Almost all concrete paving stones attempt to achieve the same look, that is, the look of natural stone. So why not use the real deal? Natural stone is available in a vast range of sizes, shapes, looks, and colours, all with a different application to meet your project's needs. Additionally, natural stone is unique; unlike concrete products, no piece of natural stone is the same as the last. Keep reading to see how some of the most common types of natural stone can be used to make your project unique.
Flagstone: Square Cut or Random
Natural flagstone is available in a few different formats to meet your project's needs: Random, square-cut, and jumbo. The following are some great advantages of flagstone and how the different formats they come in may be of benefit to your project.
- Natural stone has a look that can only be achieved with the real thing. Using natural stone will truly make your project unique.
- Do you have a poured concrete porch and steps that need to be freshened up? Natural stone is the perfect fix; due to its thinner profile, it can easily be overlayed onto existing poured concrete.
Bulk Armour Stone
The trailer parked on the side of the road filled with armour stone and a number to call; this is bulk armour stone. While this type of stone is something we offer, we believe there are superior alternatives.
Pros:
- Bulk armour stone is very cost-effective; it can be offered at low prices due to the lack of handling it requires.
- Just as it says in the name, when buying bulk armour stone you get it in bulk. If you need a full truckload of 100-150' of armour stone, then this might be the option for you.
Cons:
- Generally, the quality of bulk armour stone is not great. You can usually expect to see some flaking and a range of colours, shapes and sizes. Think of it as the seconds in a batch of stone.
- Often, this product is sold without the purchaser being able to actually see the stone they'll be getting. Bulk armour stone is a very irregular product, so without seeing what you're purchasing, what arrives at your job site will often not meet expectations. The stone will show up at your house/job site, and you will get what you get.
- Due to the nature of bulk armour stone, you often do not end up saving money when choosing this product for your project. With this product, there is more waste and a higher weight per face feet, which increases product cost and more irregularity in the sizing, making installation more difficult and costly.
Guillotined Armour Stone
Guillotined armour stone is a type of armour stone that is broken into more uniform shapes and sizes. Due to its more uniform shape, it provides a much easier installation and a higher-quality finished look.
- As with other natural stone, guillotined armour stone has a unique look that will never be achieved with concrete retaining wall blocks.
- The uniform shape and size of guillotined armour stone ensures an easy installation. Due to their size, you are handling less stone. For a jobsite with a machine to move them, this means less labour and time needed to complete the project.
- All armour stone is sold by the lbs, so the stone being guillotined front and back means you can buy less weight to achieve the same face footage.
- Unlike with bulk armour stone, you can come to our yard and see it before you buy it. Our knowledgeable staff will help you pick the right size and quantity for your project.
Stone Steps
Looking to add some curb appeal to your home? A natural stone step makes a great addition to any front entrance.
- Natural stone steps are very durable and are a great choice for a long-lasting step.
- As mentioned, no natural stone is the same as the last, and with a range of types of stone and colours, you will never have the same step as your neighbours.
Stone Coping
Will there be a retaining wall, garden wall or pool included in your next project? If so, you will need some coping to finish the top of your wall or the edge of your pool.
- If your wall or pool already has concrete elements, natural stone provides a great enhancement. The live rock edge and natural colours of natural stone bring another element to the look of your project that you will love.
Thin Veneer Stone
While you might think of indoor fireplaces when you hear thin veneer stone, it does have many uses for landscape projects as well. With its vast range of looks, textures, and colours it may just be what your project needs.
- Including an outdoor kitchen in your backyard project? Veneer stone is the perfect product to face the front of your kitchen.
- Maybe an outdoor fireplace, accent wall, pizza oven, or waterfall is on the radar for your project; veneer stone could be a great natural stone substitute for concrete products in all of these applications.