Natural Stone

The Vancouver Special I

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Everyone’s seen the Vancouver Special! The architecture of the Vancouver Special originated in the 60’s and was in vogue until the 80’s and early 90’s.  These homes sport a box style structure, low pitched roofs, and balconies along the front of the upper level. The ground level would often feature brick or stone and stucco above on the 2nd and 3rd floors.  While we call them the Vancouver Special, these types of homes are located all over the Lower Mainland and into the tri-cities, and beyond, popping up in Vancouver Island. It is a very unique style of home present in the metropolitan areas of BC.

Below we have a more contemporary designed home. Using a different type of limestone, our Cariboo Ledge Stone, as the primary accent on the front of this build gives the home a character visually pleasing aesthetic that other homes will find difficult to match. Taking specific elements from the Vancouver Special and reincorporating them in a different way, using stone and wood accents on the front with stucco on the remainder of the home, this home showcases another unique contemporary remix of the Vancouver Special. Contemporary design mated with timeless materials  will never let you down.

Maybe this style becomes the New Vancouver special of the 21st century, as it is quickly becoming an immensely popular design trend among designers and architects, and this makes sense as it’s definitely a striking look!

Limestone has proven to be a versatile material, as shown in these photos. It is quite beautiful, elegant, and timeless, but also has the ability to be anything from rustic to modern, trendy to evergreen.

When Contemporary and Traditional Collide

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The overall construction and aesthetic of this home screams traditional. However, the Shadow Valley Sawn-Cut Ledgestone from our Altera Collection brings a contemporary edge to this home.  With the white stucco detailing setting a beautiful canvas for other materials to take center stage, the blend of materials and colors transforms this structure into a more current take on the traditional home. Elements such as the garage doors, the lighting, and the glass railings, blend beautifully and cohesively to give this traditional home a contemporary spin; it evokes the feeling of an updated European cottage.

The Sawn-Cut Ledge Stone is a new clean contemporary profile we introduced in late 2019 and our goal was to bring a fresh take on the classic stacked stone look, whilst still having that rustic accent. Whereas the classic ledge stone profiles will have a more rustic vibe, the Sawn-Cut is a contemporary crowd pleaser with its sharp edges, hefty texture, and clean lines. The installation of this stone is best when tight-fitted together to maintain that contemporary vibe and clean look.

Let us know how we can help you achieve the look you want with our diverse library of stone choices! Visit Pacific Stone shop in our Surrey location today.

The Thin Alternative to Traditional Masonry

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Masonry is a method of construction in which single units are laid and bound together using mortar. Typically, masonry construction employs the use of materials like brick, building stone or concrete blocks. In recent years, however, thin masonry veneer products have taken over the market as they offer a less labour-intensive, more affordable way to achieve some of the same results as traditional masonry products. Thin masonry veneer products include thin brick veneer, natural stone veneer and manufactured stone veneer.

Thin brick veneers are available in a range of textures and colours unmatched by stone veneers. For that reason, many prefer thin bricks to other masonry veneer products as it is easier to find brick masonry veneer products to match your specific design style.

What is Thin Brick Veneer?

A brick veneer is a thin overlay used on the frame of a building. Thin brick veneers are versatile and are designed to mimic the appearance of solid bricks. But unlike solid bricks that may be used to build foundations and walls, thin brick veneer products are mainly used for decorative purposes and not to support the entire building. Solid brick structures are built by laying bricks back to back and cementing them in place. On the other hand, brick veneers are placed on the exterior of a building that has been constructed using steel or wooden framing, then covered with wood sheathing or insulation before being covered by brick veneers. So, if you were to remove brick veneers from a building, the structural integrity would not be compromised.

Brick veneers are a great alternative to plain wooden walls as they can be used to create impressive exteriors and stunning feature walls for the interior of your home or office.

Benefits

One distinct advantage of thin brick veneers is that they can be installed after a building is completed. When compared to solid brick, thin brick veneers offer better insulation due to the methods used in construction. Thin brick veneers are also easy to install and more affordable. During installation, small openings are created to allow for proper drainage. These openings, called weep holes, ensure that moisture does not get trapped between the veneers and the exterior walls.

Drawbacks

As with all products, there are drawbacks to consider when working with thin brick veneers. One considerable disadvantage to thin brick veneers is that weep holes may become clogged over time. Additionally, thin brick veneers may not be able to withstand natural occurrences such as earthquakes or extremely high winds.

Are you searching for a thin brick veneer supplier in Surrey?

The use of masonry veneers in Surrey has seen a spike in recent years because of their versatility and aesthetic value.

If you are searching for a thin brick supplier in Surrey, contact us at Pacific Stone. At Pacific Stone, we have been a leading importer of masonry products for nearly 15 years. We are proud to be a distributor of the Royal Thin Brick, MetroBrick® and Summit Brick collections which include, high-quality, affordable, sustainable and easy-to-install brick veneers.

Call us today or visit our sales and design centre where you will find a quiet and accommodating place to plan your next project with helpful staff that can offer advice and estimate costs.

Fun with Frost

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This style of home is a beautiful blend of a contemporary traditional style with its triangular peaks and heavily molded posts. The wooden detailing, black trim, and clean lines bring a contemporary vibe to this traditional structured home. This frost ledge stone, composed of light grey and white tones with occasional autumn-toned hues, blends perfectly to bring these two styles together in a harmonious way,

Some people might be hesitant to combine such a rustic irregular ledge stone with such clean lines… however in doing so, you will increase the charm of the home. While the stone itself is quite rustic and traditional, the way it is utilized with the different textures and features of the build has a far more interesting aesthetic than a traditional craftsman-type home.

Our Frost Ledge Stone is a type of limestone, chosen because of its soft and fine texture and its beautiful white and light grey colour.  It is composed partly of calcareous shell remains of microscopic marine organisms and marine algae. If you look closely, you may be able to pick out some fossils within the stone! Visit our location today.

Types of Natural Stone for Your Home

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Natural stone can be used to provide a stunning addition to the interior or exterior of any house. Durable, fireproof and maintenance-free, stone structures that are well-built will stand for centuries as they are able to endure just about any type of weather conditions.

Natural stone is environmentally friendly due to its thermal mass providing natural insulation, which will help decrease your energy bills.

Although natural stone might be pricier than other building materials, its longevity and durability, along with the exquisiteness that it offers, is worth the price in the long run.

Let’s take a look at the seven most sought-after types of natural stone: quartzite, flint, travertine, limestone, granite, marble and sandstone.

1. QUARTZITE

Highly durable with an elegant crystalline sparkle, quartzite is among the world’s hardest natural stones. It has a similar look and durability to marble and can withstand extreme temperatures and scratching. Due to it being resistant to heat, many chemicals and stains, it is low-maintenance, and therefore an excellent choice for bathroom countertops, islands, wall coverings, and vanity tops, and should be just perfect for busy kitchens or families with small children.

2. FLINT

Flint is popular in the construction of stone walls and homes due to its tendency to strongly resist weathering and its ability to be cut and arranged in various patterns that give each home a unique look. Flint comes in a variety of solid colours, including black, grey and blue and is an important building material in the southeast of England, where, for centuries, it has been used in the construction of churches, farmhouses and other structures.

3. TRAVERTINE

Also a popular building material, travertine is one of the most beautiful stones used in home construction. It is oftentimes used on exterior walkways, tiled floors, counters, and inside homes. A major reason this stone is favoured for homes is the numerous colour options, ranging from pink, orange, grey and beige to shades of brown.

Travertine is not only impact-resistant but also wear-resistant, which makes it perfect for your heavy use areas such as kitchen and bathroom floors and showers. Due to travertine being heat and pressure-resistant, it is also ideal building material for fireplaces and areas surrounding your swimming pool.

4. LIMESTONE

With its even texture and ability to be sculpted and tailored, the versatile limestone is an excellent natural stone for your home exterior. Limestone weathers naturally, and so, over the years, it will give your home an enviable, distinctive look.

Highly resilient and with superior fire-resistant characteristics, limestone will maintain its structural integrity for many years. Also thermally stable, limestone will reduce your heat and cooling needs, ensuring greater comfort for your family, a reduction in energy costs.

However, being a porous stone, limestone may scratch and stain easily. Therefore, it is best to avoid using it in functional areas such as your kitchen counters.

5. GRANITE

Considered a prestigious material, granite is used in architecture to produce an appearance of elegance and quality. Granite is an excellent investment for any home construction and decoration. Brown, pink and black is among the most popular granite colours.

Low-maintenance and recyclable, granite is perfect for exteriors, including driveways and swimming pools. In your kitchen, polished granite slabs will create colourful and durable work stations and countertops, as it is resistant to moisture, scratching and heat and so can remain unchanged for decades. Granite tiles can also be used as wall panels and flooring in bathrooms and living rooms to create elegant, high-lustre spaces.

6. MARBLE

This luxurious natural stone is widely used in prestigious architecture and interior design. Commonly used indoors as flooring and kitchen countertops, marble is available in a wide array of colours and patterns, varying from brown to pink, purple and grey, brown, and in mixed hues. While this translucent stone’s smooth and polished texture will require special care when used to embellish the exterior of your home, it will provide impeccable beauty and durability.

7. SANDSTONE

This remarkable stone is usually known for its use in outdoor spaces such as driveways or gardens. Widely acclaimed for its natural strength, durability and slip-resistant properties, sandstone can be comfortably placed in areas where water is used, such as lawns and pools.

Sandstone is not only able to withstand the harshest climates but increases in value and aesthetic appeal over time. It is also ultra low-maintenance and can easily be cleaned with just plain water. It also retains its original colour even after being exposed to sunlight and other elements. Colours vary from white to pink, orange, yellow, and even purple hues.

Are you searching for a natural stone supplier in Surrey?

If you are ready to get started with a natural stone construction project and you are searching for a natural stone supplier in Surrey, contact us at Pacific Art Stone.

For nearly 15 years, Pacific Stone has been a trusted importer of masonry stone with an unwavering reputation for high-quality products and outstanding customer service. At our store, you will find a range of natural stone veneers to choose from, and if you have questions about what type of stone will work best for your home, our friendly team is there to help you make an informed choice.