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