What is the Difference Between Manufactured and Natural Stone?

For consumers, there are a lot of options out there when it comes to stone veneers. It’s more than just different colors and styles, though - they also have a choice between manufactured stone and natural stone. Manufactured stone, also known as cultured stone, is a product made from cement meant to look like natural stone. The "stones" are made thin and applied to the exterior wall with a thin coating of mortar. The benefit of this thinner, cultured stone is a slightly lower price point and a large space-saving capacity.

The history of cultured stone dates back to the mid 20th century, when people were looking for an alternative to heavy, costly natural stone. These first manufactured stone units were a good deal lighter than real stone, eliminating the need and expense of special footings and support. However, in the beginning this product was a poor substitute for real stone veneer due to unrealistic surface texture, color, and frequent pattern repeats that was easily spotted by an untrained eye. Since then, manufactured stone has come a long way as companies developed better methods such as hand-painting each piece and casting their molds from real stone units. (source)

So what are the key differences between manufactured and natural stone? Read on to learn the pros and cons of each:

Manufactured:

• Uniform, clean look
• Fit tightly together, smooth surface
• Easy to lay
• Sturdy in retaining walls
• Many color options

• More susceptible to fading than natural materials
• Less of a high-end look

Natural:

• Colors and textures may vary from batch to batch
• Irregular shapes, may be gaps

• Great in water features and used to slow down erosion
• Beauty of natural stone lasts a lifetime (no fading)
• Organic, natural look
• High-end look, aesthetically pleasing

If a homeowner is struggling between the two, it’s important as a contractor to let them know they truly can’t go wrong with either choice. Based on the above information, you should be able to better ascertain if their project would benefit more greatly by manufactured or natural stone. If you have any further questions, our knowledgeable staff will be happy to assist you. Contact Lafarge Fox River Decorative Stone today!

Using De-Icers Safely and Effectively

Winter can be a treacherous time of year. Freezing temperatures, white-out blizzards, icy roads and walkways. Icy roads cause millions of dollars in accidents and damage every year. It’s important for snow clearing businesses to have the proper tools and resources to ensure projects are completed quickly and efficiently. To do this, you’ll need to use de-icers, which are chemicals that help to break or prevent a bond between the ice and concrete, making it easier to shovel and plow. Here’s how to safely and effectively use de-icers:

De-icing Options

1. The best choice is calcium magnesium acetate (CMA). It melts ice and is no more damaging than tap water.
2. Magnesium chloride, potassium chloride, or calcium chloride are other options; however, they can corrode metal, damage walkways and stain carpets.
3. Rock salt is a quick and effective way to rid sidewalks, driveways, and roads of slippery ice.

For areas large and small, we’d love to work with you to determine and supply the needed de-icier for your job!

De-icing Steps and Walkways

1. Apply de-icer according to package instructions to steps and walkways before the snow or sleet comes down. De-icer acts like cooking oil under the ice and keeps anything from sticking.
2. After a few inches of snow have fallen, shovel the walkway. If more snow is predicted, apply another layer of de-icer.
3. To remove ice, carefully chip away with a snow shovel or ice pick. Start at edges and work in.
4. For stubborn ice, melt using boiled water and mop up immediately. Leftover water will freeze. Wear gloves to avoid scalding your skin.
5. Store the de-icer and snow shovel in a safe and easy to reach place. You don’t want to walk over a slippery walkway to get to your tools.

If you need to stock up on ice-melting rock salt, come to Lafarge Fox River Decorative Stone! We have untreated and treated salt in bulk and a variety of bagged offerings including ProSlicer and Rocket Ice Melt. Both are high performance, treated de-icers and are available in 50-pound bags. And for snow removal jobs that can’t be tackled by ice melt alone, we also carry snow shovels. Contact us today!

Pre-Season Prep for Landscape Contractors/Businesses

It’s that time of year again! Ah yes, springtime- right before the busy season for landscape contractors and businesses begins. April marks the months where business really picks up and companies have to be ready to get out and get the job done. To make sure you are ready for the grind and demands, check out these pre-season prep tips!

Make Sure Your Team Is Trained Efficiently & Ready For Work

It’s always better to be safe than sorry in most situations, and your team of employees is no exception. Whether you’re able to keep your best workers year round or hire seasonally, it is in best practices to make sure your team has the proper training well before the busy season starts. If you wait till you’re busy to hire more workers, the possibility of hiring hastily increases the chances of hiring someone who isn’t a good fit with your company. Not only does a well-trained team increase your efficiency on the job, but it also improves the safety aspect of the job.

Make Sure Your Equipment Is Upgraded & Ready To Be Used

In your off season is when you should be keeping up on the maintenance of all your equipment. One way to keep track of everything is to look at the service history of your machines and see what kind of work has to be done. Whether it’s a major overhaul or routine preventative maintenance, these kinds of problems can cause huge issues during your busy season. You need reliable equipment for your field of work, and it should be ready to go by the time you are.

Make Sure To Re-Evaluate The Work Process

During the pre-season prep is the perfect time to sit down, evaluate your business, and come up with new ways to improve. What processes work well for your company? What could save time and money? It’s important to always ask for feedback from your employees to get a diverse perspective on your business. Coming up with goals for the next year can also help you work smarter, not harder, which will help you save time, money, and create a positive work environment.

When business picks up, it’s important to be on your A game and have everything ready to give your customers the best service possible. Your pre-season prep doesn’t have to be a stressful experience- with the right planning and utilizing resources, you can feel confident going into your busy season. At Lafarge Fox River Stone, we partner with landscape contractors and businesses to give great results and even better products. For more information about our company and services, visit our website or call us at (847)-888-6133.

Stay Warm with a New Fireplace!

When temperatures drop, cozying up in front of a fireplace with your favorite book or a cup of hot cocoa can be the best way to beat the winter blues. For some, installing a new fireplace can provide a space for comfort and spending time with family - so what needs to be considered before the process begins?

Consider Your Preferences:

1. Heat: How important is it that your fireplace contributes to the heating of your home?
2. Ambiance & Aesthetic: Do you have a particular “look” or “feel” in mind?
3. Emissions: Each fireplace type carries its own standard emissions output and some be further adapted. Visit the “Burn Wise” segment of the EPA website for more details on different models.

Explore Your Options:

Indoor fireplace come in a variety of makes, models, and styles. They can also be further customized by your choice of stone. Visit our website to see the wide variety of fireplace components available  In addition to decorative stone, flue liners, heat stop mortar, and venting options are offered.

Wood-Burning:  There’s a certain allure to crackling wood and wood-burning fireplaces offer plenty of benefits. Firewood can be purchased locally and inexpensively. It’s carbon neutral, as carbon dioxide was taken in by the tree in growth. It’s more eco-friendly than emissions produced by fossil fuels.

Gas Logs:  Gas logs can be installed into fireplaces as part of a new installment or retrofitted into a wood-burning fireplace. Gas logs can be fueled by natural gas or liquid petroleum.  Installing a vent operates with a chimney flue and better simulates a wood-burning fire, but gas fireplaces without vents will provide more heat.

Stand-Alone Stoves: While lacking the traditional fireplace look, these self-contained units pack a more powerful heating punch.  There are a number of models available.  Gas stoves burn the same fuel as gas fireplaces.  Stoves running on compact pellets made from various organic materials (wood chips, sawdust, etc.).  Stand-alone stoves are also available in wood-burning models.  Stand-alone stoves still require venting and could incorporate an aesthetic stone base.

Built-in thermostats: These self-modulated fireplaces only turn on if the temperature drops to a certain level in your home, switching off automatically once the temperature reaches the desired level.

Outdoor Fireplace: Enjoy the ambiance of a crackling fire throughout the year. These stone hearths can be adapted to the decor and aesthetic of your deck, patio, or landscaping, 

creating an outdoor lounge and entertainment space.

Contact the experts at LaFarge Fox River Stone to help pick the fireplace that’s right for you!

Manufactured Stone vs. Natural Stone

For consumers, there are a lot of options out there when it comes to stone veneers. It’s more than just different colors and styles, though - they also have a choice between manufactured stone and natural stone. Manufactured stone, also known as cultured stone, is a product made from cement meant to look like natural stone. The "stones" are made thin and applied to the exterior wall with a thin coating of mortar. The benefit of this thinner, cultured stone is a slightly lower price point and a large space-saving capacity.

The history of cultured stone dates back to the mid 20th century, when people were looking for an alternative to heavy, costly natural stone. These first manufactured stone units were a good deal lighter than real stone, eliminating the need and expense of special footings and support. However, in the beginning this product was a poor substitute for real stone veneer due to unrealistic surface texture, color, and frequent pattern repeats that was easily spotted by an untrained eye. Since then, manufactured stone has come a long way as companies developed better methods such as hand-painting each piece and casting their molds from real stone units. (source)

So what are the key differences between manufactured and natural stone? Read on to learn the pros and cons of each:

Manufactured:

• Uniform, clean look
• Fit tightly together, smooth surface
• Easy to lay
• Sturdy in retaining walls
• Many color options

• More susceptible to fading than natural materials
• Less of a high-end look

Natural:

• Colors and textures may vary from batch to batch
• Irregular shapes, may be gaps

• Great in water features and used to slow down erosion
• Beauty of natural stone lasts a lifetime (no fading)
• Organic, natural look
• High-end look, aesthetically pleasing

If a homeowner is struggling between the two, it’s important as a contractor to let them know they truly can’t go wrong with either choice. Based on the above information, you should be able to better ascertain if their project would benefit more greatly by manufactured or natural stone. If you have any further questions, our knowledgeable staff will be happy to assist you. Contact Lafarge Fox River Decorative Stone today!

About Lafarge Fox River Decorative Stone

Are you looking for the highest quality materials for your next building or landscaping project? Lafarge Fox River Decorative Stone has been in existence since 1934, and after over 80 years of experience in quarrying and natural stone, our mission hasn't changed: we're here to supply you with all your landscaping and masonry needs! We carry one of the largest stone selection sin the Fox River Valley and surrounding areas, and proudly cater to both communities and homeowners.

The best way to see all we have to offer is to stop by our elaborate showroom, located on South Elgin. Our showroom is open to the public, so both retail and wholesale customers can view our product samples. Our selection of materials is expansive! We have a complete line of landscaping supplies such as flagstone, outcropping, boulders, retaining walls, sand, and gravel; as well as a complete line of masonry supplies like brick, mortar, cultured stone, and fireplace components. We also carry miscellaneous accessories like grass seed and road salt. Lafarge Fox River Decorative Stone has everything you need for your masonry or landscaping project!

You can visit our website, www.foxriverstone.com, to preview all we have to offer. If you have additional questions, our friendly and knowledgeable sales staff will be happy to reach out to you with answers. Upon visiting our showroom, our staff can help narrow your selection down to the perfect products for your project. So save yourself the time and the headache of searching for the best selection- visit Lafarge Fox River Decorative Stone for all your stone, landscaping, and masonry needs!