“Jeff – Thanks for the info. Wanted to drop a line to tell you how pleased we are with the porch. It's more like a work of art than a functional staircase. Regards, Donna”

Stone

Stone is the pinnacle of masonry products. It has the highest durability and is most visually appealing. The true expertise of a stone mason is in the ability to shape and work natural stone. Stone is available in a range of colours and can be natural or man-made.

Natural stone can be used in both horizontal and vertical applications and still has a wide range of colours. The majority of our customers are interested in veneer stone. Commonly used brands are Banas and Oakville Stone, which are imported and cost less. More scrupulous customers are interested in Canadian quarried stone, which is the superior product. It bonds better to its underlayment, is thicker and holds better colour in the long term.

Man-made stone is more reserved to vertical applications as it is vulnerable to salt. There are a wide array of shapes and colours of man-made stone. Most are very rough textured to present a complex, interesting face to a wall. The main brand here is Cultured Stone, who showcases its product line on its website: https://www.culturedstone.com/inspiration

Credit Valley Flagstone and Wallstone

One of the best stones available is credit valley. It’s Canadian quarried and has been available for decades. Credit valley is more expensive than the imported products but it stands the test of time. When new, it is a brilliant light gray, often with red hues incorporated into the stone. As it ages, the colour darkens.

Flagstone

Flagstone is one of the most economical natural stone products available. It’s a good product, with wide availability and a range of colours.

Banas Jet Black Flagstone

This is a granite, and it is a very smooth and uniform stone. When it’s dry the colour can look dark gray, but when the stone has a sealer to protect it, the colour is brought out of the stone.

Banas Dove Gray Flagstone

Dove gray is a sandstone with a very slight blue in it, that darkens over time. This commonly available stone is rough, showing the sedimentary layers of the rock, which aid in traction and rustic appeal.

Banas Silver Gray Flagstone

The colour is very uniform on this stone; Silver gray is a mottled light gray and dark gray. It’s a smooth, hard limestone that resists stains well. The texture comes from the ancient coral that make limestone.

Cultured Stone Wall Facing

Cultured stone is a man-made veneer stone. It’s 1 to 2 inches thick and comes in many shapes, sizes and colours. There are other brands available but Cultured Stone is one of the oldest.