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Designing with Natural Stone

Combining durability and elegance, natural stone is a popular design choice among architects, builders, decorators and homeowners.

One other advantage when designing with natural stone? It’s unique. Unlike mass-produced building materials, no two natural stones are alike. Each stone displays distinctive coloring, grain and density. The uniqueness of stone products assures users. They know that when creating with it, no other building or home will have the same look.

Here are some considerations when designing with natural stone:

Natural stone building products come in slabs, tiles or mosaics. It’s also available in individual stones. Choose pebbles or even boulders!
For interior designing, natural stone is popular for bath and kitchen countertops, kitchen backsplashes, floors, fireplaces and more.
Outdoors, natural stone is often the choice for fireplaces, floors, patios, stairways, walkways and walls.
Pebbles, small stones and mosaic tile designs create one-of-kind floor and wall decorations. In fact, mosaic tile designs in natural stone are a great way to add geometric shapes. Use them in modern interiors or with outdoor living spaces.
Natural stone not only enhances beauty; it also adds value. It’s an investment that will last for years. It may also increase resale value when it’s time to move.

With types of natural stone should you use? You’ll want to consult with your natural stone supplier or natural stone contractor. But here are some suggestions.

Designing with granite. Durable and versatile, it displays small mineral flecks and offers endless variations. Granite resists heat, scratches and stains.
Designing with limestone. It’s the choice for those who are designing natural. Common uses include flooring, backsplashes and fireplaces. Limestone is also used as cladding for interior and exterior walls.
Designing with marble. It’s a classic selection, often showing stunning colors and wonderful patterns. When polished, marble stone is smooth, dramatic and lustrous.
Designing with quartzite. A popular choice for countertops, its elements are light in tone. Quartzite colors range from pearl white to gray.
Designing with travertine. A beautiful stone, it’s a common building material because of its durability and versatility. Travertine can be used almost anywhere in a home.

Specializing in natural stone additions and repairs for exteriors, Cirigliano Masonry serves home and business owners throughout the Pittsburgh area. From design to build, rely on us for brick masonry, pointing and repair as well as indoor and outdoor fireplaces, stone masonry, stone wall repairs and more.

What is Natural Stone

Natural stone refers to products quarried from the earth. Used as building materials and decorative enhancements, popular types of natural stone includes granite, limestone, marble, quartzite, slate, travertine and onyx, to name a few.

natural stone on a home Ask someone to describe the benefits of natural stone and they’re likely to begin with beauty. After all, the look of countertops, fireplaces, floors, patios, stairways, walkways and entire homes is often enhanced with natural stone.

But, beyond appearance, there’s much more that makes stone an attractive choice in building materials! Consider these other benefits to natural stone:

Natural stone is durable. Practically indestructible, it withstands fire, hail, heat, rain, snow and wind. What’s more, when stone is used on countertops or as tile on floors, it resists scratches, stains and burns. That makes it a popular choice in well-used rooms like kitchens and bathrooms. It’s also often the pick for high-traffic areas like hallways and family rooms.
Natural stone is efficient. Stone has a thermal mass that naturally insulates. Homeowners save energy (and money!) that would otherwise be needed to heat or cool a house.
Natural stone is environmentally friendly. People who choose natural stone over synthetic materials benefit the earth several ways. A natural product, stone does not require energy for production. The result? Pollution is not a by-product of the production of natural stone.
Natural stone is easy to maintain. When properly sealed, it’s relatively simple to care for. Cleaning and maintenance vary by application, but you’ll begin by keeping your natural stone free of debris.
Natural stone is unique. It’s a one-of-a-kind natural product that sets a home or stone building apart from others. Density, veining and shading or color can vary from one box or shipment to another. Its uniqueness makes it a favorite choice of architects, builders, designers and homeowners who are striving for something special.
Natural stone is versatile. It’s available primarily in tiles and slabs, but in an almost infinite array of colors, sizes and types. Granite, travertine, limestone, marble and slate are just a few of your many options in natural stone.
Natural stone is affordable. Compare natural stone to other building material options and you may be pleasantly surprised. Highly durable, it lasts for years. What’s more, it’s an investment that can bring good returns in the long run. In many instances, stone can improve the resale value of a home.

Specializing in exterior natural stone additions and repairs, Cirigliano Masonry serves home and business owners throughout the Pittsburgh area. From design to build and extending to your full satisfaction, rely on us for brick masonry, pointing and repair as well as indoor and outdoor fireplaces, stone masonry, stone wall repairs and more.

The Process of Installing & Sealing Natural Stone

While re-sealing your natural stone flooring can count as do-it-yourself home maintenance, the initial installation and sealing is another story.

Installing Natural Stone

A talented amateur may be able to handle an inside job like installing tiling in a bathroom. But for outdoor natural stone projects such as fireplaces, floors, patios, stairways or walkways, you’ll benefit from the specialized expertise of an experienced pro. They should be able to:

Accurately estimate the natural stone and other materials you’ll need — minimizing costly material overages or inconvenient shortfalls
Prepare the site, which may include moving grass, shrubbery or even trees
Excavate the location and prepare the bedding for the natural stone, if necessary
Move large and extremely heavy natural stone slabs safely — and without breakage
Measure, cut, fit and grout your floor and stone tiling
Level your outdoor natural stone flooring, walkways and more
Adhere to plans so that your finished project looks like the approved design

Sealing Natural Stone

Inside, sealing stone tiles offers protection against moisture or staining. But, it’s important outdoors, too. And, not just on flat surfaces.

Stone on the outside of your house should still be sealed to help repel water. Why? Natural stone absorbs moisture. It’s constantly expanding and contracting depending upon the amount of water it soaks up. This expansion and contraction can stress the mortar joints over time. The result? Cracking or shifting of the joints.

As with installations, a do-it-yourselfer should be able to handle sealing on smaller, inside natural stone projects. Outside, rely on your natural stone contractor to take care of sealing at time of installation.

Re-Sealing Natural Stone

With high-quality sealers, the average application lasts three to five years. However, in high-traffic areas, you may need to reseal natural stone more often. One simple test? Put a drop of water on the stone. If it beads off, then your stone is sealed and does not need to be re-sealed at this time.

Specializing in exterior natural stone additions and repairs, Cirigliano Masonry serves home and business owners throughout the Pittsburgh area. From design to build and extending to your full satisfaction, rely on us for brick masonry, pointing and repair as well as indoor and outdoor fireplaces, stone masonry, stone wall repairs and more.

Cleaning Natural Stone Do’s and Don’ts

There’s no denying the incredible beauty of natural stone. Of course, the fact that marble and other stone offers a unique look and delivers years of enjoyment adds to its attractiveness in the eye of many home and business owners!

Natural Stone Steps It’s a popular material for fireplaces, floors, patios, stairways, walkways and other outdoor applications — which means it’s exposed to the elements, likely to receive a lot of traffic … and needs occasional cleaning to keep its beauty at its best.

The good news? For all the toughness associated with natural stone, it’s remarkably easy to clean and maintain! Some tips:

Do dust-mop stone floors or sweep regularly; sand and small stones can mar a good finish!
Do clean stone surfaces with stone soap or a mild detergent.
Do completely rinse with clean water after washing and dry stone surfaces.
Do blot up spills immediately; time enables them to sink in and become stains.
Don’t use cleaners that contain acids such as bathroom or grout cleaners or tub-and-tile products.
Don’t use abrasives such as dry cleansers or soft cleansers on natural stone.
Do use pH-neutral cleaners to remove mold and mildew. Conduct an internet search for the many commercial products available, or ask your natural stone contractor for a recommendation.
Do flush outdoor pool, patio or hot tub areas with clear water and a mild bleach solution to remove algae or moss.
Don’t ever mix bleach and ammonia; this combination creates a toxic and lethal gas!
Do use plain white vinegar or lemon juice (which are mild and natural cleaners) to remove hard water stains. Remove any stains regularly as the longer they are allowed to sit, the more difficult they are to remove. For older stains, larger areas or heavier concentrations, contact your natural stone contractor for help. And, be aware that stronger substances including acid can do much more harm than good!
Do apply a weather sealer and water repellent on your natural stone after cleaning, to help it last in the summer sun and the long winter snow and ice.

Natural Stone Wall A final tip? Periodically inspect your exterior natural stone for structural defects, deterioration or staining — perhaps in the company of your natural stone contractor. With the right cleaning and care, you’ll enjoy your natural stone for years, if not decades, to come!

Benefits of Natural Stone

Natural Stone Wall Natural stone products or other alternatives? Whether building new or updating, home buyers and commercial building owners quickly come to the fork in the road when considering materials for fireplaces, foundations, patios, stairways, walls and walkways.

While cement, engineered or faux stone, tile and other materials gain consideration, there’s no denying the appeal of natural stone. “Stone does not break down and can stand the test of time. Stone features are there for the long haul, which you cannot say for other materials,” says Jan Johnsen, principal of a design/project management firm and author of “The Spirit of Stone.”

So, what’s the attraction of granite and its popular cousins such as limestone, marble, quartzite, slate and soapstone, among natural stone options? Their benefits include:

Affordability: When assessing the cost of natural stone, consider durability, lifespan, uniqueness and quality. These characteristics make it clear that natural stone is often more economical in the long run.
Environmentally friendly: Choosing natural stone can benefit the planet. Because stone does not require energy for production, pollution is not generated in its creation.
Durability: When homeowners or designers choose construction materials, they should keep in mind the ability of natural stone to withstand hail, heat, fire, rain, snow and wind. What’s more, when stone is selected for structures like fireplaces and outdoor kitchens, it’s not easily burned, scratched or stained.
Economy: Because natural stone is nearly indestructible, you’ll forego the potential expenses of repairing scratches and stains that often occur with other materials.
Color: You’ll chose from bluestone, flagstone, granite, limestone, marble, sandstone, slate and travertine, among many other natural stone options! And given the wide selection of types let alone the uniqueness in shades and grains from piece to piece, your design possibilities are almost endless! As a result, the natural beauty your selection should be viewed and approved before purchase and installation.
Flexibility: Granite and marble slabs as well as other natural stone choices can be tailored to meet the needs of homebuilders, designers and architects. The only limit to the choice of natural stone is your imagination!
Care: When properly sealed, natural stone is remarkably simple to clean and maintain. What’s more for many, the appearance of natural stone improves over time!

Natural Stone Path One more key benefit to nature stone? Value. According to, “Outdoor renovation projects with the highest return on investment” posted at inman.com, an exterior improvement can add curb appeal, deliver a feature you love … and increase the value of your home.

The article reports, for example, patio additions van have a return on investment or ROI of 30 to 60 percent, fire pits as much as 150 percent, and outdoor kitchen as high as 200 percent!

Specializing in exterior natural stone additions and repairs, Cirigliano Masonry serves home and business owners throughout the Pittsburgh area. From design to build and extending to your fulll satisfaction, rely on us for brick masonry, pointing and repair as well as indoor and outdoor fireplaces, stone masonry, stone wall repairs and more. Contact us today!