Stone Groove
Noah Dempsey, marketing coordinator at Delgado Stone, discusses how to incorporate natural stone into your interior, exterior, or landscape, and why the sustainable product makes so much sense in Maine
What are the biggest differences between Maine natural stone designs and other regions of the country?
Maine is a special place for stone design because of the modern architecture that incorporates natural stone as well as the mixing of different materials. This includes incorporating natural stone into homes built almost entirely of wood. Mixing those two building materials is a popular Maine trend that extends throughout New England. Another common characteristic of Maine stone design is combining different patterns to create a one-of-a-kind look, like what the masonry group New England Landscapes does by using a constant color profile but in unique shapes and designs.
What are the benefits of choosing natural stone for your home or business?
One of the characteristics that make it so popular is the look it creates. Natural stone impacts a project in a multitude of ways, and with all of the colors and patterns, there is an option for every design project. No two pieces of natural stone are the same.
Another benef it to choosing natural stone is the longevity of the material, both in terms of durability—because the properties of the natural stone help it withstand even the harshest New England winters—and in terms of value. Over time a stone veneer project will retain 90-plus percent of its value compared to the cost, which is one of the highest rates of any home improvement project.
Natural stone is also a sustainable building material that is harvested and used in its entirety. We are often involved in projects that put an emphasis on the sourcing, manufacturing, and installation of local New England area materials.
“Natural stone impacts a project in a multitude of ways, and with all of the colors and patterns, there is an option for every design project. No two pieces of natural stone are the same.”
How can natural stone be incorporated in a home’s interior space?
Interior fireplaces are one of the most common uses for natural stone veneer and hearthstones. But natural stone can be used in several accent features throughout the interior of a home, including backsplashes, shower walls, and floors, as well as the floor of the mudroom or other home entrances. Natural stone has also been used to create unique wine cellars. These smaller interior projects are a great way to make a large impact without using a large amount of stone.
Can you review your process from conception to installation? How many people are involved?
We provide completed project pictures and ship samples daily to help clients choose the right stone for their project. Authorized dealers and masonry supply yards are often involved in this process as well, as most have displays in their showroom that help clients decide on the material. Once we receive the order, our operations team ensures we have enough raw material for the order, or they contact the quarry to have it shipped to our facility in Brookfield, CT. At this point, our production team gets to work breaking down the stone into the sizes and shapes that meet the needs of the project. Once complete, the material is prepped and loaded onto a truck to head to the job site. After it arrives on-site it is in the skilled hands of the mason or contractor who will install the material using their own technique or to the specif ied design of the project. Overall, there are many teams and countless individuals who work on a natural stone project, whether it’s 40 square feet or 4,000.
