Sealing Stone

• November 8, 2015
• By tekRESCUE
• Rocks
• 0 Comments

When attempting to maintain the quality of the natural stone in your home and elongating its life, it is beneficial to consider sealing it. If you are wondering whether or not this is a good option for you, there are a few things you need to figure out before making a decision.

• What is the hardness, density and durability of your stone?
• How porous is the stone? This is important for knowing how quickly it will absorb a liquid.
• Is the stone at high risk for staining? In other words, will it often be subjected to substances that could stain the surface of the rock?
• What finish does the surface have? This is important because a polished surface is much more resistant to sealer than a honed (matte) finish.
• Will the sealant damage the color of the stone?
• Where is the stone in your home? If it is not a residential location, the same question applies to commercial use.
• How do you plan on maintaining it? Will there be personal cleaning or a maintenance team? This is important because some cleaners will react negatively with the sealer and cause damage to the stone.

All of these questions are very important and will affect your determination of how to protect and maintain your stone.

Generally, sealing stone is a good idea because it protects it from the everyday effects of dirt and spills. Sometimes though, there are cases in which stone should be left untreated because sealer can potentially damage the stone’s color and appearance. Most often though, when dealing with indoor natural stone, sealing it is an important step, especially with granite or calcium based stones like marble or travertine.

If you have decided to seal your stone, there is still some work to be done because different stones can need different sealers depending on their composition. There are many different sealers but there are two main ones to know.

1) TOPICAL SEALERS. These are coatings (film formers) designed to protect the surface of the stone from damages that could be caused by water, oil, and other contaminants. They are composed of natural wax, acrylic and other plastic compounds. The most important thing to know about topical sealers is that it completely shifts the maintenance approach. Once this seal is applied, maintenance becomes about caring for the sealer instead of the stone. That is because instead of entering the stone, though it does, its main purpose is to coat the stone and completely cover it. Therefore, the stone really isn’t accessible.

2) IMPREGNATORS. These are water or solvent based solutions that penetrate below the surface and become ingrained repellents. Their nature is to be hydrophobic, or water repellent, but they are also oliophobic, or oil resistant. Impregnators provide full protection against dirt, stains, and contaminants just like topical sealers, but allow the interior moisture to escape. This is important for more porous stone in which moisture can collect and degrade the integrity of the stone.

Now that you know the basics of stone sealing, here are a few things to keep in mind before actually sealing it. Read the manufacturer’s warranty and instructions, contact the manufacturer if you are at all uncertain about your decision to seal, make sure you know all of the effect of the product you If you have any questions about whether sealing your stone is necessary or good for you, contact a representative at Nickel Rock today and we will do our best to assist you in whatever way possible.

Using Rock in Landscaping

• October 9, 2015
• By tekRESCUE
• Rocks
• 0 Comments

Landscaping, whether the back yard, front yard, or both, is a great way to add value to your home. Sometimes a climate is not conducive to green grass and lots of lush plants so people will go for Xeriscaping. Even if you live in a climate conducive to plant life, stone is still a great addition to any landscaping project. So what are some ways to use different types of rock in your landscaping?

Xeriscaping is landscaping and gardening that reduces or eliminates the need for supplemental water from irrigation. The greatest asset of this type of landscaping is that in areas prone to drought, homes can still have beautiful yards without the use of water in upkeep. In xeriscaping, a lot of stone and plants which require little water are used.

While xeriscaping is a great way to landscape, especially if you struggle with water restrictions, there are many ways to landscape. Spaces can look clean with or without the use of rocks and stones, but with them, yards can look very well put together or even exciting. So if you are considering using stone in the landscaping of your space, whether you xeriscape or not, there are tons of ideas to create welcoming and livable spaces. Following are some unique ways to use stone in your home.

1) Stone pavers can create a chic yet simple looking floor and when matched with a sleek stone fireplace creates a relaxing, comfortable space.

2) Terraced stone steps in a mix-and-match pattern lay-out creates a strong focal point for the yard and plants can be added on either side of the steps to create visual interest. Try mixing different greens and even other vibrant colors for an interesting design.

3) Stone pavers are very popular, as you can see by their previous mention. A great asset of pavers is that they take up a large amount of space, saving water from thirsty grass while still looking great.

4) Stepping stones can be a very practical way to add beauty to your space. With the addition of plants, it can create a contrast and vibrancy. Some opt for a pebble or mulch lane surrounding the stones. This can be very chic and could use many different colors, shapes, and sizes depending on the design of your space.

5) A gabion wall is a retaining wall made of stacked stone-filled gabions tied together with wire. These walls can be used for various purposes including erosion control, dams, or foundation depending on what is put in them. Aside from function, though, they create a great focal peace and can help break up the colors in a lawn.

6) Stone can be used in a variety of ways to make benches. They could have granite or marble or any other stone surface. The base could be made of caged in stone or, again, granite or another solid stone. There are many options for every type of design.

7) The use of pebbles in a garden or lawn can create a fun yet still very chic space. Depending on the look you’re going for, there are a variety of different pebbles to choose from ranging in size and color. They can be used by themselves or placed around plants or stones walkways or furniture.

8) The use of big rocks and natural stones can be used in a rolling slope for a more natural look. These looks are great for spaces that you want to look more wild or untouched. They are beautiful and unique.

Choosing the Right Granite

• September 24, 2015
• By tekRESCUE
• Rocks
• 0 Comments

At Nickel Rock, we normally haul large amounts of materials for your construction project needs. However, today, we wanted to take a small detour to look at one of the materials we haul, granite, and one its most popular uses: kitchen countertops.

Granite is a very popular choice for kitchen countertops for its unique beauty and superior durability. Because granite is a natural stone, each cut has a different design and there are many options for pattern and color. Because it is scratch-resistant and very hard, it has great durability and long life-expectancy.

Choosing granite for your counter tops is almost always a good decision, but how do you decide between the many patterns and colors. This answer is different for every space so here we’ll discuss some general rules and ideas to keep in mind when picking out granite for your home. Everyone has different tastes when it comes to design but following are some general ideals many people follow.

Picking a Color

Typically when using a dark granite, it is a good idea to make sure there is a lot of light in the room. Dark granite in combination with dark cabinets, walls, or floors often makes a space seem smaller and less attractive. Dark counters are often paired with light cabinets and walls to create a striking contrast. Some people even opt to choose a dark stone for the counters along the walls and a light color for an island, again creating a contrast which can add a special effect to a room. Dark granite looks very chic when combined with stainless steel appliances and does a good job of hiding dirt and grime, good for many families.

Light granite has a brightening effect on most rooms, especially when there is a lot of natural lighting. Light granite can look modern when combined with white appliances and trim, or traditional when paired with vintage appliances or wood paneling. It is easy to pick the wrong shade of granite when going light, but if done well it will look very sleek. Keep in mind that light granite more easily shoes dirt and grime which may not be compatible with large families or busy people.

Granite can be dyed several colors including red, blue, and green. Choosing colored granite can be very risky but pays off if done correctly, making a big statement.

Picking a Pattern

Patterns in granite are typically similar, being flecked or lined with color, but vary in density, shade, and size. Though it is less common, solid stones can be found. More common, though, is granite with flecks and streaks in it. These pieces of stone are very beautiful but the overall design of the room should be considered when picking a stone.

In very busy or colorful rooms, granite with less density in pattern are typically a better option as pairing a busy granite with a cluttered room can be overwhelming. Busy patterns are best paired with simple rooms that have only one or two colors, creating a focal piece.

Picking a Thickness and Finish

Granite countertops typically come in 2cm or 3cm cuts. A thicker granite will be more expensive because of its weight but can span larger distances without support. Thinner pieces require supports for overhanging pieces and laminated edges to thicken the granite.

Granite is available in two finishes. A polished finish creates a shiny look and usually darkens and deepens the look of the stone and honing creates a soft, matte finish.

If you’re looking for a reliable material trucking and hauling company for your next construction project, call Nickel Rock today to discuss your needs and get a quote! We’d love to work with you!