Veneer made from real stone or artificial stone is growing in popularity for a wide variety of home projects, including exterior walls, outdoor fireplaces and patios, and interior accent walls. That’s because real and artificial stone veneer has come a long way in recent years, so much so that sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference between it and real stones or bricks.

Stone veneer is a protective and decorative finish that is basically a covering over an interior or exterior wall or surface. Slate, marble, or granite are often used for real stone veneer. They can be produced in thin and thick varieties, but preference in recent years has been for a thin stone panel. This process involves slicing the natural stone into thin pieces one to two inches thick, which creates a lightweight cladding that can be used virtually anywhere.

Artificial stone veneers are produced using marble or cultured stone ground to a powder and blended with resin and pigments, then cast in molds. The result is a molded product cut and polished to perfectly imitate the colors and textures of real stone, but in lightweight pieces in various sizes and shapes that are versatile in many applications.

Stone veneers are being used for everything from outdoor kitchen facing to kitchen sinks and countertops. Thin stone veneer presents additional advantages because its light weight allows for covering entire walls and taller structures without the worry of the weight real stone or thick stone veneers bring to construction.

The great news is that the process of making stone veneers—especially artificial stone veneers—has improved to the extent that it is nearly impossible to tell the difference between real stone and artificial thin veneers. Homeowners and stone suppliers point to several reasons for choosing veneers for your home improvement projects:

• Stone veneers are highly durable in any application or environment, including extreme temperatures and inclement weather.
• The materials are resistant to rot and insect infestation.
• Veneer never needs to be painted or stained and it does not fade. Maintenance is simply the occasional cleaning.
• Use real or artificial stone veneer for exterior or interior walls for a stone look without the weight and challenges of installation.
• Veneers generally are less expensive for the materials and the installation, saving you money on your renovation.
• Minimal preparation is needed because veneers can be installed over any surface, including wood, cement, brick, and metal.

Stone veneers offer homeowners the ability to create any look or style for their project, from natural beauty to upscale sophistication to warmth and luxury. At Ohio Beauty Cut Stone, you can choose from a wide variety of real and artificial stone products that will work in your home. Call today for details on how we can help with your project.

Not every property requires a retaining wall, but most can benefit in one way or another. In some cases, a retaining wall is a critical part of the foundation of structures on a property, preventing erosion where sloping land could compromise those structures. Retaining walls, however, also may be incorporated into landscaping to improve a planted area or an entertainment space.

Consider the following benefits of any size retaining wall:

• Create a level area to plant or build a patio.
• Frame an addition to your home.
• Prevent erosion of a steep sloping yard.
• Divert water run-off away from your home or other structure.
• Keep soil in place around a deck or patio.

Worried that adding a retaining wall will detract from the beauty of your property? The key is to not view a retaining wall as a purely functional part of your yard. The ideal retaining wall will be an aesthetically pleasing part of your construction, blending with the look of your home and enhancing your landscaping. It also can serve as a sitting wall, so the material you choose for the wall is an important consideration.

Stone retaining walls from Ohio Beauty

Poured concrete creates the strongest retaining wall, but it may not provide the aesthetic look you want based on its location on your property and it can mean costly repairs that could require replacing the entire wall.

For strong walls that are less costly to repair and provide an attractive addition to your home and yard, natural and manufactured stone are the best choices.

Consider dry stacks using flagstone or round wallstone. A dry stack wall is built without using mortar, instead carefully stacking and locking stones together for a solid, stable wall. The advantage is a wall that naturally drains without the settling that can occur with a concrete block or mortared wall. These walls are simple to construct, add beauty to any setting, and can double as knee walls, sitting walls, even tabletops.

At Ohio Beauty Cut Stone, we use quality natural and manufactured stone for all our projects, incorporating unique, custom designs that will enhance your project. Choose from a wide variety of stone in a full range of colors, sizes, thicknesses, and styles.

For retaining walls, patios, and indoor and outdoor stone features, choose Ohio Beauty. We have what you need for all your stone projects.

You are finally starting that patio project at your home and the first major decision has you guessing – what is the best material for the pavers?

What in comes to laying a patio, builders have many options today in natural stone and manufactured stone, and both have advantages and disadvantages. Choosing the right one for you depends on the look you want, how you intend to use your space, and how much time you will have to devote to maintenance.

Natural stone pavers

Cut from quarries and machined to the proper size and shape, natural stone pavers are eco-friendly and one-of-a-kind. Colors are often earthy browns and golds but having developed in nature, your look will be completely unique and unpredictable.

Natural stone is easy to cut and durable, with a density that holds up well through whatever Mother Nature dishes out. The natural coloring also wears well, with minimal fading over many years of exposure to sun and heat. Attention to cleaning and maintenance keeps your natural stone pavers looking their best. Acidic spills should be cleaned up promptly to avoid stains and cleaners used should be gentle with no abrasive materials.

Manufactured stone pavers

Homeowners often choose manufactured stone for patios and walkways to get a specific color and look. Because these stones are generated through a manufacturing process, your pavers will feel and look exactly like natural stone, but instead of the random colors, shades, and lines that occur in real stone, you will get a consistent color pattern that gives you total control over your design.

A bit more care must be taken if cutting is necessary to avoid exposing the aggregate edge of manufactured stone, but installation is generally easy, especially because of the light weight of these materials. Manufactured stone is typically easy to maintain with a simple wash to remove debris.

Longevity is a little less with artificial stone compared to natural stone and color will tend to fade over time, especially where the pavers are heavily exposed to heat and sunlight.

Plan your paver patio in Akron OH

At Ohio Beauty Cut Stone, our experts can help you choose the right material for your patio, pool deck, or walkway. Consider the following when choosing a natural stone or manufactured stone paver for your project.

• If the look you want depends on having a specific color and/or design for your pavers, then manufactured stone is for you.
• For an authentic feel or a patio or deck that is unique in color and lines, use natural stone.
• If your project calls for veneers or applications that need lightweight material, manufactured stone is best.
• Use natural stone where excessive sun exposure could cause premature fading in manufactured materials.

Stone choices from Ohio Beauty include a full variety of natural and artificial options. From natural looking flint and sandstone to rustic travertine to lightweight veneers that mimic stone and brick, we have what you need. Call today!

For your hardscape project this spring, from retaining walls to patios and firepits, trends for this season are natural looks with the ability to create a unique design. Ohio Beauty Cut Stone has stone and pavers that are perfect to build the look of this year’s home projects.

From natural stone to manufactured concrete, homeowners have choices that also fit their specific needs. Trends for stone projects and pavers this year include:

• Natural colors, including browns and golds – Home projects both inside and out are trending toward a warm, earthy feel, that flagstone, limestone, and pavers are perfect for.
• Creating unique and interesting patterns – The many shades that naturally occur in stone and brick pavers provide opportunity to create patterns and designs by carefully arranging them, everything from herringbone or stripes to stars or diamonds. You may also consider making a border to separate the patio from the rest of your hardscape.
• Larger or over-sized pavers – Build a modern patio with clean lines by choosing over-sized and elongated pavers.
• Pavers that look like wood – Take elongated pavers a step further with long plank-style pavers that mimic the look of a wide variety of wood grains.
• Use of unexpected colors or textures – Incorporating different colors and textures of stone and pavers adds interest and depth to your design. Use a range of shades of the same color to separate a sitting area from the outdoor kitchen, or use rough textured stone to build the firepit area of your gathering space.

Choosing the best pavers for your hardscape design in Northeast Ohio is easy when you work with Ohio Beauty Cut Stone. Choose from among standard pavers, bricks, and flagstone, as well as manufactured materials that provide excellent solutions for patios and walkways in Akron, Cleveland, and everywhere in between.

Natural stone has many advantages, including being eco-friendly, easy to maintain, and each having its own unique color and look. Manufactured stone can provide the control you need over color and design while perfectly imitating the look of natural stone or brick.

At Ohio Beauty, our team of experts can help you decide what is the best material for your project. Call today to view our many options of natural stone, artificial stone, and decorative gravel.

Incorporating stone in interior construction and remodeling continues to be a popular choice as homeowners focus on bringing nature inside. Stone, both natural and manufactured, offers great variety in texture and color, and immediately brings warmth into a room. In the effort to create spaces that are comfortable and invite relaxation, stone is the perfect addition to your interior remodel in Akron, Canton, and across Northeast Ohio.

Whether you choose natural or manufactured stone for your remodel, you are getting a durable material that is available in just about any color, shape, and texture you want. Natural stone provides a one-of-kind look, with each piece created by nature and dug from the earth, then cut and polished for your use. Manufactured or artificial stone is made by combining marble or stone aggregate with resins and pigments, so these pieces also are truly unique and offer a wide variety of colors. Either provides a long-lasting structure that can be customized for your home and project.

Interior remodeling with stone

Latest trends in home interior remodeling have designs favoring warm colors that occur in nature either in the full stones themselves or as veining through marble slabs or stones. Even a small addition of stone can instantly change the feel of a room.

Consider the following ways to use stone in your home:

• Stone gas fireplace – Use natural stone or veneer for the warmth of a full stone fireplace without the hassle of wood-burning.
• Feature wall – Even just a partial wall done in textured stone adds warmth and interest to a room. Bring more attention by pairing a contrasting floor or furniture with a floor to ceiling stone façade.
• Stone walkway, stairway or floor – This is especially effective when used in an indoor space that spills to an outdoor space.
• Kitchen accents – Use stacked stone or veneer as a backsplash or to dress up the base of a breakfast bar.

For all your stone needs, both indoor and outdoor, Ohio Beauty Cut Stone has the variety and options you are looking for in natural stone and artificial stone. Contact our professionals today to learn more about our stone products for construction, remodeling and in landscaping, and how we can service you anywhere in the state of Ohio.

For a private space where you can sit alongside a flower bed or that large area you would like for entertaining and grilling, pavers are ideal for a solid, durable patio that looks great and works hard. Available in a wide variety of sizes and colors, pavers allow you to design exactly the look you want for your outdoor space.

Your patio project should start with dimensions and a design. You may want to tackle this project yourself, but the professionals at Ohio Beauty Cut Stone are available to help with ideas and guidance on what materials you will need. Whether you decide on standard pavers, bricks, or flagstone, your prep work is crucial to building a paver patio in Akron that will give you years of enjoyment.

What you will need

The right materials and equipment make all the difference when you start building your patio. Keep the following in mind:

• Determine how much gravel and sand you need for your base by calculating the width, length, and depth of the area you plan to pave.
• You may need additional pavers to accommodate more intricate designs. Ask our experts for guidance.
• Use a hand tamp or plate compactor machine to pack and set your base materials.
• A rubber mallet is best to set your pavers.
• Landscaping fabric and plastic edging provide a clean finish for your patio and prevent weeds and erosion.

Tips for the perfect paver patio

Experts agree that pavers are only as good as the base upon which they are set. Therefore, preparing the ground carefully is time well spent. Build your perfect patio by following these tips:

• Dig out your patio area to a depth of 6 to 7 inches, remove rocks, roots, and other debris, and tamp down to firmly pack and level.
• Don’t skimp on landscaping fabric – two layers is a good idea.
• Install several inches of gravel in layers, tamping between each layer, and following with a tamped layer of sand.
• Ensure a stable patio that is weed free by using polymeric sand in the joints. Once this sand is hosed down, it hardens to a mortar-like consistency.
• Protect your pavers from chips and stains by applying a good quality penetrating sealant.
• Allow your patio to set for 24 hours before use.

Ohio Beauty has all the supplies and guidance you need to design and build a patio, driveway or garden walkway using bricks, pavers, or cut flagstone. If you have questions about design, materials needed for your project, or how to arrange professional installation, call today.

If you are planning an outdoor kitchen or entertainment space in Akron, Ohio, or the surrounding area, the materials you use can make all the difference in the atmosphere you create and your years of enjoyment. At Ohio Beauty Cut Stone, we know how our different types of natural and artificial stone can complete your vision. Understanding how these choices will fit into your plan can make your finished project the ultimate in outdoor living.

When you plan to use stone in your landscaping from Akron to Cleveland, weather is always a consideration. We recommend talking to a pro to develop a plan for how you will use stone, from patios to retaining walls and everything in between.

Here are some helpful tips as you plan your outdoor project anywhere in Summit County.

Consider how you are using stone in your project

The beauty and timelessness of stone make it a perfect choice for any remodeling project. Ask the following questions as you begin planning and design:

• Will your stone features be protected from the elements, partially covered, or completely exposed year-round?
• Are you designing a walkway or pool deck that could be slip hazard?
• Will the stone be used as flooring in a high traffic area?
• Are you considering stone for a countertop or tabletop?

With the many options available in stone, you will be able to meet all these needs with a product that wears well with easy maintenance, including basic cleaning and sealing.

Remember, your stone features are among the most durable you can build, so plan to add on for those larger projects you are doing in phases, as your stone will last many years. The natural beauty of stone makes it easy to expand or evolve your space.

Features of natural and artificial stone

Natural stone, cultured stone, and both natural and manufactured veneers have a wide variety of applications for all your stone projects. While limestone, travertine and marble are great choices for outdoor floors and walls, granite and quartzite can be perfect for countertops, both indoors and out. Understanding the features and color options can help you decide which stone is right for you.

• Flint – Often used for walkways and patios because it can easily be cut to fill spaces. Natural appearing colors include blue, gray, black and green.
• Granite – Most popular for countertops because of its hard surface and its variety of colors. Granite can be polished to a high sheen, but unpolished, it may be a great option for a non-slip floor.
• Marble – For a more formal look inside or out, marble in its pinks, purples and grays can be a great choice for floors or countertops.
• Sandstone – One of the most popular choices for pavers, sandstone can be cut into the shape of your choice. Colors include, white, pink, orange, yellow and purple.
• Travertine – In the limestone family, this natural stone provides a more rustic look for outdoor living spaces. Colors range from gray to orange.
• Veneers – Available in thick stone or thin stone and may be natural or manufactured, veneers are a great choice for finishing and protecting walls, including indoor or outdoor fireplaces and backsplashes. Artificial veneers are made by combining marble or stone pieces with resin pigments to create a durable product in a variety of colors.

If you are looking for the best in stone products in the Akron and Cleveland area, the experts at Ohio Beauty Cut Stone are your resource. Begin your plans for your outdoor project with our team.

Stone, from pavers to cobblestone to wall stone, immediately brings a natural feel to any space. With home improvement designs trending toward bringing the outdoors in, both natural and artificial stone can be the perfect fit for your renovation plans. With the variety of textures, colors, and styles, they also offer opportunity to create a unique look that connects your interior and exterior.

Today’s options for stone scaping and décor include natural pavers, flagstone, and a range of sizes and shapes for wall stone, as well as artificial veneers that look and feel like real stone. Feel free to mix stone styles and colors for your indoor and outdoor designs. At Ohio Beauty Cut Stone, we provide a full range of options along with direction so your project has exactly the look you want.

Tips for using and mixing stone

The stone you choose for the exterior of your home will be different from the stone walkway leading to the backyard, but they can absolutely complement each other. Consider the following as you review the options for your stone projects.

• Choose a color scheme – Stone contains a multitude of colors. Choose colors that complement each other to bring your different elements (walls, walkways, seating) together.
• Stick with similar textures – Your stone doesn’t have to have identical texture, but surfaces should be similar in roughness.
• Separate natural and artificial – Even if you match texture and color, natural and artificial stone side by side will not match.
• Choose the right stone for the application – Pavers or flagstone provide an easy to assemble patio or walkway, while round or block stone make a solid wall. Consider natural stone veneer for easy installation for outdoor ovens or fireplaces.
• Connect interior and exterior style – Match the color and style of a walkway or outdoor kitchen to an interior wall using a similar natural or manufactured stone veneer for ease of installation.

Ohio Beauty Cut Stone has stone for every application at your home or business, including bricks and pavers, wall stone, decorative stone and gravel, and veneers in natural and artificial varieties. Contact us today for expert design and service for all your stone projects.

Warm weather and relaxing evenings of sitting on a front or backyard patio are just around the corner. Make plans now to upgrade or build a new patio of pavers, brick, or flagstone.

Scheduling your stone project in late winter or early spring means getting ahead of the busiest season. And to lay pavers, brick, or flagstone, you need only to wait for the winter frost to melt.

Whether you want the uniform style of pavers or the rustic look of flagstone, patios, walkways, stairs and walls are great projects to target now, as weather is breaking and frozen ground begins to thaw. Once the frost has melted, the comfortable, temperate weather of early spring means a quick and pleasant process for DIYers and contractors alike.

Tips for your patio project

• Ensure the ground is fully thawed before beginning your patio preparations. Freezing causes the ground to heave and excess moisture will cause soil to sink, so a full thaw ensures that your chosen area can be made level and stable.
• Check the forecast before beginning your project. Mild frost is not a problem, but a heavy frost during installation can cause your newly leveled ground to shift.
• A patio or walkway needs a stable sub-base that includes gravel and bedding sand. A grade that allows water to flow away from the center also will help keep moisture from settling in the foundation and causing shifting of your pavers.
• Protect your pavers with a quality penetrating sealer to prevent the chips, stains and erosion that frequently occur with use and during cold temperatures.
• Consider hiring a professional to ensure proper installation and the longest life from your paver, brick or stone patio.

While changing temperatures will cause some shifting in your stone patio in Akron, Cleveland and across Northeast Ohio, careful installation will minimize this. An advantage of using pavers, bricks and flagstones is when shifting does occur, individual stones can be reset or replaced as needed.

At Ohio Beauty Cut Stone, a wide selection of pavers, bricks and flagstone makes it easy to customize a patio that perfectly fits your home. Choose from natural and artificial stone, both of which are great choices for patios, walkways and all your stonescaping projects in Akron, Cleveland and across Northeast Ohio.

Call today for the best options for scheduling your patio installation.

A beautiful yard is a big part of the enjoyment most homeowners gain from the hard work it takes to maintain such property. Unfortunately, even the most meticulous of homeowners will often notice low spots that become drainage nightmares during moderate to heavy rain.

The good news — a dry creek bed is an easy-to-build landscaping feature that will solve your drainage problem while adding real beauty to your yard.

Low-lying areas are natural drainage avenues for water running through your yard. If you are noticing that grass is struggling to grow or that the drainage route is becoming muddy, a dry creek bed is a great solution, providing the drainage you need without the mud. Designed with a little preplanning, it can also be an aesthetically pleasing addition to your yard, even during dry spells.

Plan/build your dry creek bed

You will need rocks of multiple sizes to get the best drainage and the most natural look for your creek bed. River rock or pebbles are a great choice, along with choosing some larger rocks (16 inches or more in diameter) for variety.

Depending on the location and nature of your drainage issue, you will need to decide whether your creek bed should be in a particular area of your yard with defined edges or if a meandering creek bed with gentle curving edges is better suited to moving the water from point A to point B. Either type of dry creek design will require the following steps:

• Identify the location of any utility lines or sprinklers that may be in the vicinity of your new creek bed and adjust the design of your creek bed accordingly.
• Mark the outline of your creek bed using heavy string, a garden hose, or grass marking paint.
• Remove all grass and vegetation and dig the bed to a depth of 12 inches. Place the dirt along the edges to build them up, following the gentle curves of your stream or maintaining your defined section of yard.
• Tamp bed and cover with weed barrier fabric to prevent weeds and grass.
• Place larger rocks and boulders randomly throughout the creek bed and along the sides to create the edges of your creek bed, taking care to bury them slightly in the dirt at the edges.
• Fill in with multiple sizes of river rocks and pebbles, using larger sizes first and filling with the smallest ones.
• Add plants that will thrive in a wet environment.

Cooler temperatures prior to the ground freezing is a perfect time to begin preliminary excavating for a dry creek bed project. You can even place rocks and fill with pebbles in preparation for spring rain, reserving decisions about decorative plants until the weather is warmer.

If you are considering a dry creek bed to address a drainage problem in your yard or to add an aesthetic focal point, contact our experts for guidance and supplies. Ohio Beauty Cut Stone has a wide variety of appropriate rocks, pebbles and cobblestone to complete a beautiful and functional drainage creek in your yard.