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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Uses for Natural Sand in Landscaping

January 8th, 2018 Posted in Landscape Materials Suppliers
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Are you planning a project that will require sand? There are many landscaping and home improvement projects that use sand as a material. From creating a play area for the kids to paving a patio with natural stone, sand can be a useful material for your home projects. However, it is important to choose the right sand for your projects. Here are some of the landscaping and other home projects that may require sand and the right sand to buy for the best results.

  • Sand is perfect for helping stabilize pavers and fill the cracks between the stones. It can be poured before the pavers are lain, then swept into cracks to keep pavers in place and reduce weed growth. Granite dust is a good choice for this type of project.
  • Leveling lawns. There are types of grasses that require leveling with the use of sand. Some grasses that benefit from river sand leveling include Zoyzia, Bermuda and Centipede.
  • Sand boxes and playgrounds. For a sand box or sand for around swing sets and slides, white beach sand is preferable. You will want white sand that has been screened to remove impurities.
  • River sand can be used to help improve drainage in soils and gardens.
  • Masonry. Masonry uses sand to create mortar and cement; natural sand can have advantages to manufactured varieties due to the smooth exteriors of granules.

While manufactured sand can have its benefits for some applications, natural sand can be a wise choice for your home projects. If you need sand for a project, visit your local landscape supplier that offers natural sand options.

Posted on behalf of:
Green Brothers Earth Works
680 Franklin Rd, SE
Marietta, GA 30067
(770) 590-8220

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Is All Sand the Same?

November 30th, 2017 Posted in Landscape Materials Suppliers
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If you love to tackle do-it-yourself landscaping projects, you know getting the right materials is vital to obtaining the best results. The wrong grass type for your lawn can make it impossible to get the lush lawn you prefer or the incorrect fertilizer can do more harm than good. When a project calls for sand, the same is true. There are different types of sand that are best for certain applications. Knowing the difference can ensure you get the results you desire for your next project that calls for using sand.

Paving Stones

For sand to fill in around and under paving stone, you want a fine dust that will settle and compact quickly. A good choice for this project is granite dust that is easy to sweep into those cracks and will stay in place.

Leveling Lawns

When adding sand to level lawns in grass types that work best in a sandy soil, choose river sand.  Bermuda and Zoysia grasses are two lawns that require sand for the best results when leveling. Make sure to choose a well-screened river sand that will not add large chunks of gravel to your lawn.

Drainage for Soil

If adding sand to improve the drainage in your soil, river sand is best. 

Masonry Work

When adding sand for mortar when performing masonry work, a grittier white sand is a good choice. 

Sand Boxes for Play Areas

For a thick sand box for the kids, use white sand. This is also good for leveling property or landscaping areas.

Knowing the right type of sand to use is important since the consistency varies with the source. Talk to your landscape supplier before ordering sand for your project to ensure you get the right type for your project.

Posted on behalf of:
Green Brothers Earth Works
680 Franklin Rd, SE
Marietta, GA 30067
(770) 590-8220

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