Stone Profile
Quarried stone comes in a variety of sizes and shapes. In fact, almost every stone is available in every shape for landscaping, which means a uniform look can be achieved. Because of the inexact nature of stonecutting, sizes are approximations; lengths vary. Stone is available as:
- Flagstone (paving stone) -- irregular shapes or rectangles used for patio and path surfaces.
- Edge -- 4 x 4-inch blocks used for lining planting beds, driveways, etc.
- Wall -- 8 x 8-, 8 x 6-, or 8 x 4-inch blocks used for retaining walls.
- Step -- 6 x 14- to 8 x 14-inch blocks, usually in lengths of 36-48 inches, used for making steps.
- Cube -- 20 x 20-inch blocks used for massive retaining walls or informal benches; may be plumbed for fountains.
- Site amenity -- rock shaped into benches, arbors, etc.
Stone is plentiful in all parts of the country. To conserve costs, buy native rock rather than more expensive imported stone. Use the prices quoted in this article as a guide to Midwestern stone costs. Most native stone will be comparably priced per ton in other parts of the country, but you may spend about the same or up to 5 percent less in the Northeast and up to 5-10 percent more in the Southeast. In the Northwest and Southwest, costs are about 10-15 percent more than in the Midwest.
Also, if you live in Arizona, for example, and have your heart set on Pennsylvania bluestone, you will pay more for it -- 30-40 percent more -- than for local sandstone.
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Bricks and Blocks
Less expensive than quarried stone or fieldstone, manufactured materials such as brick and concrete offer value and easy installation, even for the novice landscaper. They are available in many shapes, colors, and sizes at your local stoneyard. If you need to match existing brick, special orders also are possible. Bricks are made of clay, fired in a kiln at 1,900 degrees F, and come in shades of red, brown, and yellow. For hardscaping purposes, bricks you want to know about are:
Building bricks -- These bricks can be used for virtually any construction purpose. They come in a standard nominal 8 x 4-inch size (which means they are actually 7-5/8 x 3-5/8 inches in size -- the mortar in between the bricks makes up thedifference). They are graded according to their ability to withstand various weather conditions. Grade SW (severe weather) is used in regions that experience severe winters or for projects that come in contact with the ground (such as retaining walls and patios). Grade MW (moderate weather) is used in regions that experience moderate winters; use this grade for aboveground walls but not for patios or retaining walls.
Paving bricks -- These bricks are harder than building bricks, come in true 8 x 4-inch size, and are installed without mortar. They are used for dry-laying in sand for patios, paths, and driveways. They are graded according to how much traffic load they can bear (use type 2 or 3) and how much weather they can stand (use class SX for severe winters or MS for moderate winters).
Concrete paving and retaining wall materials have made great leaps in the past few years; gone are the plain gray versions of the past. Concrete now comes in a multitude of colors and textures suitable for any home landscape. Concrete materials are also the easiest of hardscape items to install. They include:
Although made of concrete, pavers function just like paving bricks but are more durable and less expensive. They come in assorted sizes, shapes, and colors; some interlock for added stability. They are used for paths, patios, and driveways.
Interlocking blocks -- Used for retaining walls, interlocking blocks are a mortarless system, making them an ideal choice for the home landscaper to create planting beds and small retaining walls. (For retaining walls higher than 3 or 4 feet, we recommend professional installation to deal with the logistics of retaining that much earth.) Interlocking blocks are available in a wide range of colors. New on the market are tumbled blocks, which tone down the commercial feel.
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Home Delivery
Don't be shy about stopping in and checking out your local stoneyard. Many of them have on-staff professionals happy to provide suggestions on the choice of stone and base underlayment. They'll also check out your site, give advice on drainage, and refer you to qualified contractors if your project is beyond your abilities.
Delivery services are available at all stoneyards for a nominal fee. Don't attempt to load stone in your car -- it's not worth the risk of damage to your vehicle or your back. The stone company will deliver the materials directly to you. Many delivery trucks have backhoes that come along for the ride; have the company deliver the materials as close to the actual job site as possible because you don't want to cart rock from the end of the driveway, around the house, and to the backyard.
If possible, rent a backhoe for a day or so if you are installing your stone project yourself. If that's not feasible, make sure you have a heavy-duty, contractor-grade wheelbarrow -- a small one will wilt under the weight when hauling a load of rock or brick around the yard. (Remember those buddies you tapped to help you? They'll thank you, too, for owning the right wheelbarrow, which you can also use to mix mortar in.) Above all, if you're moving rock around, watch your back.
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