Stoneyard.com - Natural Stone Siding for Architecture

See your Finished Stone Project Before it Begins!

2012-02-09T13:55:00.008-05:00

The Project Visualizer is a free tool that allows you and your customers to see the "after photo" before the project even begins. How did we do it? We made it easy to see a virtual mock-up with any of our natural stone veneers using YOUR project photo.

Here is how:

1. Visit www.stoneyard.com/visualizer and click the link

2. Upload a photo of your project to our online Project Visualizer (no download required)

3. Select the area where you want to see stone

4. Choose your favorite New England Stone Veneer product

5. Save and share the before and after images

It's that easy! Feel free to ask us any questions and be sure to watch the training videos that are included.

Here are some examples of a visualized fireplace:

Visit www.stoneyard.com/visualizer to visualize your project!

Colorado Home with New England Natural Stone

2012-02-02T08:59:00.000-05:00

This Colorado home is the perfect ski getaway! The wood beams and cedar shingle accents look beautiful against the reclaimed barn wood siding. The white trim pops against the antique gray of the house and really accentuates the perfect mix of colors that is in our Boston Blend Ledgestone Thin Veneer.

The stone was used as siding, on the chimney, around the entrance, and as a foundation covering. The red door adds a beautiful burst of color to complete the look of the home.

This rustic, yet luxurious home overlooks the majestic Colorado Rocky mountains. A warm fire and steaming cup of hot cocoa is all that is needed to complete this relaxing retreat.

View the project video and more photos of this project at www.stoneyard.com/947

Introducing Vineyard Granite Natural Stone Veneer by Stoneyard.com

2012-01-19T13:45:00.000-05:00

Vineyard Granite is a coarse grain stone indigenous to the central core of New England mountain ranges. The stone is predominantly gray, black and white with splendid crystals of peach and pink. This stone is available in both Thin Veneer and Building Veneer in Mosaic, Square & Rectangular, Ledgestone and Ashlar shapes. It is perfect for use on its own or blended with other colors and shapes.

For more information about this new product, please visit www.stoneyard.com/vineyard

Introducing the Boston Blend Strips

2012-01-12T14:47:00.000-05:00

Introducing the Boston Blend Strips by Stoneyard.com...no trimming, no fuss, just perfectly shaped stones for a seamless installation every time!

Visit www.stoneyard.com/strips for more info on this AMAZING new product!

Metamora Fields Country Club in Illinois

2011-12-30T09:17:00.000-05:00

Metamora Fields is a beautiful golf course in Metamora, Illinois with rolling hills and valleys reminiscent of the Links golf courses of Scotland. Natural stone was used on the clubhouse exterior walls, foundation and fireplace. The Boston Blend Mosaic and Round Veneer was laid with wide joints and minimal trimming.

The entrance door is a beautiful dark wood surrounded by stone. A two-sided indoor/outdoor fireplace is the focal point of the interior restaurant and exterior patio seating area overlooking the beautiful greens. This stone was chosen because of its natural patina that has a unique historic feel.

Thank you to our local dealer Trinity Stone Center for working to provide the club with Stoneyard.com Boston Blend Mosaic and Round Veneer.

View more pictures and information about this project

NEW Product & Design Guide

2011-12-16T10:46:00.000-05:00

New England Stone Veneer Thin Natural Stone

Our new product catalog is FILLED with 20 pages of great pictures and product information to help you decide on the perfect stone for your project.

View our Literature Page to Download a Stoneyard.com Product Catalog

Email sales@stoneyard.com or give us a call at 800.231.2200 to tell us how many you would like and how we can help!

Stoneyard.com at the Build Boston Trade Show

2011-11-16T13:12:00.000-05:00

Join us TODAY thru Friday at the 2011 Build Boston trade show. New products, technology innovations and the debut of unique services for the building industry are waiting for your inspection. Whether you are a contractor, engineer, specifier, or architect, you will find what you need (and even what you didn't know you needed) at Build Boston.

Build Boston Trade Show

When: November 16 | November 17 | November 18

Time: Noon - 6 pm | Noon - 6 pm | 10 am - 1:30 pm
Where: Seaport World Trade Center - Boston, MA
Booth #: 859

For more information please visit www.stoneyard.com/bb2011

New York Home with Natural Thin Stone Veneer

2011-11-07T10:33:00.000-05:00

Boston Blend Square & Rectangular stone siding, fireplace, and chimney

Want to really make a good first impression? Stone goes a long way in sprucing up your front entry. The mix of colors in our Boston Blend compliments any design setting. The neutral color of the siding makes the stone look at home while the dark wood door stands as a beautiful focal point.

The foundation was covered around the home and the garage. A small riser was faced surrounding the back yard patio, the chimney, and an interior fireplace were all enhanced by using our Boston Blend Square & Rectangular natural stone veneer.

Check out more photos of the Boston Blend Square & Rectangular stone veneer in action and more photos of this project.

Cozy Living Space Featuring a New England Stone Fireplace

2011-10-26T14:46:00.000-04:00

What a perfect place to warm up on these cold fall days. Our Boston Blend Square & Rectangular Thin Veneer looks amazing in this cozy living space. Special thanks to Stonewood Products of Mashpee, MA for submitting this great photo!

To contact Stonewood for your next project, please visit www.stoneyard.com/stonewood

A New Twist on a Ledgestone Fireplace

2011-10-11T11:05:00.000-04:00

Boston Blend has long been thought of as colonial or rustic. This Ledgestone Boston Blend fireplace is anything but. The modern clean lines are brought to the next level with a unique "twist". A blend of Greenwich Gray (25%) and Boston Blend (75%) Ledgestone Building Veneer was used to create the perfect mix of colors.

This tall fireplace goes from floor to ceiling. The top section was turned 45 degrees for added architectural interest. The outside columns and foundation are also faced in the same blend of Ledgestone.

The homeowners worked closely with the stone mason to choose the perfect blend of colors and shapes. The best way to decide on the correct blend of shapes, sizes, grout thickness, and stone color is to construct a mockup. Laying the stones out on a small area and adjusting the different variables is the best way to get that perfect blend.

Mason:
Eagle Hollow Stoneworks
(802-685-7830)

Fore more photos and information, please visit www.stoneyard.com/936

Tedesco Country Club uses Boston Blend Thin Veneer

2011-09-19T09:00:00.000-04:00

Tedesco Country Club is a beautiful private member facility located in Marblehead, MA. When deciding on which material to use, Stoneyard.com's environmental friendly and local material was the perfect choice.

A mix of Boston Blend Mosaic and Round Thin Veneer was used. Over 2,200 square feet of this natural stone can be seen throughout the landscape, interior, and exterior of this magnificent club. From retaining walls to the fireplace, this native building material blends perfectly in any environment.

To view more photos of this project and to learn more about our Mosaic and Round Thin Veneer please visit our website.

New England Home using Colonial Tan Mosaic Stone Siding

2011-08-22T10:26:00.000-04:00

What better a way to spice up your home than to add a natural stone facade. The front entry, column accents, and siding were faced with Stoneyard.com Colonial Tan Mosaic Thin Veneer. White columns and trim really pop against the light beige, gray, and rust colors in the Colonial Tan mix. The dark wood door really pulls your attention to the beautiful statement piece surrounded by a warm blend of stone.

Click here for more info and pictures of this project

Hi-Way Concrete Products Uses Boston Blend Round Thin Veneer on Entrance Sign

2011-08-15T10:31:00.000-04:00

Special thanks to Hi-Way Concrete Products for using our natural stone Boston Blend Round Thin Veneer on their new company sign. You can visit Hi-way Concrete Products at:

2746 Cranberry Highway (Rt. 28)
Wareham, MA 02571
508.295.0834

Ledgestone Home Natural Exterior Stone Facade Focal Point

2011-08-08T15:06:00.000-04:00

This Massachusetts home was faced using New England Fieldstone Boston Blend Ledgestone Veneer. The stone was laid to give the dry stacked stone appearance with no exposed motar. The beautiful mix of colors in the Boston Blend works well with the pale yellow color of the home. Corners were not used on this project because white trim enclosed the stone area. Trim, without the use of stone corners, is a cost effective construction option and it enhances the real stone veneer by drawing your eye to this well crafted focal point.

View more photos of this project and watch the video

Wheaton College Selects Ledgestone Boston Blend Building Veneer for New Science Center

2011-08-01T13:00:00.000-04:00

Local, natural stone stays in line with Wheaton's commitment to environmental sustainability.

A new science center is under construction at the Norton, MA school Wheaton College. What began in April 2010 is coming to an end and the final bells and whistles are being installed. This includes some amazing freestanding stonewalls that were made using the Boston Blend Ledgestone full thickness Building Veneer.

Approximately 2,000 square feet of stone was purchased and used throughout the landscape. This local stone was sorted and split right here in Littleton, MA. Why is this so important? It keeps in line with "green" building and enables the building to earn LEED certification credits.

This $42 Million dollar project is set for completion in Fall 2011.

Check back soon to see pictures of the final project. Can’t wait and want to see the progress? Take a look at the construction web cam feed! It has pictures and a time-lapse video of the project.

For more pictures and info please visit the Wheaton College Project Page.

Ashlar Veneer Project VIDEO!

2011-07-22T11:27:00.000-04:00

Take a look at this great video of an ocean side home in New Jersey. Boston Blend Ashlar Thin Veneer was used as siding, on the foundation, garage, stair risers, and stone walls. This video features some great pictures as well as an overview of the different colors of natural stone veneer available through Stoneyard.com

For more pictures and information about this project, visit the featured gallery page.

Ashlar Boston Blend Ocean Side NJ Home

2011-07-15T09:46:00.000-04:00

Who wouldn’t want to spend summers here? This seaside New Jersey home has an historic appeal with great modern perks!

Almost 1,700 SF of natural stone veneer was used throughout the project. The foundation, walls, stair risers, siding, and garage were faced with Boston Blend Ashlar Thin Veneer. The outdoor entertainment area is complete with kitchen, changing room, and showers. A sitting bench was also created to enjoy sunny days on the ocean side dock.

Take a look at more of these amazing pictures!

Want to learn more about Ashlar Veneer?

Check out our full line of natural stone veneer products on our stone veneer page.

Happy July 4th!

2011-07-01T16:10:00.000-04:00

Stoneyard.com would like to wish all of you a happy and safe 4th of July holiday.

Sincerely,

Your friends at
Stoneyard.com

Sugarloaf Mountain Ski Lodge Natural Stone Siding

2011-06-27T16:24:00.001-04:00

Sugarloaf Mountain is a beautiful winter skiing and summer golfing spot located in Carrabassett Valley, ME. A recent addition to the resort is some beautiful natural stone veneer walls and stair risers. Using the New England native stone Boston Blend in the Square & Rectangular shape was the perfect choice for this local hot spot. Natural wood siding and beams along with Granite accents complete the project.

Visit www.sugarloaf.com for pricing and more information.

For more information on Stoneyard.com Square & Rectangular Boston Blend Veneer visit our website.

A New Twist on a Ledgestone Fireplace

2011-06-13T09:42:00.000-04:00

Choosing the right blend of colors and shapes can be a difficult process. Working closely with your mason through the beginning stages of construction will ensure that the end result is exactly what you envision. The best way to decide on the correct blend of shapes, sizes, grout thickness and color, and stone colors is by having your mason do a mockup. Laying the stones out on a small area and adjusting the different variables is the only way to get that perfect blend.

This tall fireplace goes from floor to ceiling. The top section was twisted on an angle for some added architectural interest.

Mason:
Eagle Hollow Stoneworks
(802-685-7830)

See more pictures of this project

Learn more about Ledgestone Veneer

Boston Blend Round Veneer with Square & Rec Corners

2011-06-08T13:23:00.000-04:00

Want to really make your entrance pop? Beautiful stone columns and colorful flowers create an inviting entryway that would please any guest. Boston Blend Round Veneer was used to cover the foundation, columns, and as siding on this local home.

What’s unique about this home was the use of Square & Rectangular corners instead of the Round. The straight lines of the Square & Rectangular cut make perfect corner pieces that blend harmoniously throughout the project.

The Mason:

Ehwa Stone Masonry

JP Ehwa

Ayer, MA

978-772-9870

www.ehwastonemasonry.com

View more photos

Log Cabin Mosaic Fireplace with Hand Carved Wood Mantel

2011-06-07T13:41:00.001-04:00

Our Mosaic Boston Blend Fieldstone was used to create this beautiful fireplace, perfect for any home. The hand carved wood mantel and accent pieces bring the tranquility of nature inside for a relaxing and beautiful focal point.

Mason:

Model Masonry

Adam Kersnowski
207-409-6502

Architect:

Architectural Services

Aaron Socrat
508-655-1878

Find out more about our Mosaic Boston Blend Thin Veneer

More about this project

THE LADY IN A GINGHAM DRESS

2011-06-06T19:08:00.000-04:00

THE LADY IN A GINGHAM DRESS

A lady in a faded gingham dress and her husband, dressed in a homespun threadbare suit, stepped off the train in Boston , and walked timidly without an appointment into the Harvard University President's outer office.
The secretary could tell in a moment that such backwoods, country hicks had no business at Harvard & probably didn't even deserve to be in Cambridge ..

"We'd like to see the president," the man said softly.

"He'll be busy all day," the secretary snapped.
"We'll wait," the lady replied.

For hours the secretary ignored them, hoping that the couple would finally become discouraged and go away.

They didn't, and the secretary grew frustrated and finally decided to disturb the president, even though it was a chore she always regretted.

"Maybe if you see them for a few minutes, they'll leave," she said to him!
He sighed in exasperation and nodded. Someone of his importance obviously didn't have the time to spend with them, and he detested gingham dresses and homespun suits cluttering up his outer office.

The president, stern faced and with dignity, strutted toward the couple.

The lady told him, "We had a son who attended Harvard for one year. He loved Harvard. He was happy here. But about a year ago, he was accidentally killed. My husband and I would like to erect a memorial to him, somewhere on campus."
The president wasn't touched. He was shocked.

"Madam," he said, gruffly, "we can't put up a statue for every person who attended Harvard and died. If we did, this place would look like a cemetery."

"Oh, no," the lady explained quickly. "We don't want to erect a statue. We thought we would like to give a building to Harvard."

The president rolled his eyes. He glanced at the gingham dress and homespun suit, then exclaimed, "A building! Do you have any earthly idea how much a building costs? We have over seven and a half million dollars in the physical buildings here at Harvard."

For a moment the lady was silent. The president was pleased. Maybe he could get rid of them now.

The lady turned to her husband and said quietly, "Is that all it cost to start a university? Why don't we just start our own? "

Her husband nodded. The president's face wilted in confusion and bewilderment.
Mr. and Mrs. Leland Stanford got up and walked away, traveling to Palo Alto, California where they established the university that bears their name, Stanford University, a memorial to a son that Harvard no longer cared about.

You can easily judge the character of others by how they treat those who they think can do nothing for them.

A TRUE STORY by Malcolm Forbes
"People will forget what you said; People will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."

Greenwich Gray Stone Veneer and Palm Trees

2011-05-02T15:59:00.001-04:00

A Beautifl Florida Home Uses Greenwich Gray Ledgestone Thin Veneer

This Florida home sure does remind you of the beach. Extensive walls in front of the home are faced with a natural stone veneer called Greenwich Gray in the Ledgstone shape. A fire pit, columns, foundation, and siding were also faced with the same beautiful stone. On the inside, an entertainment wall was faced with the same color stone, Greenwich Gray, in the Square & Rectangular shape.

Palm trees and colorful landscaping can really pull things together. This project is still underway and it looks like it is ready for entertaining. More photos are on the way so check back soon!

View More Photos

The Natural Stone Home

2011-04-27T11:09:00.000-04:00

It’s The Big Bad Wolf's worst nightmare...an entire home made out of stone! This grand home used a natural stone siding provided by Stoneyard.com to create a beautiful look that will stand the test of time. Boston Blend Fieldstone in the Square & Rectangular shape was used in the 1 inch Thin Veneer as well as a 3-5 inch Building Veneer. This blend of thicknesses made installation on the higher level a whole lot faster and simpler while maintaining a consistent look throughout the project.

Take a look at the in progress pictures, photos taken after completion, and watch the 3 minute project tour video!

More Photos and Video

Whimsical Home with Round Stone Veneer and a Thatched Roof

2011-04-21T14:11:00.000-04:00

This whimsical home features the Boston Blend Fieldstone Round Veneer. A thatched roof and wooden beams add to the unique character of this charming residential construction. Even with the project still being in progress, this home is fit for a king! Check back again soon for more photos and updates.

More Photos

Like the project? Contact Trombadore Contracting for more info.

Trombadore Contracting
Lincoln, MA
781-254-8040

2,500 SF Mosaic & Ledgestone Boston Blend Veneer NY Home

2011-04-14T16:50:00.000-04:00

This beautiful home has been veneered with an all natural real stone Thin Veneer provided by Stoneyard.com. A mixed of Ledgestone (2,000 sf) and Mosaic (500 sf) Boston Blend Thin Veneer was used to create an effortless mix.

The Designer:

Michael F. Dugan Designs

Yaphank, NY 11980
Phone (631) 205-0945
Fax(631) 205-0948
michaeldugan@optonline.net

View More Photos

Whitman

2011-04-02T08:41:00.001-04:00

Nothing endures but personal qualities. ~ Walt Whitman

Byron

2011-04-01T14:32:00.001-04:00

To have joy one must share it. Happiness was born a twin. ~ Lord Byron

Thoreau

2011-03-31T13:41:00.001-04:00

Never look back unless you are planning to go that way. ~ Henry David Thoreau

Tzu

2011-03-30T15:42:00.001-04:00

If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading. ~ Lao Tzu

Roosevelt

2011-03-29T08:28:00.001-04:00

Believe you can and you're halfway there. ~ Theodore Roosevelt

Carnegie

2011-03-28T06:46:00.001-04:00

People rarely succeed unless they have fun in what they are doing. ~ Dale Carnegie

Einstein

2011-03-26T08:30:00.001-04:00

Imagination is more important than knowledge. ~ Albert Einstein

Twain

2011-03-25T08:33:00.001-04:00

The best way to cheer yourself is to try to cheer someone else up. ~ Mark Twain

Lewis

2011-03-24T05:56:00.001-04:00

Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point. ~ C. S. Lewis

Faulkner

2011-03-23T09:28:00.001-04:00

We have to start teaching ourselves not to be afraid. ~ William Faulkner

Pasture

2011-03-22T07:45:00.001-04:00

It is surmounting difficulties that makes heroes. ~ Louis Pasture

Fuller

2011-03-21T07:15:00.001-04:00

Nothing is easy to the unwilling. ~ Thomas Fuller

Carlson

2011-03-20T09:25:00.001-04:00

Don't sweat the small stuff... and it's all small stuff. ~ Richard Carlson

Brinkley

2011-03-19T11:20:00.001-04:00

A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him. ~ David Brinkley

Or stones...

Emerson

2011-03-18T08:16:00.001-04:00

Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Lincoln

2011-03-17T06:22:00.001-04:00

Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm. ~ Abraham Lincoln

Holmes

2011-03-16T06:54:00.001-04:00

The great thing in this world is not so much where we stand, as in what direction we are moving. ~ Oliver Wendell Holmes

Success

2011-03-15T06:58:00.001-04:00

Seventy percent of success in life is showing up.
~ Woody Allen

Stoneyard.com - Natural Stone Siding for Architecture: Choosing the Perfect Stone for your Fireplace

2011-02-23T17:04:00.000-05:00

Stoneyard.com - Natural Stone Siding for Architecture: Choosing the Perfect Stone for your Fireplace

Choosing the Perfect Stone for your Fireplace

2011-02-23T08:34:00.000-05:00

Key things to keep in mind with tips from Tim Carter of askthebuilder.com

So you have decided to take the leap and FINALLY cover that old brick fireplace or include a natural stone fireplace in your new home. The amount of different choices available to you, and questions that go along with it, may feel overwhelming. Here are a few things to consider, some tips from Tim Carter (a licensed contractor), and some great fireplace examples to give you inspiration!

Tip #1: Combining Stone and Design

Rustic, Colonial, Contemporary, Modern or Old World, Tuscan or Log Cabin, these are just a few of the different designs that you may choose for your home or space. Not only the type of natural stone veneer that you choose, but also the color, shape, and installation will create the final work of art.

"I’ve seen spectacular stone fireplaces that are 20 or more feet high, rustic stone fireplaces that have custom-carved stone-fireplace mantels and quaint stone fireplaces in modest homes. You can use flat stone, small rounded boulders or coarse volcanic rock. It’s just a matter of the style and the type of rock that matches the color scheme and feel of the room," (Tim Carter, askthebuilder.com)

Contemporary/Modern Example:

Rustic/Traditional Example:

Tight Joints Vs. Larger Exposed Joints:

Read Tim Carter of askthebuilder.com's Article

Unique and Inspiring Architecture

2011-02-16T15:13:00.001-05:00

Afraid of heights? If you are then you wouldn't want to live here! This home was designed by Warren Schwartz for his wife BSO violinist Sheila Fiekowsky. Why is this home so interesting you ask? Well, it cantilevers for 45 ft, 14 ft off the ground! It was featured in an article by the Wall Street Journal.

"Visitors walk through a long slice of hallway, past three terraced bedrooms, before arriving in the great room. Round, steel support beams painted white slice across the home's glass walls at varying angles. Midway through the home, thin steel sheets that have been folded into steps connect the home's rooftop terrace to the basement-and-patio level.

Walls of frosted glass separate the 12-by-11-foot bedrooms from the hallway and translucent, honeycombed plastic doors slide away to reveal en-suite bathrooms. "I wanted everything to be very light in color, light in structure, and feel as much as possible like floating," said Mr. Schwartz, age 67." (Juliet Chung, WSJ.com)

Slippery Rock Gazette Article

2011-02-15T12:11:00.000-05:00

The Slippery Gazette has been publishing stone industry news and trade show information for ten years. It has become the most widely read stone trades newspaper in the United States, mailed directly to businesses and individuals working in the stone and associated trades.

An article featuring Stoneyard.com and some of our new products was published in the February 2011 issue. Check it out for some great information and quotes from John Corteau, President of Stoneyard.com.

Click Here to Read Article

Passion Begets Success

2011-02-14T14:13:00.011-05:00

~ A strong passion for any object will ensure success, for the desire of the end will point out the means ~

- William Hazlitt

Square & Rec Fieldstone Natural Stone Thin Veneer Fireplace

2011-02-11T14:14:00.000-05:00

Square & Rectangular New England Fieldstone Boston Blend Thin Veneer is an all natural stone with beautiful neutral colors. It was used to face this floor to ceiling fireplace. The stones were trimmed to make the keystones lining the fireplace opening.

New Price Lists and Products!

2011-02-10T14:22:00.000-05:00

Effective February 2011

Spring is just around the corner and in order to help you prepare for your stone veneer siding and landscape projects we have added 2 new veneer products (Greenwich Gray and Colonial Tan Square & Rec) for a total of 14 unique options.

Our updated price list is available for you online, or give us a call at 800.231.2200 and we will be happy to email or fax it.

Get pricing here:

www.stoneyard.com/pl

New England Fieldstone Veneer Mosaic Siding for Garage and Foundation

2011-02-09T14:20:00.001-05:00

View this photo of New England Fieldstone Veneer Mosaic Siding and many more in our search-able photo gallery at www.stoneyard.com/gallery.

Blizzard 2011 Video: Stoneyard.com Open for Buisness!

2011-01-20T13:59:00.000-05:00

Watch the crazy happenings around the yard after the first storm of the year. The clean up, the snowmen, and of course, the trucks!

Our natural stone veneer is making its way around the country, even on those days we would all rather be at home snuggled up by the fire, (the fireplace faced with natural stone veneer of course) drinking hot cocoa.

This video takes a tour around the yard and checks in with some of the crew braving the elements to bring you the Historic New England Veneer you all know and love!

Want to watch the video? Like us on Facebook!

Stoneyard.com Launches Two New Veneer Products!

2011-01-10T09:31:00.000-05:00

Greenwich Gray and Colonial Tan Square & Rectangular Veneer

Stoneyard.com announced today after much interest from consumers, architects, and dealers the addition of two natural stone veneer products to their extensive line. Introducing Greenwich Gray and Colonial Tan Square & Rectangular Veneer!

Greenwich Gray

Colonial Tan

These colors are old favorites and have previously only been available in Ledgestone and Mosaic shapes. Both the Greenwich Gray and the Colonial Tan are available in 2 thicknesses: Thin Veneer (1 inch) and Building Veneer (3-5 inch). The pieces of stone are split into roughly square and rectangular shapes to give you a more lineal and uniform finished project. Both colors are beautiful used on their own or mixed with some of our other shape options.

Give us a call to customize your next stone project 800.231.2200 or contact us today!

For more information on Square & Rectangular Veneer click here.

View a press release on the launch of these products here.

Happy Holidays From Stoneyard.com!

2010-12-22T14:52:00.000-05:00

New Natural Stone Veneer & Hardscape Catalogs

2010-10-14T10:45:00.004-04:00

Available Now Online or Through Local Dealers

The new Stoneyard.com product catalogs are now available. The newest addition to our literature family is a 20 page combination catalog. It features all of our NEW veneer color options as well as some great new finished beauty pics. A hardscape section was also added to detail all of the available wallstone, flagging, cobblestone, and pebble options.

Visit your local dealer or go to our Literature Page to get a copy today!

Ledgestone Video Premier

2010-09-17T13:46:00.002-04:00

An overview of the Ledgestone Veneer color and size options

Ledgestone is one of our most popular shapes. It is known for its beautiful colors and graining. It is available as both a Thin Veneer (1 inch thick) and Building Veneer (3-6 inch thick). There are 5 unique color options for this shape: Boston Blend, Greenwich Gray, Colonial Tan, Yorkshire Granite, and Sapphire Blue. This video gives a complete overview of all the options available as well as some great finished photos.

View this video

More info on Ledgestone

Ohio Private Residence Features Multiple Truck Loads of Historic New England Fieldstone Veneer

2010-09-16T11:02:00.009-04:00

The first of many truck loads of Historic New England Fieldstone is on its way to Ohio. A mix of Ashlar, Round, Mosaic, and Square & Rectangular shapes are going to be used in both the Thin and Building Veneer Thicknesses.

Look for finished project photos in the future!

The Cool Heat of a Greenwich Gray Fireplace

2010-09-14T09:28:00.011-04:00

One of our most popular shapes of natural stone veneer is Ledgestone. Our classic New England Fieldstone Boston Blend colors consist of a wide range of grays, whites, tans, browns, pinks, and other neutral colors. When your home decor or personal preference is for a more uniform gray color, consider adding one of our new color options.

Pictured above is a beautiful fireplace featuring the cool gray tones with white striping that you will find in Greenwich Gray Ledgestone Veneer. Sprinkled in are some of the tans, whites, and flat grays of the Boston Blend. This unique mixture adds a different spin on an old favorite.

The work was done by a local mason:

Classic Masonry
Kevin Horan
Braintree, MA 02184
(617) 293-7945

Be sure to visit our website for more pictures of Greenwich Gray veneer, fireplaces, and Ledgestone veneer.

Labor Day

2010-09-03T10:47:00.000-04:00

Labor Day - Office Closed

Labor Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September (September 6 in 2010).

The first Labor Day in the United States was celebrated on September 5, 1882 in New York City.^[1] It became a federal holiday in 1894, when, following the deaths of a number of workers at the hands of the U.S. military and U.S. Marshals during the Pullman Strike, President Grover Cleveland put reconciliation with the labor movement as a top political priority. Fearing further conflict, legislation making Labor Day a national holiday was rushed through Congress unanimously and signed into law a mere six days after the end of the strike.^[2] The September date was chosen as Cleveland was concerned that aligning an American labor holiday with existing international May Day celebrations would stir up negative emotions linked to the Haymarket Affair.^[3] All 50 U.S. states have made Labor Day a state holiday.

More about Labor Day from Wikipedia...

In observance of Labor Day, Stoneyard.com will be closed on Monday Sept 6,2010. Please have a wonderful holiday weekend - stay safe and keep an eye on the local weather channels for news on hurricane Earl.

Ashlar Oasis

2010-09-01T08:49:00.006-04:00

An Ashlar Veneer Project Tour with Babin Landscaping

(Click to watch video)

This beautiful oasis consists of many elements that work together harmoniously to create an amazing backyard retreat. New England Fieldstone Boston Blend Ashlar Thin and Building Veneer was used extensively throughout the project. Seating was created around a stone lined fire pit complete with Tiki lamp accents throughout the space. A water feature and beach inspired pool was also surrounded with Fieldstone boulders. To finish the space, an outdoor kitchen and grill area is perfect for entertaining and relaxing on a warm summer night.

The front entrance to the home is also accented with Ashlar Veneer. Two columns side the driveway entrance and a round centerpiece was faced as well. Two wrap around stone walls, columns, and stair risers also complete the look up to the front door. To carry the accent throughout the home, the Ashlar Thin Veneer was used to face the exposed cement foundation.

The beautiful work on this project was created by:

Babin Landscaping

Dave Babin

Pepperell, MA

(978) 433-5169

www.babinlandscaping.com

View this video and more project photos.

A Classic Favorite with a Contemporary Flair

2010-08-20T10:39:00.007-04:00

A Farmers Porch Entrance with Stone Veneer and Matching Walls

This private residence in Massachusetts was faced with our New England Fieldstone Boston Blend Mosaic Thin Veneer. The front entrance is enclosed by a classic white farmers porch and accented by beautiful wall sconces and an intricate glass door. In the backyard, a matching matching full thickness architectural Building Veneer was used to construct retaining walls and stairs. Using the Mosaic Thin Veneer and Building Veneer adds a unique flair to this colonial style home.

The beautiful stone work on this project was created by:

Gerrier Masonry & Landscaping
Woburn, MA
(781) 933-4157

And sold through one of our local dealers:

Woburn Concrete & Masonry Supply
237 Salem St
Woburn, MA
(781) 933-4700

View more photos of this beautiful home and take a look at our featured projects.

2010-08-10T11:16:00.001-04:00

2010-08-09T13:52:00.001-04:00

Stoneyard.com | ICF Wall Systems | Installation of Thin Veneer | Insulated Concrete Forms http://bit.ly/c8wxPr

2010-08-06T16:48:00.001-04:00

Video 5-2-5 Historic New England Fieldstone Veneer with Michael Bangs, Stoneyard.com http://bit.ly/aX1rxL

2010-08-05T10:37:00.001-04:00

Photos of Bob Gaylor Inc project featuring Stoneyard.com New England Fieldstone Building Veneer for Siding & Columns http://bit.ly/bJcto3

2010-08-05T10:24:00.001-04:00

Nielsen: Americans spend more time on social networks, less time with e-mail | ZDNet http://bit.ly/abCnTP

2010-08-03T16:47:00.001-04:00

Photos of Stoneyard.com Colonial Tan Thin Wallstone. Use this beautiful stone for all types of hardscape projects http://bit.ly/c72TkL

2010-08-02T10:53:00.001-04:00

Video: Hayabusa Spacecraft's Fiery Return From Asteroid http://bit.ly/doMbRn

2010-08-02T10:47:00.001-04:00

Secure Online Backup and Archiving for Gmail, Facebook, Twitter, and Wordpress | Backupify http://bit.ly/diUAmD

Connect With Stoneyard.com!

2010-07-28T14:00:00.003-04:00

There are many new ways to stay up to date with all of the happenings at Stoneyard.com. Whether it be some amazing new project pictures, discounts and specials, exclusive events, prizes, and our premier photo contest, there is always something exciting to share. Find us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, sign up for our newsletter, and subscribe to our blog.

Don't forget, WE WANT YOUR FINISHED PROJECT PICTURES!

Post your photos to our Facebook wall or email sales@stoneyard.com

Please include your company info and a brief description of the project. Send your photos now and they could be featured in our newest catalog or on our homepage!

Sapphire Blue Ledgestone Veneer Faces Nashoba Tech Retaining Walls

2010-07-22T11:51:00.000-04:00

Nashoba Valley Technical High School services students from Chelmsford, Groton, Pepperell, Shirley, Littleton, Westford, and Townsend, located 35 miles west of Boston,MA.

Your Space Landscape & Construction built the retaining walls surrounding the front entrance to the school. Using our Sapphire Blue Building Veneer they were able to create a beautiful and eye catching focal point.

View more photos of this project

Boston Design Guide 2011

2010-07-21T11:40:00.000-04:00

Boston Design Guide offers ideas and inspiration to discerning homeowners and provides the best sources to make dreams a reality. The top design professionals showcase their work in Boston Design Guide because they know it produces results for them. We welcome you to browse our website and visit our clients' websites as well.

Come in to our showroom, in Littleton,MA to pickup your FREE copy, while supplies last (1 per customer).

Perspectives on Design New England: Creative Ideas Shared by Leading Design Professionals

2010-07-20T10:04:00.001-04:00

Perspectives on Design New England: Creative Ideas Shared by Leading Design Professionals

Liquid Landscape Designs
Carlisle, MA
978-490-4398
www.liquidlandscapedesigns.com
New England Water Features

Present-day taste-makers share their wisdom, experience, and talent in these showcases of the finest architects, home builders, interior design artisans, and craftsmen. Highlighting luxurious residences with captivating photographs, the regions most notable industry specialists share the inspirations and motivations behind their work and explain their projects from initial design decisions to adding final fixtures and accouterments. Whether contemplating the construction of a new home or the redesign of an intimate space, these guides will inspire and inform.

The rich history and architectural diversity of New England make an ideal setting for the breathtaking photos and well-researched editorials on the exquisite luxury homes of the northeast.

New Jersey Home Foundation Matches Existing Fieldstone Walls

2010-07-19T09:54:00.011-04:00

This gorgeous New Jersey home was once overwhelmed by an exposed cement walk out basement foundation. Now it is a beautiful focal point highlighting traditional New England heritage.

The challenge? To match the existing Fieldstone walls that connect to the home on both the right and left side. To do this, they used a unique blend of Stoneyard.com Historic New England Fieldstone Boston Blend Ashlar (60%), Mosaic (20%), and Round (20%) Thin Veneer.

This amazing do-it-yourself project used a natural stone veneer that blends harmoniously with the natural environment. Mixing different shapes can create the perfect blend for your home siding, fireplace, stone wall, chimney, and foundation projects. Don't be afraid! Get creative and mix up your own unique pattern of Historic New England Fieldstone veneer.

View more photos of this project

Museum of Science, Boston Features Stoneyard.com Historic New England Fieldstone

2010-06-30T11:04:00.004-04:00

Celebrate the beauty of New England at the Museum of Science, Boston. The brand new New England Habitats exhibit features some of New England's favorite attractions such as Wildcat Mountain and the Maine coast. Everything in the exhibit is located within a 150-mile radius, including the Historic New England Fieldstone Thin Veneer that was used to accentuate the display.

Stoneyard.com's Boston Blend of New England Fieldstone is gathered from farms and fields throughout New England. Its true New England earth tones blend harmoniously with its natural environment. A perfect choice for the display, a mixture of Ledgestone and Ashlar shapes were used. Come and experience the beauty of New England and its natural stone at the Museum of Science, Boston.

But don't take our word for it, go and explore the New England Habitats exhibit today!

Museum of Science, Boston

1 Science Park
Boston, MA 02114
617-723-2500

View more photos of the exhibit and take a look at our other featured projects.

T-Bones Great American Eatery Goes Colonial

2010-06-15T10:27:00.004-04:00

With Historic New England Fieldstone Walls and Patio

New England Fieldstone, Boston Blend, Mosaic shape thin stone veneer was used to create this functional and attractive outdoor dining space. Thin veneer corners were used extensively throughout this project to clad the vertical and horizontal surfaces. Flats were used to complete the top of the wall creating a natural looking New England stone wall.

Located in Bedford, NH, you can enjoy great food in a great setting!

www.t-bones.com
25 South River Road
Bedford, NH 03110-6708

(603) 641-6100

Cedar Shingle Home Adds Fieldstone Flair

2010-06-09T08:49:00.013-04:00

A Colonial Massachusetts Private Residence

Cedar shingles and wooden post columns can really make an entrance pop. Adding a New England natural stone to the foundation, walls, and columns adds a special historic touch.

Our New England Fieldstone Boston Blend Building Veneer was used on this private residence in Massachusetts. A 63% Square & Rectangular Regular, 1% Square & Rectangular Large, and 36% Ashlar mix was used to create a unique look that is beautiful even in progress!

This project will be completed soon, and the progress to date is stunning!

View more photos of this beautiful home and take a look at our other featured projects.

Which did they choose: vinyl, brick, or natural stone?

2010-05-19T09:17:00.007-04:00

A great way to enhance a construction project or home renovation is by adding natural stone veneer to the exterior. This new custom home used:

Vinyl siding
Brick for rear chimney
New England Fieldstone for the front entrance as the focal point

This private residence in Massachusetts used Boston Blend New England
Fieldstone Mosaic and Round Thin Veneer. A 75% Mosaic and 25% Round
mix was used to create a unique look. Round corners were used throughout the
project to create a soft, soothing New England texture.

Why did they choose New England Fieldstone for this home?

Adds an elegant and rich look to the
project
Unique - every job is a different variation on an old classic
Natural stone veneer has colors that blend well with the native environment
It captures the essence of the historic New England setting

This project will be completed soon, and the progress to date is stunning!

Watch the video and view more photos of this beautiful New England masterpiece.

Install Video Now Available at Stoneyard.com

2010-05-05T15:12:00.009-04:00

Watch as David Croteau demonstrates the basics of installing our Historic New England Fieldstone Thin Veneer. From prepping the surface for exterior applications, to grouting the joints and the different color options. This video serves as a great way to get things moving on your next stone project.

Watch the video now and download our 4 page Installation Instructions for your reference.

Maine Home Sided with 1500 SF of Ashlar Veneer

2010-04-22T13:24:00.009-04:00

This private residence in Maine looks amazing with about 1500 SF of New England Fieldstone Ashlar Building Veneer (3-6 inch thick). This contemporary home has some unique architecture, including a stone covered staircase that runs under the building and out the front like an alleyway. Walls, siding, and stair risers were all veneered with New England Fieldstone.

This lake home was constructed by Don Smith Masonry, Harrison, ME, and the stone was supplied by Genest Concrete.

Genest's photo Gallery has many more pictures of this project.

Don't forget about our selection of informative videos and featured project galleries. We create 5 different shapes of Thin Veneer (1 inch) and full thickness architectural Building Veneer (3-6 inch) for all of your residential and commercial construction requirements.

Residential Design Tradeshow in Boston, MA

2010-04-14T13:40:00.000-04:00

Residential Design Tradeshow in Boston, MA Tue 4/14/10 and Wed 4/15/10. Stop in at booth 671. 11:30am - 6:00 pm at the Seaport World Trade Center and say hi to David Croteau.

Stoneyard.com Releases 3 Part Spec for Reclaimed Stone Siding

2010-03-18T11:34:00.016-04:00

Stoneyard.com, the country's leader in reclaimed Historic New England Fieldstone, is pleased to announce the release of a 3 Part Specification that offers two firsts. This document addresses both types of veneer, and it also addresses genuine Historic New England Fieldstone.

Adhered thin veneer is natural stone sawn to one inch thick; light enough to meet building code requirements for use as interior siding without a supporting masonry shelf. Anchored building veneer is a 3-6 inch full thickness stone. It is used on exterior applications and installed with masonry ties and a weight bearing stone footing.

New England Fieldstone is America's oldest building stone, found only in New England, and visible in walls dotting the landscape. Over the course of hundreds of years of farming and inhabitation, the stones littering the soil were pushed to the surface and gathered a unique patina of weathered colors.

"New Englanders take pride in our stone and know it is a unique feature of our heritage. Sawn thin veneer is light enough to adhere to the wall, but that also makes it affordable to ship to projects throughout the country that want our unique color blend," said John Croteau, President of Stoneyard.com. "Project owners can also customize the fieldstone pattern with our 5 distinctive shapes: Round, Square & Rectangular, Ashlar, Mosaic, and thin stacked Ledgestone."

"The market is shifting away from artificial stone siding due to downsides like solar fading and ocean spray / road salt decay, ” said Michael Bangs, Dealer Sales Rep for Stoneyard.com. "It truly is a green building product, not just because of LEED certification, but because it represents a lower cost of ownership. That's the shade of green customers care about most."

A 3 Part Specification is a pre-formatted document that architects use to insert relevant details into project plans.

For this document, photos, videos, installation guides, and project tours, please visit www.Stoneyard.com.

#925 Entire House sided with Fieldstone

2010-02-25T09:43:00.001-05:00

We put together a video tour of a private residence that used New England Fieldstone for the WHOLE house. David's 3 Minute tour covers the installation process from Tyvek to finished stonework.

Topics:
-Building veneer installation
-Proper use of a cavity weep system
-Anchor veneer ties
-Stone sizing
-Building veneer corners
-Matching Thin Veneer above the roof

On the project's gallery page we also included pictures of the project to accompany the the 3 Minute Video.

Five Shapes of Historic New England Fieldstone Veneer

2010-02-08T14:02:00.000-05:00

Stoneyard.com specializes in Historic New England Fieldstone. Most people are familiar with one or two of our shapes, but not all five. Even more are unaware that our New England Fieldstone Veneer is available in two thicknesses. We put together this video to explain each of these shapes and thicknesses.

Highlights:

-The history of New England Fieldstone
-Mike Comes to you straight from the source.
-Five Patterns of stone veneer
-Thin Veneer stone siding for interior and exterior applications
-Building Veneer stone siding for projects that offer a weight bearing foundation (typically exterior)

http://www.stoneyard.com/videos/fieldstone-veneer-product-overview/

Open all winter

2010-01-22T11:42:00.003-05:00

Despite the snow, Stoneyard.com continues to saw New England fieldstone siding. Watch the tour to see clips of inventory, the shop, and Mike Bangs running around outside in the cold weather.

Interior Stone for Wine Cellar - Video Tour

2010-01-13T13:42:00.000-05:00

Interior Stone for Wine Cellar
A Video Tour and Testimonial from the Builder
Stone Wine Cellar Video Tour

Ed Lochran of Charles River Wine Cellars shares a tour of his most recent creation. This 1200 bottle wine cellar showcases one of the many interior applications for Thin Veneer. The project owner wanted an antique look and Ed achieved this with Square & Rectangular New England Fieldstone on the walls and archway.

Watch the Video

Highlights:
- Antique stone
- Thin Veneer stone on the archway
- Ease of use
- High product utilization with limited waste

Charles River Wine Cellars
Wellesley Hills, MA
(781) 235-2501

Stoneyard.com Featured Project #923 Lexington,MA Home - Mosaic Veneer

2009-12-30T11:04:00.001-05:00

Featured Gallery Mosaic Fieldstone Veneer

Orr Homes - Lexington,MA

Featured Project # 923

This private residence in Lexington, MA features Stoneyard.com Historic New England Fieldstone Mosaic natural stone veneer on the stair risers, garage, backyard entertainment area, foundation, and exterior walls as maintenance free stone siding.

http://www.stoneyard.com/gallery/projects/orr-homes-923/

Tuscan Villa Tour Created with New England Fieldstone

2009-12-14T09:43:00.000-05:00

Tuscan Villa Tour Created with New England Fieldstone

Video Interview with Stuart Murr

Designer, Architect and Builder
Smart Designs Inc.
Springfield,Missouri

Visit the Gallery Page for this Tuscan Villa Project

Stoneyard.com Featured Project #921 Townsend Library Fieldstone Round Veneer

2009-12-08T14:53:00.000-05:00

Featured Project #921

Townsend Library and Senior Center Complex

New library features natural New England Fieldstone veneer stone from Stoneyard.com

How Thin is Thin - New England Fieldstone Thin Veneer by Stoneyard.com

2009-12-04T22:55:00.002-05:00

How Thin is Thin?

Thin Veneer vs Full Thickness Stone

David Croteau of Stoneyard.com explains how Historic New England Fieldstone Thin Veneer is made from full thickness (3-6 inch) Building Veneer

Enclosed Workspace

2009-12-02T17:32:00.003-05:00

October 10, 2009 was the first snowfall here in Littleton, MA, and now that it is December, I wanted to write a little about cold weather masonry. There is still room for masonry work on the calender.

-Temperature constraint:
Ideal temperature for masonry is 60-80 degrees Fahrenheit, but you can work as low as 40 degrees.

-Solution:
Raise the temperature by enclosing the workspace. Either bring in a heater or open the front door and run the boiler.

Gerald Croteau
www.Stoneyard.com

Groton Schools Fieldstone Retaining Walls by Quintal Landscape

2009-11-23T15:38:00.001-05:00

Photos of New England Fieldstone retaining walls.

Built by Quintal Landscape at Groton Schools in Groton,MA athletic fields.

View Groton Schools Photos

Quintal Landscape Photos

Stoneyard at Build Boston Trade Show Nov, 2009

2009-11-18T14:22:00.002-05:00

Townsend Municipal Complex

2009-11-10T16:39:00.006-05:00

The Municipal Complex in Townsend, MA includes a Library, Senior Center, and Meeting Hall all located on a site adjacent to the Police Station and Elementary and Middle School.

This project features Stoneyard.com's Round Veneer Stone in both the exterior cladding and interior fireplace.

Here are some of the photos:

Old:

New:

The original gallery can be found on the project gallery here.

Don’t Make A Sale, Make A Long-Term Customer

2009-05-17T10:20:00.001-04:00

Don’t Make A Sale, Make A Long-Term Customer
May 15, 2009 by Rich Whittle

Establishing ongoing relationships with customers enhances the long-term success of most small companies.

It’s more cost-effective and a lot less stressful to serve ongoing accounts than it is to continually search for new business.

Cash flows are more stable, and increased operational efficiencies can reduce internal costs, increasing profitability.

To secure a long-term customer, sales personnel need to “look beyond the sale.” They need to form a relationship with the customer, solving all of the customer’s needs and providing ongoing value of products and services.

The basis for establishing such a relationship is to address the five key needs of every customer. These include:

• Excellence of products and services on an ongoing basis
• Competitive pricing, assuring good value
• Top quality after-sales service and warranties
• An ongoing seamless relationship between customer and sales staff
• The need for a customer to feel smart or “right” if questioning the purchasing decision

Addressing these needs and any others pertinent to specific industries should be the basis for every sales presentation.

In fact, it can be argued that during the first sales presentation to a potential customer, sales personnel should not try for a close.

Rather, they should focus exclusively on showing why their company can satisfy the five above-mentioned needs.

http://www.business-opportunities.biz/2009/05/15/dont-make-a-sale-make-a-long-term-customer/

New Product Catalog - Stoneyard -- Fieldstone Veneer

2009-05-13T09:34:00.003-04:00

Stoneyard.com -- Historic New England Fieldstone Veneer

New Product Catalog now available - View Here

How to be a Stone Mason

2009-01-06T18:05:00.001-05:00

How to Do Stonemasonry

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

How to be a stonemason. This is a guide that'll walk you through the process of becoming one of the best stonemasons, and includes brilliant tricks of the trades.

Steps

Know the difference between a stonemason and other related trades. A stonemason is completely different from a brick layer, block layer, tile setter, and a "phonystonemason"; "phonystone" is exactly what its name implies it to be - a phony or a fake. Phony brickwork will mostly consist of concrete and a fake thin film that's completely worthless and will flake off in a matter of 15 years or slightly longer. Stonemasons actually work with real stone.
Learn how to do wallrock. Wallrock is the type of work stonemasons do the most. Separate the two words "wall" and "rock", meaning you're putting rock together with "mortar" in order to make a wall.
Construct a cutting operation. Usually this is done with two scaffolds and an X-brace and about three planks. Two should be at about hip level and one at the top of the scaffold, so that you can put a bucket full of water up top. This is so that you can create a siphon for your wetsaw, should you need it. It's usually safe to assume you'll need it every day.
Get your tools and plug them in and place them where you'll need them. Sometimes you won't need all your tools but take out the ones that you'll need with that specific job. If you don't know which tools you'll need, take all of them.
Consider where your cement is going to be coming from. If it's not smart for you to have a wheelbarrow full of cement, get a mud board. A MUD BOARD can usually be found on every job site. It's just any flat board that you wet down and place cement on.
Get a good amount of stone and adorn it all around your cutting operation. You want a good selection to work with, but don't take all the good stones if you have other stonemasons on the job that could use some. Just use those really good ones you might need and leave it at that.
Before you mix any cement, look at your wall and think about what you might need. If it's a pillar or something that has a corner, then you're going to have to string a line or a series of lines. This means you'll need a tightly strung string that is strung from above where you're working and all the way down to the bottom at a specific measurement. So suppose you're wrapping your stone around a pillar and your distance is two and a half inches away from the wall; cut a 2x4 at about a six inch length. Then get some particle board and cut it in a long strip. Drill the six inch long 2x4 to the particle board with two screws so that the tension in the line doesn't cause the 2x4 to pivot. Drill the particle board to the wall. Measure from the two walls two and a half inches and make those measurement marks on the 2x4. Extend those marks with a square to the point to where the measurement marks intersect. Drill a screw into that intersection point, but don't drill it 100% into the wood. Leave some of the screw out a little ways. Now, tie a stiff and durable string to that screw you just drilled. Make sure that the string reaches all the way to the bottom with a little extra remaining.
Dig all the way down to the foundation or footing of the structure you're going to be working on. If there's not enough of a footing, then you'll have to dig about a foot deep and pile in some stiff cement into that hole in order to make your own footing.
Lay your first stone at the corner. Make sure it's at two and a half inches out on both ends of both walls. You can do this with a square and a measuring tape to make sure the edge of your stone is at the proper measurement. When working with corners, you'll usually need a natural edge or a chiseled edge. Make sure not to leave a saw cut edge on the rock, unless you're told to do that by your employer... but you're not likely ever to encounter that situation.
Get another screw and tie it to the bottom end of your string. Make sure it's tight enough so that when you tuck it underneath your first cornerstone you'll have tension on the line, but it won't lift your stone up off the ground because the cement is still wet. If this is the first time you're doing this, you'll get frustrated with this process. You'll learn how to do it right in time.
Try to make sure that the line isn't off. Measure, measure, measure, re-measure, and measure again. When working with corners, this is the most vital thing. If it's off, then you might have to tear out two to three days of work - if not more - which obviously sucks if you're paid by the square footage and sucks even more when you're being paid the the hour because then you're in danger of losing your job for pay that wasn't delivered to your employer. So make sure you measure as much of everything that seems important and even some of the things you'd usually not consider. Just measure, measure, and measure some more. It's hard to get to the point to where you're measuring too much.
Keep your joints as tight as can be. Sometimes this means you need to undercut some of your stone and not just cut straight down on your rock. Don't undercut at a too dramatic angle but just enough to fit your stones nice and snugly together without having one overlap the other. Make sure every stone is flush - unless your employer wants some stupid "Rustic" look, which usually means - do your worst. (The way to tell if you're a good stonemason is to see if you're organized, if your work is clean, and if your joints are nice and tight.)
Be aware that there are going to be points in time when you're working with rather tight fits and difficult cuts. For example, you'll be picking up this big heavy stone and moving it around and making marks on the stone and cutting it a little bit, then repeating this process in order to finally lay the stone. The more you play with a stone, the more likely it's going to break. So you can either work with lots and lots of small rock, or you can use a template. This is a trick of the trade!
- Buy some wire that's not tie wire. (Tie wire is too stiff, you need some wire that you can move and shape easily; usually this means having a thinner caliber of wire. However, if it's too thin it won't hold its shape and it'll sag and waste your time.) Find a brand of wire that you're comfortable with.
- Get a good length of wire, cut it, then wrap the two ends together. You should have a circular-looking type of wire. Put it in those difficult to cut places and shape it to the shape the outer portions the shone should be. Shape it so that it's not touching any of the already laid stones. Spend an extra minute or two just to make sure it's right. Working a little longer on a light piece of wire is much faster and easier than having to pick up a heavy stone, mark it a little bit, cut, then mark again, and cut, and repeat this process however many times is necessary to get it right. Hopefully you've shaped the wire properly.
- Place it atop your stone. If you have a pencil or Sharpie marker, place the wire onto the stone and mark it from the inside of the wire. (Make sure you don't invert your template, otherwise your stone will be worthless. Sometimes you can salvage it by flipping the stone, but if you undercut it probably won't be; so there are downsides to undercutting, but it does more good than bad). Once you've marked your stone, put your stone to that shape and it should fit perfectly into place.
While doing stonemasonry, make sure your joints are T's or I's. Try never to make an X joint. Let me explain. You've seen how bricks are stacked, right? Each layer is staggered. Suppose they weren't staggered. You'd wind up with a bundle of X joints. If they were a map they'd be four-way stops rather than T intersections. These are bad. They look ugly and usually cause a running joint. A running joint is a joint that extends more than three feet. Those are bad. Why? Because as the stonemasonry ages sometimes cracks form. The first places cracks form are in X joints and in the running joints.
Keep in mind that there is more to this job. There is always a quirky little thing that you'll have to work around. Hopefully you can work around the problems presented to you with reflection and perseverance.
Proceed to master flat work. Flatwork means working on floors. This is faster, meaning that more gets done in one day and you get paid more for it; but you rarely do it, so worship the employer that gets it.
Set up your cutting operation. I suppose you can use scaffolding, but it's usually smarter to just use a wheelbarrow. With that wheelbarrow, get a particle board that extends the length of the thinner area of the wheelbarrow and lay it down. Get your grinder or wetsaw out and place it there. That's your workspace.
Find out what pattern you're doing. Start laying your stones. Obviously there are going to be some complicated cuts involved.
- Get some plastic transparent tarp that's inexpensive. Sometimes it's stuff that's usually used for masking or stuff that you'll just find around, or you can buy . Buy some Sharpie markers, too. Place the tarp around the place that you're going to cut. Be sure to stretch it out. Mark the shape of the stone you're going to cut. Write TOP in the middle of the plastic template so that you don't invert the stone. Find the appropriate stone that's the right size for the template. Put some water on your stone and place the plastic template on the watery surface so that it doesn't blow away or move. Cut the stone to the shape you need it.

Tips

You might be wondering what qualifications you need in order to become a stonemason. Well, usually you have to be a stonemason's hod tender for a extended and very long time period. You don't need any sort of education, but being a hod tender teaches you specific things that spare you extra difficulty in the adjustment process in becoming a stonemason. If you choose this line of work to be your profession, expect to be a hod tender for about a year, or possibly two or three.
While you're a hod tender, buy the conventional stonemason tools. Don't just buy them all; that's just wasteful, buy them gradually so that you don't deplete your financial needs.

Warnings

Beware of X joints. It's best to keep joints about 4 inches away from each other. Also, beware of running joints.

Things You'll Need

Hammer: The hammer should be an eight pound sledge hammer, not some dinky carpenter's hammer. The weight helps increase the amount of force thrust on the chisel, which creates clean and controlled breaks in the stone.
Chisels: There are two types of chisels. Of course, there are many different shapes for different purposes for different breakings of the stone, but I'm talking about grades of chisels. There are chisels you can buy at essentially any Home Depot or Lowes that are entirely made out of steel. These are "okay". They get the job done. They're usually used the most because they're expendable, however there are downsides to using these. You have to constantly check to see if they're sharp. If they're not sharp then you'll break the stone improperly, which can sometimes set you back about an hour or two and most stonemasons are paid by the square foot, rather than by the hour. Now, the second type of chisel are those called Carbon Tipped Chisels. These obviously have a special tip that never dulls. The downside is that they're expensive and because they're so pricey, you'll only want to use them when you're doing something complicated with a stone but you'll still have to be familiar enough with them that you'll know the proper techniques to not screw up.
Trowel: A Marshaltown or a Rose is recommended. Both of these are high quality. Just get a conventional bricklayer's sized trowel. Cut a somewhat forty five degree angle off the trowel about four inches down from the tip - this is so that you can move mud around more efficiently, scoop more cement out of the bucket at one time and scrape it out of the bottom with ease.
Grinder: this is essential. The best brand can only be purchased at The Home Depot. It's a Ridgid grinder. Basically, they're so good because when they lock up, they react in such a way that they don't burn up the engine; they just last longer and they're a great thing. If you want details about it then go to Ridgid.com and read up on them yourself. All Ridgid tools are pretty good. They're a little pricey, but they'll last long enough to make your money well spent. Anyway, grinders are helpful. It's best to use them outside because they kick up quite a bit of dust and you don't want to breathe that indoors. The downside is that you probably shouldn't cut stone any deeper than a half-inch, otherwise you'll overheat the diamond blade and chip it, cause the grinder to bind up and overwork its engine. The only time cutting deeper with a grinder is ok is when you're squirting a constant stream of water on the blade as you're cutting the stone but usually there are other tools for deeper cuts. Usually a deep scoring of the stone is all that's truly needed. Sometimes you need to cut deeper, or even all the way through the stone and you'll know when you'll need to do that. But usually a deep score will cause a weakness point in the stone to the point where if you strike the stone with a hammer and chisel on the score, it'll usually break along that scoring. Just be smart about how hard you hit and where you hit. It's not rocket science, but it's not easy all the time.
Wet Saw: Most stonemasons make their own. They buy a conventional old saw and purchase a syphon kit and custom tailor it to work. The reason for a wet saw is so that you can cut all the way through stones as as to not kick up dust everywhere, but they're wet so they're a little messy. They're great for working indoors, but you'll usually have to cover up your surrounding area so that it doesn't get dirty. These are also great when you need really deep cuts in really thick stone.
Blades: So what's a grinder and a wet saw worth if you don't have a diamond blade? Purchase Cherokee blades. They last a long time. They're usually a little pricey, but they usually are a high enough quality to make your money well spent. They're usually reliable.
Hammer Drills: These are handy. They save time and they're efficient. There's a technique in using them and that's to keep it in motion.
Drill: A hammer drill and a drill are completely different. Hammer drills put bursts of FORCE on and off on during their use, and they're usually heavy duty. You'll just simply need a normal drill - a cordless one is best as the more cords you have all over the place, the longer it takes to get the day started and finished; cords cause more work because you have to pay more attention to avoiding them and that will irritate you because cords are the last thing you want to worry about as you're working along. These will be mostly used in putting in wall ties.

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New England Fieldstone Flagging - An Excellent Conversation Piece

2008-10-13T11:30:00.019-04:00

New England Fieldstone is known for its wide range of colors. This comes from the many different minerals that make up the stone. Add to this the fact that Fieldstone has been exposed to the weather for the last 100+ years, and you have a product with a natural aged beauty. New England Fieldstone from Stoneyard.com has been tested by mother nature while being exposed to many freeze/thaw cycles. Only the stones that pass the test are found here at Stoneyard.com.

Paul Sweeney of Cornerstone Masonry was asked by his customer to create a natural sitting area that is in harmony with the backyard while providing a comfortable place to relax and exchange conversation. Paul chose the New England Fieldstone because it blends beautifully into the natural environment. The fieldstone was installed on a concrete pad in a bed of cement with the joints mortared together. This created a circular patio that will be free of weeds, very low maintenance, and lends itself to pleasant conversation.

The fieldstone was further enhanced to show off its colors by sealing it with a premium silicone sealer that also enhanced the color of the stone. If you want the stone sealed without changing the appearance of the stone you can do this by using the same premium sealer without the color enhancer. Either product adds a barrier of protection that will help keep the stone clean and looking natural for many years to come.

If you need assistance with your stone project, Paul Sweeney of Cornerstone Masonry should be on your short list. Paul has been creating stone masterpieces such as this for the last 30 years. Check out his portfolio of work in our Design Center. Paul Sweeney is a master stone craftsman who loves working with stone and all of its different applications.

Cornerstone Masonry
Paul M. Sweeney
Hubbardston, MA 01452
978.928.4325

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