Category — Stones & Bricks

Solar lighted stepping stones are a unique and innovative way to enhance the beauty of garden. It not only illuminates the garden, park, yards or walkways but also gives an added touch of beauty to the particular area.

Solar lighted stepping stone works through solar power light. Solar energy during the day time charges the NiCad battery and as the evening starts approaching it turns its bright white light on at dusk.

Solar lighted stepping stones are exclusive works of art which doesn’t require any wires to install, no bills to pay and the Led never needs to be replaced. But that is not all the illumination time of bulb is of 8 hours. So it will glow all through the night and you do not have to worry about any bills to be paid.

Be it decorating your house, lighting the lawn or creating your walkway, this is a unique way of doing so. You can also make an innovative use of catchy colors on these solar lighted stepping stones to give them a better and captivating appearance.

In this fast paced life just a mere glance of these solar lighted stepping stones in the evening time may give you another reason to sit in your garden for a while and relax. These are also available in multiple types and you can buy according to your preference.

For your better understanding we have discussed about few types solar lighted stepping stones so that you know which ones suit you the most.

Tuscany Stepping Stone: As discussed above they are quite innovative, efficient and unique which illuminates yards, gardens, lawns, walkways, in private and public places. The chief feature of this solar lighted stone is that it is built in solar powered light. Solar energy charges the inbuilt AA NiCad battery during the day and gets lighted during the night. You can easily place it in your garden and there is no use of wiring so no bills to pay.

Solar garden lights: Also known as pagoda light it is often used to lighten the garden. The solar inbuilt feature makes sure you that you are not going to pay your electricity bills. It charges during the day and emits light as the night comes. This light is powered by high powered crystal solar cell. The NiCad battery gives a long life to the lights. The high intensity of 4 watt of fluorescent lamp can continuously deliver light up to 5 hours.

Low voltage lighting: The soft displaying light leaves an impression and will suit you. Low voltage landscape lighting flower light contains six flowers, low-voltage transformer, stakes, clear bulbs, and connectors. Six different colors of flowers produce different colors will surely bring great happiness to you.

These are just a few of the varieties of solar stepping stones. You can explore a lot more options with these devices which help you not only light up your garden but also act as great energy savers.

If you liked the article and would like to view more, please visit Stepping Stone Info for more information.

Rock fireplaces hearken to a time when uniform bricks where not always available. Beautiful by design, these fireplaces have a long tradition of being the option of choice in homes all around the world.

Unlike their brick counterparts, rock fireplaces can work very well in a number of different settings. These designs can be made to look very upscale and “expensive,” or they can be crafted to offer a more down-home rustic feel. Those who choose to add rock fireplaces to their home’s design will find they have a few options available to them. These include:

Real rock: Real rock fireplaces are generally very expensive, but when they are created correctly they will last for a lifetime and beyond. Many of these fireplaces made hundreds of years ago still handle fires very well and require little maintenance beyond normal cleaning and minor repairs. The pricing involved in real rock comes from the difficulty in finding the right materials and ensuring they are properly cut to create a fireplace.

Fake rock: This is an option that has come and gone in popularity, but the truth is it can be the more affordable way to go. Faux rock fireplaces give the illusion of real rock and they can be rather sturdy by design without costing nearly as much.

Anyone wanting to add a rock fireplace to their home will find they have a few hoops to go through. In most regions, the addition of a fireplace to a house is considered a structural change. Inasmuch, an actual architectural design will likely be required along with a building permit. Inspections, too, will likely follow to ensure the rock fireplaces added have not made the home structurally unsound or unsafe.

Despite some government imposed hurdles, many homeowners choose to add rock fireplaces to older homes and even include them in the original designs of new construction. These creations can add a sense of “home” to a house that few other features can.

The options to actually add a rock fireplace to a house really present in only two fashions. They are:

Contractor: Hiring a contract to add a fireplace to a house can add to the expense involved, but it can also give peace of mind. When a masonry expert does the work, it will generally be guaranteed, which is always a good thing. Plus, these folks know how to handle the permitting process and other things that might be required to ensure the construction is within the code.

Self: Do it yourselfers can and do create rock fireplaces. Many times they will use fake rock to keep the expenses down, but it’s a good idea to still ensure all permitting that might be required is taken care of in advance.

Rock fireplaces offer a certain charm that goes beyond brick. By creating a homey feel or an upscale feel, these fireplaces add warmth and even value to a home.

For more information on fireplaces, try visiting http://www.fireplacechoices.com – a website that specializes in providing fireplace related tips, advice and resources including information on rock fireplaces.

There’s nothing quite as attractive as brick for bringing a classic look to a house. Brick veneer has become an oft-used option for modern homebuilders to reduce costs, while still retaining the look that brick offers. This construction method uses standard stick-framed walls, while placing a veneer layer of brick over the outside walls. This results in quicker (and cheaper) construction, while still giving the appearance of a full brick house. Unfortunately, this method presents inherent problems- namely, moisture entering the bricks. Therefore, waterproofing brick veneer is a necessity for all aspects of upkeep, appearance and structural stability.

When a brick veneer wall is left untreated, moisture will seep into the interior walls, especially around window frames. Additionally, the moisture will begin to degrade both the appearance and performance of the brick veneer. White stains (known as “Efflorescence”) may appear on the brick; they are the result of water dissolving the natural substances in the brick. More importantly, this moisture will freeze within the brick and expand. This causes a condition known as “Spalling” and will cause the brick to crumble and flake. Waterproofing brick veneer prevents both of these conditions by preventing the buildup of moisture.

While it is true that brick veneer walls will (under the best conditions only) tend to absorb and evaporate liquid on their own- that is, without any waterproof coating- homeowners cannot ensure that their brick veneer can always handle the demands that the environment places on it. The smart and sensible solution is to take steps to prevent this moisture as much as possible, in the best manner available.

There are a countless number of products that can be found for waterproofing brick veneer. However, some of these products can do far more harm than good; all-purpose surface sealers may seem like a good idea, but they are commonly acrylic or silicone based. These materials (when applied for the purpose of waterproofing brick veneer) will prevent water vapor from escaping from the interior of the house, and will therefore cause spalling.

So what’s the solution? The best waterproofing tips for brick all recommended the use of a penetrating siloxane based sealer. Siloxane is a waterproofing material for brick that allows the sealant to chemically bond itself to the brick. This process allows the brick to be impenetrable against liquid water, while still allowing it to breath- and therefore greatly reduces the chances of spalling or any other damage to your brick veneer.

By following these guidelines, you can be sure that your brick veneer is safe for years to come, and that it will provide long-lasting performance. Your house’s beautiful exterior can be easily preserved by following these tips for waterproofing brick veneer.

Many homeowners are starting to add the ornamental pond to their property in order to enhance the overall look and feel associated with the home. While there are many different types of decorative small ponds that can be created, the Waukesha white stone wallstone pond is becoming one of the most sought after designs when it comes to ornamental ponds. Here, I will provide some basic insight on how you can go about creating a Waukesha white stone wallstone pond.

The Basics

When creating a wallstone pond with Waukesha white stone, it is important to know and understand that you will need a few basic supplies. First, of course, you will need an amount of Waukesha white stone that is relevant to the size of the pond that you are creating. For a basic ten by ten pond, you may need anywhere from 500 to 1,000 pieces of white stone. It all depends on the depth of the pond, and the size of Waukesha stone that you elect to use. You will also need some cement mix, as well as the tools that are required to lay and layer the cement that you will use.

Simple Construction

Once you have gathered your Waukesha white stone and the cement that is necessary to create your pond, it is time to get ready to construct your decorative pond. The simplest construction involves the ornamental pond that is circular in shape. You will want to outline the area where you will place the pond and lay down a section of cement. Once the circle has been filled, you should lay your first line of Waukesha white stone all the way around the circle. It is important that each piece of stone is stuck down into the cement so when it dries, it will be sturdy. This is when you should connect a small drainage pipe on the structure. This will allow water to drain when you feel the need to clean the structure.

Once the initial cement and line of Waukesha white stone completely dries and is set, you can place a layer of cement on top of these stones and then add the second layer. It is important that you continue this trend, until all of the stones are placed in such a manner that your depth is achieved. Once this is done, you should then allow the cement to dry. Once the cement on the Waukesha white stones are dry, you should then place cement inside the dimension of the pond.

It is important to ensure that this is set as smooth and evenly as possible. Once this is dry, you can then add a basic pond liner and a cap to the end of the drainage pipe that you installed earlier. You are then ready to fill and decorate your pond with plants, and other items! Once this is done, you have successfully finished your Waukesha white stone decorative wallstone pond!

Cleaning a headstone can be fun and also profitable. Fun in regards to the peace & pleasure one will receive from working to clean up the memorial of a loved one. Profitable in the way of making good money offering this service once this skill is learned. The good news is that the skill of cleaning headstones can be learned real quickly.

How to clean a headstone…

First you must determine what type of material the headstone is made of. Just because we call them a “headstone” doesn’t necessarily mean they are made of stone although generally they are. Headstones can be made from metals (typically bronze) or out of just about any other type of long lasting material. This information however will only cover metal and stone types of grave makers.

To find out the type of stone or metal we can look at a few things. Number one appearance. Using your basic knowledge what does the stone look like? Color and textures will tell you a lot. Second, you can also tell the type of stone by the date. Certain types of stones or metal were more popular depending on the era of burial. Finally, if you aren’t confidant with your previous judgments, you can ask a cemetery caretaker their opinion and chances are they will be spot on. Whatever you do, nail down the type of headstone before you begin the cleaning as different materials require different methods.

Next, you will want to know what you want to clean. Is the stone just a few years old and slightly dull due to dirt, debris or hard water? Or is the stone several years old and in need of several different treatments to remove perhaps moss and lichens or other naturals stains? Is the material faded and in need of a deep cleaning and polish? Determining what you need done will help you know what supplies are need and what processes to use.

When it comes to the work itself don’t be bashful. Most of these markers are not as delicate as they seem; however, here are a few warnings and suggestions.

Be sure the stone is stable. You do not want to knock it over or break off any pieces. If a stone is crumbling chances are you will not be able to clean it with out causing further damage. Also, be sure to test out any type of chemical or cleaning solvent on a small area before covering the more visible parts of the headstone. Look for any type of reaction or color change before you continue. If using chemical based products, always keep nearby vegetation safe by wiping up and away said chemicals before they hit the ground, and always follow product instructions using the proper safety equipment as called for.

Your knowledge of headstone cleaning will grow as you work with the different types of materials including marble, granite, bronze, and limestone. As you become well first in grave tending, you can offer your services and make a handsome profit.

Limestone is very durable and is an extremely good choice for a fireplace!

However, limestone is also rather soft and relatively porous, so it does require care from the householder to prevent stains and grubby marks spoiling the surface – especially for new limestone fireplaces!

A few important points for first time buyers!

Your limestone fireplace should be chemically sealed with a good quality sealant. The better sealants do not change the colour of the limestone to any degree, but prevent easy penetration of possible stains from getting into the stone. Your fireplace supplier should either seal your fireplace for you, (probably at extra cost) or provide a tin of liquid sealant for you to paint over the surface yourself (also probably at extra cost). These sealants cost around £20 or more per tin, so if you see one for much less, don’t use it, as it may not be good enough, and could darken your limestone fireplace colour!

If you have a limestone hearth, this should be sealed twice. Leave the first coat to completely dry and then add the second. Make sure you do not apply too much sealer, as this could cause a change to the surface if soaked!

You may have to repeat the complete sealing process after about six months or a year, especially if the fireplace is for solid fuel. After that, your limestone fireplace will probably not require any further chemical sealing.

Cleaning Limestone Fireplaces

The best way to clean off a grubby mark from your limestone fireplace is simply to use a clean cotton cloth dampened with very dilute washing up liquid. Do not soak the stone though!

If you have coffee or wine etc, spill onto your limestone fireplace surface don’t panic, just clean it off thoroughly with a dampened cloth and everything should be fine.

A number of things not to do:

1. Never use wax or spray polishes on a limestone fireplace, as these products can darken the surface of the limestone and create patches.
2. Never use kitchen or bathroom cleaners, as they could react with the limestone surface.
3. Never allow cigarettes to be placed on the stone surface, the heat could cause a brown scar.
4. Never stand vases with flowers directly on the limestone surface, as this could cause a permanent ring mark!
5. Never stand red wine, tea or coffee etc, directly on your limestone fireplace -stains and ring marks could result!
6. Never stand coal or logs directly on the fireplace surface – damage and stains may result!
7. Never plaster down to, or on to a limestone fireplace – the stone will take up colour from the plaster.

The above list of “don’t do’s” for limestone, can also be found here on the Money Saving Expert Forum, as I posted it there in the first instance, prior to writing this article!

Real Fires, Limestone Fireplaces and Cracking caused by heat!It is important to be aware that limestone can crack from the heat of a real fire!

A limestone hearth section, which is close to a real fire can become extremely hot, whilst the edges of the hearth can stay relatively cool. Given the right length of time, a limestone hearth, is virtually guaranteed to crack!

There are things you can do to overcome this type of problem… One of the most common, is to have a limestone hearth cut / sectioned and re-sealed for real fire use!

To achieve this, the hearth is cut into a number of sections, and then reassembled with joins… These joins act as expansion joints. In addition to this, the hearth is normally then backed by high temperature cement, for extra protection!

The joints in the hearth should now prevent the stress spreading across the surface and therefore prevent the hearth from cracking – a heat plate could also be used, to assist in protecting the limestone from the heat and scratches.