Mediterranean Landscaping

Many homes in warm areas of the country were built with a Spanish Mediterranean design. Many people have begun exploring the Mediterranean style of landscape design, which goes well with any type of warm weather architecture, but especially Mediterranean construction. Mediterranean landscape design is know for, first of all, its lush vegetation. While some of these plants are only found in southern Europe, they will grow in some of our warm weather climates also. A yard designed after Mediterranean style should be full of plants. Another important factor is stone. Ancient cultures of the Mediterranean used stone, like travertine, to create walkways in their gardens.

A homeowner creating this style could make a straight pathway through the yard with travertine pavers, or use the travertine pavers to create a sitting area in the middle of a garden, with plants all around. Travertine was used by ancient civilizations to build timeless structures, and travertine pavers take that same timelessness and put it into a form that is easy to work with today. Finally, statues are a big part of Mediterranean style. The size and type are up to the designer to decide, but the combination of lush vegetation, natural stone, and sculptures or statues will help give the feel of the warm Mediterranean.

The Many Uses of Pebbles

Pebbles are more than just the smooth rocks lining a river’s shore. They are found in more places than surrounding a lake or scattered by the ocean shore. Pebbles are now used in many different ways for landscaping. Pebbles can be used to create a pathway through a flower garden, or to place around plantings near a house. They now come in various colors, making them even more versatile. Pebbles can line a homemade pond or stream to make it look more natural. They can be used in dry areas, or in xeriscaping, in order to reduce the need for water. Rock gardens can benefit from the varied sizes and colors of pebbles. Today, landscape designers are able to incorporate pebbles into a wide range of ideas, including art pieces or fireplaces. Of course, you can still find beautifully natural pebbles by most bodies of water, but many people are realizing the benefits of this natural stone right in their own backyard.

Coral Rocks add interest to the outside of a house

Coral rocks have many uses, and can be incorporated into a variety of landscapes. It is cut in different shapes and sizes, and can be used in big blocks to build walls, fireplaces, or other structures. Coral rocks also come in flagging pieces, which increases their use even more.

There are many houses out there that are covered with dull siding. Siding, while versatile and easy to care for, doesn’t usually enhance the look of a house. But using coral rocks can add character and texture to tiresome siding. Here’s how: cover the lower four feet of the outside of the house with coral rocks flagging pieces. These can be applied by an adventurous homeowner, or designed and installed by professionals. The siding should be removed on the lower part of the house, and the area prepped. Then the pavers can be placed and mortared on the side of the house. The result is a beautiful home, tailored to the homeowner’s style. By selecting the desired color or size of the flagging pieces, it is easy to create a completely unique look. The coral rocks, being natural stone, will be practical and long-lasting.

How to Create a Backyard Pond

There are many backyard projects that homeowners can do on their own.  One of the more challenging do-it-yourself projects is creating a pond with a stream.  Some things are best left for the experts, such as designing and placing cap rock waterfalls, but an ambitious homeowner should be able to create a basic stream and pond by themselves.

The first step to this project is to dig the area for the pond, and the size will vary based on the desired size and shape of the pond.  Once this is done, the plumbing will need to be placed for the filter and pump, following the manufacturer’s instructions.

The next step is to excavate the stream and install the waterfall tank and skimmer, if they are being used.  The pond underlayment and liner can then be positioned.  In order to hide the liner and create a more natural landscape, it is necessary to fill the area around the edges with rock or pebbles.  One good way to do this is to place larger stones first around the edge of the pond and directly on the liner, and then add pebbles to the cracks and around the stones.  This will also hold the liner in place and prevent soil from falling into the pond.  Shallow water plants also work well to fill the area and create a natural look.

The last step is deciding what kinds of water plants and fish will go well in your pond, and then enjoying your finished project.

Coral Rocks

Coral rocks, or coral stone, are fossilized limestone. These naturally occurring substances are sedimentary rocks that are made mostly of calcium carbonate. Coral rock is porous and contains many fossils from coral, snails, gastropods, and other marine and plant life.

Found naturally in Florida, coral rocks are often chosen in order to express a tropical elegance and style. Coral rocks can be used outdoors in warm climates for walkways, boulders, steps, pillars and other artistic landscaping projects. An outdoor fireplace covered in coral stone makes a great addition to a patio. Used indoors in both warm and cooler climates, this stone can be found in cut sizes that are perfect for covering walls and floors. Many homeowners use coral rock tiles to cover bathrooms and kitchens.

Coral rocks may not be as commonly used as other natural stones for indoor areas, but they have a sophistication that many individuals are looking for. A great designer will know what stones look good together and can come up with a great fireplace, walkway, or wall that is a great display of different types of rocks. Coral rocks can be placed along with travertine, marble, and many other types of stone to create a more detailed and interesting structure or flooring.

Coral stone is resilient and natural, and is gaining in popularity because of its timeless beauty. A skilled designer can plan a space that is rich with texture and color by using coral rocks.

Travertine Pavers

Travertine pavers have been increasing in popularity in recent years, although the use of this kind of stone has been going on for thousands of years. Historical structures, such as the Colosseum in Rome and a 1000 year old Burghausen castle in Europe are made out of travertine and have withstood the test of time.

In modern times, travertine has been used extensively for pool paving, building structures such as fireplaces and walkways, and tiling bathrooms and kitchens. The natural color and beauty of travertine makes it a timeless material that will continue to impress those that invest in it.

There are benefits to using travertine pavers, besides the great look it provides. Travertine stays cool to the touch, even in heat and sunlight. This makes it a perfect material for paving around an outdoor pool. It also is a non-skid surface, even when wet, which is important for safety around a pool.

Travertine is easy to install, and can usually be done by those with experience in laying regular pavers. Because travertine is a natural stone, it is made to uphold through time, and will not fade or scuff. It is also a great choice in a variety of climates, because it can withstand freezing and thawing without cracking.

Travertine can be cut to different sizes, and is usually offered as tile or pavers. Travertine pavers are thicker than tile, and are a good choice for paving outdoor areas. The extra thickness makes them stronger and allows them to be placed in many areas without mortar.

One Stop Resource for Natural Stone

Larry's Cap Rock & Stone is a "one-stop" resource for all your natural stone needs.

We understand the dynamics of designing with stone. Experience and knowledge allow us to simplify the selection and fabrication process by effectively collaborating with architects, designers, builders and installation contractors. The results provide the most discerning client, the look they desire.

Our services include:
Stone / product research
Your specs call for rubble. And you aren’t sure what is or where to get it. Larry’s Cap Rock Inc. can help you distinguish the difference between rubble strips and coral rubble pieces so you accurately quote your job.

Sample submittals
Your client is discerning and requests samples to be included with your design plan. Larry’s Cap Rock & Stone will provide samples of any rock free of charge. We only ask that you pay shipping charges on anything that needs to be expedited.

Priority list, production and delivery schedules
Larry’s Cap Rock & Stone works diligently to provide you with realistic timelines and delivery schedules. Our sales people are committed to answering your questions and needs with honesty and candor about market conditions and weather events.

Factory/quarry liaison
Our business has been built on over 13 years of relationships with quarries throughout the United States and the world. We are committed to providing all clients with the widest variety of stone at the lowest prices.

Stone inspection/quality control
Quality control is a key element to our business. What many contractors don’t realize is that with any natural product, especially any sandstone you will have breakage. We work to minimize the amounts incurred by partnering with trusted quarries as well as by training our excavating staff on what we require. This is one of the areas that truly separate us from the pack.

Coordinating National and International Shipments
We have extensive experience coordinating loads throughout the United States and the Caribbean. The Port of Miami is 30 minutes to our North. As such we are familiar with all seaboard shipping companies and will work to get you the lowest estimate on any load leaving the United States. Those loads in the state of Florida are typically handled by our own trucks and are quoted on a case by case basis. On LTL shipments in the state of Florida, we use FedEx Freight. Call our office for up to the minute quotes as rates change monthly.

How to Install Coralina Tiles in 4 Easy Steps

Coralina tile provides a beautiful, long lasting wall that's easy to take care of and is almost impossible to mark or stain. You can install wall tiles literally any place you want to be able to enjoy their beauty, but the obvious locations are in outdoor kitchens (as backsplashes or countertops) and in bathrooms and showers. Although most people think a coralina wall is difficult to install, the reality is it's not beyond the range of a handy DIY'er who is willing to spend some time understanding the process and take his time installing the wall.

Here's what you'll need:
• Coralina tiles
• Cement board or green drywall
• Galvanized cement board screws
• Fiberglass tape
• Level
• Pencil
• Tile adhesive
• Notched trowel
• Tile cutter (rented)
• Tile nippers
• Grout
• Rubber float
• Sponge
• Buckets of clear water
• Utility knife
• Silicon caulk

Preparing the Wall
Coralina tiles can be installed directly on drywall, plaster, or if they are in moist areas, onto "green" drywall or even better cement backer board. Green drywall is specifically designed for use in bathrooms. It's as easy (or as hard) to work with as ordinary drywall, but it's specially formulated to resist moisture. Its best use is in a kitchen or bathroom where the environment will get moist, but not where it will actually be exposed to water.

Cement backer board is actually made from a fiberglass mesh and Portland cement, so moisture won't bother it at all. It is available in 1/2 and 5/8-inch thick sheets (similar to drywall), and is usually sold in 32 or 36-inch wide panels 5 or 8 feet long. Cement board is cut the same way as ordinary drywall - score it with a utility knife and then snap it at the line. It's installed by screwing it to the underlying studs; place the screws about 6 inches apart and use special galvanized screws that won't rust. The seams are finished by taping with special fiberglass seaming tape. Cement board is the best thing to use in a shower installation and even makes sense if you are installing a backsplash close to a sink.

Laying Out Your Tile Pattern
Find the center of your wall and use a carpenter's level to mark intersecting plumb (vertical) and level (horizontal) lines. Dry fit the first row of coralina tiles starting at the center and working your way to the ends of the wall. You want the coralina tiles at both row ends to be approximately the same size, so you may have to adjust your vertical reference line to make them match up.

Installing the Tile
Starting in the center, on one side of your reference line, apply a coat of tile setting adhesive to an area about 3' by 3' square. Take care not to cover your lines. Spread the adhesive with the smooth side of your notched trowel and then go over it with the notched side to create ridges in the adhesive.

Firmly press each coralina tile in place and give it a slight twisting motion to be sure it makes good contact with the adhesive. As you work your way along, place tile spacers on all four sides of each tile, so your grout lines will be consistent. Take your time and work on the wall in three square foot sections.

At the end of a row or around fixtures, you'll probably need to cut some tiles. A rented ceramic tile cutter is the easiest way to make your straight cuts. Using this tool, score the cut line on a full tile and then snap the tile along the scribed line. Smooth the edge with 80 grit sandpaper (the edge of a cut coralina tile is very sharp).

Cutting irregular shaped tiles or around obstructions will require using "tile nippers." These are a heavy duty hand tool that you use to "nip" or bite off little pieces of a tile, one at a time, until you have cut the needed shape.

Grouting
After the coralina tiles have all been installed and the adhesive has set up (probably overnight), it's time to grout the tiles. Depending on the width of your grout lines, you will need to choose either sanded or unsanded grout. If the spaces between the tiles are bigger than 1/8", use sanded grout. (Sanded grout actually contains sand particles that help make the grout joint stronger.)

Remove all your tile spacers and mix the grout following manufacturer's directions (it should end up with a peanut butter-like consistency). If you're grouting in a bathroom or kitchen area, be sure your grout includes a waterproofing agent.
Using a rubber float, apply the grout at a 45-degree angle to the grout lines.
Press firmly; you want to get grout all the way down to the bottom of the seams. Work in your 3' x 3' areas to be sure you get uniform coverage of all the grout lines. Wipe off any excess grout with a wet sponge and clear water.