5 Reasons to Use a Stone Fabricator

If you love natural stone and want to use it for creating unique surfaces in your home, a stone fabricator can give you more options for your projects. While many pieces of natural stone are pre-cut, there are large slabs that can be molded and cut into different shapes and sizes to meet your needs. To design a spectacular kitchen, bathroom, fireplace or outdoor living space, using a stone fabricator can have these five advantages:

  1. Unique cuts. Pre-cut natural stone is fine for pavers and certain projects, but items like countertops and mantels may need specific dimensions which a stone fabricator can create.
  2. One slab. Lots of homes have natural stone surfaces made from several pieces of stone, but one large slab of stone for a table or bar is an impressive centerpiece.
  3. Customized pieces. Instead of trying to make your design fit the stone, you can have pieces fabricated to compliment your design.
  4. Exposing the best elements. A quality stone fabricator knows how to bring out the best elements of the stone for an exquisite surface.
  5. More options. When you buy pre-cut natural stone, you are limited on how you can use your pieces. With stone fabrication, you get to choose from a variety of different slabs and have the stone cut any way you want to fit your needs, whether it is small custom coasters or a giant top for your bar.

If you want to have natural stone that is customized to your style and needs, find a quality stone fabricator in your area. You will have more options and the ability to create fantastic surfaces for your home.

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

Caring for Your Flagstone Patio

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

How to Turn Your Yard into a Work of Art with Natural Stone

Your outdoor space is your place to relax, entertain and enjoy the sun. You want a place that is inviting and represents your personal style, while adding beauty and value to your home. Natural stone can be used in many ways in your outdoor living space. Not only is stone gorgeous and durable, it can create an artful space that you can enjoy for many years to come. Here are some ways to add natural stone to enhance the beauty of your yard and living space.

  • Flagstone patio. The depth and uniqueness of flagstone can make your patio come to life. You can choose irregularly shaped stone that fits together like a puzzle for a stunning paved patio, or uniform pieces for a modern look.
  • Boulder edging. Boulders are a wonderful way to separate or edge areas. Use large boulders around your patio or garden to create barriers between areas, while adding natural beauty to your yard.
  • Natural stone fire pit or fireplace. An outdoor fire source is a wonderful addition to your outdoor space for evening entertainment. Natural stone is perfect to make your fire pit or fireplace the centerpiece of your patio.
  • Natural stone steps. Slabs of natural stone are perfect for outdoor stair treads, whether you are adding a few steps into a sunken patio or up a hill on your property. Flagstone or ashlar are good choices for creating natural stone steps.

There are many ways to make your yard and patio a work of art with natural stone. Visit your local quarry to checkout the different natural stone options for your next outdoor project.

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

What Is Stone Ashlar?

If you are researching different types of natural stone available for paving, you may see the term “ashlar” used for certain stone pavers. Ashlar is not a type of stone, but a type of stonework or masonry. This means the stones have been cut into squares or rectangles to create right angles on all sides. This allows for easier paving and smaller gaps between stones for a smoother surface.

While most people would prefer the look of natural stone for their paved areas, manufactured pavers offer uniform pieces that are easier to use. Many natural stone pavers of flagstone or fieldstone come in irregular shapes. Some people prefer the natural-shaped stones that give a unique and varied appearance to their patio or other paved surface. However, for those that want a smooth surface with small joints between the pavers, square or rectangle pavers are a better option.

With natural stone ashlar pavers, you can still have the beauty and durability of natural stone with the convenience of a manufactured paver. Some quality quarries offer fieldstone or flagstone ashlar that are cut precisely into squares or rectangles for right angles when paving. You get the best of both worlds; a natural stone that will give you the flat surface you desire.

When buying natural stone ashlar, you want to find stone that has been expertly formed and cut for the right size and thickness. It is important to remember that since it is natural stone, there can be some variances in the surface. However, this is what gives stone its unique quality and appearance, making it more valuable and attractive for your paving project.

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

Do I Need to Seal My Pavers?

Paving stones are a beautiful option for patios, driveways and walkways, adding a natural element to your outdoor areas. While natural stone pavers have many benefits, they still need protection to get the most from your investment. Sealant can add protection to your paved areas and prevent issues down the road. Here are some benefits of adding a quality sealant to your pavers after the project is completed.

  • Fade resistance. Natural stone pavers do offer some natural fade resistance, but they can still become dull after time. Sealant adds a protective gloss than enhances the natural color and intensity of the stone while preventing fading.
  • Maintenance. Improve the ease of maintaining your pavers with sealant that prevents stains. Oil and other substances like sap can absorb into stone; sealants put a protective barrier on the surface for easy removal of staining substances.
  • Water protection. Water can erode the sand between pavers and cause unlevel areas to occur. Sealant can dissipate water and allow it to run off instead of seeping between your pavers to cause erosion below.

When choosing a sealant for your pavers, you want one that is easy and quick to apply that will give you the results you prefer. Look for a sealant that can be applied when the pavers are still damp and offers a one-day application process. Water-based sealant offers environment-friendly benefits, reducing the chance of toxins in your soil and other harmful effects.

When planning your next paving project, talk to your local landscape supplier about the appropriate sealant for your pavers. This extra layer of protection can add beauty while preventing damage to your investment.

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

Why Is a Quality Stone Fabricator Important?

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

Is Natural Stone Worth the Investment?

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

Adding Natural Water Features to Your Landscaping

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

Natural Stone at a Lower Price

If you are considering using natural stone in any home improvement project, you already know that price is a major consideration. Natural stone is beautiful, unique and durable, adding value to your home. However, it is also very heavy, costing more for materials, shipping and labor on most products. While there are manufactured stone products, they are not true stone and do not have them same benefits. Another option is using thin stone that is less expensive, both in initial cost, shipping and labor.

There are a few different stone products that come in a thinner version. You still get the look and durability of natural stone, without the cost. Here are a few options that are available:

  • Stone veneer siding. Want to have a home that has a beautiful stone exterior? Natural stone veneer siding is an affordable option. This beautiful siding can give your home a stunning stone appearance without the cost of using entire stones in construction. It can be added to any home for a complete transformation of your exterior.
  • Thin sawn or stacked veneer. For covering walls, fireplaces or backsplashes, thin sawn veneer is a good option. Thin stone veneers are real stones cut thinly for easier installation and lower cost. You get the same benefits of manufactured products, but you are using natural stone that looks and lasts like a full natural stone product.

Don’t settle for fake stone when you can have the benefits of natural stone at a lower cost. Explore the options available by contacting your local quarry that offers thin natural stone veneer products. Whether you are building a new fireplace, kitchen, outdoor kitchen or residing your home, stone veneer can be the right option at the right price.

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

Using Natural Stone in Your Landscape Design

More and more homeowners are moving away from the cookie-cutter looks of contemporary home design in favor of the natural beauty of stone. Whether it is stone veneer exterior, flagstone walkways, or natural stone retaining walls, the uses are endless and the effects are nothing short of breath-taking.

Natural stone cut to fit for your application adds a depth of beauty and timeless character unmatched by modern construction styles. Most types of landscaping stone are more resistant to staining or cracking than concrete and are more durable than other paving materials. For a given area, paving can be done with less material using stone than other paving materials.

Backyard patios, fireplaces and retaining walls can be styled and shaped to fit any area and décor. You can choose from an endless array of colors and cuts to give your outdoor kitchen the perfect rough-hewn man-cave attitude you’ve been looking for. Or build a pizza oven that looks Old World and makes you want to cook outdoors all year-round.

Establish right from the curb that your home is your castle with landscape boulders. Neighbors can look on in envy, but they can’t take those away from you. Boulders can also serve as a natural barrier for security or commercial use. Prevent vehicles from breaching a perimeter with strategic boulder installation, as an effective yet visually appealing defensive barrier.

Find a local stone landscaping company and check out all of the incredible options available to you. Gorgeous natural stone from select regions that can be shipped to you, and installed to your specifications. Your local stone landscaping professionals can help you choose the right style, color and cut of stone that suits your landscape.

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