|
The use of real stone tends to be in high demand for many home renovations. Not only is stone more durable than many other materials used in its place, most people are more likely to prefer the natural look of it to the alternatives. Masonry and stone cutting services tend to go hand in hand as the use of stone in walls is fairly common, but there are a variety of applications for natural stone in home construction. Flooring, patios and yes, even retaining or decorative walls are common, but so are countertops, hearths and even landscaping features. While not all of these rely on the same kinds of stone, they do require skilled stone cutting in order to achieve the desired result. Unlike cutting wood or tile, stone cutting is a very precise and very laborious process. Improper measurements, a bad cut or natural imperfections in the stone itself can render a product unusable and result in a great deal of waste. It is for this reason that many pieces are cut a little larger than is estimated, in order to avoid making a final product that is too small before transporting for installation. It is possible to make minor alterations on site in order to reduce the size of something that has been cut too large. It is impossible to repair the situation if a countertop or flag stone has been cut too small. In masonry the problem is less severe, but no less costly. Breakage and inaccurate measurements tend to be the biggest sources of loss on just about any job. When stone cutting is required, these companies rely on specialized saws designed to handle the strain of chewing through extremely hard surfaces. Normally these tools are water cooled, not for lubrication but to prevent the blade from overheating due to friction and resulting in a warp that can throw off a cut and cause the stone to splinter or chip. Once the stone is cut, any rough edges must be polished down, in the case of countertops this usually results in a beveled or rounded edge. In some cases, such as outdoor applications, certain stones are left unpolished in order to achieve a desired look, such as slate tiles or other natural stones used for landscaping projects. While there are alternative materials that can mimic the look of natural stone, such as marble and granite, few stack up when it comes to durability and appearance. These artificial stones are often composite materials created over a period of a few days. On the other hand, real stone like granite and marble is created over millions of years and the difference between these and their faux counterparts is obvious to even an untrained eye. It is for this reason that stone is generally more expensive and often in greater demand. Coupled with an appropriate set of cabinets or used to set a foundation for a room, it can give a variety of décor effects. For thousands of years, stone has been relied upon as a key building material. It has become an important part of many home improvement projects and is still highly valued as a construction material but instead of being a part of the structure it has become a part of the décor, meant to add character rather than physical stability. The same can be said for a number of natural building materials, for while wood is still used to frame houses it is often frequently found in many design aspects as well. When considering the use of natural materials in the décor of your home, be sure you're aware of the care and maintenance required to give it the most favorable appearance possible.
Related Articles -
stone, cutting,
|
