What Stone Is Right for My Fireplace?

Is there anything to compare to the comfort and grandeur of a stone fireplace? Stone has always been a popular material for fireplace design, and for good reason. Stone is incredibly versatile; you can literally create any style of fireplace, from the most grand to the most rustic and everything in between, with stone. But which stone is right for your fireplace? Here are a few ideas to keep in mind when designing your ideal fireplace.

Overall Design

Your overall design will steer you towards certain stones. The elegance and beauty of marble perfectly elevates a more formal room, while the rustic curvature of fieldstones can lend organic comfort to a cottage-style den. Determine what style you want for the room as a whole, and see if any stones immediately evoke that aesthetic for you. Marble may be expensive, but it's worth every penny if it perfects your room's look.

Maintenance Issues

Some stone is very easy to care for, requiring only a gentle cleaning every so often to maintain its luster and beauty. Other stone is more complicated to keep in pristine condition. Marbles and limestones are softer than other stones, so extra care needs to be taken to ensure these stones aren't dented by accident. In addition, marble can take more effort to clean than, say, granite. Which brings us to the elephant in the room: soot.

Soot and Staining

If you use your fireplace with any frequency, soot will be an issue. Using a dark material for your fireplace can certainly help to mask soot stains. Darker grey or black stone will keep your cleaning to a minimum, but what if your heart is set on something lighter? If you plan to use your fireplace often, aim for something easy to clean, like granite or slate.

Don't Forget Your Hearth

Make sure your hearth design complements your fireplace design. Depending on the material you choose for your fireplace, you may be able to use the same material to create your hearth. If not, or if you don't want your hearth made from the same material, try to use a product that complements your fireplace's style and coloring. Tile is an excellent option for hearths, as are other stone varieties with similar coloring to the main stone you pick. Be sure that the hearth design itself works well with the design of the fireplace; you don't want a cottage-style fireplace thrown off by a modern hearth or vice versa.

Ultimately, the beauty of well-designed and well-constructed stone will make your fireplace the show-stopping centerpiece of whatever room you incorporate it into. Discuss with your designer or salesperson which stones will be right for your fireplace.

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Finding A Qualified Mason

Masonry work is an art and consists of constructing, adding, repairing concrete, stone, or brickwork. When we think of a Mason, so many times we think of patio, driveway, reinforced walls, additions to our homes, and then of course the surrounding areas of our pools. When searching for a legitimate mason to contract with, there are many considerations one should be aware of. After all, it's not only your money at stake, but also your family's safety and quite possible future legal battles, and then there is the overall well being of the state of your home and its landscaping. When someone begins to talk to me about doing some masonry work and I recommend someone without a doubt or invariably the first question out of their lips is "Are they cheapest? If this is the way you would like to pick a mason not really sure I can help.

The reason that question is not one to consider it could in reality mean they are out of work with no referral business. Stop and think about that for a moment. Stay with me here, if the masonry company is good, isn't safe to assume would they would probably be backed up with work from other referrals, which means it would take a bit of time to get on their list? Here is another hidden but quite juicy screening process, remember when you Google Masonry, Deck Patio or maybe Landscaping masonry, it would be very beneficial for you to take a closer look at their Google places page. In other words, find out where they are openly documented, as a mason. Do they have and reviews and if so how many reviews do they have? Next, would be to find out if their Google page is even VERIFIED! Verification within Google really only means they care enough about their business to actually take the time and claim their business from Google. This is really not a time consuming or difficult process but to be in business it's a very good thing to do.

When your searching Google places just look at the top right, it should say "owner verified." Here is another good question "How come some masonry companies have a video and some don't"? Many times you may find there's a few tasteless reviews, but don't worry. Look how many people bashed the American presidents since forever, and let's be real here if they are the president they are only like by a little over 50% of the people the other 50% didn't vote for them. So, just make sure when your looking at the reviews there are more positives ones as opposed to negative.

It would behoove you to make sure your contractor is proficient in using many if not all kinds of brick, stone pavers, reinforced walls, patio decks, roofing and siding, because you want masonry contractors who have been there, done that. I would personally shy away from guy with only a few journeymen helpers or none at all. To me...sometimes that is just another red flag.

Here is something very important when choosing masonry concrete pool pavers you had best have a written step by step of each process as to what is being used, and what is expected...in other words "YES" each thing you expect, at job completion. Don't be embarrassed. These people are not your friends, although not sure that's a good standard to follow because I've gotten shafted pretty well by friends. So think about it and no more of the masons down the street who are doing masonry at your neighbors, because you probably don't know your neighbor well enough to talk with them and find out they are not getting quite what they had planned on...bottom line get a thorough contract.

Call me crazy, but take it from me if I was going to pay money out for masonry or pavers concrete reinforce men, I'd make sure to call his CELL PHONE and see how easily I could speak with him or his office. Then, I'd ask to see a list of his last eight masonry concrete brick walls and deck patio work. But that's just me. I can't tell you how many times I repaired masonry work that the people who did the work are no longer around...so in the long run what does that really tell you....check them out FIRST.

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Designing a Stone Fire Pit

Spending time with a person or a number of people is one way to communicate with them and let them know that you are happy with their presence in your life. That is why there are gatherings or get - together and stuff like that. But without knowing this fact, you know, as a human being, you know that when you want to spend time with people, you would prefer to do it outdoors. There is something about the great outdoors that makes things a bit more special, even if that outdoor meant your backyard.

This is pretty much true and guesses what; most people would prefer to go out in the evening. However, in some places, going out in the evening, even in your yard could prove to be a very frigid idea, literally. Especially on certain times of the year, a night out could be very cold. That is why you need the help of fire pits. It's a bit like camp fire but more sophisticated. These fire pits are great additions in your backyard because they provide you're much required heat to warm you on cold nights as well as provide you with a cozy fire and just the right amount of lighting to soothe or stimulate the mood. It's all about that.

The thing is, not everyone could buy or have a fire pit constructed in their house. It comes with a price that makes some people uncomfortable. However, you don't have to worry about that. If you are part of them (like me) you can always settle down for a DIY stone fire pit project. Designing a stone pit would be a very smart decision just in case you can't afford to buy or have one constructed in your house or maybe you are just the DIY type of person. So how do you design your own stone fire pit and build it?

First, you have to check for your local community officers if it's okay to have fire pits in your neighborhood because some neighborhoods don't allow that. Sometimes, they will ask you to get a permit for it but that's alright. First, get a stake (from some wood or something) and place it on the center of the spot which you have pre-located where you would place the pit. You will need a steel fire ring too. Dig a hole about one foot deep. When you are done with that, dig down the center until its half a foot deep. Set up stone blocks around the hole and then place some gravels on the center of the hole to act as drains if the rain comes. Use the steel ring to function as a line on your pit. You can get the steel ring at any home improvement or hardware stores nationwide. Add decorative stone blocks around it and you are all set. Now you have your very own stone fire pit. Handy!

5 Reasons Why Manufactured Stone Is Becoming So Popular   Installing Cultured Stones   

Stone Veneer Provides Options To Make Dreams Come True

Stone veneer is giving people more options than ever before for creating the look and feel of natural stone without having to go through all the mess and expensive of installing the latter. With different manufacturers around the country producing manufactured stone, there is no doubt that every taste will be satisfied when this beautiful material is used to cover the outside of homes. Artificial stones are produced using lightweight concrete or other substance mixes that are poured into molds that are specially prepared to create the look and feel of real natural stone.

These fabricates stones are then painted with special coloring processes to give them the final touch and provide the appearance of stones that are found wherever they naturally occur. Stone veneer is produced to appear as thin slices of stone. That makes applying them to the outside of a home easy to accomplish, even by the DIY enthusiast. Rather than using masonry mortar as a mason would when building a brick or stone wall around the outside of a home, special mortars have been created to make this process simple and easy to achieve.

It is not uncommon to hear people stating that they would like to add a brick or natural stone facade to the plans they are making for a new home, but they often feel that it is just too expensive to seriously consider. With artificial stones, that cost is cut by one third to one half what it would be to install the other options, making it well within the reach of nearly anyone to give their homes the look they are after. Stone veneer is not just for the outside of the home either.

With fireplaces being one of the most sought after features for those searching for new homes to move into, manufactured stones are a great option for giving a new look to an older home or for adding value to new construction. Fabricated stones are finding their way into other applications as well, since they do not require the same techniques to apply as with brick and mortar, there is no reason anyone these days should have to go without the look and feel of stone.

Stone veneer is usually produced in much thinner layers than is possible with natural stone. That makes it ideal for placing on interior walls that mimic those that have traditionally only been found on the outside of structures. This gives rise to many design elements that could only have been dreamed of before. The cost of natural stone alone has prevented many from incorporating this design feature to their homes. That is no longer true with the incredible array of quality products that are being produced as artificial stone.

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How to Select the Right Sandstone for Paving

Sandstone pavers are an eternal favourite for all kinds of locations. Not only are sandstone pavers natural, strong, weather-proof and beautiful to look at, they can be counted on to lend a classic look to any area of home or commercial establishment such as hotels and function centres. Sandstone pavers can also be used to create a homely, earthy look for cottage style gardens and to create attractive and welcoming residential driveways and pool surrounds.

Because of the nature of its formation, sandstone is a very hard stone that can be cut into pavers in a range of colors from red and gold tones, to streaked black, grey and white. In fact, sandstone can be purchased in so many different shades, how do you know what is going to be the right selection for your paving needs?

To help narrow down your dazzling array of options, here's a brief outline of the main colors and the types of construction where they are best put to use:

Dark brown: Deep brown or chocolate toned sandstone acquires its unique, rich appearance due to a high content of iron oxide. It is a great choice or exterior paving due to its ability to camouflage marks and staining and can be found in a variety of different surface finishes including sawn and polished.

Grey: Grey varieties typically range in tone from blue-grey to light grey, with some options of very dark grey available. The grey color arises from the silica calcite that has formed between the quartz grains, cementing them together. Due to its neutral tones, grey sandstone is exceedingly versatile.

Yellow: Yellow sandstone is an ideal choice for paving in seaside properties or beside saltwater pools. Its particular qualities of composition make it especially resistant to acid erosion and saline wind damage. Like all sandstone, it is highly porous and so suitable for very wet locations.

Beige: Light coloured beige and white varieties are one of the most widely used ranges due to their classic appearance and elegant light grey or purple 'veins' that become visible when the stone is wet. Beige sandstone extremely strong and durable making it a top choice for use in paving.

Red: Red and deep pink sandstone is particularly smooth and soft due to its uniform grain size and can be found in natural, sawn or polished surfaces. Although it is durable and very tolerant to weathering, its soft nature makes it more suitable for ornate, carved detailing rather than paving.

Rainbow: If none of the above hues sound suitable for your paving needs, rainbow may be the answer. Rainbow sandstone acquires its stunning colour from a singular combination of quartz and other natural minerals. Its range of tones can span violet, red, brown and teak depending on the percentage of each constituent mineral.

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Tips on How to Transform Your Courtyard

Many properties now offer great sized courtyards rather than backyards. Courtyards can be wonderful for entertaining and great for keeping small pets too. But if you don't know how to work with the space properly, it can look messy and become an unused area. Here we've listed our top tips for transforming your courtyard. From mending your outdoor pavers to using paint to create the ultimate feature wall we've got a list of tips guaranteed to give your outdoor space a lift!

* Get inspired - The first step before doing anything is deciding on the look you want to create. Get inspired by looking through home and garden magazines. Go online and look up home improvement websites for tips and other forms of advice. Decide on what type of plants you want and what will look best flowing out from the decor you have inside.

* The walls - Depending on the size and look of your courtyard you may want to consider putting in a large feature wall. You can create this by painting it a neutral colour and having a water feature accentuate the area. You can also get creative with tiles and creeping plants which can look stunning growing on fresh and crisp high white walls.

* Furniture - You don't want to cramp the space you have, so choosing the right furniture is essential. You may only want a small bench against a wall, but if you want to use it for outdoor entertaining it is best to invest in a setting. Make sure that the furniture you buy has the correct protection to stop it from being damaged by the elements.

* The plants - Choosing the right plants can make a big difference to the look and feel of your courtyard. If you won't have time to tend to them much, you want to make sure that you invest in some sturdy plants that don't need much watering. Also think about the amount of sun you get in the courtyard. This will determine which plants thrive in your courtyard.

* Shading - If you do get a lot of sun in your courtyard you may want to install a sail or some form of shading that extends from the property. Of course if you are renting make sure that you consult with the property owner before proceeding. A fabric sale can look great extending out from the property over the outdoor area. If you want something a little more hardy you may want to think about having an awning put up.

* Fix any issues with the pavers - Whether you have sandstone pavers or something else, you may want to look at repairing any cracks or issues with it as part of your courtyard overhaul. Like with any indoor area, the look and feel of the flooring makes a big difference to the look of the area.

Your courtyard should be a comfortable place in your home where you can relax and unwind. There are so many ways to make it your favourite place in your property, you just need to know how to work with the space. I hope our tips on how to transform your courtyard has given you some ideas on how to turn your outdoor area into a little slice of paradise for you and your family.

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How to Find a Qualified Masonry Contractor

Looking for a masonry contractor? Make sure you ask the right questions to get the quality workmanship and professional expert you deserve.

If you're about to entrust a masonry contractor with your hard-earned cash and your property's well-being, you'll want to make sure you're working with a company that won't cut and run with your money before finishing the job to your satisfaction. Here are a few questions to ask before making a final decision on a professional for your masonry work.

1. Are they licensed?

If the masonry construction company is licensed, that means they have been certified by the state or local municipality to build fireplaces, lay bricks, pave driveways, etc. In the same way that individuals can obtain a driver's license through driver's ed courses and state-regulated tests, masonry contractors receive a license only after they have gone through the necessary training and passed all required state regulations. When your hired contractor is licensed, you're ensuring safe, secure masonry work.

2. Are they bonded or insured?

When a company is bonded and/or insured, it means that they are financially able to cover expensive mishaps or criminal activity. Specifically, a bond is an amount of money controlled by the state that is supposed to pay for any filings or claims against the company. So, if a member of the masonry contractor team accidentally drops a concrete slab on the hood of your car, you'll be paid out of the bond to cover the damage. Likewise, if a company is insured, the owner's insurer will reimburse you for the costs of a similar mishap. If a masonry contractor is not bonded or insured, you might get stuck with the bill yourself.

3. Do they have a positive rating with the Better Business Bureau?

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) was created to protect individuals and consumers from inferior business practices. As part of its service, the organization assigns ratings to accredited businesses according to a long list of factors. Some of the factors include how long the business has been in operation; whether the business has the required competency license; the business's overall complaint history, including number and severity; and the known existence of any government actions against the business. The ratings range from A+, the best, to F. If the masonry construction company has a BBB accreditation, check their rating before moving forward. This should give you a good indication of how trustworthy and competent the business is overall.

4. Can they provide references from previous projects?

The majority of reliable masonry contractors will be able to refer you to former clients. You can talk to these individuals and ask them for details of their experience, and whether they were satisfied with the work performed. Most people will be candid and happy to help a fellow homeowner.

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Top Four Choices in Poolside Pavers

With the dry and scorching conditions of the Australian summer, installing a backyard pool is a wonderful way to provide a tranquil space for entertainment, play and relief from the relentless heat. It's also an area of home renovation that requires a lot of strategic decision making such as selecting the most practical and aesthetically pleasing shape of pool, color of tiles and safety fencing to water quality testing and cleaning facilities - but one of the first choices you will need to make concerns the type of pavers you use for your pool surrounds.

There are pavers made of many different materials that can used to construct an attractive and functional poolside area, each with different qualities according to the placement and location of the pool and the environmental demands of the area. Let's take a look at a brief overview of the materials most suitable for poolside locations:

Natural Stone: Natural stone pavers are available in many different colors and textures. From sandstone to granite, limestone, bluestone and slate, colours can range from dark red, to gold, dark green to grey and everything in between. Granite and slate are both attractive and durable for use beside salt water pools, while sandstone is available in an incredible range of hues and ages quickly to inspire a vintage feel. Stone pavers can be prepared with many different surfaces when they are combed, chiselled or hammered and finishing techniques can lend a unique look to your pool.

Terracotta: Terracotta pavers can be purchased and installed at a lower cost than natural stone and can be found in tones ranging from deep red to gold. Terracotta will lend a casual appeal to your pool and can be installed for aesthetic effect, for example in interlocking herringbone patterns. However, terracotta is more brittle than clay or natural stone and will weather more rapidly.

Clay: Clay pavers are composed from blocks of natural clay that are fired under high temperature to provide a durable product that features rich red and brown tones. Clay will work particularly well in poolside areas that adjoin lawns and garden features due to their natural, earthy appearance. Clay pavers only improve with age, giving character to the garden landscape.

Concrete: The variety of options available in concrete pavers is limitless. Concrete can be moulded, rendered, painted and assembled in any number of ways according to the requirements of your poolside environment. Concrete can be produced to mimic the appearance of natural stone, but boasts the advantage of not being as porous as its natural counterpart. Concrete pavers are also one of the most cost-effective poolside solutions.

While your decision of which pavers to use around your pool will be based on individual taste and the design of your garden, any variety of tile will offer the advantage of being very low maintenance once they have been laid properly. All that will be required of you will be the sweeping of leaves and occasional power-hosing to keep the area clean, meaning lots of time left over to be spent enjoying your pool.

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Brick Repair Due to Foundation Settling

A lot of homeowners might encounter brick repairs when buying a home that was built in the 1980's or older depending in the area you are buying the home. For the most part the masonry repairs should be easy to repair due to natural causes, but it can get a little more complicated if its due to foundation problems. If you see cracked brick or mortar joints on your brick walls it may indicate that you are having foundation problems. A masonry company can fix or replace the bricks but it will only be a temporary fix since the house is most likely going to keep settling and crack the brick and mortar joints again. Before calling a masonry company you would need to call a structural engineer to determine if there is still movement in the house and if you need peers. Structural engineers check the safety and reliability of structures that support weight. It is their job to ensure that your home is a safe and livable environment.

In the Midwest most structural engineers will charge from $200 to $350 for a basic inspection. The inspection will include areas of your house like foundation, roof, interior and exterior walls. You can call a local structural engineer for pricing and what their inspection covers. If your home needs peers for support in the foundation your structural engineer will let you know where you need them and how many. Once the peers are placed you may call a mason but most that place the peers will automatically tuck and point all the cracks once the peers are placed. If you are wanting the entire bricks replaced you will have to contact a masonry company because the companies that install the peers will only grout the cracks of the brick.

Masonry companies can replace the entire bricks that are cracked if they feel it is safe to do so without harming the rest of the wall. Most masonry companies will advise you what type of brick your home has in order to match the existing style and color of your original brick. Brick floors will also need repairs with time since they experience a lot of traffic with time. When you proceed to call a masonry company for a quote it is in your best interest to call a minimum of 3 masonry companies for their opinion on the repair and pricing. If you are still not satisfied with pricing and what they have to say about the repair keep calling other masonry companies since there are plenty to choose from.

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Stone Fireplaces: The Hearth Is The Heart of The Home

One hundred ago the fireplace was a standard feature in most homes. It not only heated the interior, it also was used for cooking, boiling water, and other house hold functions. Today a fireplace is an extra that is treasured for its charm more than its function. Although the modern hearth can be a heat source, its real value comes from the warm atmosphere it creates.

Architects and interior designers have had a love affair with the fireplace for decades. There are countless styles which range from small cozy heaths inspired by 17th century designs to sleek modern structures that incorporate cabinets and shelves. Stone masons are experts in building and reconstructing these interior fire pits in almost any home. Always seek out experts that fully understand the structural elements so it will be safe and beautiful.

An interior fireplace is made of up of several parts. It's important to maintain and be aware for the interior elements of your fireplace as well as the decorative exterior. Let's take a look starting at the bottom and move to the top.

1. Foundation - also called a footing is built under the fireplace floor and is separate from the building's foundation.

2. Ash pit/Ash box - This optional feature is a hollow space under the fireplace floor where ashes can be swept into and later emptied.

3. Inner Hearth - This is the fireplace floor where the fire burns. (The term hearth can refer to the fireplace floor as well as the fireplace interior.

4. Outer Hearth - Now the terms can get confusing. The outer heath refers to the floor in front of the firebox.

5. Firebox- (sometimes referred to as the hearth) This is the surfaces and openings around the fire.

6. Fireplace facade - This is the decorative front that dresses up the fire box. Facades can be simple or ornate.

7. Mantle - Although technically this is the top or shelf of the fireplace facade, it is more commonly thought of as the place for trophies, knick-knacks and Christmas stockings.

8. Smoke shelf - This interior shelf redirects air currents that move through the chimney.

9. Damper and Lintel - Metal parts that control heat and smoke.

10. Smoke Chamber - This is the passageway between the fire box and the flue.

11. Flue - The flue is the vertical opening in the chimney which connects to the smoke chamber. The structure of the flue creates a draft and allows for a discharge of smoke, so the smoke is drawn up and out and does not flow into the house.

12. Chimney - Modern heating systems are more efficient than fireplaces; however there are design options which can increase its heating capabilities. Internal fans and special heat pipes can redirect the fire's warmth into the room so you lose less heat up the chimney. If you want the fire but not the ashes, consider a clean, gas fireplace.

Although the interior design elements are somewhat uniform, the fireplace façade and mantel can be built from a wide variety of materials including natural stone, decorative terra cotta lattice, tile, imprinted concrete, rounded stone, and brick. Modern fireplaces can work with any interior and add beauty to any home.

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Fireplace Efficiency With Glass Doors

Improve your fireplaces heat efficiency by 25% or more just by doing a few simple things, you can improve the efficiency of your fireplace and get more heat out of your fireplace, while enjoying the ambience and beauty of a wood-burning fireplace that is already in your home. If you have a little working knowledge of fireplaces, then you can understand why improving the amount of heat that a fireplace puts out is important to the over all enjoyment of having a fireplace in your home. If you are new to burning real wood-burning fireplaces, there are some very simple ways to improve the amount of heat that your fireplace will produce. The first thing that you would want to know about your fireplace is it in good working order? As a masonry contractor in the Seattle area we see quite a few chimney every year that are unsafe to burn and need to be repaired. Some of the things that you would want to look for would be, if the fireplace needs repair or has loose brick, smoking problems, water damage, or damper problems. One of the best way's to see if your fireplace is ready to burn is to ask for an inspection from a masonry contractor in your area. Now is the time to start that fire, and as we said above we want the fireplace to burn in an efficient way.

The first rule for any fire to burn in an efficient way, is what type of fuel are you burning? For a wood-burning fireplace to burn well you need to burn good quality, dry seasoned wood. When you burn quality seasoned wood the fire will burn cleaner, hotter and increase your fireplace efficiency. You may say I am already using good quality seasoned wood to help my fireplace burn well, but I still want my fireplace to improve its efficiency. There are still several other things that you can do to improve the efficiency of your fireplace another 25% or more. Every and I mean every fireplace should have a glass-door installed on it, if only for safety reasons, installing a glass door is one of the best ways of improving your fireplace efficiency for a very small cost. You might be thinking that if I put glass-doors on my fireplace the heat will stay behind the glass and just go up the chimney. This is not the case, heat from your fireplace will radiate out through the glass even if the glass-doors are closed, so a good way to use your glass-doors is to burn the fireplace with the glass-doors open and the safety screen closed. In this way you have all the beauty and ambience of your fire before you.

If your fireplace is equipped with outside air or make up air you can also burn the fireplace with the glass doors shut and the safety screen open, in this mode you will be able to see your beautiful fire and feel the radiant heat, but not be losing any of the air in the room up the chimney. Make up air or outside air can be installed on most fireplaces if you don't have it in your fireplace now. These two things will also overcome the reasons that some fireplaces smoke, and also why your fireplace has a drafty smokey smell to it when it is not being used. Just for those two reasons every fireplace should have glass-doors installed on them. The best reason I have saved for last and that is, your fireplace is costing you heat loss all day and night even when your not using it. The reason is that your damper in your fireplace is not airtight they are made that way to maintain a certain amount of clearance even when they are closed. So If you have a fireplace that does not have a glass-door you are wasting energy, up and out the chimney. In this article it's easy to see how you can get more heat out of your fireplace with just a few small changes, that will let you burn outside air instead of the air that you already paid to heat, and by installing glass-doors to stop heat loss.

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A Step By Step Look At Building Driveways and Walkways With Pavers

It's amazing how important a well maintained driveway or walkway can be to the overall appearance and value of your landscape. If the pavement is cracked and broken the property can look run down and unkempt. If the paths are just gravel or dirt your curb appeal may be greatly diminished. If you live in an area that is hit with snow and ice, your passageways become even more important.

If you've been thinking about improving your driveway and paths, it is probably time to call a stone mason and get the process rolling. It's important to find quality craftsmen, because if it is not properly constructed, it will quickly crack and deteriorate. After all, laying a walkway is more then scattering some pavers or pouring concrete. To do it right, expertise is required.

Measure and Layout the Driveway Pavers - Before anybody brings out the shovels, you'll need a tape measure and a paper and pencil. Go outside the check out the area. We often take things for granted and ignore elements which we might see every day. After walking the area, you might decide that the path should curve or the driveway should be a little longer. Once you've measured the area, draw it out on paper. The stone masons will also measure, but this allows you to see different options and help you better understand the process.

Excavate and prepare the area - The next step in the process is the excavation of the site. Think about future projects you might want to undertake. If you are planning on installing a pond, fountain, fire pit or outdoor kitchen, you might want to consider running an electrical line under a path before it's built so it doesn't need to be dug up later. You'll also want to call the utility companies before digging begins to find out the location of underground lines. Excavation includes digging out the area, laying wooden boards to form edges, installing a gravel aggregate which will follow the grade of the slope, and mechanically tampering it down. After the area is leveled, sand will be spread.

Cut and place paver stones - Driveway pavers add a sophisticated look that concrete can't compete with. There is a wide range of shapes, styles and colors so ask your stone mason for ideas that will work for your particular property. Consider coordinating your driveway pavestones with patio pavers to create a cohesive and complimentary look.

Paver stones will be measured and cut in advance. Then they will set into place and tapped down.

Install the edge - The final step of building a driveway, patio floor, or formal walkway is the installation of the edge. The wooden boards that marked off the edges will be replaced with edging stones. Sand will then be swept into the edges and cracks between the paver stones.

Your driveway is complete once you've walked or driven on it. Make sure to step back and take in the whole picture. It is truly amazing how a driveway or walkway can transform a landscape.

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Natural and Composite Marble Tiles

When one thinks of marble, one tends to visualise majestic structures such as the Taj Mahal or the statues of Ancient Greece or Rome hewn from the creamy white rock. Marble has been used for millennia by stone masons as it's easy to work with and can be polished beautifully, giving many of the ancient statues an almost lifelike glow. Although very often white or near white, it comes in a variety of colours and hues ranging from green to yellow, purple to pink and red to brown. These colour variations coupled with the interlocking crystalline swirls of this material make it a highly desirable stone and its use for wall and floor tiles has been common for centuries.

These days, marble tiles are commonly made from composite; being marble dust bound with resin and one of the most popular is 'dark emperador marble tiles'. Although natural marble tiles are readily available, they are usually more expensive. I must point out though to us laymen, you'd struggle to tell the difference as natural marble, being a metamorphic rock is already a naturally occurring 'composite' of older stones. For example, cappuccino tiles are cut from natural marble and are also manufactured as composite tiles, yet visually, the two are virtually identical.

Composite marble, or artificial marble is also commonly used for marble bathtubs, shower trays and other bathroom fixtures where natural marble would be prohibitively expensive. In the case of a marble bathtub, for example, the weight of water once filled may easily cause weaknesses within the natural stone to give way, resulting in a hugely expensive pile of broken marble. In such cases, composite marble is used as its load bearing qualities in complex structures such as a bathtub, shower tray or wash basin are far superior to natural marble, yet it retains the same aesthetic qualities as its natural cousin.

Dark emperador marble tiles are sourced from both China and Spain. Its deep brown hue contrasts beautifully with the pale crystalline veins which criss cross its surface. Being one of the darker marble tiles makes it ideal for large bathrooms and kitchens where white marble would give the illusion of too much space. If dark tiles are not to your taste, then consider something in the mid range such as cappuccino marble tiles (also known as beige!). These feature the same crystalline veins yet set against a middling tone makes them easier on the eye than the stark white or darker tiles. Whatever colour you choose, having your walls and floors clad in marble gives a warmth and timeless elegance which is hard to match.

5 Reasons Why Manufactured Stone Is Becoming So Popular   Installing Cultured Stones   

Chimney Maintenance - 4 Ways to Prevent Summer Rains From Ruining Your Masonry

Summer weather is mostly gorgeous, but there will be times when the weather decides not to play nice, and make things wet for you and your family. It can also have adverse effects, however, on your chimney. Water does more damage to chimneys than fire. This might seem odd, but your chimney is exposed to all the elements. The materials used - brick, mortar, tile, steel, cast iron, etc. - can be dilapidated faster if in constant contact with water.

What all can water penetration do to your masonry? It can cause brickwork to break and ruin metal or masonry firebox assemblies. Dampers can become corroded and wood and wall coverings will rot out. Your central heating system will be damage, the mortar ruined and flue liners will crack. These damages mean money from your wallet to repair these issues.

How can you prevent water from damaging your chimney? Here are four things you can have done:

Chimney Caps

These are one of the least costly options to prevent water damage. Chimneys have many openings, or flues, that collect water, directly funneling it to the interior. A strong, well built chimney cap prevents water, and most other things, from entering the structure.

Replace or repair your Chimney Crown

The crown is the structure's topmost part, and covers and seals the top from the flue liner to the edge. A proper crown will not crack, as it should be made of a strong cement fixture. Unfortunately, most crowns are constructed from the same mix used to lay the brick, which is not designed to withstand the elements. Shrinkage will result in many crowns cracking after installation

The best crowns are made from a portland-cement based mixture, and cast to provide a drip edge outside all the edges. This will direct runoff away from the sides, helping avert erosion.

Repair the flashing

This seals the roofing and chimney. It prevents water from running into living spaces, where it can cause damage or rotting wood. Flashing and the counter-flashing work best when embedded and sealed in the masonry joints. It will allow both the roof and chimney to expand or contract without breaking the seal.

Waterproofing

As common brick is like a sponge, it's important to properly waterproof your chimney. There are several products available specifically as waterproofing agents on masonry chimneys, and they are vapor permeable, allowing the structure to expel moisture, but not take it in.

Water damage can be a slow process, so it's important to have your chimney frequently maintained. This will catch issues before they become money-draining problems.

5 Reasons Why Manufactured Stone Is Becoming So Popular   Installing Cultured Stones   

Black Slate Tiles - The Beauty Of Black

Whether it is a residential complex or commercial building, black slate tiles are the best. These slabs as the name suggest are black in color but this black color is shiny and it looks very beautiful. This slate flooring is simply perfect for stairs, entrance way and garden path. You can also use these slabs to decorate your fireplace, porch, terrace and balcony. If you are thinking that how can a black flooring can enhance the look and feel of your home then you visit malls and other public places to see how architects and interior designers have decorated these buildings with black slabs.

Granite is a popular stone but it is very expensive and for this reason average homeowners avoid using granite. Black slate tiles resemble granite in many ways. These slabs, if installed correctly, look like granite. The good thing about these slabs is that they are as hard wearing as granite. Also they have excellent water resistance power and they can also bear scratches from bulky objects like refrigerator, furniture and piano. These features make slate slabs just perfect for use on worktops, countertops, and kitchen floor and backsplash wall. This flooring can be used as a substitute for expensive granite slabs.

If you can use your creativity then you can produce amazing checkerboard design with black slate tiles and white marble pieces. If you want to decorate an all black floor and wall then you can do so by using glittering white grout. Set the black flooring on the surface and grout it with glittering white grout. It will look like you have made white border for black slabs. You can also use yellow or red grout but white grout lines will be perfect for black floor or wall. Make sure that you use high quality grout and it is set properly in the space left between the slabs.

The beauty of black slate tiles is that they are convenient to install and easy to maintain. These slabs are maintenance free as they remain unaffected from dirt, dust and even the caustic and acidic liquids. You can use them on your bathroom floor and shower wall without any apprehension. Since these slabs are anti-skid, you will find no problem in walking over them with wet feet. Bathroom floor should be sealed for added protection from water and these slabs are no exception for this rule. If home renovation is in your mind then consider remodeling your dwelling with this black flooring.

5 Reasons Why Manufactured Stone Is Becoming So Popular   Installing Cultured Stones