Landscaping Rocks Blog

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
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There are a number of different ways to create focal points on your property.  These focal points can be practical or purely to create interest. By following the natural contours of your property you can create functional and fun focal points in your family’s backyard for relaxing, entertaining or any type of fun.

A stone fire pit recalls childhood campfire memories and makes for a perfect weekend project. Today there are many design & style choices for your backyard fireplace projects, no longer are outdoor fire pits just round piles of stone. You could try a stacked stone fireplace, and if you incorporate a natural stone patio to surround your new fire pit you have the perfect place to relax while enjoying a fire in the evening.  With the popularity of stone fire pits steadily increasing, not only are you building memories with your fire pit, you are creating a conversational piece to last for many years to come.

Speaking of conversational pieces, did you know that stone can also be chiselled to create a bowl-shaped hollow? The hollow in the stone then collects rainwater and serves as both a reflecting pool and ground-level birdbath. What a great natural stone piece to add to your landscaping plans.

Why not create interest on your property with standing stone at the entrance of a garden? The standing stone can be placed together in groups of threes, or left as single stand alone pieces. Standing Stone wherever they are placed, will surely be a focal point and enhance your landscaping design. Careful planning and consideration should be given to the stones size, placement and design.

Landscaping Stone slabs can be used to make practical exterior furniture such as tables and benches. For a new stunning talked about table, why not create your own? For simplicity sake (as we know it may be more challenging than it sounds) - perch a stone slab on top of stone bases or for a different look try natural wood bases. You can create other outdoor seating in the same fashion. Chair shaped Boulders would be a nice landscaping accent too.

Natural Stone & Rock can add stories, themes and new memories to your landscaping, so use your imagination in creating your landscaping focal points.

Tags: English, Flagstones, Landscaping Rocks, Natural stone, natural stone by mike
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Stone Haven is celebrating its 10^th Anniversary in 2011. We are offering some huge discounts on specific in stock products. It’s our way of saying “Thank You” to our devoted friends and customers.

At Stone Haven we have an exceptional team lead by Mike Stone himself and as Mike says “It’s not just our name, it is our business.”

With Mike’s vast knowledge in the Natural Stone Industry for over 30 years, we are ready to focus our attention to supplying are friends and clients, of both commercial landscapers and homeowners with great stone selections, excellent prices and exceptional customer service!

So come help us Celebrate Stone Haven’s 10^th Anniversary!

Drop into the store and enjoy a cup of coffee with Mike, Sue and Mary and check out all the “Anniversary” specials we are offering. Come see what’s new in the showroom and at stone yard.

Do you have questions about natural stone and how stone can be incorporated into your project plans? We have answers, we have displays, and we have some great landscaping designs.

Come by and get fresh ideas, or come and get assistance and guidance in planning out projects that you already have in mind.

While you are there, ask for a tour of the stone yard, you will be glad you did; because our broad selection of natural stone will surely get you motivated to finalize those project plans, so you can get started on creating your dream environment.

Tags: English, Landscaping Rocks, Natural stone, natural stone by mike
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Spring is in the air and the 2011 Landscaping season is well underway.

It’s not only spring time; it’s also home improvement time.

And whether it’s indoor or outdoor projects you have in mind for this spring, our expertise and vast selection of natural stone applies to both your indoor and outdoor décor.

Many of our clients have already been calling in to see if we are open.

• They are booking appointments,
• They are requesting quotes,
• They are calling to get pricing
• They are checking up on natural stone product availability for their upcoming outdoor projects.

It seems that everyone is just about ready to put their indoor projects on the side burner for just a little, so that they can get outside and rejuvenate their landscaping in time for summer.

What’s the first thing you’re going to work on once the ground thaws?

If you have had plans made for an exterior or interior project, don’t hesitate to call us 1-450-242-0255 for an appointment.

Better yet, why not drop by our showroom or tour our stone yard at 570 Knowlton Road, Knowlton, Quebec to check out for yourself what we have to offer in natural stone products.

At Stone Haven, we pride ourselves in helping customers find the very best stone for their projects.

Tags: English, Landscaping Rocks, Natural stone, natural stone by mike
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Every year at this time, Stone Haven gets ready for the winter months. Professional landscapers, architects and do it yourself enthusiasts scramble to get those natural stone walkways, stone patios or stone retaining walls finished before the snow comes in and stays for the winter. Like it or not, outdoor natural stone laying is a seasonal trade. For example, while some companies will theoretically lay a stone retaining wall during the winter, doing this requires specialized professional help, equipment to prepare the ground, and more money – lots more. It’s just easier to plan your projects when the snow is gone.

On the other hand, natural stone veneers for interiors and other interior natural stone projects can run strong through the winter. We now have a large inventory of thin natural stone for interior applications, so we will remain open for clients as long as weather permits. Depending on the weather, we anticipate remaining open anywhere from the end of November to the middle of December. While we would love to be your natural stone retailer and wholesaler 365 days a year, right now it’s a good idea to call and make an appointment. Beyond ensuring we can see you, this makes sure we can devote our fullest attention to you. At Stone Haven, we pride ourselves in helping customers fine the very best stone for their projects.

We look forward to the Spring of 2011. During the winter months we’ll be searching for new products to introduce at the start of the 2011 landscaping season. We’ll also have many of the popular varieties landscaping rocks and cut natural stone we sold this year, such as Penn Blue sandstone. We will reopen mid-March or the beginning of April 2011. Our opening day always depends on when the snow has melted and we can get into our yard. We look forward to serving you next year!

Tags: English, Landscaping Rocks, Natural stone, natural stone by mike
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Are you considering redoing the flooring in your bathroom? Around your fireplace? Would you like to spruce up a foyer or perfect your patio before it gets cold? Now is the time. Stone Haven’s thin natural stone masonry has arrived in time for these and other projects. We’re proud to offer this as both a natural stone retailer and as a stone wholesaler, so whether your a renovation pro who needs quality material or a do-it-yourself enthusiast, we can help you, providing exactly the right amount of guidance for your project and experience level. That’s because Stone Haven owner Mike Stone has decades of experience in the natural stone trade as an artisan – not just a supplier.

Thin masonry has become more popular in recent years as the technology has arrived to precisely and economically cut natural stone to fit specific dimensions. We can provide stone to suit nearly any project. Thin stone masonry is a flexible material that is particularly suited to areas where you might otherwise use tile or any hard synthetic surface. Natural stone is superior in almost every way. You can finish it to be a non-slip surface for bathrooms, and even install it in such a way as to be heated from below. It’s stronger, better looking than alternatives . . . the advantages are really too many to list.

Let us show you the advantages. Drop by our show room at 570 Knowlton Road, Knowlton, Qc.  We can show you examples of thin stone masonry on the premises, talk to you about which natural stone varieties might work best for you. And guide you through the process of acquiring the right type and amount of thin masonry for your project.

As we said earlier in this article, thin stone masonry is more popular than ever, so please contact us as soon as possible to get started. You’ll have the best chance off seeing the most variety. We can show you marble, granite, travertine, slate, marble, Pa. Blue stone, and limestone in both irregular and patterned varieties. See you soon!

Tags: English, Landscaping Rocks, Natural stone, Sand Stone, natural stone by mike
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One of the most common complaints people have about certain natural stone retailers and wholesalers is the condition orders arrive in. While natural stone is durable, care must be taken to ensure that it ships in the best condition possible. Even the highest quality natural stone may face wear from improper storage and shipping.

At Stone Haven we’ve always been careful to properly ship and store our natural stone. We pay special attention to the characteristics of individual types of stone. For example, granite and sandstone each have different preferred practices for storage, shipping and usage. One constant is the need to prevent erosion through abrasion. While natural stone is tough, grinding and scratching might still affect it.

While we always take care to ensure that your natural stone ships in the best possible condition we want to make our shipping process even better. That’s why Stone Haven recently purchased a Phoenix wrapping machine to address abrasion during shipping. A Phoenix wrapping machine adds a form-fitting wrapper to your order on the pallet. This protects it from abrasion against other objects as well as between the pieces of cut stone because it not only acts as a shield, but tightly secures the natural stone to the pallet itself.

The plastic wrap will come in handy as our shipments go on the road throughout Quebec, Ontario and beyond – even as far as Labrador City, Labrador. No matter what road our shipment takes to get to our landscaping, renovation or other project, we’ll make sure your natural stone arrives in as close to pristine condition as we can manage.

Tags: English, Landscaping Rocks, Natural stone, natural stone by mike
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Stone Haven is not only renowned for the range of natural stone products we carry, but in the way we present their potential to customers through landscape displays. We have always believed that a stone retailer should do more than make stone available to sale. Truly qualified stone professionals demonstrate their expertise by showcasing the product at its best. This demonstrates faith in its quality, and enough experience to help retail and wholesale customers alike make the right choices for their projects.

Our natural stone landscape displays begin right at the entrance of the stone yard with a water feature and two stone walls. One wall is a traditional, double faced New England stone wall. The other is a Scottish wall (also double faced) built with New York wall stone. As you proceed to the parking area you’ll see a variety of retaining walls that use various types of wall stone, each designed to show how that stone will look when it’s laid into a retaining wall by skilled hands.

Enjoy our beautiful gardens as you head up to the store. You can’t miss our pergola, built with ten 10-foot columns made from many types of building stone. The pergola provides a beautiful introduction to what natural stone can do for you. In it, we display laid patio stones, stone walls, and even another water feature. The pergola is effectively a small gallery, comfortable and accessible even on rainy days. There’s no need to rush, either, as sitting areas provide a place to rest and take in the craftsmanship.

Moving around to the backyard, you’ll find will find yet another water feature, well-kept gardens and a 4 foot tool retaining wall build to show you a range of natural stone. Regular and irregular stone steps give you a chance to compare and contrast both styles, and imagine how they might look at your site.

Remember, if you have any questions during your visit, please talk to us! Until then, take a look around, because there’s always something new to see at Stone Haven.

Tags: English, Landscaping Rocks, Natural stone, Retaining Walls, natural stone by mike
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Who’s going to the Fair? Stone Haven Inc. is going to the Fair! Will we see you there?

Stone Haven is going to be exhibiting our natural stone once again at the Brome Fair September 3, 4, 5 & 6, 2010.
The Brome Fair is a fall celebration during the long Labour Day weekend for four days in Brome, geared for family, friends and fun. The quaint village of Brome with a small population of only 250, actually expands to over 40,000 people over the course of the four days of fair.

So this Labour Day weekend why don’t you make your way to the Brome Fair, and while you are there, stop by the Stone Haven booth and say Hi!

We are bringing in over 30 pallets of our Natural Stone and Landscaping Rocks just for you to see. Come see our Fall Fair stone yard that we have set up for the long weekend. Place an order at out booth during the Fair and receive a Fair Discount.

Stone Haven is now the largest natural stone wholesaler/retailer in Quebec, so if you don’t see what you are looking for at our booth, come by and see us at our showroom/stone yard in Knowlton.

The Labour Day weekend is a perfect time to visit the Eastern Townships including Brome & Knowlton.
So come and enjoy a relaxed and entertaining weekend with us - “Stone Haven Inc.” - at the Fair.
For more information about the Fair visit www.bromefair.com

Tags: English, Landscaping Rocks, Natural stone, Uncategorized, natural stone by mike
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We designed Stone Haven’s facilities to to be “user friendly.” With decades in the natural stone trade, Mike Stone knew exactly what do-it-yourself landscapers, architects and landscaping professionals needed to feel comfortable deciding on purchases, inspecting natural stone, and moving it with a minimum of fuss.  That’s why our stone yard is a spacious location, situated on 3.5 acres of land filled with natural stone. We divided our stock’s incredible variety into four categories: patio stone, wall stone, stone steps and slabs, and masonry stone.

Clients are invited to browse through each section with or without a salesperson. As stone retailers and wholesalers we understand that some of our customers require more guidance then others, so our aim is to be helpful – not intrusive. Our natural stone is stacked so that it’s easy to view each variety, colour and cut.

We display our pricing prominently so that it’s easy for any customer to calculate the price of their project. We sell patio (flagging) stone and masonry stone by the square foot, wall stone per pallet; and steps and slabs per linear foot. If you are unsure how much your project might need or have questions about the appropriate type of stone, just talk to our staff. They’ll be able to provide basic on the spot help.

At Stone Haven, we’re proud of our clean, organized yard. We created it to put customers at ease, so that they can plan for each project with a clear mind and positive attitude. We want to make the experience of preparing for your project as positive as the end result, and we hope that with our stone on your side, that end result will be something to admire for years to come.

Tags: English, Landscaping Rocks, Natural stone, natural stone by mike
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