Comparing the performance attributes of natural stone with manmade materials

Exterior Design

While design trends come and go, natural stone remains a timeless and flexible option for many exterior applications including cladding, paving, and hardscapes. This is due to the variety of natural stone types available that are beautiful, durable, and versatile. No wonder so many manmade materials try to emulate or replicate these characteristics and qualities.

It is important to know how the material chosen for an exterior project will perform under a variety of circumstances, conditions, and uses. It is also essential to understand how natural stone compares to manmade materials used for the same applications in order to select the material that will perform the best. At the same time, knowing how the material impacts the environment will ensure that you are choosing the most sustainable material for the application.

Photo courtesy of Connecticut Stone.

Performance Matters

A material’s optimal performance is based on a combination of the attributes of the material itself, how the material is installed, and the conditions to which it is exposed. There are many different issues to consider:

• How will the material hold up under freeze/thaw conditions? Continued cycles of freezing and thawing can cause some materials to degrade more quickly.
• Does it have good UV resistance and solar reflectance? Many materials will break down over time or change appearances when exposed to UV light.
• Does the material have a low absorption rate? Materials with lower absorption rates tend to be more stain resistant. Sealing a material can lower its absorption rate and improve its performance.
• Is the material slip-resistant? Slip resistance is the level of traction needed for a walking surface to remain safe for those using it. Slip resistance is impacted by the material’s texture and porosity, as well as any surface treatments used and elements it is exposed to, including water and dust.

Performance attributes should be addressed no matter what material you’re considering or what type of project you’re working on. These factors play an even more important role in sustainability and in the long-term performance of the material. Let’s examine how natural stone stacks up to manmade materials from the perspective of these performance objectives.

Photo courtesy of Gallegos.

Exterior Applications for Natural Stone versus Manmade Materials

Cladding and Veneer
The possibilities for natural stone cladding and veneer are endless. Limestone, granite, marble, travertine, basalt, slate, quartzite, and sandstone are among the many options. These stones are versatile, meaning they can be cut and finished into different shapes, textures, and patterns, creating a cohesive aesthetic. Many stones are durable in extreme weather conditions. When discussing vertical stone applications, the installation standards and techniques can make even vulnerable stones durable. Most stones have a long life span. Light colored stones have a high solar reflectance index, meaning they will reflect the sun well, reducing heat gain on the building or site. Stone also has a low embodied energy, an important consideration for sustainability requirements. This is because natural stone was created by the Earth and very little energy or additional resources are needed to quarry, fabricate, and finish it. Some stones are porous and may stain if subjected to contaminates over time. Depending on the stone’s mineral composition it may be susceptible to the effects of acid rain. Natural stone may sometimes have a higher initial cost than manmade materials, but it often proves to be the most cost-effective choice because it lasts so long. This is especially true because natural stone can also be refinished, repaired, restored, or recycled.

Manmade materials including porcelain, concrete, GFRC panels, metal, and terracotta are also options for exterior cladding.  Concrete and porcelain are durable and UV stable; good choices for the exterior and the exposure to sunlight and the elements they must withstand. However, these materials do not typically last as long as stone. Concrete, in the form of cast stone and cultured stone, is often tinted and can fade heavily from sunlight/UV exposure. Some manufacturers are improving the color fastness of cultured stone, but that adds chemicals and cost to the final product. Some manmade materials can also sometimes look flat since they are often made to be uniform in appearance and lack the natural veining and textures of natural stone. Most of them also have a high embodied energy because they require a wide range of other materials and energy intensive processes to be manufactured.

Paving
Natural stones including granite, sandstone, basalt, limestone, slate, travertine, marble, and porphyry are good options for paving. Again, one of the main performance aspects of using natural stone in this manner is its incredible durability. Surfaces can also be finished for slip-resistance and design options abound with more edging, pattern, surface texture, and color than manmade surfaces. Many natural stones perform very well in freeze/thaw environments and conditions. In some cases, natural stone will cost less than porcelain or concrete imitations. Once again, the low embodied energy of natural stone makes it a great option for meeting sustainability goals. The installation of natural stone may be more costly than some manmade materials and it may need to be sealed, depending on the type of stone, location, and environmental conditions. However, as mentioned previously, natural stone’s long life cycle makes it a very cost-effective choice.

Concrete, clay, and porcelain are among the manmade materials used for paving. A few of the pros of using these materials include the possibility of lower replacement and maintenance costs for concrete, and that porcelain is UV stable. There are limited texture options for concrete, which can contribute to a lower cost for the material. Quite often though, concrete fades and the material takes on a very aggregate-like appearance and will lose its color. New technologies are improving surface wear, color fastness, texture, and stain resistance. However, these add quite a bit to the cost and in some cases will make it more expensive than natural stone. For clay, the use of sand mold and wire cut production methods will yield a paver that has a high absorption rate and may have significant issues with salts and efflorescence. These pavers require a more costly installation process due to their larger sizing tolerance issues created by the moisture and firing process. There are pavers created with a compressed production process which perform better but still have performance issues and are not as durable as most natural stones.  High fired or vitrified clay pavers can be very hard and durable, but also very brittle. Porcelain behaves like glass and can also be very brittle, especially in a dry set application in a freeze thaw environment, so it will need to be set with spacers to protect itself in the winter. Porcelain has no absorption, so water will just sit on the surface. The water needs to evaporate or surface drain, so in the winter this can create a very slick surface and be dangerous. These products also have high embodied energy, which creates a negative impact on the environment.

Eden limestone dimensional flagstone. Photo courtesy of Lurvey Supply.

Natural Stone and Sustainability

Natural stone has demonstrated considerable durability in local and regional environments and applications. In many cases, these have lasted for hundreds of years, even millennia. Most manmade materials have not been around long enough to demonstrate that level of performance. The qualities of longevity and durability have proven that natural stone is also a great choice for meeting green building goals. The initial material and installation costs are offset by the long life expectancy and low maintenance requirements. Little to no cleaning or chemicals are required to maintain the material and as mentioned, natural stone can also be refinished, repaired, restored, or recycled. Natural stone is 100% natural. Engineered quartz, concrete, and porcelain require many different materials including chemicals to be manufactured and many of them are not recyclable.

So, as Oscar Wilde once said: “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery that mediocrity can pay to greatness.” Choose natural stone and you will be contributing to the long legacy of great, high-performing, sustainable projects in the world.

SIMILAR ARTICLES:

​

Reprinted with permission from Delgado Stone. All photos courtesy of Delgado Stone.

If you have researched natural thin stone veneer or spent any time on the internet seeking inspiration, you already know one thing: there are more options to personalize your space than you imagined! Natural stone is quarried across the world in a variety of types, color schemes, patterns, and shapes.

With the right planning and approach, the range of choices is beneficial because each pattern has different characteristics. The traits you like the most about a particular stone can be enhanced by the pattern you choose. This article covers five popular patterns: The Mosaic, Strip, and Roughly Square and Rectangle patterns feature the stone face, while the Ledgestone and Ashlar patterns showcase the end grain. Here is a closer look at each.

Ashlar

The Ashlar pattern is a combination of approximately 50% rectangular Strip pieces, 25% Ledge pieces, and 25% small squares. The combination of these three patterns provides the mason with the flexibility to create a unique design for each project. In the photo below, Northeast Walls and Patios installed Colonial Tan thin stone veneer in the Ashlar pattern for the new home’s entryway, pillars, and arch siding.

Ledgestone Pattern

Ledgestone (otherwise referred to as Ledge) is made up of thin cut pieces of natural stone often used for siding. These end-grain pieces run in size approximately 1”-4” in height and 6”-14” in length. This pattern creates a unique, layered look when used for stone walls or fireplaces, as you can see in the photo below, featuring design and install by Rockport Post and Beam and Larry Luce Masonry, LLC. The smallest pattern of the five in this article, Ledgestone can be used for a wide range of projects, from home siding to step risers.

Mosaic Pattern

The Mosaic pattern includes irregular shapes that fit together like a puzzle, allowing you to create your own unique design. The face surface ranges from approximately .25 to 1.25 square feet. Mosaic patterns are a popular choice to give projects a more natural, rustic look. The accent wall below, featuring Connecticut Blend thin stone veneer and the talents of JJ Stone Design and Masonry, is a great example of how a little stone makes a big impact.

Roughly Square and Rectangle

Otherwise called Square & Rec, these pieces are roughly 6”x6” and larger, while the rectangle pieces are longer. In contrast to the Mosaic pattern, Square & Rec is used to create a clean and more modern look. Often used for exterior siding, Square & Rec offers a smooth, consistent shape that puts the focus on the color choice and range. The photo below shows a Connecticut project by J. Salvatore & Sons using Square and Rec on the entrance to coordinate with the front of the home.

Strip Pattern

Strip is the pattern that most resembles the layout of brick. The face ranges from approximately 5-8” in height and 12-18” in length. Stones are all cut to almost the same size so they fit together to create a smooth, flat surface. The rectangular shape makes the Strip pattern a good fit for projects needing consistent and longer stones. The fireplace below features the talents of Lakeside Masonry using Spruce Mountain strip patterned thin stone veneer.

Even with a wide range of options, there are no bounds for imagination and creativity. Patterns can be mixed and matched. Homeowners often coordinate with their masons and stone dealers to select a truly customized design that fits their individual project. We love seeing the way these projects maximize the impact of natural stone and showcase the talents of the designers and installers!

SIMILAR ARTICLES:

Photo courtesy of Site Design Group.

During a recent photo shoot, a photographer commented on how many of Hana Ishikawa’s projects feature natural stone compared to other firms. Ishikawa, the design principal of Chicago-based site design group, an architecture firm known for landscape and urban design, thought about the comment and said: “You know, I do use it a lot.”

Natural Stone—Different, Durable, and Desirable

One of the biggest reasons Ishikawa uses natural stone in her projects is because of its durability. “Natural stone has been around for millennia, and it’s much more durable than concrete,” she says. “It’s much more durable than porcelain. It’s more durable than most materials that we work with. Of course, this depends on the type of stone that we use but in general, it’s a very durable material that can withstand a lot in a public space.”

Photo courtesy of Site Design Group.

The type of stone she chooses for her projects really depends on the application. In the past, almost all their projects were based in Chicago. A decade later, half are in Chicago while the other half are elsewhere in the country. Since 100 percent of their work takes place outdoors, it’s imperative they consider the weather and the elements when choosing the stone.

“If it’s paving, especially in our Chicago climate that gets a lot of salt or wear and tear on it, we always tend to go towards granite, or another kind of stone like basalt,” she notes. She favors using boulders or other natural stone formation thanks to their unique characteristics. Those can range anywhere from limestone, which are softer sedimentary stones, all the way to granite. “We use the spectrum of stone really,” she adds. “It just depends on the application of how and which stone works the best.”

The harsh weather is one consideration, but manmade elements also come into play. In Chicago, salt is often used to melt ice or keep snow off the roadways and walking paths. The mineral can do a lot of harm to landscape materials like stone. Machinery like snowplows or lawn mowers can also come into contact with and potentially cause harm to the stone.

In parts of the country where salt and snow are not a concern, the choice of natural stone for things like roadways might be different. Factors like freeze/thaw patterns, wind, flooding, sun, and foot traffic must also be taken into consideration.

Natural Stone and the Pullman National Monument

A recent project Ishikawa was involved with was the Pullman National Monument, which opened last fall after about five years of work. Chicago’s only National Park Service site, it was recognized by former President Barack Obama as an essential part of our nation’s history.

She and her team had to reinterpret the landscape in an area with so much history. The team found the project both challenging and interesting. Due to major prior vandalism, very few of the site elements remained. When they were tasked to create a weathered version of the existing train tracks that were also walkable and accessible, it was natural for Ishikawa to suggest using natural stone.

Photo courtesy of Site Design Group.

“The reconstruction wanted to be a reinterpretation of the spatial quality of Pullman at its prime,” Ishikawa says. “We used stone to reinterpret and rebuild historic site elements, including the limestone historic worker’s gate, granite ballast stone at the tracks, and limestone site walls. We also used outcropping stone strategically sitting in landscapes to create a sense of ruin, while also fostering an impromptu seating element or a playful stepping stone.”

Photo courtesy of Site Design Group.

Safety and Sustainability in Public Spaces

Since all of Site Design Group’s work is done outdoors and often as part of a public space, it’s not unusual for the topic of public safety to get pulled into the conversation. What if someone climbs on the rocks and falls off? Will the stones have sharp edges that could injure someone?

She’s learned to navigate these types of concerns by taking the time to educate the client. She’ll compare how someone might use a boulder in the landscape like a bench or in place of a concrete curb, for example. It doesn’t take long to convince them that natural stone is just as safe. Also, being mindful of the type of stone is just as important as choosing any other type of hard material for a landscape.

Unlike other building materials, Ishikawa reminds clients that natural stone is natural. It’s part of the earth. “Not only is natural stone more aesthetically appealing, but it’s just more fun because it’s an actual product of the earth,” Ishikawa says. “It has character and interest and all of them are different.” These are just some of the reasons she and her firm use when educating clients who might have hesitations.

Photo courtesy of Site Design Group.

As more people consider sustainability as part of their projects, she also likes to remind clients about using local or native natural stones. She appreciates organizations like the Natural Stone Institute focusing on sustainability and the process by which natural stone is brought to market. Whether it’s using stone from local quarries or just using natural stone as your building material instead of a manmade material like concrete, Ishikawa feels we’re all doing our part to help with climate change issues.

“I think that’s part of the future,” Ishikawa adds. “It is really looking at how natural stone is better for the environment.”

SIMILAR ARTICLES:

All photos courtesy of Delgado Stone.

Natural stone is mother nature’s oldest building material and has been used throughout history to create countless commercial and residential features. The characteristics of natural stone provide a balance of beauty and functionality to any project. Thin stone veneer was introduced in the twentieth century, but only in the last 5-7 years has it become a premier choice in the natural stone industry.

What is natural thin stone veneer?

Thin stone veneer is a form of natural stone veneer that has been sawn to approximately 1” thickness with a ¼” tolerance allowed. To be classified as thin stone veneer, each piece must weigh less than 15lbs per sq/ft.

Thinstone Thickness

The introduction of these sawn, lighter-weight pieces created ease of installation and provided the appearance of full-depth stone without sacrificing any of the beauty of natural stone. Here are four of the most common applications for natural thin stone veneer.

1. Fireplaces

Natural stone has always been a popular choice for fireplaces, due to its heat-resistant properties and versatile appearance. Designers and stone masons are now often choosing natural thin stone veneer to save time during construction while still offering the beauty and impact of other natural stone options. Natural thin stone veneer can be used on both interior and exterior fireplace projects to create unique designs.

2. Exterior Stone Cladding

Stone cladding is an ever-growing use for natural thin stone veneer because of the material’s durability and look. When building a home, longevity is an important factor to consider and choosing natural stone cladding is a commitment to durability. Natural stone cladding can be used for entryways, to cover cement foundations, or for the entirety of a home’s exterior. Regardless of the amount of natural stone used, choosing natural stone for home design will continue to be a common trend as long as natural stone continues to complement other home design features. As an added perk, natural stone holds 93% of its original value at its peak, which is a higher percentile than most cladding options.

Connecticut Blend Mosaic Exterior Cladding

3. Natural Stone Walls

If you’re ever been to New England, you’ve seen stone walls that look like they have been there forever. Before mortar, wall caps, and decorative walls, property lines were marked by fieldstone walls that also helped keep animals out. Now retaining walls with decorative natural thin stone veneers are more common because of the ease of building cinderblock walls and adhering natural thin stone veneer to the surface. Walls like the one seen here still serve a function, marking the property line while also contributing to the appeal of the landscape design.

Nutmeg Ridge Mosaic Landscape Wall

4. Outdoor Living Features

Landscape and exterior home improvement projects continue to be a major trend, and natural thin stone veneer plays a major role in these types of projects. More outdoor kitchens, fire pits and fireplaces are created every day. Even using a small amount of natural thin stone veneer can transform a pool project or turn a fire pit project into a statement feature.

Natural thin stone veneer is only at the beginning of its potential and continues to have a positive impact on many different design concepts and features outside of these popular applications. With the sustainable, beautiful, and functional characteristics of natural stone, we will inevitably see more projects choosing natural thin stone veneer.

TAGS: selecting veneer exterior interior educate

SIMILAR ARTICLES:

​

Photo © Jude Parkinson Morgan

Outdoor spaces have magical powers. As we spend more time at home and look for ways to integrate our backyards into our living environments more seamlessly, many of us are looking at these spaces and wondering how to transform them into a place of respite.

Nina Mullen, landscape designer and principal of northern California-based Mullen Designs, admits she’s always trying to figure out ways to bring people out into the garden. Mullen is an award-winning landscape designer—in 2019, she was named Landscape Designer of the Year by the Association of Professional Landscape Designers for her panoramic haven project.

Before the global pandemic, our outdoor spaces were a place where we’d come home to gather with friends, to grow things, and to play, she says. Since then, Mullen has noticed our outdoor spaces have become a refuge, a safe and embracing space that can help protect us from the world.

Home improvement projects have surged in the past year. Many people are realizing what the growing body of research has been showing for years: spending time outdoors can improve our health, from being able to better focus to reducing the risk of major health issues such as cardiovascular disease, stress, and high blood pressure.

Natural stone plays a pivotal role in our outdoor spaces. Stone can help unify a space, through a path or patio, and pull together flowers and plants for aesthetically-appealing environments. Sometimes, natural stone can provide seating so people can spend more time outdoors.

Photo © Jude Parkinson Morgan

When Mullen begins working with homeowners, she asks them to fill out a questionnaire to get a better understanding of their needs and wants. Sometimes the end goal is to create a serene environment, so she might look at a Zen garden. Other times clients want something more contemporary.

“When I’m designing a garden with a client’s landscape, I really want to understand their family’s culture and how they move through the space; what will get them out there,” says Mullen. “I want to create an outdoor space that’s really functional, but also just really inviting and feels right.”

For Mullen, what “feels right” also comes down to what types of natural stone to use in a project. She tries to identify stone that is native to the area and will work with their landscape whenever possible. In California, where she’s based, many clients love the rocky granite landscape, for example.

“I want the stone to feel like it belongs,” she says. There are several types of natural stone she tends to use regularly including Pennsylvania full color flagstone, “which is a really warm, green gray, that sometimes has a little bit of gold or a little bit of rust tones to it. I find that works really well for this area.”

One Stone, Many Uses

For her own home project, Mullen fell in love with black basalt remnants from Washington state that were available at a local stone yard. She didn’t even know what to do with them when she first saw them.

There were some big basalt columns, she says—about four or five feet in diameter, by her estimation. There were also two pieces of the stone that were just sitting there: triangular pieces about 14 inches high and maybe 18 inches by two feet.

“I knew I wanted to do something with those two pieces,” she says. “They’re so cool, what can I do with them?” She brought them home and those pieces created the impetus for her yard entryway and a retaining wall.

“The outside of the stone has a ‘skin’ that’s like a gold color,” Mullen explains. “The inside is a really dark, rich gray. The retaining wall is basically these triangular pieces that are just set in the soil, kind of battered back, but they’re heavy enough, they’re not going anywhere.” Those stones, she says, show off the “skin” of the basalt.

Mullen knew she wanted to continue to work on her entryway and went back to get those columns and had them cut off the “skin” to show off the beauty inside the natural stone.

“You know how they have these chef challenges where the chefs have garlic and they have to make all these dishes with just garlic? This is basically that same idea – we’re using the same stone in different ways,” she adds.

She added a bird bath but notes she didn’t do anything to the stone to create that groove. Again, that’s the beauty of natural stone—it’s natural and while it can be manipulated, sometimes nature’s work is perfect as it is.

Photo © Jude Parkinson Morgan

Field Trip: Visiting Stone Yards

What most of her clients don’t realize is they’re often welcome to visit a stone yard and get inspired and see how it makes them feel to touch and see the stone in-person.

“They’re kind of surprised at the range of different kinds of stone and how they can be used in different ways,” she says.

Mullen recommends asking the stone yard if you can take samples of stones you think you might want to use. She recommends choosing pieces that are at least a foot square or larger, so that you can get a real sense of what it might look like in the space.  It will be worth the sample size investment. “Think of it like you’re bringing home a paint swatch or small can of paint to use on a wall inside your home,” she says.

Many of Mullen’s clients find that although they fell in love with one type of stone, after bringing home samples, they discover another stone that looks better in the space—perhaps because of how the sunlight hits it, or how it looks next to the house or other outdoor elements.

At the end of the day, our outdoor spaces contribute to our health and wellness. After all, as Henry David Thoreau once said, “Nature [is] but another name for health.” Taking the time to consider how natural stone can affect the overall look and feel of your outdoor space can reap rewards for years to come.

TAGS:  inspire case study megy karydes residential landscape basalt

SIMILAR ARTICLES:

​

If you’re thinking of updating your outdoor space, you’re not alone. As many of us are traveling less and spending more time at home, our outdoor spaces are becoming a refuge—and many people are realizing that these spaces need some love.

Tiffany Koss, director of sales and marketing for Kafka Granite, a company that carries over 60 colors and styles of specially-crushed natural stone for manufacturing, architecture, and landscaping use, is finding that many clients are realizing that their outdoor space is one of their largest home assets.

“We’re finding that people are kind of shifting the way that they’re using their money,” Koss says. “People are in their homes and, for the first time in a long time, they’ve slowed down. They’re working from home or not traveling and confined to their home. They’re thinking, ‘Oh, now this would be the time to do these things.’.”

Using natural stone can be a great way to add interest and functionality to a project. Here are some budget-friendly ways to help make your outdoor space your new happy place and an oasis during any time of the year.

Natural Stone Design Ideas and Long-Term Investments

Your imagination is the only limit when it comes to designing outdoor spaces using natural stone. Garden walls, firepits, stepping stones, pathways, and seat walls are just a few ways natural stone can be used outdoors.

Natural stone can also be used for functional purposes. For example, a large boulder as a landscape element can provide play opportunities for children, but it can also provide security or act as a physical deterrent to keep vehicles away from the landscape. “In all of these scenarios, natural stone will outperform other materials so one needs to look at it from a life cycle performance perspective, not to mention what it will add to the property’s resale value as compared to a fake product,” says Daniel Wood, natural stone and material consultant with Lurvey Supply. 

Koss agrees that the list of how to use natural stone outdoors is long and will vary based on each homeowner’s interest and needs. Like Wood, one thing she stresses is to think of natural stone as a long-term investment, rather than focusing on the initial cost of the product. “When you compare natural stone to alternative products, such as making the choice to use something as simple as decorative stone versus mulch for ground cover, decorative stone has to be replaced far less frequently,” says Koss. Natural stone, including natural thin stone veneer, will last much longer than a cultured stone product, which might be susceptible to fading or discoloration due to its dyes and pigments.

Start Projects Small and Build Upon Them

Outdoor projects can be done in stages to help make them more financially accessible. Rather than think you need you need to do a complete overhaul this season, it may make sense to do things in phases.

To help make an outdoor project using natural stone more budget-friendly, consider working with a landscape architect or designer to develop a comprehensive plan of what the landscape will ultimately look like when completed.

“A major benefit of working with a professional, whether it’s a landscape architect or a professional landscape contractor who design builds, is the project can be visualized but you can make sure things will done correctly from a structural endpoint,” says Koss. This means that you won’t have to worry about things like proper water management or project failures.

Professionals can also help determine the cost of implementing the plan, whether you choose to do everything at once or in phases. “At the end, they will have a landscape that will be beautiful and functional instead of one that may look piecemealed over time, will look cohesive, visually attractive and functional and easy to maintain,” adds Wood.

Natural Stone is a Sustainable Choice

Natural stone will stand the test of time. It is recyclable and can often be locally sourced. It has one of the lowest carbon footprints for materials in the built environment, and very little has to be done to it to make it usable.  “If you want to play your role in reducing our impact on the planet and make good material choices that help with that, then use natural stone wherever you can,” says Wood.

Don’t think you’ll have options regarding color, sizes, or cost? Think again. “There are more new stone options available in a variety of materials, colors and surface textures, cost effective options, and lighter colors for cooler surfaces,” adds Wood.

As more homeowners become socially-conscious about their material choices, the industry is responding by making information more transparent. Those interested in where to find certified natural stone that meets the Natural Stone Council’s sustainability standards should visit the Natural Stone Council’s Sustainability resources page online.

Don’t Be Fooled by Fake Stone

Photo courtesy of Lurvey Supply

There is a misconception that natural stone is expensive, but this is not always the case. Often it is less expensive than manmade alternatives. The cost will depend on your design goals.

Wood recommends designing natural stone to the standard sizes and dimensions that it is produced to if budget is a concern. Custom work takes more time to produce, causing project costs to increase.

“In some cases, natural stone can be less expensive than concrete products for paving or veneer applications,” says Wood. “Then there are various cuts of natural stone that can be more affordable than alternative products as well.”

Many operations offer smaller scale options made from production remnants that are less expensive and demonstrate the industry’s commitment to green and sustainable production methods.

Natural stone has time on its side. Unlike other products that might deteriorate over time, natural stone can’t be beat when it comes to comparing long term performance, maintenance, and reusability.

TAGS:  landscape sustainability megy karydes inspire

SIMILAR ARTICLES:

Photo courtesy of Susan Schlenger.

Two Types of Bluestone

Photo courtesy of Tomkins Bluestone.

Photo courtesy of Tompkins Bluestone.

Many Uses

Photo courtesy of Tompkins Bluestone.

TAGS:  bluestone sandstone inspire landscape teresa meek

SIMILAR ARTICLES: