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Build Your Own Outdoor Kitchen with Manufactured Stone

Outdoor Kitchen from #6 Walnut Stack stone from Native Custom Stone

In the summer months, there is nothing better for outdoor entertaining than an outdoor kitchen. The best type will include a place to cook, a place to clean, and storage space as well as seating for you and your family and friends. But the options are endless and the design choices as versatile as those you would consider for you indoor everyday kitchen.

An outdoor kitchen is more than just a deck or patio where you cook on a moveable barbecue unit like a Weber kettle or a gas cooker on wheels. To fulfill the definition, an outdoor kitchen should be built in and should incorporate all the necessary elements of your indoor kitchen. Ideally then, there will be cupboards and a sink with running water. Additionally, you might want to include a pizza oven, a fire pit, and maybe even a bar with a refrigerator.

The actual materials used to build your own outdoor kitchen are no different to the materials used for any other outdoor structures. Bricks and blocks are common and manufactured stone as a veneer has become increasingly popular in recent years. Stone veneer can be used as a cladding for ordinary cement or concrete bricks and blocks, or even for a framework made from lumber or steel and pressure-treated plywood or galvanized steel plate. Of course, solid natural stone is another option, but it’s heavy, expensive, and you’ll need a stonemason to cut and lay it. If you opt for concrete blocks and a stone veneer you could do it yourself!

Planning Your Outdoor Kitchen

The most important things to consider are:

  • What will be included in your outdoor kitchen. A gas unit will need a gas connection, and a sink will require plumbing. For the rest, the construction method you decide on will determine the skills needed for the project.
  • Exactly where it will be located. Both boundary lines and utility lines will have to be considered.
  • What permissions including permits you will need. Utility lines generally need safety permits. Your local authority will be able to advise whether you need plans and planning approval.
  • What sort of foundation, if any, will be required. However, this depends on what you are going to build. Many outdoor kitchen structures are defined as non-permanent because they literally sit on their own weight. 
  • What basic construction method you are going to follow. If you opt for a brick or block structure (blocks are probably the cheapest of all) you will need to know how to lay bricks or blocks or hire someone who does. Steel frames are relatively easy to install but might require some welding work.
  • Finish. A manufactured stone veneer will produce a magical effect with any of the construction methods chosen. 

Native Custom Stone offers stone veneer that mimics just about any type of natural stone from ashlar and stacked stone to river stone and great big blocks of stone. Because it is manufactured, it weighs a lot less than natural stone and can be installed easily and much more quickly. Call us to see which type of stone veneer will work best as a finish for your new outdoor kitchen project.

Architects Value Native Custom Stone Lunch & Learn Sessions

Native Custom Stone (NCS) has been holding lunch and learn sessions for customers for more than a decade and architects love them!

Presentations cover the installation of NCS’s synthetic stone products and they focus on the various processes and technologies, as well as best practices, services, and the latest products offered in this niche industry.

Following a recent lunch and learn presentation covering The Installation of Synthetic Stone, architect Mike Nelson, AIA, LEED AP, NCARB from the Alabama-headquartered RLS Design Group, had this to say:

The presentation was “very informative on materials and methods for synthetic stone with various substrates. I enjoyed the photographs, physical samples, and examples of installation.”

The lunch and learn was presented by Greg Frank, an architectural representative at Native Custom Stone, LLC. Greg, who joined the company in 2013 is in charge of operations and business development.

Nelson said he believed Frank was “a positive asset to Native Custom Stone.” He said “he is very personable, with a great sense of humor and an ever greater wealth of knowledge,” thanking the company for what he ranked as a valuable lunch and learn experience.

The Native Custom Stone Lunch & Learn Experience

NCS launched its lunch and learn presentations in 2009, targeting both existing and potential customers in the East South Central and South Atlantic regions. The motivation was to provide interested parties with the opportunity to get first-hand information about the company’s innovative products and show them how they could be installed and used for both commercial and residential projects.

From the start, architects, developers, and general contractors have been invited to attend these sessions.

Courses are free for American Institute of Architects (AIA) members and those participating in the Continuing Education Unit (CEU) courses. The presentations result in two credits for participants:

  1. One Learning Unit (LU)
  2. One Health and Safety Welfare Unit (HSW)

This fascinating synthetic stone installation course is open to all AIA member regions.

So, if you or members of your staff want to know more about the differences in installation techniques for synthetic and natural stone, and gain a thorough understanding about the installation practices required for synthetic stone structures utilizing rigid insulation, this is a presentation you shouldn’t miss. It also offers information about the very best options for water barrier systems that are best suited for synthetic stone installations.

Please contact us for more information.

Southern Clay Brick Launches New Distribution Facility in Alabama

One of Alabama’s leading independent brick distributors, Southern Clay Brick, LLC has moved its headquarters from the city of Alabaster to a location about 30 miles further north in the city of Birmingham. It will be launching the facility on May 10 with an open house event.

The company’s president and co-owner, Scott Lambert said the move represents “a new era of Southern Clay Brick and all the great folks we represent.”

About Southern Clay Brick

Southern Clay Brick was founded in December 2009 and has traded from Galloway Circle in Alabaster since its inception.

The company represents dozens of masonry material and supply companies in a wide range of brick-related industries. Products distributed by Southern Clay Brick include:

  • Brick veneer and shaped bricks
  • Stone-thin brick
  • Glazed brick
  • Clay and concrete pavers
  • Pool copings
  • Masonry cement
  • Masonry cleaners
  • Fireplace products and accessories
  • Products suitable for retaining walls

Launch of a New Era for Southern Clay Brick

The decision to move its headquarters to 204 29th Street North in Birmingham, Alabama was announced by Southern Clay Brick last June after a formal “ground breaking” ceremony on site. The new facility, designed by Dean Tyler Burns Architecture, will give them the opportunity to expand and grow further.

Full-service commercial and industrial contractor, Bennett Building was awarded the contract for the building operation which was successfully completed in March.

The official launch of the new distribution facility will take place on Thursday, May 10 from 10.30 am until 4.30 pm in the form of a customer appreciation day and open house. A leading Birmingham radio personality will do a two-hour remote broadcast from the new location and there will be food and drinks, music, and door prizes.

Don’t miss the opportunity to experience the beginning of a new era in the Birmingham building industry. For more information call Southern Clay Brick on +1 205-605-0501 or visit their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/SouthernClayBrick/ and follow them. For information about the products they distribute see their website http://southernclaybrick.com

Benefits of Stone Veneer Versus Real Stone or Stone-Design Wallpaper

gostone cherokee stairwellThere is something very special about a stone finish particularly when it is used inside a house to create character. But it isn’t always possible to build interior walls from natural stone for various reasons including the availability of materials and skilled craftsmen, as well as cost.

But there are other options including stone veneer and wallpaper with a stone design, both of which can look beautifully convincing.

Natural Stone

If you decide to build with natural stone you will need to include details of what you plant to do in your house plans. Even if you opt to include a stone wall in a completed house, chances are your local authority will require plans. Because of the nature of the materials, you will also need to include a solid concrete foundation and show how this will be incorporated.

It will probably look great, but it’s going to be hard work. So let’s looks at the other options.

Stone-Design Wallpaper

Designed using various photographic processes, wallpaper that looks like stonework is a breeze to hang and it will give you an instant result visually. But, while good quality wallpaper – especially the vinyl types – are relatively hardwearing and easy-to-clean, it won’t give you a tactile experience, and if you do touch it you might experience disappointment.

So, when weighing up the option of wallpaper you need to decide whether it will be enough to just be a realistic backdrop that will be visually pleasing.

Stone Veneer

There are several different types of stone veneer, all of which are considerably lighter and easier to lay than real stone.

The earliest stone veneer was made from cast concrete, using finely crushed stone or gravel as the coarse aggregate. Natural stone was used to make the molds, and so a huge variety of types is available, all true-to-life.

Relatively recently, Native Custom Stone produced an incredibly lightweight, realistic, and durable stone veneer for the DIY market that utilizes rubber tires for the basic material. Not only is the product environmentally friendly, reducing the rubber that goes into landfill, but it also looks incredibly realistic and is both easy to install and maintain with minimal effort.

Native Custom Stone specializes in stone veneer and offers a number of options suitable for use inside your home. Contact us for more detailed information.

Go-Stone is the Best Solution for a DIY Stone Makeover

Developed with DIY enthusiasts in mind, Go-Stone by Native Custom Stone is an exciting product that even the most reluctant handyman or woman will find easy to install. So if you want to transform a room or create a stone feature wall in your home, this is the best solution for you.

A relatively new product on the shelves Go-Stone is made from recycled rubber tires making it light in weight and environmentally friendly too.

Manufactured in panel form, this faux stone product requires very few tools for installation and absolutely no special skills. The most complicated step is ensuring the panels are level, and you’ll need a spirit level or a smaller torpedo level for this.

Installation is done using a standard tile adhesive rather than mortar. You’ll need a notched tiling trowel to apply the adhesive, but because they are panels they are even easier to lay them than tiles. Some might need to be cut, depending on the dimensions of your wall or pillars, but all you need is a drywall or wet-cut saw, and of course, a measuring tape to get the size right. You’ll find that a DIY stone makeover using Go-Stone is more like a craft project than a building job!

Ready-to-use panels are supplied in boxes each of which contains five each of three different panel types (15 in all). The three sizes – 16” x 4”, 12” x 4”, and 8” x 4” – will enable you to cover five square feet.

The secret is to mix and match them to create a natural looking surface. Also, if and where cutting is necessary these panels should be used either at the corner of a wall or against another panel. Any visible edges should be used as supplied so that the edges look realistic. There is a total of 40 vertical inches of finished edging per box.

Corner pieces are available for pillars and freestanding walls, enabling you to take the stone finish around to the adjacent side. There are also accessories made to accommodate switch and socket covers of various sizes.

It can’t get any easier than this. So if you’re keen to try your own stone makeover download the Go-Stone brochure from the Native Custom Stone website to see the three different stone finishes available. Then you can order your panels from HomeDepot.com or BuildDirect.com. Go-Stone is also available at some Home Depot stores.

Trying to Add Unique Appeal to Your Home? Consider Manufactured Stone Veneer

Go Stone

Go Stone Kitchen Backsplash

One of the hottest trends in home decor today is the integration of indoor and outdoor spaces — bringing nature into your home’s interior as well as creating outdoor “rooms” that can be enjoyed throughout the year. Whether it’s for you or for the discerning home buyer, manufactured stone veneer can be a great way to revamp a home.

If you love the look of natural stone, you might have low stone walls, stepping stones and pavers leading to your home’s entry or as accents in a backyard garden. Stone is often used to highlight a home’s architectural features as a stunning complement to a traditional brick exterior or for property walls and fence columns. Now you can add the look of natural stone to bring new style to your interiors as well, but without the expense of natural stone, and without the need for special preparation or professional installation. In most cases, you’ll have no worries about the weight, because manufactured stone does not require a concrete foundation.

What to Know About Synthetic Stone

Manufactured stone veneer mimics the appearance and character of “real stone.” Many of the available patterns and colors are derived from natural stone formations, and also have the distinctive color variations and texture of their natural counterparts. It can be used for projects large and small. Essentially, “synthetic” or manufactured stone can be used anywhere natural stone is appropriate, indoors or on a home’s exterior, including the chimney. It can be applied to wood or metal studs, adjacent to rigid insulation, or to exterior sheathing and interior drywall. In some cases, preliminary preparation is required, and flashing and trim materials are also necessary to finish the installation. Professional installation may sometimes be necessary, but the final appearance will be almost indistinguishable from its natural counterpart.

Also for DIY Installation

A new addition to the lineup of products from Native Custom Stone, LLC is even designed for DIY installation. It is lightweight and interlocking, making it ideal for home projects, yet it has a professional look.

Go-Stone is available in compact boxes that contain three different lengths of 4-inch panels, designed for mix-and-match stacking that mimics individually-chipped stone. It is applied with the simplest of tools, using only vertical adhesive. No grout is required and seams are not noticeable. The panels are eco-friendly, manufactured from 87% recycled materials, and 50% lighter than similar products. Go-Stone is available in three unique colorways, to complement many different interiors.

Go-Brick is another product that is designed with the do-it-yourselfer in mind. Using the unique texture and pattern of real bricks as a pattern, each individual color choice captures the warmth and appeal of its historic counterpart.

Add Character and Appeal

Each product will add a unique accent to interior spaces. Use brick or stone as a fireplace surround or as a focal point in an entry or dining room. Surround a structural column with stone or create a garden room with a “brick” wainscot, topped by windows. Give your imagination free rein — with a coat of proper sealer, stone veneer can even form a shower wall, allowing you to feel as if you’re standing under a mountain waterfall. And brick can rejuvenate a basement renovation, changing the mood of a space from dull to dramatic.

No matter what style your home may be, from traditional to contemporary, whether you live in a renovated urban loft or a suburban ranch, if you’re interested in changing the face of your surroundings in a “natural” way, why not explore the ways to do it with manufactured stone? You’ll only wonder why you waiting so long.

This guest post was written by Preston Guyton of CRG Companies, Inc

A Go-Stone Veneer Will Make Friends Think You’ve Employed a Stone Mason

Stonework has a natural beauty that is hard to beat. It is imposing and beautiful and has been in the natural landscape forever. It is also incredibly durable. But nowadays natural stone is generally expensive and not that easy to find. It is also very difficult to work with because it is extremely heavy and requires special equipment to both cut and lay.

Stonemasons specialize in shaping natural stone into usable shapes and then using the stone pieces to build walls and other structures. Their craft is an ancient one, and the tools, skills, and methods they use stem from antiquity. While there are contemporary courses for stonemasonry, there are also much easier ways to achieve what looks like exactly the same results. In fact today even DIYers can achieve stonework finishes that look just like the real thing!

How to Create a Stone Finish Without Using Stone

As stone has become less accessible for building and for decorative finishes, and its cost has continued to increase, a growing number of entrepreneurial companies have been producing faux stone products to achieve the same type of look.

There are a number of different types of faux stone including so-called reconstituted stone made the same way as concrete but with a very fine aggregate (rather than coarse stone). There are many versions, all of which are considerably easier to work with than solid stone. They are all also colored to look like the real thing.

A leading US manufacturer of faux stone products, Native Custom Stone has a totally unique rubber-based product that is even easier for DIY enthusiasts to use. Called Go-Stone, it is made from recycled tires and it is incredibly realistic, and quick and easy to install. Because no form of foundation or concrete base is needed, the veneer is perfect for both new construction and remodeling projects.

Go-Stone is a patented product that is sold in panel form. It is lightweight and doesn’t require any specialist masonry tools to install. You don’t even need mortar to keep the panels together. While a stonemason will don protective gloves and goggles and will need a variety of hammers, mallets, chisels, and various bricklaying tools, all you need to install Go-Stone panels is a measuring tape, a spirit level (even just a small torpedo level), a suitable saw, and a notched trowel to apply the adhesive.

There are three different colors and styles to choose from:

  1. Go-Stone Coastal Blend that looks as if different types of stone have been used together. The colors range from a dull beige to sandstone and a dark muddy brown. The effect is random and the sizes of individual stones are varied.
  2. Go-Stone Cherokee, a more rugged looking stone face that is also lighter overall in tone than the Coastal Blend. Sizes are even more varied.
  3. Go-Stone Cedar Creek, a traditional split stone finish that looks as if the masons have been really hard at work! The colors are reminiscent of sandstone.

Whichever Go-Stone finish you opt for you can be sure that unless your friends know about Native Custom Stone they are going to be convinced you employed a stone mason to do the work for you.

Contact Native Custom Stone for more information.

Properly Cleaning Manufactured Stone Veneer

We want to make sure that you keep your custom stone looking great for years. Part of this is making sure that it’s well maintained and clean. As you know, manufactured stone veneer is different than a natural stone, and needs to be cared for differently. A good cleaning every two-three months should keep your manufactured stone looking new.

Keep in mind when installing your stone not to leave mortar on any surface. Mortar should be brushed away as the stone or brick is installed. If the surface is properly protected during the application, cleanup will be much easier. After the mortar sets for 24 hours, wash the job with a water hose to eliminate excess dust. Once the Stone or brick veneer has dried, apply a sealer for maximum protection.

5 Steps to Properly Cleaning Manufactured Stone Veneer:

  1. Thoroughly mix approximately one cup of Laundry detergent into 3 gallons of hot water.  Never use detergents with bleach, any type of acid, or a pressure washer.
  2. Rinse the stone/brick with water to remove loose debris.
  3. Using a circular motion scrub the dirtiest areas first using a medium bristle brush.
  4. Rinse the cleaned area thoroughly, removing all detergent and suds.
  5. Let dry, if you still see dirt and debris, repeat the cleaning process. Once completely dry and clean, seal.

Remember you don’t need to clean your manufactured stone often, if there is a little mud or muck just rinse with a hose or water. Or, if you have accent stone veneer inside your home, just wipe it down with a damp cloth.

They do make special detergents for manufactured stone if you wanted to keep it on the safe side, but a mild dish detergent or even laundry detergent will do. If you don’t have manufactured stone in your home yet, but have been thinking about it, Native Custom Stone has a wonderful selection of manufactured stone veneers to choose from. They also have distributors all over Georgia, and you can buy online from Build Direct or Home Depot!

Get a Facebrick Wall Installed in a Day – Ask for Go-Brick

Facebrick walls add style and a certain sophistication to homes, particular interior feature walls. But if you haven’t built your house with facebricks, how will you introduce this look without having new walls built?

One solution is to clad the wall using facebrick. This can work, but the downside is that it’s messy and if used inside, the thickness of the bricks will make the room just a little smaller. Alternatively, you can use cladding made from fines concrete (made in a mold without the addition of coarse stone). Or you can ask your contractor to use Go-Brick from Native Custom Stone.

The Go-Brick Advantage

Go-Brick is light, thin, and quick and easy to install, and it is cost effective. It can be used inside or on the exterior of homes with minimal mess.

Created by molding the surface finish of hand-selected facebricks, Go-Brick veneer can be installed with different grout effects, deep raked, full brushed, and full tooled. It’s available in a number of popular colors including reds and autumn shades, with each tumbled brick measuring about 2¼ x 75/8.  Blending bricks from different boxes ensures a more natural look because colors do vary a little from batch to batch.

A total of 58 brick flats is packaged in each box. This is enough to cover an area of 8½ square feet with 3/8-inch mortar joints. Corner pieces and windowsills are also available to ensure that every job can be done neatly, with meticulous attention to detail. The veneer is so realistic it will look like the real thing.

Installation of Go-Brick

Installation of Go-Brick is super-easy for anyone with basic building skills. Contractors will be able to do most installations in less than a day, including preparation and clean up.

The finished surface of interior walls can be left as is. Outside walls should be sealed with Native Custom Stone’s Natural Shield Sealer. It will last for a good three to five years and offers excellent protection from water. It will also repel oil.

For more information contact Native Custom Stone today.

Installing Go-Stone Panels Step-by-Step

Whether you are going to install your own faux stone Go-Stone Panels or get a contractor to do it for you, the process is quick, clean, and very simple.

Native Custom Stone packages its lightweight simulated stone units in easy-to-transport, easy-to-store boxes. Each box contains five different panels that will produce a finished veneer of 5 square feet with a total finished edge of 40 vertical inches. Corner pieces are available separately, and these are also neatly packed in boxes with enough to cover 4 linear feet. Additionally, accessory items including surrounds for plugs and switches are available to ensure a professional finish.

The builder’s toolkit for installing Go-Stone panels is basic, and all professional contractors and DIY enthusiasts will be sure to have all the items. These are a:

  • 12 inch torpedo level or a longer spirit level
  • ¼ inch notched trowel for applying the adhesive
  • drywall or wet-cut saw to cut panels if required
  • measuring tape

The only other equipment required is ceramic tile and stone adhesive and of course as many Go-Stone panels required to cover the surface that is going to be revamped.

Step-by-Step Installation of Go-Stone Panels

Step 1: Preparation

  1. Use a cloth, or old sheet or blanket to cover the floor adjacent to the wall to be worked on.
  2. Clean the wall surface with a damp cloth or sponge and then allow to air dry without wiping.

Step 2: Installing the Go-Stone Panels

There are three different sized panels in each box. These should be randomly mixed to ensure a natural look. If there are corners, installation should start at a corner with corner pieces.

  1. Apply adhesive to the back of the first panel with the notched trowel
  2. Working from the floor up, set the first panel in place and move from side to side until it stays against the surface. Use the torpedo or spirit level to check that the upper horizontal surface of the panel is level.
  3. Place the second panel flush up against the side of the first panel. Make sure it isn’t the same design as the one below. So if the first panel was 12 inches long, the next should be either 8 inches or 16 inches.
  4. Use the level again to ensure both are in a straight line.
  5. Continue along the floor line staggering pieces so that the seam line isn’t in one vertical line. Also continue to check the upper horizontal level. Never rely on an existing surface because it may not be completely level.
  6. It is very likely panels will need to be cut to fit most walls exactly. Cut individual panels only when required. Ensure that cut edges meet within the wall area or where the wall meets another wall. Factory-finished edges should be used where these will be visible. If the veneer is to extend around a corner, corner pieces should be used.
  7. As work progresses it will only be necessary to double-check levels now and then.
  8. All that will be left to do is clean up.

While Go-Stone surfaces do not need to be sealed, Native Custom Stone has a Natural Shield product that can be used, especially if the wall is open to the elements.

For more information, contact us today.