5 Steps to Planning Your Natural Stone Project

August 22nd, 2019 Posted in Natural Stone
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Whether you are building a stone patio, walkway or retaining wall, there is planning involved to ensure your project goes smoothly. Taking the time to prepare can save trips to the landscape supply store and help you make sure you complete your project correctly the first time. Here are five steps to plan your natural stone project to save time and money.

Choose the Type of Stone

There are many options in natural stone. Flagstone, fieldstone, ashlar and travertine are some of the options available. Plus, each type can come in a variety of colors. Flagstone and travertine are popular for patios and walkways; fieldstone and river rock are great for natural retaining walls or fire pits. Know what you want to use before you head to the supply store.

Choose the Cut

There are many different types of cuts of stone. You can choose cobblestones or rubble cuts for building pits or walls, or thin, flat cuts for paved surfaces. Research what will work best for your project.

Will You Need Mortar or Sand?

Most stone projects will require mortar or sand to fill between the stone slabs. Add this to your shopping list and determine how much you will need for your project.

Do You Need Any Tools?

There are not many tools needed for most stone projects, but you may need a shovel to dig out your surface area or a trowel for applying mortar.

Will You Need Framing Materials?

Some patios, pits or walkways may need wood framing boards that are pressure treated to create the borders. You will need to cut these to size.

The old adage, “measure twice, cut once” also applies to stone projects. Take the time to plan your project to limit trips back and forth to the supply store, getting all the items you will need at one time. This will save you time and minimize the cost for an efficient DIY project.

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

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Add Timeless Beauty to Your Yard with Natural Stone

May 3rd, 2019 Posted in Natural Stone
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Natural stone features for outdoor spaces is not a passing phase. Compared to concrete or other man-made surfaces, natural stone offers a timeless beauty and value that cannot be matched. Whether you prefer the stunning look of flagstone or want the rugged, country style of fieldstone, natural stone can transform your yard and improve the overall design with elements that will last.

Perfect Patios

When you use natural stone for paving your patio, you do not need to worry about cracking cement or drainage issues. Natural stone of all types is more durable and can shift with the soil, offering a long-lasting patio surface that is simple to maintain. A quick sweep or rinsing is all that is needed to keep it looking beautiful and your patio will be unique as the stone that creates it.

Walkways

Welcome guests to your front door or to walk through your gardens with stunning natural stone pathways. Flagstone or natural pavers are ornamental and functional for walkways, while offering the durability and easy maintenance of stone.

Retaining Wall, Fire Pits and Water Features

Natural stone can help enhance almost any feature in your landscaping. From preventing erosion with a natural stone retaining wall to adding pizazz to your landscaping with a fire pit or waterfall, natural stone can help you create a variety of interesting and useful features in your yard.

Natural stone comes in many varieties for creating gorgeous paved spaces and other features in your outdoor living areas and yard. Visit your local quarry to investigate the many different styles, types, colors and shapes of natural stone for your next outdoor project.

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

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Is Natural Stone Worth the Investment?

August 1st, 2017 Posted in Natural Stone
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If you are planning a home improvement project using stone, you probably already know that stone is a premium building component. Unlike manufactured products, natural stone must be quarried from its source, cut into the right sizes and transported at a large expense due to the weight. All this adds to the cost of natural stone, which is why it is so highly valued. You may be tempted to use a manufactured or artificial stone product to save money. Here are a few reasons to invest in real natural stone for your next home improvement project.

  • When you use natural stone, every project is unique. Like large snowflakes, each stone is slightly different from the next. The character that is ingrained into each stone over thousands of years is what makes this element so beautiful and valuable.
  • Nothing lasts or is as durable as natural stone for home improvement projects. Manufactured products may look similar, but they cannot withstand the elements like stone that was created from the elements.
  • Yes, natural stone does cost more than other materials for patios, fireplaces, walkways and other projects. But the value transfers to your home or business. The timeless beauty of stone never goes out of style and can add value to your property.

Whether you are upgrading your outdoor living area or want to enhance your living room with a natural stone fireplace, invest in the beauty and durability of natural stone. Visit your local quarry to view the different natural stone options available. When your project is complete, you will be glad you decided to use this gift from nature.

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

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Adding Natural Water Features to Your Landscaping

August 1st, 2017 Posted in Natural Stone
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Do you wish you had a babbling brook or a serene waterfall in your backyard? You can with the addition of a natural water feature to your landscaping. Nothing is quite as soothing as the sound of moving water. Plus, water features are a great focus point for your landscaping and add a cooling sparkle to any yard.

Natural Water Feature Ideas

Changing your yard into a natural oasis starts with deciding what type of water feature you want to add. There are a few different options, each giving you a beautiful centerpiece for your landscaping. Consider these ideas:

  • Stone creek. You can create a creek or stream that flows across your yard. This works well for a sloped or hilly yard, but can be accomplished almost anywhere. Natural stones are needed to line the creek bed, with boulders used to accent the edges.
  • Everyone loves a waterfall. You can create a waterfall on a hill or slope, above a pool or spa, or in addition to a garden pond. Natural stone gives the backdrop, with water cascading over the rough edges for a natural appearance.
  • Garden pond. With or without a waterfall, a garden pond can add a serene, beautiful focus point for your landscaping. Add water plants and boulders around the edge for a natural look.

The trick to making a natural-looking water feature is using natural elements to create the illusion. Natural stone is one of the key ingredients to almost any natural water feature you create at your home. Before you begin, visit your local quarry to learn more about the natural stone available for your new water feature.

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

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Enhancing Your Home with Natural Stonework

February 17th, 2017 Posted in Natural Stone
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Few things enhance curb appeal and property value like a handsome landscape. One of the most effective techniques in landscaping for long-lasting form and function is stonework.

Natural stone retaining walls; stone paving for walkways or driveways offer ease of maintenance and enduring beauty to any home. Stone veneers offer an elegant alternative to traditional siding, and increase property value.

Why settle for the boring sameness of a traditional gate when you can highlight your entrance with landscape boulders? No holes to dig or posts to bury, just call your local landscape supplier and have the eye-catching boulders set in place.

Flagstone walkways will complement your landscape and provide a natural path to welcome guests into your garden home.  Modular block walls are a great choice for properties with uneven landscapes. Prevent soil erosion and create garden tiers for easy access; use each tier for a variety of plants and vegetation.

A stone fireplace in the center of your patio or to accent an outdoor kitchen is easier and more affordable than you might imagine. There’s no substitute for high quality natural stone materials to make your yard beautiful and functional.

Stone landscaping is an excellent choice for homeowners who want to make a lasting impression with a minimum of maintenance. Give your home the striking appeal of natural stone that will last for many years.

Find a local stone and landscape supply company and talk to an expert. Discover all the possibilities for your home that stone landscaping offers. Set your home apart from the rest of the neighborhood, and relax. Your stone work will look good long after the neighbors’ siding has faded.

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

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5 Ways to Use Natural Stone in Your Landscape

August 10th, 2016 Posted in Natural Stone
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Using natural stone in your landscape design can be a budget-friendly approach to building curb appeal in front and an amazing area of fun out back.

As state laws and municipal ordinances continue to limit lawn watering and thus lawn growth, it is perhaps wise to use natural stones to create better curb appeal for drought-tolerant yards. Thus, many environmentally aware homeowners are moving away from lawns altogether. Many are now utilizing natural stone in the design of their home landscapes. Using natural stone formations with boulders, gravel, cactus, stone walks and steps can create a stunning approach to your front-door that is nearly maintenance free.

Keep it simple out-front and build the fun outback or on the side of your home.  Here are five great landscaping ideas for natural stone, even if you choose to keep your lawn.

Using Natural Stone to Build that Fire-Pit

A fire-pit can be a nice, useful center-piece for your backyard. Imagine the fun you and your children will have with a long stick and some hot dogs or marshmallows. You might even imagine a round fire-pit with flat stone, high-back seating on one side and a Koi pond on the other to reflect that roaring fire. The possibilities are only limited by your imagination; actually, even without much imagination you can find a design you and your family will love on the internet. Since there are many intricacies to building a Koi pond and your fishes life depends on you getting it right, you should consult a professional before getting started.

A Natural Stone Patio

You can even imagine the back of that flat stone seating being the wall of your patio. Natural flat stones make excellent flooring for that patio. You may even choose to place a natural stone walk-down, hot tub just off the patio. Use boulders, gravel, and flagstone step treads to create a unique, natural looking stairway down to your backyard area from your patio. Once again, let your imagination run wild to design and create a backyard everyone will admire.

The Pool Area

In the pool area, you can continue with flagstone or utilize fieldstone, another excellent choice of landscape construction stone normally used for retaining walls and other projects. It is easily cut to your specifications to make your project look as natural as possible. Both flagstone and fieldstone are less slippery when wet than either marble or slate making those a better selection for use around the pool area.

An Outdoor Kitchen

An amazing outdoor kitchen can be crafted from natural stone; however, you may decide to mix in some modular blocks for your retaining walls to cut some of the expense. Modular blocks are easier for the do-it-yourselfer to work with, so these are an excellent alternative. Whichever you use, natural stone or modular blocks, don’t forget to include some “fun” gadgets, such as a smoker, rotisserie, or wood-fired pizza oven!

A Traditional Outdoor Fireplace

If you already have a magnificent fire-pit and outdoor kitchen you may decide against the outdoor fireplace, but just in case you decide on the fireplace in addition or in place of one or both of the others, here are a few things to consider. Like the fire-pit, the outdoor fireplace can be an excellent center-piece for your family’s outdoor activities.The outdoor stone fireplace is like a piece of art. The high smokestack is an amazing eye-catcher, as well as an eye-saver because the smokestack draws the smoke up and away from your backyard party.

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

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Boulders as Decoration

September 10th, 2015 Posted in Landscape Boulders
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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

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