How are thermal pattern and treads made?
Giant blocks of stone are harvested
Giant blocks of stone are harvested
Giant blocks of stone are harvested
Dynamite is used to split large blocks of stone free from the bedrock.
Some can be as large as full size SUV's!
The size / shape / and quality of the block determines if it will become treads or pattern stone. The blocks are sawn with water-cooled diamond encrusted rotary blades or wires.
Treads - In Process
Giant blocks of stone are harvested
Giant blocks of stone are harvested
When making treads, the blocks are cut into slices. The slices are cut to length and the thermal finish is applied.
Treads - Ready to Ship
Thermal Pattern - Ready to Ship
Thermal Pattern - Ready to Ship
Standard treads have thermal finish on the top and one long edge. Thermal finish can be applied to other edges as needed. Normally, any edge visible in the finished design would have the thermal finish. For example, a tread used to cap a wall would be finished on both of the exposed long edges. A staircase where the short edges of the treads are visible would normally have three sides of each stone thermalled.
Thermal Pattern - Ready to Ship
Thermal Pattern - Ready to Ship
Thermal Pattern - Ready to Ship
Thermal pattern is created the same way that treads are, but the pieces are smaller. Standard sizes are 12" x 12" to 24" x 36" in 6" increments. Pattern only has thermal finish on the one side that will face up when laid. The edges and other face are not given this finish as those edges will be hidden.
Edge Treatments available on treads
Bullnosed
Rock-Facing (1-1/2" thick)
Rock-Facing (1-1/2" thick)
Bullnosing is normally used for pool coping. Swimmers who rest their arms on the edge of the pool often appreciate the smooth edge vs. a sharp 90 degree angle. 1-1/2" or 2" thick treads can be bullnosed.
Rock-Facing (1-1/2" thick)
Rock-Facing (1-1/2" thick)
Rock-Facing (1-1/2" thick)
This edge treatment is applied by hand. Each "chip" is created by a blow with a hammer and chisel. The center where the chips don't touch has a thermal finish.
Rock Facing - Thicker Stones
Rock Facing - Thicker Stones
Rock Facing - Thicker Stones
The thicker the stone, the larger the center section which is untouched by the chips.
Eased Edge
Rock Facing - Thicker Stones
Rock Facing - Thicker Stones
The hard 90 degree corner on the top edge of each stone is removed to make the edge less sharp. The middle of the edge remains flat, not curved like a bullnosed edge would be.
Treads shown above have been eased on both top and bottom edges.
Thermal STANDUP / FLAGSTONE / BROKEN FLAG / IRREGULAR
How is it harvested?
How is it used and what is the finish like?
How is it used and what is the finish like?
"Standup" bluestone (AKA "Broken Flagstone" or "Irregular") gets its name from the way that the bluestone is shipped... standing up on pallets.
Thermal Standup comes from the process used to create bluestone treads and thermal pattern. Just like natural cleft standup, large pieces are stood up vertically on pallets for shipment and wrapped with chicken wire.
Our standup is sold by weight so you pay less for smaller pallets and more for larger. Beware of sellers that charge a standard price per pallet regardless of how much stone is contained within.
If the pieces shown in these images are too large / difficult to handle, please consider ordering "Wallstone" or "Garden path". Details on these products are found on the "Other Types of Bluestone" tab at the top of this page
How is it used and what is the finish like?
How is it used and what is the finish like?
How is it used and what is the finish like?
Pieces of standup are laid in a bed of sand or mortar like a jigsaw puzzle to make patios and sidewalks. Larger pieces are broken by hand to the shapes needed to fill the space.
The finish is the same as thermal pattern or treads would have.
For a closeup of the finish please see "Image J" in the gallery above
While most pieces will be fully thermalled on one face, there may be an occasional section that did not receive this finish. Note in the image above that there's a rim of unthermalled surface on the piece in the foreground of the image.
Thermal standup is a great choice for projects where consistent color, texture and thickness is desired, but a more informal look than thermal pattern is needed.
Consistent Thickness
Only available in blue
Only available in blue
Thermal standup has a consistent thickness of 1-1/2".
Standup is also available in natural cleft finish, but the thickness varies from piece to piece in that product.
Only available in blue
Only available in blue
Only available in blue
Because most treads and thermal pattern produced is premium blue, thermal standup is also only available in premium blue color range.
If a variety of colors is desired, natural cleft standup is a better choice.
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