Different Types of Flagstone

October 9th, 2019 Posted in Flagstone
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When it comes to building hardscapes, flagstone is a popular option found in many backyards. However, flagstone is not a particular type of rock, it is a method of cutting and quarrying rocks. Flagstone can be made from many different types of sedimentary rock that is naturally layered. The cut pieces of these layers make the flags that are excellent for paving and other projects. Here are some of the popular types of flagstone that are used in many hardscape projects.

Travertine

The weathered, pitted look of travertine is popular for flagstone projects. Travertine is a compacted limestone that comes grays, browns, tans and bluish-grays, valued for its cool surface that is perfect for pool decks and pavement in warm regions.

Slate

The blue, gray, copper and green variations of slate can add variety to paved surfaces and walls. This metamorphic rock is best when sealed to prevent staining.

Bluestone

Like its name, bluestone is a sandstone that tends to be blue or grayish in color. It is a denser form of sandstone that can handle colder temperatures. Bluestone is a non-slip paving stone that must be sealed to preserve the natural color.

Sandstone

The less dense sandstone often found in Arizona or the southwest is porous and better used in dry, warmer regions. The colors range from beige and reds to softer pastels like pink and shades of beige. The surface stays cool but should be sealed to prevent staining.

If you are looking for a paving stone for your walkway, patio, pool deck or entry, there are many different types of flagstone available. Visit your local quarry to see the different flagstone options available to find the best rock type for your project.

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

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Creative Ways to Use Pavers and Flagstone

September 21st, 2018 Posted in Flagstone
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Everyone knows pavers are great for driveways, patios and walkways. When you want a more dramatic appearance, flagstone and other natural stones can also be used to create a paved surface. However, there are other ways to use pavers and flagstone around your home to add function and beauty. Here are a few creative ideas to implement paving stones in your outdoor spaces.

BBQ Grill Platform

Make a flat platform for your grill in your backyard. Pavers are a quick and easy option to make a nice grilling area that gives your grill an even surface. If you put your grill on grass, it is often unlevel. This can make it hard to get the right seal for your lid to seal in the smoke and heat. A paved platform adds function and style for outdoor cooking.

Stair Treads

Have a slope or hill in your yard that is hard to climb? Use flagstone or other stone slabs to make natural stone stair treads that make it easy to climb your hill while adding beauty to your backyard.

Fire Pit Safety

If you have a fire pit in your backyard, paving around the pit is a good idea. This eliminates worries of sparks starting dry grass on fire.

Raised Flower Gardens

Paving stones are great for retaining walls, which can make an excellent raised flower bed or garden. Use natural stone for a classic look or formed pavers for a clean, modern style for your raised garden.

Pavers and natural stones like flagstone are very versatile and easy to maintain. Visit your local quarry and landscape supplier to check out the different options available for your next outdoor project.

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

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Upgrade your Pool Design with Flagstone

September 21st, 2018 Posted in Flagstone
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Did you notice this last summer that your pool deck is looking old and faded? Maybe it was never that wonderful to begin with…many pools have plain cement for decking, which is affordable but not the most beautiful material. If you want to change the look of your pool area to give it a makeover for the next swimming season, consider a flagstone pool deck. Here are some of the benefits of using flagstone to border your pool.

  • Naturally non-slip. Flagstone is great for pool decks in the safety realm. The surface is naturally non-slip, non-skid, making it safe for getting in and out of the pool.
  • Easy to maintain. Flagstone takes very little maintenance to keep it looking beautiful. A quick sweep or hose off is all that is needed to keep it clean and there is no need for any sealant.
  • Longevity. Natural stone has already existed for hundreds of years before it is quarried – you know that it will last a lifetime or more. While it may be more expensive than some other paving options, you get natural stone that will outlast most other products.
  • Beauty. Nothing can outshine natural stone for a pool deck. The look of flagstone is stunning and the stones come in many different colors and shades to choose from for your decking. Plus, every stone is unique, giving you a pool deck that doesn’t look like anyone else’s.

For a classic, beautiful new look for your pool deck, consider the advantages of choosing flagstone. Talk to your local quarry about pricing and options for using flagstone for your pool decking project.

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

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Upgrade Your Outdoor Space with a Flagstone Fireplace

August 30th, 2018 Posted in Flagstone
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What is missing from your outdoor patio? If you love relaxing and entertaining outdoors, you most likely spend most summer and fall nights on your patio. One element that can add beauty, light and warmth to your outdoor space is a fireplace. Make it even more special by designing it from stunning flagstone for a classic, elegant style.

Choosing Your Design

For outdoor fireplaces, you can choose from two basic designs: mantel or fire pit. Both can be created from stylish flagstone, but have different advantages.

  • Mantel fireplace. An outdoor mantel fireplace creates a regal appearance to your patio, making your outdoor space into a second living room under the sky. This is best for adding light and warmth, with limited space to “gather” around the fire.
  • Fire pit. For a more casual style, a fire pit can be a better choice. Seating can be placed around the fire pit, great for a “camping” atmosphere with friends and family on your back patio. You can get closer to the heat and even roast foods over the flames for late night treats.

On top of the type of fireplace design, you want to make sure your new fire feature is safe. Flagstone is a perfect material for the fireplace and surrounding paving to prevent sparks from igniting. You can even create flagstone benches or chairs that will withstand the heat and flames with natural fire resistance.

If fire is what is missing from your outdoor space, consider adding a fantastic flagstone fireplace. It can add beauty and function for evenings outside, with the durability of flagstone to last for decades to come.

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

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Caring for Your Flagstone Patio

April 4th, 2018 Posted in Flagstone
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Flagstone makes a beautiful patio to enjoy and brings a natural element to your outdoor living space. It can last for decades and is a wonderful choice for creating a lovely patio for your home. Flagstone is also low maintenance, but it is not completely without need for care. Weeds can grow between the pavers and moss can overtake the surface if your pavers are not maintained. To keep your flagstone patio looking beautiful, here are a few tips.

  • Preventing moss. Moss loves to grow on wet rocks and flagstone can be inviting to the green fungi. You can clean moss off your flagstone by scraping it away, but it will come back if you don’t plan for prevention. Dryness and light are your best tools to keep away moss. Keep sprinklers away from your pavers and cut back branches to let sunshine warm your stones to prevent moss growth.
  • Weed prevention. While you can pull the weeds and grass between your pavers or use weed control solutions, you will want to consider having the pavers reset for smaller spaces if you continue having weed growth. A professional paver installer can help reset your flagstone and add preventive fillers to reduce the number of weeds and keep maintenance low for your patio.

If you are only considering adding a flagstone patio, understanding the simple ways to keep it beautiful should be another selling point. Unlike many other patio materials, flagstone is naturally meant to withstand the elements and has already survived for many years in the outdoors. It is a gorgeous addition to any outdoor space and is easy to keep looking wonderful if you know the tricks to keep moss and weeds away.

Posted on behalf of:
Alliance Stone
5420 Campground Rd
Cumming, GA 30040
(404) 759-061

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Why Is a Quality Stone Fabricator Important?

October 8th, 2017 Posted in Natural Stone
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Using natural stone in your home improvements can add beauty and value to your home. However, when you are creating a customized style, you want the best attributes of the stone to show. A stone fabricator not only can cut and form stone to your specifications, they can also use the best elements of the stone to enhance your home.

Each natural stone is unique, which is one of the reasons that it is so popular to use in home improvement. Whether you building a new fireplace inside your home or creating a stunning patio in your outdoor living space, natural stone can be cut and formed for a perfect fit. A stone fabricator can use special techniques to create the shape and sizes you need to complete your project. This can be used for:

  • Customized countertops
  • Pool coping
  • Fireplace mantels
  • Stair treads
  • Patios
  • Fire pit tops

On top of shaping your stone, fabricators also understand how to bring out the best elements in the stone for your project. They can work with the grains and different aspects of the stone to ensure you get the right colors and patterns that will enhance the beauty of the stone. Having the expertise of a stone fabricator ensures you get the most out of the stone you buy and that it will look its best once it is shaped and formed for your project.

Don’t choose premanufactured stone when you can have your stone customized for a unique style. Choose a quality stone fabricator to help you make the most of your investment into natural stone for your next home improvement project.

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

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Flagstone for Landscaping Applications

March 27th, 2013 Posted in Flagstone
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Whether you call it flagstone or flagging, the wide range of landscaping applications that can be enhanced with the addition of flagstones is impressive, to say the least. Flagstone is a flat, sedimentary rock that’s easily split and shaped but still withstands the elements very well, making it a favorite of landscaping contractors and designers. Colors tend to range from crab orchard, a tan and brown mixture, to gray and mocha shades. 

Flagstone is even and flat for the most part, making it an ideal choice for elegant and eye-catching patios and walkways. The irregular shapes come together to create an attention-grabbing arrangement, and is naturally slip-resistant for increased safety. Close placement creates a polished look, while leaving a bit of space between the flagstones lends a more natural, earthy look to your patios and walkways. 

Flagstone can also be used to build retaining walls around flowerbeds and along pathways, creating interesting shapes and clear delineation of borders. You can even create stacked fences along the perimeter of your property with flagstones, creating a unique property enclosure that’s pleasing to look at as well as functional. They’re also an ideal choice for water features like fountains and man-made waterfalls. The slip-resistant surface of flagstone paving makes it a viable and more aesthetically-pleasing alternative to concrete for use around the perimeter of swimming pools and spas.

Working with an experienced and reputable landscaping designer to determine the best ways of incorporating flagstones into your new lawn or garden can help you to ensure that the placement and selection of your stones is handled properly, and that your flagstone features are a delight in your outdoor living spaces for years to come.

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The Exquisite Versatility of Flagstone

March 1st, 2012 Posted in Flagstone
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Flagstone is a natural stone with timeless appeal that has had extraordinary staying power in both residential and commercial landscaping. Roughly-hewn, highly-textured flagstone slabs are the stuff of picturesque, rustic walkways while geometrically-shaped, smooth flagstone pavers are used for all sorts of hardscaping, from steps and patios to retaining walls and pillars. Flagstone also has indoor applications; a gracefully-aging, natural flagstone floor adds solidity and understated grandeur to any kitchen, hallway or wine cellar and brings an earthy, outdoor ambiance to indoor settings.

Naturally occurring flagstones are cut from limestone, bluestone, slate and sandstone rock outcrops. The irregular colors, shapes, sizes and textures of natural flagstones are a key aspect of their distinct charm and appeal, since no two flagstones are ever the same. Nowadays, there are many manufactured concrete and composite products on the market that imitate the look of natural flagstone. While these may have their uses, it is helpful to know that artificial flagstones do not have the durability or special weathering qualities of their natural counterparts.

Outdoor flagstone elements such as walkways or patios can be installed in a number of ways. Flagstones can be set directly into soil or sand. Natural flagstones are fairly heavy and once tamped down into the ground, they will hardly budge. On the other hand, flagstones can be set down on a concrete base and jointed with mortar for a more stable, permanent installation.

Flagstones also allow for versatile layout effects. Setting flagstones close together creates a patio effect while setting them further apart yields a playful “steppingstone” look. Flagstones may be evenly spaced for more formal walkways or randomly spaced in an informal path. There is also the option of planting creeping thyme or other groundcovers in the crevices between flagstone rocks to reduce soil erosion and achieve a truly rustic look.

Whether you are bordering a garden or building a walkway, elegant, hardwearing flagstone is an excellent choice for your exquisite landscape designs.

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