Material Selection

This is a complicated topic. STONE. There are quarried stones ( stones removed from below the ground surface) and field stones ( stones rising to the surface when working the land or dug shallowly from the land) and also exposed bedrock (this may be weathered to the point of separating off in large use-able pieces).

My choice of stone is based on best stone for the use. You must consider weathering ability, and work ability. My choice of stone is also based on availability. Most quarries are in the mountains where it snows half the year. Timing is important. Local is not my most important criteria. GEOLOGY. The east coast of the United States has sedimentary deposits. Bluestone , the most common patio stone is sedimentary which is why it is separated into relatively thin sheets for flagstone and roof tiles. Bluestone is predominately from New York and Pennsylvania ( The Catskill Delta) The west coast of the United States has magma deposits, beautiful Basalts, and the fieldstones here in the San Juan Islands are granite boulders. There is a lot in between the east and the west that I am unfamiliar with. I have lived and worked in the east and west. I establish relationships with the quarries I buy from. I could not work without them. I respect their work.

When I have stone – I am rich.