn with Decorative Boulders

Do you have a driveway that borders your lawn? Many homes have this configuration and it can be detrimental to the health of the lawn. Vehicles that back onto the lawn or veer off the driveway can dig in tire tracks and make it hard to maintain healthy grass. While a fencing is one option, if it is hit, it will need repair. Another solution? Use decorative boulders to border your driveway to protect your lawn and add an interesting touch to your landscaping.

Using Boulders for Your Driveway Border

If keeping tires off your lawn has been a challenge, boulders can be an excellent deterrent. They are a natural, beautiful addition to your landscaping, but can stand up to abuse. Boulders do not need to be repainted or repaired if someone hits them; the same may not be true for the offending vehicle. It can ensure that those visiting your home stay off your lawn and remain on the driveway, protecting your lawn.

To add a boulder border to your driveway, visit your local landscape supply store that offers natural stone. You want boulders that are at least 18-inches high, large enough that they cannot easily be drove over without hitting a bumper. You will want to place them no farther than five-feet apart so that vehicles cannot drive between them. Measure the length of your driveway and divide by five for the number of boulders needed for each side. Many suppliers offer delivery, making it easy to get these large rocks to your home.

Not only do boulders look lovely and protect your lawn, they require little maintenance and will last a lifetime. Visit your local landscape supplier and explore the options for making your driveway boulder border.

Posted on behalf of:
Culbreth Stone
1968 US-41
Pelham, TN 37366
(423) 930-8249

Boulders as Decoration

Boulders can add a unique beauty to your garden or structure. Before you bring your truck to a quarry there are a few things to keep in mind. 

  • Match Don’t Mix: Try to select boulders that match the landscape of your home or work site. If you select styles that are too different, nothing will look right. Boulders that are similar in size, color and texture will give your area an attractive professional look. It is always best to copy your building masonry when choosing boulders for your landscape.
  • Stay in Your Area: Boulders are heavy, but the real cost comes from hauling them from the source to your home or business site. Therefore, it is best to buy local, which will help keep those delivery costs down.
  • Size Does Matter: If there isn’t enough space for those fancy large boulders, smaller ones may be used. This may take a bit of creativity, but when strategically placed, smaller boulders will be just as eye catching as their larger counterparts and will take up less room.
  • Location: Make sure to hire an experienced contractor who knows how to place your boulders. Often, some arranging and rearranging is necessary before all the boulders land in the right spot. Boulders should be handled with safety in mind. Professionals know how to handle these big rocks, which can prevent mishaps, like a boulder landing on your foot or the roof of your car.
  • Building a Nest: Boulders do not sit on the surface; they are planted in the ground. They can be used with plants and other foliage to give your home or business site a unique look. This is a great technique to use when landscaping around waterfalls and patios. 

Custom designing your home or business site with boulders, offers a wide range of possibilities. Visit your local landscape supplier to learn more about decorating your landscape with boulders.

Posted on behalf of:
Alliance Stone
5420 Campground Rd
Cumming, GA 30040
(404) 759-0617

Accent Your Yard With Big, Beautiful Boulders

If you are designing your landscaping with a natural theme, boulders can be the perfect accent pieces for an authentic, natural appeal. Nothing can compare to natural stone in terms of lending a touch of nature to your yard which will last a lifetime. While they may be heavy to move, once they are in place they will outlast almost everything in your yard. With a little creativity, you can incorporate these durable stones into your landscaping design as beautiful and natural fixtures. 

Ideas For Landscaping With Boulders

Boulders add a certain rustic flare to your yard, beautiful in a way that only Mother Nature can provide. There are many ways to add these behemoth rocks into your landscaping to make them appear as if you built your yard around them instead of adding them on after the fact. Some great ways to use boulders include: 

  • Borders. Boulders come in all sizes, from bowling ball size to a few feet wide. Use smaller boulders to build a natural stone border for gardens, offering a natural break between your lawn and planted areas.
     
  • Accents. Large boulders are perfect to accent areas to which you wish to draw attention, or to define the end of one space and the beginning of another. Larger boulders can be used as plant holders or even natural chairs within your garden.
     
  • Water features. One of the best uses of boulders is in and around water features. Create a beautiful border for your pond or steps for water to cascade over.  You can even create a mini creek bed with boulders that winds through your back yard. 

Talk to your local landscape supplier about ways to use boulders to give your back or front yard a rustic and natural appeal. Many suppliers can even deliver these large rocks right to your home to make it easier to use these great landscape enhancers.

 Posted on behalf of Alliance Stone, Inc.