Incorporated in 1952. Proudly serving our customers for more than 70 years.

Bluestone Direct.com - Brought to you by
Tri-County quarries

Bluestone Direct.com - Brought to you by Tri-County quarriesBluestone Direct.com - Brought to you by Tri-County quarriesBluestone Direct.com - Brought to you by Tri-County quarries

(607) 785-2079

  • Home
  • Natural Cleft Finish
  • Thermal Finish
  • Other Bluestone Products
  • Inspiration
  • In Stock
  • Contact Us
  • More
    • Home
    • Natural Cleft Finish
    • Thermal Finish
    • Other Bluestone Products
    • Inspiration
    • In Stock
    • Contact Us

Bluestone Direct.com - Brought to you by
Tri-County quarries

Bluestone Direct.com - Brought to you by Tri-County quarriesBluestone Direct.com - Brought to you by Tri-County quarriesBluestone Direct.com - Brought to you by Tri-County quarries

(607) 785-2079

  • Home
  • Natural Cleft Finish
  • Thermal Finish
  • Other Bluestone Products
  • Inspiration
  • In Stock
  • Contact Us

Thermal finish Bluestone options

Image A - Premium blue treads 

    What is thermal finish like?

    Why choose a "Thermaled" product?

    Why choose a "Thermaled" product?

    "Thermal" is a reference to the heat used to create this finish. The stone is soaked with water and then high heat is applied.   The rapidly escaping steam pops small bits of stone off the surface, creating a uniform texture.  (See image B above)


    "Pattern" bluestone gets its name from how it is most often used... laid out in a pattern of squares and rectangles to make a patio or sidewalk.  This stone is most commonly laid in a bed of sand or cement.  Pattern stone can have either a natural cleft or thermal finish.




    Why choose a "Thermaled" product?

    Why choose a "Thermaled" product?

    Why choose a "Thermaled" product?

    Thermal pattern has tighter sizing tolerances than natural cleft bluestone.  The thickness is consistent from piece to piece.  


    Thermal pattern bluestone and bluestone treads have a uniform texture due to the thermalling process.  


    Both these attributes give a modern, sleek vibe to these products.  If your project has a historic or rustic feel, natural cleft products are probably a better choice. 

    What are "Treads"?

    Why choose a "Thermaled" product?

    What are "Treads"?

    The surface that you step on (tread on) when you climb a set of bluestone stairs are called "treads".  Treads can also be used as wall caps, porch landings, pool coping, window sills and many other applications. 


    They are most often sold in 1-1/2" or 2" thickness but custom thicknesses can be ordered.  


    6" thick treads are sometimes referred to as "King" treads, "One piece step and risers" or "Super" treads 


    If a natural cleft finish is desired for your stairs, please see "Steppers" on the "Other kinds of Bluestone" tab at the top of this page

    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 - Finished

    Thermal Pattern - Finished

    Thermal Pattern - Finished

    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 - Finished

    Thermal Pattern - Finished

    Thermal Pattern - Finished

    Thermal 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.  

    Thermal STANDUP / FLAGSTONE / BROKEN FLAG / IRREGULAR

    How is it harvested?

    How is it harvested?

    How is it harvested?

    "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.


    Coverage of a single pallet varies greatly depending on the thickness of the bluestone and the artistic preferences of the masonry professional who installs the bluestone.  Most pallets contain between 1.5 and 2 tons. 

    How is it used?

    How is it harvested?

    How is it harvested?

    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.  


      Thermal finish may not be present on 100% of each face.   


    Thermal standup is a great choice for projects where consistent color and texture is desired, but a more informal look than thermal pattern is needed. 


    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


    Consistent Thickness

    Only available in blue

    Only available in blue

     Thermal standup has a consistent thickness of 1-1/2" or 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 pattern is also only available in premium blue color range. 


    If a variety of colors is desired, natural cleft standup is a better choice.  

    Copyright © 2018 Bluestone Direct.com - All Rights Reserved.


    Powered by GoDaddy

    Spring price increase is coming

    The bluestone industry sees an annual price increase every spring, in March or early April.  Order now to lock in last year's pricing!

    TRUCKS & IN-PERSON VISITORS 

    PLEASE CALL FOR AN APPOINTMENT