Bluestone Face-lift

Below is a photo of a rental home in Chatham, MA. The homeowner approached a local contractor looking for a new walkway to add dimension to their property.

Although the picture isn't clear, you can see that the steps are a brick/concrete mix and are starting to fall apart.

The walkway is asphalt and pieces are already missing and its cracked in many spots.

The beds are lined with cobblestones and are uneven.

Taking cost into consideration, the contractor decided to go with cut bluestone treads.

The finished product is pictured below and matches the exterior beautifully.

Completely removing the asphalt and replacing it with bluestone added a more finished look.

The steps remained as the base for the new bluestone product to adhere to.

Each piece of bluestone was hand cut to form a simplistic pattern, which added a unique, updated style.

Using the cobbles that the homeowner already had in addition to several more made the new planting beds stand out.

A granite post was added to the end of the walkway to add to the Cape Cod look.

Some new plants and freshly mulched beds complete the project.

What is Pennsylvania Bluestone?

Pennsylvania Bluestone is a unique sand stone found only in Northeastern Pennsylvania and mostly in Susquehanna County. Pennsylvania Bluestone derives its name from its typically blue color. It is marketed in two types: dimensional (architectural grade) used for stairsteps, window and door fixtures, countertops, and tabletops, and flagstone, which is used for walkways and patios. As sediments fossilized into rock, minerals carried by groundwater through rock deposits created other colors, including: blue, green, earthtone, and lilac or a combination of these shades. Pennsylvania Bluestone is a strong, stable stone that resists cracking and won’t discolor. Pennsylvania Bluestone is highly prized as a building material and for adding architectural details because it can be easily separated into slabs of desired size.

Pennsylvania Bluestone is appealing to landscapers and architects seeking a connection to the environment. Pennsylvania Bluestone is flexible, fitting into contemporary and traditional designs. Landscapers use Pennsylvania Bluestone to create walls, steps, sidewalks, patios and as a complimentary material in building facades. Pennsylvania Bluestone is also used in interior decorating for fireplaces, countertops, flooring, lamps and other architectural details. Artists and crafters also use Pennsylvania Bluestone to create interesting gifts such as clocks, lamps, tables, desk plaques and signs, along with imaginative and captivating works of art. (http://www.susqco.com/subsites/ecodev/pages/bluestone.htm)

To order your PA bluestone treads, stop in or give us a call at one of our two store locations:

Camosse Masonry Supply Charlton

23 Trolley Crossing Road

Charlton, MA

(508)248-4044 ask for Jay

or

Camosse Masonry Supply Worcester

61 Southwest Cutoff

Worcester, MA

(508)755-6193 ask for Chris