Using Travertine Pavers Around Your Pool

A great substitute is the use of travertine pavers. Travertine has earned a good reputation and rising in popularity in the region of Florida where it is often used on pool surfaces and it is actually making its name in other parts of the country. These pavers (you can also try out the tiles) are slices of a sedimentary rock that offer a great coverage of surface areas because of their toughness and offering of reliable traction for stable footing.

Travertine belongs to the limestone family. However, it is inappropriate to address it as travertine limestone because of the presence of other minerals. The formation of travertine stones takes several eons and it happens at the base of hot spring pools. As the hot water moves all the way up through the ground, it brings along with it several minerals until it reaches the surface with them.  When the water evaporates in the water pools, the minerals are left out and are collected on the bottom. The combination of the different minerals results in the unique colors and patterns of these pavers. As a matter of fact, it is impossible for two pavers to have the same shade and color which helps in increasing the impressive look around the pool area.

You can choose from three different surfaces when you are purchasing pavers. These surfaces are polished, honed and tumbled. Basically, a tumbled surface is the main choice for the surrounding area of the pool because its texture gives good and stable footing even when it's wet. Also, the existence of air pockets and natural voids let the water disperse unlike concrete where the water just sits on the surface. This also reduces the risks of slipping and falling.

Lately, people are also utilizing the tiles by installing them inside their homes. A good example is the travertine bathroom tile which looks very warm and nice and it gives the ancient feeling of using a Roman bath. Travertine's popularity can be traced back to during the rule of Roman Empire since its original quarrying site, where the name of the stone is derived, was just 60 miles away from the heart of the city.

Having your own pool makes you conscious about the trouble its surrounding area can cause. If you used a brick for the surrounding area, it easily gets hot which can give an unprotected foot a hard time. It also has the tendency to be really slippery when wet and its color fades off after several years of being exposed under the sun.

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Brick Wall Demolition

If you have an old masonry brick wall that needs to be demolished there are certain steps that should be followed to insure a safe and clean demolition. In this post where I am going to give a general overview of how to demolish a brick wall, this isn't exactly how it must be done but it does give you a pretty good idea of what needs to be done, just use a little common sense as you attempt to complete this project.

You first need to organize your demolition equipment. You are going to need a scaffolding, dumpster or dump truck, large tarps to cover the grounds work area, small hammer drill, partner saw, wheelbarrow, hammer, chisel, gloves, dust mask respirator and eye protection. It is also a good idea to wear long work jeans and a long sleeve work shirt to help protect yourself.

Try to position your dumpster or dump truck as close to the work area as possible, there is no sense in having to handle all the debris twice if you don't have to. Spread your tarps out below the work area to help reduce the debris field when it comes time to clean up. Start by making a series long vertical cuts about 2 to 3 foot apart with your partner saw from the top of the wall to the bottom as close as you can get down to. If it is an old masonry wall you may be able to skip this step if the mortar joints are weak.

Next you will want to get out your hammer drill. Be sure it is set to vibrate only and use a small wedge tip on the end of it. In this case the small bits generally work better that large ones when taking apart masonry structures. Go to very to course of the wall to begin, never start at the bottom. With you bit attack the bottom of the brick rite where the bottom of the brick meets the mortar, pull the trigger and after a few seconds the brick should pop loose, grab the brick and throw it in the dumpster and continue along one course at a time.

You should avoid trying to take multiple courses at once unless you are skilled in demolition work. Improper demolition can result in a collapse of the entire masonry structure which would not be good especially if you are standing under it, odds are you will suffer serious injury or death. If you notice the wall starting to buckle while you are demolishing it you may need to stop and shore up the wall with bracing until that section of wall is down. As you tear down the wall you should come across wall ties every few feet that may require a claw hammer or a metal cutting blade to remove them.

Finally clean up your work area, there will be a lot of debris so hopefully you put your tarps down well so cleanup will be much easier. If you are planning to replace your brick wall with another masonry structure be sure that the footer is totally cleaned off and all mortar is chiseled off as well, it will make installing your new brick wall much simpler. If you don't feel that you can tackle this project you should hire a qualified mason contractor or a demolition specialist.

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How to Install Flagstone - Add Great DIY Value to Your Home

Installing a flagstone patio is one of the most fulfilling do-it-yourself projects you can undertake. Not only will you be able to proudly declare that you toiled with your own hands to beautify your home, you can also regale your friends with tales of the money you saved by not hiring a professional (representative costs are in the range of $20 per square foot, resulting in a considerable outlay of $2000 for a small 10' X 10' plot). However, just knowing how to install flagstone is not enough to do a good job - you must learn to avoid some common mistakes. The following guidelines can be a good starting point:

1. Do not order flagstones over the phone or Internet. Visit the dealer in person to make the purchase. And before going, be sure to finalize the color, shape and texture you want. Ensure that you buy the right quantity; if required, make multiple trips.

2. Use proper tools. Do not depend on makeshift implements to do the work.

3. Ensure you have a solid base. If you do not, the stones may shift resulting in a crooked patio.

4. Ensure that any cracks and gaps between stones are properly filled to prevent tripping.

5. Ensure that the level of the stones is slightly higher than the surroundings to prevent accumulation of water.

The best resource to teach you how to install flagstone, and to avoid the aforementioned mistakes, is someone who has made this a lifelong vocation. Although it does not require the brains of a rocket scientist to learn how to install flagstone, it does take knowledge, skill and some hours of backbreaking effort. Amidst the numerous DIY guides available today, choose the one that promises to be thorough without promising miracles.

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Before Repointing or Tuck Pointing Identify the Root of the Problem

How does one know if repointing or tuck pointing a masonry structure is needed and what do you look for?

The signs of loose or deteriorated bricks or stone or mortar joints cracking or deteriorating, damp walls, or even damaged plasterwork on the inside of masonry walls.

One may assume that any and all of these signs of deterioration is caused by weathering or the natural break down of the masonry components from age related failure and this may not be the case at all.

The bottom line cause of the deterioration can come from a litany of other issues, such as: leaking roofs or gutters, foundation settlement of the building itself, improper mortar application, blocking moisture vents behind the masonry work causing dampness behind the masonry wall.

Another issue to consider in assessing the damage is the harness of the original mortar mixture. If the mortar is harder than the brick or stone that it is used on, the stone or brick itself can begin to spall, crack and fail like the mortar should have done (in doing its job over a period of many years) in the first place. The mortar is suppose to breath, flex, wick moisture and is suppose to eventually weather away and fail, so the brick and stone will not, leaving the wall itself in good structural condition.

All of these peripheral issues should always be dealt with prior to beginning work.

Without taking appropriate steps to repair and eliminate the source of the problem, mortar and /or masonry unit deterioration will continue, making any repointing a waste of time and money. It could also cause even further damage to building components other than the masonry portion of the structure.

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10 Useful Ways to Include Travertine in Projects

As the popularity of travertine is quickly spreading nationwide, it is worth discovering the many qualities and advantages that travertine has to offer. Travertine is a great natural stone that is convenient for both indoor and outdoor projects. In a concise manner, the following suggestions demonstrate the various ways that travertine can be incorporated into household projects.

1) Retaining walls

In order to prevent erosion on a hilly terrain, a retaining wall can be formed by stacking together various sizes of Travertine Pavers. Tumbled Travertine Pavers are the ideal material to be used on retaining walls due to their robust and porous surface.

2) Outdoor kitchens

Brushed & Chiseled Travertine Tiles are an excellent way to add sophistication and functionality to an outdoor kitchen project. These tiles are ideal for a high traffic area and should be sealed in case of spills and other occurrences that happen in the kitchen. Doing so will help to preserve and protect the travertine from stains. Travertine Tiles can also be used for the backsplash.

3) Fire pits/Fireplaces & Hearths

Traditional fireplaces have long been associated with bricks, but the decision to build a modern or even a rustic fireplace leaves plenty of room for other material options. The different colors, sizes and finishes of Travertine make it easier for homeowners to obtain the fireplace or hearth that they desire. Tumbled Travertine Pavers can also be used for outdoor fire pits as well as the walkways leading to the pit.

4) Walkways and steps

The tumbled surface of a Travertine Paver makes it a great choice for walkways, providing good traction for foot traffic. They are also strong enough to take on the load of heavier objects you may find along the way, such as large planters and patio sets. Travertine can be used for stairs, which is usually done with stair treads. It is a great way to incorporate the stairs with the walkway and is easy to install. Travertine comes in sizes that make the stair design more ergonomic.

5) Patios

One of the main uses of Travertine Pavers is on an outdoor patio. Patios made with Travertine Pavers are not only safer, but more accommodating as well. The pavers retain heat and as such will not burn your feet in hotter temperatures. They come in different sizes and colors differentiating them from the monotony of concrete and the busy illusion of bricks.

6) Driveways

At 1.25" thick, Chiseled Travertine Pavers are a great option for driveways. The chiseled edges allow a closer fit, giving the pavers a higher load capacity and the honed surface will not immediately absorb spills, (i.e. the oil dripping on the driveway for instance).

7) Bathrooms

Travertine Tiles and Mosaics come in various colors and designs to appeal to any bathroom project. They cost less than other materials in their category yet are easy to maintain. They are great for countertop backsplashes and are an innovative way to replace the typical subway bathroom tiles that are so common today.

8) Flooring

Travertine Pavers and Tiles are a simple way to increase your home's value. At a price that is more economical than other natural stone flooring, Travertine has become the obvious choice for home projects. It is recommended to have any high traffic areas sealed in order to preserve the Travertine's beauty and to protect it.

9) Walls

Travertine Tiles can be used on walls and ceilings to give the look of a room built entirely of stone. They can also be used in hallways, dens, studies or wine cellars. Travertine is extremely durable and is a great investment that will really stand the test of time.

10) Pool decks

Tumbled Travertine Pavers create a beautiful and refined space around a pool deck. Their porous surface ensures that any standing water will be immediately absorbed, leaving the area safe to walk upon. As mentioned earlier, they stay cool to the touch and will not burn your feet during hot summer months or in tropical climates. Travertine Pavers also work in cold weather climates as they are able to withstand repeat freeze/thaw cycles without so much as a crack, if properly installed.

As you can see, Travertine can be included in all types of projects and will add elegance and great taste to any mundane space - making it a natural stone not to overlook.

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Why Stucco Can Be a Damage Nightmare

I have worked with many products over the years and each has their pro and con but I have never seen the kind of nightmarish damage that unproperly applied Stucco can do. Take one project for example, there was a home owner who had a home with exterior stucco that didn't have proper channels installed and was generally poor in it's application and the water/general damage was massive, so much so he documented it on a site about the lawsuit.

To quote the introduction of the site:

"In 2002, the Thomas family contracted with a St. Louis based stucco and plaster company to install new stucco on the exterior of their home in St. Louis County, Missouri. A contract was drawn up with Lucas Stucco & EIFS Design, LLC. It was signed by Mr. Thomas for the homeowner, and Ralf Schlaefli of Lucas Stucco & EIFS Design. The stucco used was manufactured by Parex®, Inc. The contract called for Ralf Schlaefli to be personally present at the jobsite during most of the time that the Parex® stucco was being installed.

The type of material to be used was specified in the Parex® warranty as "Parex® one coat 210 stucco with 310 primer and acrylic finish."

There are two basic types of stucco systems used in residential applications. One is a "hard-coat", cement based material. The other is a Styrofoam-type panel covered with a thin coat of stucco, which is often referred to as an "Exterior Insulation and Finish System" or "EIFS" for short. The Thomas's contracted to purchase a hard-coat, cement-based Parex® stucco, not an EIFS stucco system, because of the moisture problems often associated with the EIFS systems.

After the cement stucco was applied to the exterior of the home, the Thomas's noticed cracks and pitting in the concrete stucco material, along with other defects. They contacted the installer who claimed that the job did not need repair. "

When I look at reports like that and other conversations on the subject I cant help but wonder if Stucco is worth the risk when there are many other options just as affordable and without the risk of damage from quality or application? There is now siding designed to look like wood or stone that can give just as good of a finish and be repaired or installed much easier and less intrusively.

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The Benefits of Brick and Stone Pavers

Patio Pavers

Whether you have a brick or flagstone patio, adding concrete pavers is a good way to enhance the beauty of brick or stone. Pavers are made in a number of colors and materials, and can be installed or removed fairly easily.

Other Uses

Besides patios, you can also use pavers as borders along:

Sidewalks

Driveways

Decks of pools

Fountains

Brick Pavers

As stated, pavers come in a number of colors and materials. The most popular kinds of pavers are made of brick, used to enhance the look of sidewalks and driveways. Brick pavers are also simple to clean and only require a scrub brush, and some soap and water. You can pick brick pavers in a variety of designs too. Choices include fan-shaped, w-shaped, x-shaped, rectangular and keyhole designs. Rectangular brick pavers are one of the most common pavers available. Therefore, if you're confused about what to pick, you won't go wrong with this design or material. Select from colors such as buff, brown, red or green.

Concrete Pavers

Pavers made of concrete go well with flagstone, brick and concrete walkways or patios. If you live in climates where winter temperatures dip below zero, concrete pavers are a good choice. They're able to hold up well in extreme temperatures. Choose pavers in shades such as ochre, pink, bisque, white or sand. Pavers come in keyhole, x-shape, y-shape, pentagon, hexagon and fan designs.

Expensive Yet Long-lasting

Pavers are made of sandstone, blue stone, granite and limestone as well. Such pavers are typically quite pricey. These kinds of pavers are usually used for patios and sidewalks or around pools or fountains. You can choose pavers made of these materials in a variety of geometric designs. Choose from hexagonal, rectangular, octagonal or square styles. These types of pavers are exceptionally durable and can last well over several decades.

An Eco-friendly Paver

Another type of paver is a turf paver. These hollow pavers are installed using a grid system with a concrete or recycled plastic foundation. Upon installation of this grid, also referred to as a "honeycomb" system, gravel and topsoil are added inside. The pavers making up these grids encourage the growth of grass over the structure, which creates an incredibly strong pavement made of turf or grass. These eco-friendly pavers are used to reduce the erosion of the soil and are a great "green" alternative to 100% concrete pavements.

Using Pavers - A Host of Possibilities

Pavers can be used in a number of settings in order to enhance the landscape or the features of a particular path or area on a property. For instance, you can create a border along your driveway, add a circle design, say, around a tree in your yard, or create a border around bushes. For proportion, make sure to use larger pavers in bigger areas and smaller pavers in condensed spots in your yard or on your property. Or, for variation, combine the use of larger-sized pavers with smaller pavers. You can truly be inventive with the number of designs and colors that are available.

Check your paving and decorating options with respect to landscaping. Looking at pavers online is a good place to start.

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The Benefits of Brick Paver Cleaning and Sealing During the Summertime

Now that the Chicago area is well into the summer season, it is a great time to consider applying a brick sealer. Many potential clients ask me why they should consider a paver sealing on their existing brick paver surfaces. Protection is the key word here. For years people have painted the outside of our home for protection. It is equally important to protect your brick pavers with a brick sealer. I have listed the numerous benefits of using a brick paver sealer.

• Brick sealing provides a protective coating over the brick surface. This will help to prevent dirt and stains from penetrating into the paver and make it easier to perform a brick cleaning in the future.

• Paver Sealer provides protection from the suns destructive UV rays. Brick sealing helps to prevent that dull bleached - out look that occurs when pavers have not been protected with a paver sealer.

• Brick Sealing enhances the color of the brick surface. A paver sealer will bring back the bricks beautiful gray, brown, buff and red colors that have dulled over the years.

• Brick paver sealer helps to seal in the joint stabilization sand. This will help to seal out weeds and ants, while also sealing the joint sand in place helping to maintain a more stable walking surface.

Keep in mind that the dog days of summer in Chicago translate to hot dry weather and the best time to apply a brick sealer. It is important for the pavers to be fully dried out before any sealer can be applied. A professionally applied brick sealing will provide long lasting protection from the elements and potential spills while beautifying your existing brick surface for years to come.

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Is Natural Stone "Green?"

There has been a debate for years about whether or not natural stone slabs are "green". To understand the answer we must look at what it means for a product to be considered green. A sustainable or green product is manufactured by increasing the efficiency of natural resources such as energy, water, and material usage while reducing the impact on the environment during its life cycle. Increasing the efficiency of resources could be achieved in many ways. Modern technology has made it possible to develop machinery that reduces the use of water or electricity with the same or increased production. Another example would be producing products that yield less waste. The other necessary factor is reducing the impact on the environment during construction, use, and demolition.

According to the Marble Institute of America, natural stone is "Mother Nature's original green building material". Natural stone is durable and outlasts most other building materials. This is evident when looking at historical structures as far back as the Roman, Greek, and even Egyptian eras. Today, natural stone slabs such as granite and marble are used for a vast array of building materials. Some of the most common types are counter tops, shower surrounds, flooring, exterior cladding, and interior wall tile. Natural stone slabs are solid rocks extracted directly from the earth in manageable sizes. There is little manufacturing involved in quarrying stone slabs. They are available in multiple types of stone including granite, marble, limestone, travertine, onyx, sandstone, and soapstone. Each stone type has countless color options determined by the region of the world that they are found. Unlike man-made surfaces, natural stone slabs have no bonding agents such as a polymer resin. In addition, they do not emit VOCs and are recommended to be cleaned with pH-neutral cleaners; not only improving the air quality, but reducing chemicals in our sewer and soil. Materials that can be utilized in their natural state such as granite and marble greatly reduce the impact on the environment.

Granite and marble slabs are extremely durable with the longevity to last longer than the life of the building. Since it is one of the hardest natural stones, granite is able to be salvaged, re-cut, and reused - closing the life cycle. All natural stone slabs are 100% recyclable with endless ways to re-purpose the material. New ways to recycle stone are being developed every day. A few examples are resizing the slabs into pavers and tiles, grinding it into chips to be bonded in engineered counter top surfaces, and even crushing it into rocks for landscaping. The benefit of using granite and marble in these recycled products is that the stone is durable in any form.

Natural stone quarries are located all over the world, making it convenient to find a regional source within several hundred miles of most projects. Selecting a local stone is another way to reduce the impact on the environment by minimizing transportation effects. The final factor that determines if natural stone is sustainable is the decisions made by the end user. Selecting a regional stone, cleaning it with earth-friendly products and being responsible about the demolition ensure the best possible outcome.

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Why Plastering Is an Art, Not Just a Skill

Plastering a wall or ceiling may look easy, but anyone who has had a go themselves will know just how tricky it really is. A good plasterer is so highly skilled in his or her craft that they can make the job look effortless. Smooth, creamy plaster glides onto the surface and dries out evenly and perfectly flat - but only when the job is done well.

Most building services companies include plastering in their range of services. When they find someone good, they hang on to them as a valuable commodity. Plastering, like every trade, has some highly skilled craftsmen and women, but many more who are still learning or just don't take care to get it right.

From mixing up the plaster to preparing the surface to applying a smooth coat, there are many things to take into consideration. A good building services company will understand this and respect their plasterer's art. For example, the humidity and temperature on the day of plastering will affect the consistency of the mix and the drying time. If plaster dries too quickly it will crack. The characteristics of the surface being plastered are important too. It won't stick to a damp or glossy surface. Knowing how to get all of these elements right is a skill that most people aren't aware of.

The part of the job that people do notice is the speed and art with which the plaster goes onto the wall or ceiling. With quick and steady sweeps of the arm, a smooth surface is created. Watching this being done well is an impressive sight and has inspired many amateurs to embark on their own projects, with disastrous consequences. Another sign of good plastering skills is the care he or she takes to avoid creating a mess. It is important to take the time to lay out dust sheets, loosen sockets and switches and vacuum the floor after you've finished.

Plasterers are often retained on a monthly wage by building services companies so that they can be sure that they are available when needed. Often a project such as an extension or a renovation will involve several tradesmen trying to work around each other to get everything completed in time. Plastering is one of the final tasks and cannot be done until the electricians, plumbers and joiners have all done their bit. The building services company is usually in a hurry by the time it calls in the plasterer, so availability is crucial.

Most people, whether they are managing their own building work or employing a building services company appreciate the skill and art of plastering once they have seen both good and bad examples.

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Stepping Stones: Walk With Ease

With the kind of life you are experiencing right now, what more you can ask for? Are you in need of a better garden in which you can be alone just to relax and walk like you do not have any problems or issues at all? There are a lot of healthy decorations you can have for a garden and if you like to experience a walk early in the morning in order to stretch those muscles, then placing some decorative stepping stones is something that you need to consider doing. Having such decorative stones can really be pleasing to look at for they can surely invite you to walk or even to run while having a breath of fresh air. If you like the idea of having them, then you must think first on what kind of walkways you will consider for they appear in various styles, designs and colors. Choices might confuse you but don't let confusion rule over you. You know what you really want so just stick to it.

Why do you need an attractive walkway right on your mini garden? Will that enhance the look of your garden aside from the flowers and the birdhouses? Will those walkways be great decorations and will they be very easy to maintain thinking that you only need to wipe them off with the use of water if they get dirty? If you have set these questions in mind and you surely found them as descriptions for the kind of stepping stones you have,then don't hold back with your plan so in the right time, you can already walk with ease while on your mini garden.

These stepping stones are considered to be work of art and they are styled differently for various purposes or depending on the personality of the garden owner. If you only want to be simple with your stepping stone choices, then you can just choose those that are plain in color so you won't need not to worry how to match them with the dominant colors around. On the other hand, if you like little stylish and unique choices for the stepping stones, you can also choose those that are made out of different color combination's so to give more life to your space.

It is not hard to place those stepping stones, but you only need to take time in doing it and you also need to subject yourself to careful planning. Placing those decorative foot walks can be fun, specifically if you are really happy doing it and if your mind is really inclined to work.

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How to Prepare Ground For and Lay Paving

Before laying paving in your garden, you first need to prepare the ground. There are a number of steps that need to be taken to ensure not just that your paving looks good once laid, but that it remains looking good for a long time afterward.

Poor preparation is the greatest cause of paving problems and there are no real short-cuts, so make the effort and you will only have to do the job once and won't need to make repairs and adjustments subsequently.

First of all, remove the topsoil and dig down. You need to dig fairly deep, preferably until you reach hard ground as this will provide a firm foundation. Next, you need to calculate what level the paving will sit at after you have laid it and don't forget to allow a fall so that water can drain.

Lay around 30mm of sand. If you are laying a patio, you will need around 100mm of stone. For driveways, (which will have to support greater weight) you will need 150mm. Once this is laid, compact it with a plate vibrator. Sand will be laid on top of this as the first part of the actual paving process.

Once you have properly prepared the ground by digging down and compacting sand and stone, you are now ready to lay your paving.

First of all, you need to create falls for water run-off. Having chosen a coarse concrete sand, spread it evenly, deep enough for compaction. Use a plate vibrator to then compact it.

You will now need to set up the screed boards. Set them so that the top is 5mm higher than the bottom of the paving will be. Screed the compacted sand off. If the sand is not high enough, add more and compact once again. Having done this and screeded, remove the boards and fill the gaps, screeding again.

Now, having chosen a pattern for your paving, you are ready to start laying. A builder's line can function as a guide. The edge slabs can be cut using a power saw or guillotine. Once these have been positioned, you can now compact your paving and spread jointing sand to fill the gaps. Compact the jointing sand and then top them up. Your paving is now laid and assuming you have prepared the ground properly, should last for many years to come.

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Backyard Fire Pit Ideas

If you want to liven up your backyard, I could suggest to you one effective way to do so, try placing a home - made fire pit. The only requirement is that you must have sufficient amounts of creativity and you need to exert a lot of effort so that you could create backyard fire pit that would be perfect for family barbecues and stuff. You could even recreate medieval witch - burning ceremonies. But of course, I am only joking. However, what I am not joking about is these backyard fire pit ideas.

Creating your own pit is note that difficult if you know where to get materials that could be used for creating it. There is a lot of unusual stuff that could be utilized to create fire pits.

Tractor Tire Fire Pit - you could get this from junk yards. First, you should find a flat and even surface in which you would place it. Make sure it is far from flammable materials like fuel or things that would easily get burned like paper, trees, dried grass and stuff. And of course, keep it away from your house. Distance it a bit. If you have concrete in your backyard, that would be great, if not, you could dump some gravel first or maybe some dirt to create a rather safe spot. Next, you dig a hole. Not too deep, maybe a foot deep or 12 inches. Afterwards, lay the tire rim and surround it with bricks or stones. Fill it with fire and you are ready to go! Stone and / or brick Fire Pits - you could also select a rather natural option. Stone and bricks are perfect materials for ire pits since it doesn't burn and also it would look appealing to use it. This option needs a lot of stone and / or bricks, whichever is available in your vicinity. There are also stone landscaping blocks are also available, but always be sure that they are not flammable or it doesn't include any plastic or any sort of flammable adhesives. You could also use concrete blocks or hollow blocks as an alternative option however, concrete deteriorates to heat through time. But the good thing about concrete is that it is cheap and you could replace it immediately if needed. You could purchase these things on most building supply stores.Building it is easy as well. All you have to do is to dig a 12 inch hole on the ground, set a layer of stone around it. Allow small gaps between the stones to allow air. This is perfect if you are stacking dry. You could lay three to four levels of stone or / and brick and fill the middle with gravel to assist with the drainage. So now that you have a variety of backyard fire pit ideas, you now have access to a backyard fire pit that would bring more chilled and relaxed moments in your life, together with your family and friends. Outdoor Fire Place Design   The Incredible Building Block - The Brick!   Indian Granite Manufacturers   How To Prepare A Base For A Stone Or Paver Walkway Or Patio   Black Granite - A Beautiful Flooring Material   

Natural Tiles - Smooth to Touch

Tiling of any floor depends on several important factors. And all factors are meant to make the floor good looking and smooth to walk. Some comes with one feature and some with more other. But, natural tiles are tiles which are available with numerous friendly features..

This tile is not only used to enhance the beauty of desired place but also to make the floor friendly to walk. Personal bathrooms of anyone can also get decorated with this product. It can reflect the look of posh hotels in anyone's bathroom..

Use of the said tiling material in cleaver manner can help one to get distinct look of bathroom or other area where it is used. Moreover, wide colour options can also help one to decorate the specific area in the own way. Credit goes to different colour and patterns of this tiling material which led the professional contractors to make use of this product in wide residential as well as commercial projects..

Limestone, slate and travertine are some popular natural tile forms. One can use any of this form as they all come with different appealing looks and quality feature. And they all can be used in bathrooms as they come with anti-slippery feature. Cleaning and maintenance tips for natural tiling materials are very simple and easy to follow..

Natural tiles installation are no more a tough task for professional tile installers. They keep into account the size of product needed for the floor. They usually use small sized product for small area and large for large area. This helps in proper utilization of the product as well as it is money saving. Hence, one has to consider certain points for the use of natural tiles to make floor smooth and easy to walk.

Outdoor Fire Place Design   The Incredible Building Block - The Brick!   Indian Granite Manufacturers   How To Prepare A Base For A Stone Or Paver Walkway Or Patio   Black Granite - A Beautiful Flooring Material   How To Retain The Shine On Marble Tiles   

Real Stone Thin Veneer Labor Numbers and the Speed of the Job - Mason and Customer Perspectives

From just a glance at the title, one might think that what is good for the mason is contrary, or in conflict, with what is good for the customer. In this article I am going to try to rationalize why that is NOT true - why the Win for One party is NOT the Loss for the Other party.

In reality, the dynamics in the entire market of real stone and real stone thin veneer have changed, and life can be a win - win for all involved.

Here's what I'm talking about...

First of all, it's hard for me to understand why the cost of labor to install real stone thin veneer would be any different than the cost to lay manufactured stone thin veneer (but there seems to be some margin). If you break manufactured stone to make it fit you have a problem hiding the chopped off end; whereas if you trim real stone thin veneer you don't have that problem. The guys that are good at it tell me they can lay an equivalent amount of either real or fake stone thin veneer in a day. The only thing I can think of is that some contractors may charge more to lay real stone thin veneer because of the "perceived value" of the final job. Obviously, real stone thin veneer (especially high quality; with natural tops, bottoms and ends) will look like a full bed depth job in real stone. There's no comparison between that look and fake. Since customers generally pay a little more for real stone thin veneer than fake, I'm guessing some contractors will try to get whatever the market will bear. My prediction is that when the amount of people accustomed to and experienced in laying real stone thin veneer, becomes equal to the amount of people experienced in laying fake, I think we will definitely see the labor rates come down.

I believe a lot of this has to do with just understanding reality and mostly boils down to education. What needs to take place is a paradigm shift in people's thinking. Once experienced masons are enlightened that the philosophy that I am trying to impart upon them is a win / win / win / win situation, I am hoping a light bulb will turn on and we'll all live happily ever after.

Here's what I'm talking about in true numbers. The day your average mason realizes the following facts and converts the numbers into acceptable logic we will see labor rates fall.

Installation time for real stone thin veneer is just about the same as it is for manufactured (fake) stone thin veneer.

The average mason can lay approximately (4) times as much thin veneer in a day as full bed depth stone. Normally this equates to 160 feet per day versus 40. As a side benefit, the customer is elated that the "mess" of labor is at his home or place of business is only there for 1/4 of the old time-frame. Logic has it that if a masonry installer wanted to make the exact same amount of money per day installing thin veneer versus what he used to earn installing full bed depth ledge, that he could (should) charge ¼ of the price.

Just a little deeper: If one mason laid 40 sq. ft. of real stone full bed depth ledge in one day and charged $25 per sq. ft. the labor bill for the day would be $1,000.

In the same vein, if that same mason laid (4) times as much thin veneer in a day (real or fake), and charged ¼ of his normal rate, or $6.25 per sq. ft. for labor, his labor bill for the day would be the same $1,000.

If $1,000 per day was acceptable earnings for installing full bed, why wouldn't $1,000 per day be acceptable for installing thin veneer? And, why should there be any difference between whether the thin veneer was real stone or fake stone? The question is just like why would a painter charge differently to paint with green paint versus to paint with red paint?

The mason wants more?: charge 1/3 of old rate, $8.33 per sq. ft. and earn $1,332.80 for the days' labor.

As a disclaimer: the above numbers are just for illustration purposes. Labor rates are diverse across America and certain places cost more than others because of many factors.

Also, I'm the first to agree and say that all masons are not created equally, and you get more or less what you pay for. The final look of the job depends upon the installer - not the stone, not the architect, and not the person paying the bill. The three later variables and parties can have all good intentions, but the same stone will look different depending upon the expertise of the installer.

Just like I am trying to share my thoughts and knowledge, I think if stone quarriers, stone fabricators, stone wholesalers and stone retailers work together, we can teach people in the installation trade how to better analyze this equation as well.

First, they need to understand, accept and be pleased with the logic of the numbers. Carefully stated, it's easy, not offensive. Hopefully I'm accomplishing that goal here because I have a goal for this message to be read by that group. The group (masons and thin veneer installers) is important to the very essence to what I do for a living. Even though some "do it yourselfers" will install real stone thin veneer, the majority of the work is still being done by professionals.

Second, they need to know how to actually install real stone thin veneer. I envision "How to" classes by the stone yards who take the lead to be instrumental. Anything well understood is perceived easier to do, and is in reality, easier to do.

Third, everyone needs to understand the concept of everyone winning.

I want the mason to understand he is winning. He will earn just as much money, or more, installing real stone thin veneer, as anything else he does.

I want the mason to understand that if he is running a crew, that his crew can do more jobs in a year because each job is going 2 - 4 times as fast. This actually means that his company could double, triple or quadruple gross revenues. This logic is equal for the installer running solo.

I want the mason to realize and remember that he'll get more jobs if his rates are more reasonable. The cost of the job is materials plus labor. When labor decreases the total cost of the job decreases. The less the total cost of the job - the more jobs that will be done because of the larger number of people that will be able to afford to have the work contracted. With budgets being tighter than ever, a larger number of potential customers is obviously a big plus in today's economy.

The quadruple win?

The ultimate consumer is paying less and getting more value for his expenditure, and more customers are getting stonework.

Positive "word of mouth" advertising is created - the best type! The mason is actually earning more money than he did before.

With more jobs being done, the Stone Yards and Building Material companies are selling more thin veneer to their contractor customers.

And my selfish reason for educating - we, the quarrier and fabricator will sell more stone to our dealers.

If the current work pool of masonry contractors does not understand nor embrace my philosophy (and the philosophy shared by many piers that I respect), then my prediction is that, we, as a group, will be teaching a new group of people to install.

I believe that "if installers of real stone thin veneer do not become more competitive, other people will enter the labor market, learn their trade and take their business away." People move towards jobs. Therefore, if masons in premium markets do not catch on, I warn - watch out!

Build with real stone and build forever...

There is no doubt that the market is moving from a tolerance for fake stone to a preference for real stone. Further, my contention is that some people, like tile setters for example, will learn the trade and lay real stone thin veneer for less money than the guys that are controlling the market today. Additionally, with the weaknesses in the economy, and the desperation of other tradesmen, maybe several other types of contractors will look at laying real stone thin veneer at a $5- $10 per foot rate and be happy with the money they are making.

This is all positive news, if you didn't receive that feeling from your first read of this article...read it again! (please)

Outdoor Fire Place Design   The Incredible Building Block - The Brick!   Indian Granite Manufacturers   How To Prepare A Base For A Stone Or Paver Walkway Or Patio