Masonry Design in Southampton & Glen Cove NY
Adding stone walls, a patios, an outdoor fireplace, or water features to your landscape would give your outdoors that comfortable “been there forever” feel. Here are some types of stone to consider for your masonry design in the Hamptons, NY, so that your outdoor living space becomes the perfect blend of beauty and function.
Dry-Stack or Mortar?
First, you may want to decide whether a masonry feature will be mortared, or dry-stacked. This decision will influence what type of stone material you use.
The dry-stack method relies on stacking relatively flat stones without the use of mortar. It is suitable for non-load-bearing walls such as garden walls and for fire pits. Dry-stack walls and fire pits add a wonderful rustic feel to your landscape, but there are a few things to consider: these structures are not necessarily meant to be sat on as this can cause the stones to shift, they should be limited to structures less than 3 feet tall, and they are not meant to hold back earth. So, consider the dry-stack option to be a decorative style rather than a functional one. However, dry-stack walls are known for being easier to build, maintain, and repair.
Popular dry-stack stone choices include fieldstone (a generic term for any locally sourced stone found on the surface, i.e. not quarried), bluestone, flagstone, sandstone, limestone, or granite. These can be used “as is” if they are the right shape, or they may require cutting and shaping onsite. Rounded stones are not suitable for dry-stack applications.
Using mortar expands your stone choices. Since mortar is used to hold the stones together, you can use nearly any size and shape of stone, and you’re not restricted in the shape and height of the structure.
Mortar is used to construct outdoor fireplaces, fire pits, water features, seat walls, structural retaining walls, pillars, raised planting beds, and outdoor kitchen facades.
Stone choices include sandstone, limestone, granite, fieldstone, flagstone, bluestone, or river rock (any rounded, smooth stone found in riverbeds or beaches). If you love the look of river rock, take into consideration that natural river rock is becoming limited; fortunately, manufactured alternatives look like the real thing.
Manufactured Stone
Today’s manufactured stone has come a long way from the cheap-looking faux stone of a few decades ago. Manufactured stone is precision-cut, and offers significantly more choices in styles (including the look of any commonly used building stone) colors, shapes, and sizes. Plus, availability does not become an issue when you choose manufactured stone for your masonry project.
Which Is Best for Your Masonry Design?
You could begin by choosing stone that will complement your home’s aesthetic. Then, narrow your choices to suit your personal preferences.
Consider these questions as you look over materials: Do you love old, weathered stones, or something sleek and modern? Do you like the sturdy look of big blocky stones, or something more refined? Do you love the randomness of nature, or the precision of something man made? Do you enjoy themed hardscapes, or prefer a more freestyle bohemian vibe? Do you prefer understated elegance, or a lively outdoor setting?
These choices are very personal, and many stone materials are versatile enough for any application.