Landscaping Rocks Blog

The season has begun in earnest. With all the beautiful weather that we’ve been experiencing landscapers and homeowners are busy planning and buying stone for their projects. Stone Haven has received a number of loads already this year of Pennsylvania Blue Stone for patios, walls and steps. We’ve received some beautiful side by sides for pathways. As with previous years we have a large variety of stone to suit everyone’s taste. The different types of natural stone that we have in stock are limestone, granite, slate, sandstone and ledgerock. Remember you can’t get any greener than natural stone products.

We look forward to your visit to our store. We have 3.5 acres of natural stone for you to enjoy.

Tags: English, Flagstones, Granite Stone, Landscaping Rocks, Natural stone, Retaining Walls, Sand Stone, natural stone by mike
1 Comment »

Water and stone are opposites in many ways, yet somehow they are always compatible.  Water, clear and reflective when still, can make wonderful patterns when in motion, creating sounds that can be soothing and restful.  Stone can be a vessel for water.  It can shape a stream, be used as a waterfall, a fountain, or simply shape a pond.  A water feature on the property focuses our attention on the pairing of water and stone. A water feature also becomes a serene focal point while adding the soothing tranquil sounds of moving water.

There are a number of different types of fountains that can move water in a variety of ways, for quite different effects. So when choosing your next outdoor fountain, be sure to consider the location, the amount of space that is available for the size of the fountain, and the style that is going to best suit your landscaping.

Spill Fountains appear to be continually overflowing, with water simply tumbling down the sides of the fountain into the catch basin – the water simply follows gravity. If the fountain’s surface is smooth, the water can be almost undetectable, almost like a shimmering gloss.  A rougher surface produces a livelier dance of light with the water. The traditional tiered spill fountain often resembles a bird bath, with tiered catch basins offering a waterfall effect. Many types of spill fountains are often made of various types of stone and granite.

Spray Fountains shoot water upward in various patterns, from large upright stone like columns to lacy sprays or even just bubbling from the top. To get this effect, assorted fountain heads are used. Splash fountains also shoot water upwards and outwards, however the water is usually sent up through a sculpture of sorts. These types of water features can usually be purchased from a garden and landscape store.

Wall Fountains are a fantastic addition to any home or garden. They pour water from a spout mounted on a vertical surface into a catch basin below.  The spout may be a spigot or a horizontal ledge that creates a small waterfall. Wall fountains can be made of various materials ranging from stones, granite, clay, Fibreglass, metals, glass, and even wood, with some using a combination of materials. Because of their space saving feature, wall fountains have become very popular.

Fountains seem to satisfy the senses of sight and sound, so any of the above styles of water features will enhance your garden and landscaping. With the pleasant flow of water cascading over and thru stone vessels, tranquility and peacefulness are sure to be yours this summer, in your outdoor living area.

Tags: Fieldstone, Flagstones, Granite Stone, Landscaping Rocks, Natural stone, natural stone by mike
2 Comments »

As time is such a valued commodity nowadays, a low maintenance property lets you be creative and enjoy the property without devoting the long hours you need for work and family. That’s why low maintenance landscaping is not only a practical choice for institutions and property management firms but also individuals who want a beautiful landscape, but aren’t sure of their ability to make a time or financial commitment.

Once completed, you can take care of a low maintenance landscape for a fraction of the time required for its high maintenance counterpart. The disadvantage is that a low maintenance property can rarely match the spectacular features of a harder to maintain properties.

Still, you can get a lot out of a little effort by sticking to a design philosophy of elegant simplicity. This gives you low maintenance property gardens, but only at key locations where they’ll have maximum visual impact. Even the most labour intensive property can end up looking gaudy and overdone compared to a low maintenance landscape with correct composition and a solid construction/

Use landscaping stones such as sandstone and granite stone as tough decorative elements. If you choose the right variety from a stone retailer it can serve as its own decoration above and beyond any gardens or the other soft landscaping features it supports.

Stone retaining walls along with other practical or decorative stone walls are great additions to a landscaped property. Retaining walls let you reshape the property to be less prone to serious erosion, and if you choose the right landscaping stone (such as sandstone, limestone or granite) your walls, if properly built, should work perfectly without demanding maintenance for several years.

Lawns that have a rolling appearance also add interest to a property, and can be used to better control drainage than a flat grassy area. The key is to combine practical and visual goals, and try to do a little perfectly, instead of doing too much with too little money and materials.

Tags: English, Granite Stone, Landscaping Rocks, Retaining Walls, Sand Stone by mike
1 Comment »

Granite is one of the hardest, most durable types of natural stone available.  Granite is found throughout the world; you’d be hard pressed to find a region where it isn’t a primary building material. Indeed, it’s so useful that it’s used by building architects, landscape architects, interior designers and small scale landscapers alike.

Granite’s wide range of uses can be divided into interior and exterior roles. It’s an excellent choice for kitchen counters, flooring and facing for fireplaces.  On the exterior side, landscapers install granite in patios, walkways and around swimming pools.  Depending on the style of the exterior project irregular flagstone or patterns cut to specific dimensions are used.

One key to getting the most out of granite is being able to get the right cut from a knowledgeable stone supplier. There are several options available. Granite slabs offer a more natural look due to their irregular shapes and varying lengths.  Granite cut steps are also available.  These offer the client an opportunity to decide on the exact length of the step they wish to use.

The ultimate limit on granite’s uses lies in the skill of the planners and artisans who use it. Here at Stone Haven we benefit from Mike Stone’s 40 years of landscaping experience. If you want to know more, email mike@stonehaveninc.ca or call 1-450-242-0255.

Tags: Granite Stone, Stone Veneer, Uncategorized by mike
No Comments »

As a tradesman of 40 years, I can say that I have worked with a lot of great landscape architects. Large projects require a plan to give the customer an overall view of the landscaped property. This is generally accomplished with the input of the client, landscaper and architect. They work together on a plan that looks good, obeys sound architectural principles and makes the best use of available building and landscaping materials.

A good architect keeps an open mind once the plan gets applied to a working job sites. Lets face it: What may work on paper doesn’t always work on the site. Supplies, budgets and the site’s environment all need to be accounted for. A good architect is ready to give practical input that takes these conditions into account. This allows the team at the site to make the necessary changes quickly.

A landscape architect creates a living space on your property. Therefore, when choosing an architect it’s important to choose an individual who listens well and can translate your needs and preference into a reality. They should be able to accommodate your tastes in everything from sandstone and granite varieties to blending a patio into a natural stone feature.

Tags: English, Granite Stone, Landscaping Rocks by mike
No Comments »

Stone Haven, Inc. celebrates its 9^th year in business this season. Owners Mike and Sue Stone have brought Stone Haven from its small beginnings to one of the largest natural stone retailers in Eastern Canada. As the business has grown, Stone Haven has been able to expand its product offerings and enhance its service quality. An exclusive delivery service with J.J. Towing allows Stone Haven to offer 24 hour delivery of stock products. J.J. Towing’s boom truck has the ability to place product close to the job site. Six trucks help ensure prompt deliveries on busy days. Their service is second to none.

Stone Haven’s vast selection of landscape stone and thin stone for masonry brings tradespeople, home owners and architects from the Laurentians, West Island Montreal, the City of Montreal, the South Shore, Sherbrooke and Drummondville down autoroute 10 to take advantage of the variety and expertise on hand.

Tradespeople take advantage of Stone Haven’s wide selection. They encourage their clients to visit the business’ three and a half acre site and outdoor pergola showroom to help them make wise choices. Visitors can view different colours, sizes and shapes of natural stone from Quebec, Ontario, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, the United States, China and Brazil. The outdoor pergola showroom offers displays of patio, walkway and step stones, as well as wall stone and fountain displays.

This year owner Mike Stone will share his over 40 years of patio and wall laying experience through classes on how to build patios, walkways and stone walls. Classes will be by appointment only.

Visit Stone Haven at 570 Knowlton Road, in Knowlton, Quebec. You’ll be able to view pallets of Pennsylvania Blue Stone, slate, granite, limestone and much more, in a pleasant environment where expert advice is always close at hand.

Tags: English, Granite Stone, Landscaping Rocks by mike
No Comments »