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

5 Creative Uses for Boulders in Your Landscape Design

What can you do with a large boulder in your yard? Plenty! Boulders can add depth and dimension to your landscape design in a variety of ways. There is something about natural stone that can add beauty to a yard that commonplace garden objects can’t offer. To give your landscaped yard a unique look, consider these five ideas for using boulders in your landscaping design.

  1. Focal point. Wherever you want to create a focal point, using a boulder can draw the eyes to that area. A giant boulder adorned with potted plants or maybe even flowers planted on the rock is a wonderful focal spot.
  2. Natural furniture. Do you have a fire pit in your backyard? Considering using boulders for natural seating around the fire. They will not burn or melt like many other outdoor chairs and offer a beautiful, natural look when not in use.
  3. Rock garden. Want to conserve water, yet need to fill your garden space? Create a rock garden with a few large boulders to add dimension and interest.
  4. Natural waterfalls. Want to create a beautiful waterfall in your yard? Large boulders can make an excellent base for your natural water feature.
  5. Edging. Boulders can create a natural edge and barrier for your yard or driveway. It is a great way to keep vehicles off your lawn with a beautiful edge of natural stone.

There is a wide variety of sizes, shapes and types of boulders available. Visit your local landscape supplier or quarry to find a large selection of boulders that can add beauty and depth to your landscape design.

Posted on behalf of:
Culbreth Stone
Whitwell, TN 37397
423-930-8249

Landscaping with Boulders

If you’re designing and landscaping plan and are in search of the perfect element to bring life to water features or visual interest to a garden, natural landscaping boulders may be just the ticket. These versatile stones are ideal for creating natural-looking waterscapes, building dry creek beds for drainage or acting as focal points in a garden. 

Choosing the Right Boulders

While the first thing that comes to mind for many people at the mention of the world “boulder” is an excessively large piece of stone, boulders are actually available in a relatively wide range of sizes. This makes them perfect in a large array of applications, from the construction of man-made ponds to the creation of sculptural elements with natural flair. Smaller boulders, or basket boulders, offer a high degree of design flexibility. Large specimen boulders add a striking degree of visual interest to any design project. Because they are available in different sizes, boulders can be used to create almost any hardscape feature you can imagine. 

Choosing the Right Boulders

While boulders are versatile and useful in so many application, it’s still important to choose the right options for your particular project. Working with a knowledgeable landscape supply and quarry company is the best way to learn more about the different types of boulder available, and all the ways in which they can be used. If you’re still searching for the perfect stone product to bring your landscaping design project together, contact a landscape supply company to learn more about the many uses of boulders in hardscape and garden design.

Posted on behalf of Alliance Stone, Inc.

Boulder Use in Landscaping Design

Creating a dramatic landscaping design that makes an unforgettable impression can be as simple as adding a few well-placed boulders as you plan your new lawn or garden area. Boulders are great ways to draw attention to a particular area of your property when they’re used as accent pieces, and can be an integral part of retaining walls, creek bed linings and other landscaping fixtures. 

A professional landscape designer can help to ensure that your boulder placement is aesthetically pleasing and natural looking, regardless of how you’d like to incorporate them into your lawn or garden. Experienced landscaping designers can also show you how to use boulders to conceal unsightly drain pipes and security cameras or lighting fixtures. Natural stone boulders can also enhance the look of a swimming pool or spa, accentuate specific elements of your design or accent patios and decks. With natural stone boulders that are properly selected and placed, you can even create a faux waterfall that adds an unprecedented level of drama and appeal to your property. 

Because natural stone is such a long-lasting material, the addition of landscaping boulders to your lawn is an investment that will not have to be repeated year after year. Your natural stone landscaping boulders will withstand the elements with strength and grace, enhancing your lawn beautifully without requiring lots of tedious looking after or maintenance. 

When it comes to using boulders in landscape design, you’re limited only by your imagination and the size of your property! Speak with a professional landscaping designer about the best ways to incorporate natural stone boulders in your new design today!