Granite is a very common type of rock, often intrusive to an area and indigenous to many more areas. It is also widely used in the home, on patios and decks, and even in and around commercial centers. Granite deposits above the surface of earth, or close enough underground for us to reach them, actually come from deep in the crust of the earth. Magma from a depth of around 2 to 50km below the surface many times will find its way up due to a number of factors, the molten rock is the naturally occurring granite from this deep area of the earth’s crust, the resulting cooled magma will have large portions of different types of granite. The precise way granite makes its way from this depth to closer to the surface is a matter of contention, and it is thought there are different ways this occurs in different areas. Granite has a course to medium texture and can come in a wide range of colors including shades of pink and grey. The color depends entirely on the chemistry and different minerals making up the stone. Generally different areas will have stone of a slightly different shade. Another common feature of granite is the different colors within any slab of stone. The overall hue will usually range from gray to pink, but within are shades of both pink and gray along with tan, black, white and a clear or shiny crystal. Just as the overall color or hue of the stone can vary so to will the makeup of the different colors within the stone.
Granite in construction
Granite has been used in construction for tens of thousands of years. It is a popular stone due to its very tough and durable nature along with an abundance of the stone found around the world. Most granite deposits are massive. This also tends to bring down market prices when compared to some of the other types of stone used in construction. In addition to this however, granite can also be quite beautiful and is many times preferred in areas where style is the primary concern as opposed to the functional characteristics of the stone.
Uses for granite
The third largest Egyptian pyramid, the Red Pyramid, is named for the color of the granite surface when the sun reflects off of it. There are other examples of ancient Egyptian structures using granite in large quantities, and a few even older examples. Today builders use more durable or pliable substances for the actual building process and granite is most often used for flooring and polished granite for areas like kitchen countertops. It has become in large part a style preference more than an essential portion of the building process. That is not to say there are not a number of advantages though:
1. Granite is durable – Granite is a very hard stone and will last for years with little or no wear. In fact many who carve monuments have begun switching from marble to granite due to increased acid rain, which over years will degrade the marble more so than granite.
2. Granite is beautiful – Granite comes in a wide range of shades, and polished granite can be a truly stylish addition to nearly any home or building.
3. Granite is inexpensive – Compared to many stones granite is very affordable due to its abundance.
Feel free to take a look at our Granite Pavers Gallery.
Advantages of Cultured Stones in Long Island
You see cultured stone in nearly any residential community and in many storefronts and commercial centers as well. What is cultured stone though? Unlike many stones used in masonry and construction, cultured stone isn’t exclusively, or even usually, a functionally structural part of the building process. In almost all cases cultured stone is adhered to another, sturdier or more easily manipulated surface like wood, concrete, steel, etc, for aesthetic reasons. Cultured stone is a relatively new option for builders, masons and home improvement companies. It was not invented until 1962 by two brothers from Vellejo, California, Garret and Floyd Brown, a couple of plasterers. They wanted a material that was easy to work with but with all of the beauty of natural stone. They created flexible molds and used exact stone replicas to come up with an exact copy of the more difficult to work with stone, and at the time hand colored these in order to look as real as possible. They weighed less than one quarter what stone weighs yet were durable enough to be used outdoors. The veneer was light enough to be plastered to nearly any surface with an adhesive and the materials used could stand up to the elements.
Modern cultured stone
Today of course the process for creating cultured stone is streamlined, bringing down the cost significantly but also allowing for more options and even sturdier, yet equally light and easy to work with stone. Cultured stone is perhaps most often used around fireplaces, more and more they are found at the entrance to homes, around garden areas, as chimneys, steps, walls, fire pits, outdoor kitchens or grills, even walkways. Today an entire home may use cultured stone to give the appearance of an actual stone building.
How real do cultured stones look?
Most people literally will not be able to tell the difference between cultured stone and real stone, even if they are standing next to an actual stone structure and a cultured stone structure. The molds used for these stones are created from real stone and carefully selected for a specific appearance or style. The casting process captures every single detail of each individual stone and the mold is then colored using iron oxide pigments that look exactly like stone. Masons and others who work with real stone and cultured stone alike may see the difference, only in that the cultured stone actually usually looks cleaner and more appealing than if one were to use real stone due to the simplicity of the installation process and less likelihood of cracking and breaking like real stone.
Benefits of cultured stones
1. It is lightweight and easy to work with, and can be adhered to nearly any surface.
2. It comes in a wide range of styles.
3. It offers the beauty of stone, but without the expense and construction difficulties.
4. It is easily customized and changed if you decide to do a makeover. This cannot be said of stone in most cases.
5. Adding cultured stone can often increase the value of a home.
Should I Get a Pondless Waterfall for My Long Island Home?
How is a pondless waterfall possible? One of the many cool things about a pondless waterfall is that it does not need a standing or flowing body of water in order to work. It’s not a miracle, but the clever use of a pump and an underground reservoir. There actually is a pond, but it is hidden underground where you don’t have to worry about the hassle of keeping a body of water clean, and you do not need a lot of extra room for a pond or other body of water taking up most of your lawn.
Pondless Waterfalls in Action
The process for a pondless waterfall, while it may look miraculous in some instances, is really very simple. A hole is created wherever the waterfall is to be placed, and this is lined with gravel and concrete in order to hold water so that it does not escape underground. This has the added benefit of ensuring the water evaporates at a much slower rate meaning even in desert areas you’ll rarely need to add water. This underground reservoir also allows for overflow, so you don’t need to worry about heavy rains in any way affecting your waterfall. Next the reservoir is covered with a solid material that will withstand weight, but which has crevices that will allow water but not gravel and other materials to get through. Next this is covered with some material, stones or gravel in most instances. A pump is inserted in the reservoir and the waterfall or trickling stream is built around where the pump is located. This pump recycles water constantly, flowing up through the pump, down the waterfall, soaking back through the stone or gravel and back into the reservoir. The size of the reservoir needed only depends on the how large you want your waterfall.
Different kinds of pondless waterfalls available
One option for a pondless waterfall is to do it yourself. There are a number of kits available at home improvement stores and other retailers. This will require a bit of work on the buyer’s part and your options are going to be limited to what is available at the store you go to. In addition most of these models are a bit smaller.
More common and offering larger and more versatile options are pondless waterfalls installed by a contractor or home improvement experts. Here your options are nearly limitless. You can choose come up with your very own style, choose from options similar to those in the contractors portfolio or come up with some combination from what you see and your or a designers ideas.
Advantages of getting a pondless waterfall
1. First this is a very inexpensive decoration long term. Because the standing water is underground there is no upkeep or work involved, and the only real long term expense is running the pump, and water pumps are very cheap in most cases.
2. A pondless waterfall can fit just about anywhere you would like. This is great if you have a smaller yard, or you just don’t want a pond taking up a lot of space in your lawn.
Are You Looking for a Cabana in Long Island?
The term cabana stems from a kind of hut often used by indigenous peoples of different tropical zones. This is where the modern term come from. These cabanas usually stood alone or may have also been leaned against a tree, hill or other structure. This type of cabana generally had a thatched roof, usually grass, strung together in such a way to offer surprising protection from the rain. These cabanas were not as open as modern cabanas, usually with walls made of wood or clay and a small opening used as a “door” which was either left bare and open or which would be covered with some sort of cloth. These cabanas, when well made, offered very descent protection in tropical areas with moderate temperatures, they were however of no use in colder climates or areas with high winds and other detrimental weather conditions. While this was the inspiration for modern cabanas, today they bare little semblance to the originals, outside of an often thatched roof.
About today’s cabanas
Cabanas today are usually found around pools at hotels, public swimming areas and the like. They may also be found at some tiki or tropical bars or at some clubs. These cabanas may be for show, or sometimes they may be rented out by groups, and they often come with other services when in public areas. At pools they offer protection and comfort from the sun and may contain lounge chairs and other areas to sit and relax. Cabanas are also becoming popular in homes, either next to a pool area or other gathering place in order to offer a little protection from the sun while you enjoy the outdoors.
Cabanas may either be temporary structures, easy to move and rearrange at public places, or as more permanent structures. They are found in all kinds of materials, from wood to steel, aluminum and other materials for the frame, and the roof can be made from clothe or it may be a thatched material similar to the original cabanas, but made of more durable and weatherproofed materials.
Cabana’s vs. Other Outdoor Structures
From gazebos to awnings and pagodas you have a lot of options for outdoor structures offering some shelter from the wind or rain. So what is the primary difference between a cabana and these other structures? Cabanas by comparison are usually more open than these other options. They are often less permanent as well, and some cabanas can be taken down seasonally than put up again for the summer months—though some cabanas may be permanent structures. While the materials can vary, usually a cabana will have a more tropical feel, or a lighter look when made of cloth.
Why choose a cabana for the home?
1. Even if you don’t have a pool a cabana is a great place to relax or hang out with friends and family. The open nature lets you really enjoy your outdoors, but still offers just enough shelter from the sun or from the rain.
2. They are relatively inexpensive to install when compared to other stand alone outdoor structures you have to choose from.
Feel free to take a look at our selection of Custom Cabanas.
Learn About Available Water Features for Your Long Island Home
There are all kinds of different water features which can be installed in any home. The advantages of these are many and varied from improving the general look of your backyard or garden, to actually increasing your home’s value. Perhaps the primary reason most choose a specific water feature for their home and their backyard is the relaxing nature of any water feature. Flowing water, whether an installed creak, pond complete with fish, water fountain or any other type of water feature, creates a soothing and serene atmosphere. If you love spending time in your backyard, love to garden, want to increase the value of your home or regularly entertain guests than installing water features is a fantastic idea.
How much will my amazing water feature cost me?
Price varies quite a bit depending on the sort of water feature you would like to install, the materials used, the contractor you hire and the complexity of the project. In other instances where a waterfall may appear to be a more complex project, it may actually be less expensive than other types of water features.
The other thing to consider when you are choosing the type of water feature you want, and how much you would like to spend on the type of water feature you want, is the water bill and energy bill. This may actually be less than you think though. Most of these water features use energy efficient pumps that require very little energy and recycles the water you already use.
The final thing to consider is the increased home value. Your backyard or garden is a major consideration when your home is being priced for sale, and often installing some sort of water feature can actually make you money if you sell the property.
With so many options, which water feature do I choose?
The water feature that is right for you is really a matter of preference. Some of the common options include flowing water fountains, ponds with jets and often even fish, tumbling waterfalls and different water features added to your pool like jets or waterfalls. It is a good idea to have a plan for your backyard, even draw sketches of what you envision if you like and see if what you want is even possible. You will also want to browse pictures of the different kinds of water features others have employed, and see what you like and what would work for you. The amount of room you have is another thing to keep in mind, and you want to be sure whatever you choose still allows you room to enjoy the rest of your backyard or garden.
If you are considering a waterfall, you may also want to speak with a professional designer, and see what ideas contractors who specialize in this type of work have to say. They have worked with all types of yards and gardens and will be able to point you in the right direction. Looking for a custom water feature? Check out our wide selection of Custom Long Island Water Features here.