Limestone: Where does it come from and what is it good for?

Limestone has a wide range of applications. As a natural building material, it’s used as a component of concrete, as well as an ingredient in many toothpaste and paint products. Throughout history, it’s also been used in many famous buildings, from the Pyramids in Egypt to the columns of the Parthenon.

Its durable and versatile nature also makes it a perfect building material to use in your Perth home or business. At Remastone, we specialise in manufacturing high-quality reconstituted limestone blocks for use in a variety of landscaping and interior feature projects.

Locally Sourced and Manufactured Limestone

To make our reconstituted limestone blocks, we mix crushed limestone with a small amount of cream cement. We source our natural limestone from quarries around WA and manufacture it at our factory in Bibra Lake.

As a family owned and operated business, we’re committed to supplying the highest quality product using only the best local materials. Discover the many benefits to be gained from using our limestone blocks in your residential or commercial property.

Durable

Pure limestone is one of the most resilient natural building materials. When combined with cement, it becomes an even more hardwearing product than the unrefined material. It has the strength to endure the harsh Perth climate, even during the hottest months of the year.

While natural limestone will eventually discolour, reconstituted limestone will slow this process, also leading to minimal wear and tear over time. Reconstituted limestone also discourages growth of mould and moss that can be prevalent in gardens and outdoor areas.

Although limestone will incur a small amount of corrosion over time, this will only impact the aesthetic and shouldn’t affect the structural integrity.

Beautiful

Limestone is a distinctive natural stone that many choose due to its timeless, classic look. There are many different types of limestone that come in a variety of finishes, from smoother surfaces right through to more raw and rugged textures. Each reconstituted limestone block is completely unique and is available in a range of creamy shades.

Adaptable

While natural limestone can be used in many ways, reconstituted limestone is even more multipurpose. As it is created in moulds, is can be formed into blocks or specific shapes. Blocks can be created with bevelled edges or moulded into caps to be used on gate pillars or perimeter walls. The large range of shapes and sizes allows it to be applied to all sorts of projects.

Building with Limestone

Reconstituted limestone is suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications. It’s easy to work with and it can be used to create stunning features, such as a fireplace or water feature. From retaining walls to garden edging and pool paving, it can be used in a variety of different ways.

As it has excellent acoustic and thermal insulation properties, you can use it for soundproofing or to help keep areas warm in winter and cool in summer.

The Remastone Difference

We offer one of the largest ranges of limestone products in WA. From Fremantle to Yanchep and everywhere in between, we service the entire Perth metro area. We can also deliver to anywhere in the South West, as well as some other regional areas in WA.

At our showroom in Bibra Lake, we can talk you through the properties of reconstituted limestone in more detail and provide you with the opportunity to view the product and its unique varieties.

As Perth’s leading limestone manufacturer, we are always here to help. Contact us to find out more about how reconstituted limestone can elevate any residential or commercial project.

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How to Keep Your Pavers Looking Perfect

So, you’ve got new pavers installed. Good choice: they’re low maintenance, hard wearing and designed to weather the elements and look great! We’ve put together a simple guide on how to maintain and care for your stone and concrete pavers to help you keep your pavers looking great for many years.

Basic Care

Basic maintenance starts with sweeping. Make sure you’re clearing your pavers of any debris regularly, using a stiff bristled outdoor broom, or a rake. Leaves especially, as they can stain your pavers as they decompose. Move any plants or furniture before you sweep or clean, as dirt and other matter has a tendency to accumulate around these objects.

Weeding

Keep on top of your weeding. Although our pavers are hard wearing, weeds growing through the small spaces between pavers can displace and eventually crack pavers. Try and pull weeds out with their roots to minimise the likelihood and rate of regrowth. High-traffic areas, such as driveway pavers are less prone to weeds. If you find they are a recurring problem, consider sourcing a weed killer, but ensure you use one which won’t discolour or stain your pavers. A quick tip for killing weeds: place white vinegar in a spray bottle and spray directly onto the weeds. Leave for about a day and return to pluck the dead weeds.

Cleaning

Stone and concrete pavers are incredibly easy to clean. Use a garden hose to hose down the area. If further cleaning is necessary, a simple solution of water and detergent can be used to scrub down the pavers. This is best done using a bristly brush, to effectively reach into any cracks and crevices. Do not use any kind of acid or strong alkali cleaner on your concrete or limestone pavers.

Stains

If you notice any stains on your pavers, tackle them as soon as possible. The longer they are left, the harder they will be to remove. Consider using a high-pressure water cleaner, and for stubborn stains, cover the stain with dish soap and let it sit for up to 60 minutes before scrubbing and hosing the area with warm water. Repeat as many times as necessary. If the stain still doesn’t lift, head to your nearest hardware store for a specialty paver cleaning product.

Sealing

Some of our customers opt to use a sealant on their pavers. Sealant on our concrete and stone pavers is not necessary, but can act as a good barrier to protect your pavers. To achieve the best results, pavers should be sealed directly after initial installation, following the directions of their sealant manufacturer.

For more help on maintaining your pavers

Keep your pavers clean and well maintained, and they will look great and last for many years in the future. If you are looking for more tips on how to keep maintain your pavers and keep them looking perfect in future years, we would love to share some expert advice online, over phone, or in person at our Bibra Lake warehouse – Contact us today. 

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5 Interior Wall Features You Can Create with Stone Cladding

If you’re looking for a way to add some character to a blank stretch of wall space, you should definitely consider a stone cladding feature. While paint and wall art can breathe some life into an empty wall, stone cladding can add beautiful textures and visual interest to make a stronger interior design statement. Here are five creative ways to use stone walls in your home.

#1 Shower Walls

Hallways and living rooms are the areas that most tend to look at first when thinking about an interior feature, but every wall space in your home has the potential to be styled.

Give your bathroom some wow factor by using stone cladding to decorate a section of your shower walls. You can get panels made from smooth tiles that are user-friendly for a shower setting and also easy to clean.

Plus, as cladding tends to come in natural shades, it is likely to complement almost any neutral bathroom colour scheme. A darker colour could be used to contrast with a light palette, or a similar shade could be used to blend the stone with its surrounds.

#2 TV Feature Wall

Remastone’s natural stone veneer: Cabernet

 

Wall mounted TV screens are becoming increasingly popular, but while the sleek and minimalist style creates a modern look with clean lines, it can also lead to a large amount of unused wall space.

You could easily spruce up the blank walls around your TV with stone cladding. With the dark wall trend on the rise, you could go for a black quartz or a warm ashburn. Bold and dramatic, dark walls can be used to make your TV look almost invisible and are best used alongside contrasting accent colours and textures.

Alternatively, if you’re wanting more of a light and bright feel, you could try a barley style with a slight ochre tinge or a soft mix of silver and white, such as calacatta.

#3 Kitchen Splashback  

Why use plain, basic tiles when you could use stone cladding as a splashback in your kitchen? Natural stone cladding can make an excellent addition to any kitchen as it is highly durable and even fire resistant.

When it comes to aesthetics, it works well when paired with stone benchtops or timber floorboards. With a wide range of stone cladding styles available, you could use it to give your kitchen some rustic, country charm or to create an elegant and sophisticated look.

#4 Foyer Entrance Feature

Remastone’s natural stone veneer: Ebony

The first thing people see when they enter your home is your foyer area. No matter whether it’s a grand entrance or simply the beginning of a hallway that leads elsewhere, it’s important to use the right style and make the best impression.

Shelving Statement

You could combine an interior stone wall with shelving to showcase ornaments, décor or even greenery. Add the right accent lighting and you could have a stunning statement that greets people the moment they set foot in your home.

Mirrored Feature Wall

Another idea could be to use stone cladding as a border or a background for a large, decorative mirror to give your entry a spacious appearance.

Stone Wall Water Feature

Or if you’re wanting to be even more impressive, you could build a stone wall water feature with a cascading waterfall or a flowing water fountain.

#5 Laundry Walls  

As it is most often used for household chores, the laundry is a room in the home that is often neglected for its interior design potential. It’s an area that should be given a lot more thought considering guests are likely to visit it to use the toilet or gain alternative access to an outdoor patio.

To freshen up and modernise a tired, old laundry, you could apply stone cladding to the walls above and around your washing machine, cabinets or shelving. You could also use it as a splash back behind your laundry basin.

Got the Inspiration You Need?  

If you’ve decided how you will use a stone feature wall in your home, visit Remastone today to see how we can help you bring your vision to life. Our friendly team can guide you to choose the most suitable cladding product from our extensive range. Or if you’re still considering your options, feel free to contact us to discuss your ideas

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How to Choose the Right Pavers for Your Driveway

As your driveway is one of the first things people will see when visiting your home, it’s important to create the right first impression. To select the most appropriate type of paver for your driveway, you need to consider both aesthetics and practicality. With so many paver varieties available on the market, how do you choose the right one for your home?

First of all, you need to ensure that your driveway pavers will have the weight bearing capacity to handle constant vehicle traffic. Your pavers need to be at least 50mm thick, though 60mm and above is preferable. If in doubt, it’s best to check with your local council as there may be regulations around paver thickness in relation to crossover areas.

Once you have the right size, you also need to select a material that’s going to be hard-wearing, with the strength to withstand the elements and heavy-duty usage.

Four Pavers ideal for your driveway

1. Concrete Pavers

There’s a reason why concrete pavers are one of the most popular choices for driveways. Made from a mix of cement and aggregate, concrete pavers are very strong, durable and long-lasting. While the pavers are easy to install and do not require a lot of maintenance, it’s recommended to seal your driveway every few years to ensure your paving lasts as long as possible.

One of the great advantages of concrete is its versatility. It’s available in a wide variety of colours, shapes, and sizes, allowing you to create a fully customised paving design that will suit your home. As it draws its colouring from natural rock and minerals, concrete pavers usually come in warm and earthy colours that will complement almost any home design.

If you’re looking for a cost-effective option, concrete could be the perfect paving type for you as they are generally cheaper to purchase per unit than most other outdoor flooring materials.

The Remastone rockford paving range, as well as the contempo paving range are our finest concrete pavers.

2. Exposed Aggregate Pavers

Exposed aggregate is made when the topmost layer of concrete is removed, and the natural textures underneath are brought to the surface. As it is comprised of the same materials as concrete, exposed aggregate enjoys many of the same benefits.

It has the strength to hold up against heavy traffic without becoming damaged or sinking into the ground, and it also requires very little maintenance, only needing to be sealed every few years. Although the name suggests a rough surface, exposed aggregate pavers can be manufactured to be soft underfoot, while maintaining its slip-resistant properties.

Much like concrete, there are many colours, shapes and sizes to choose from. The main difference between concrete and exposed aggregate pavers is the textured finish. Each individual concrete paver generally comes in a single, even colour, whereas each exposed aggregate tile offers a unique mix of speckles and organic patterns that feature a range of colours. The textured design is also helpful for camouflaging minor driveway stains and marks.

3. Quartz Pavers

Another suitable solution for driveway paving is quartz. While it’s technically a form of exposed aggregate, quartz is worth singling out on its own given its distinctive appearance. With a natural shimmer that glitters in the sun, it can provide your home with a finishing touch that will enhance its street appeal.

Quartz is a dense, hard-wearing natural stone that is extremely resilient even when subjected to harsh weather conditions. Just like other forms of exposed aggregate, its heavily textured surface is slip resistant and smooth to the touch. It’s also non-porous, making it resistant to stains and water damage.D

4. Brick (Clay) Pavers

One of the most traditional choices for driveway paving is brick or clay paving. Although it has been favoured in the past, it is not necessarily the most effective option available today.

Brick is an attractive material to use in the outdoors given its ability to retain its colouring over the long term while enduring ongoing exposure to UV light. In general, however, it is not as long-lasting as concrete and varieties of exposed aggregate as brick will tend to wear out faster over time. It also affords less creativity and design possibilities as it is only available in a limited number of colours, shapes and sizes.

If you’re looking for the ultimate driveway paver solution in Perth, contact the experts at Remastone today. We offer a wide selection of high-quality concrete and exposed aggregate pavers, including quartz, with colours and styles to suit every preference.

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Creative Limestone Garden Edging Ideas

As its name suggests, garden edging is ideal for dividing your landscaping design into various spaces. By building borders around your lawn, garden beds and other features, you can create visual interest while also enjoying many practical benefits. With effective edging in place, you can ensure that soil from your garden will not spill out into surrounding areas. It will also prevent you from damaging your plants when using your mower on nearby grassed areas.

There are many materials that are suitable to use for garden edging, but for a classic and simple look that will complement almost any outdoor space, you can’t go past limestone. Made from natural rock, the creamy tones and organic textures of limestone provide a beautiful contrast with greenery and lush plant life. It’s also a highly durable and versatile material that can be used to create a wide range of visual styles.

If you’re looking to give your garden ‘an edge’ here are 5 creative ideas on how to incorporate limestone edging into your front or backyard.

Bold Geometric Shapes

It doesn’t matter whether you’re aiming for sleek minimalism or an intricate design, you can use garden edging in a geometric pattern to improve the aesthetic and functionality of your landscape.

On the more understated side, you could create long lines that are pleasing to the eye through the use of rectangular flower beds. Or you could go for a more symmetrical look and square off your lawn from the rest of your garden.

For those who want to make more of an impact, you could use all sorts of shapes to create a complex pattern. You could design an Alice In Wonderland-esque maze like effect or cut diamonds into your lawn and fill them with trees to add height to your landscape. Create a row of alternating, triangular shaped garden beds or separate parts of your outdoor area on a diagonal, using a zigzagging line of shrubbery. The only limit to your design idea is your own imagination!

Winding, Wavy Lines

For more of a gentle, subtle effect, you could style your limestone garden edging in undulating, flowing lines. Less harsh than a solid, straight edge, curved lines will create more visual unity between your lawn and your garden, while still physically separating the two areas.

If you’re working with a small front or backyard, wavy lines may help to create the impression of spaciousness. What’s more, if you have an oddly shaped or sloped area, you may be better off styling your edging in soft arches that take advantage of the uneven space, rather than drawing attention to it.

To take it to the next level, you could combine winding, wavy lines with geometric shapes to create a completely unique landscaping design.

Blaze a Trail

While garden edging is traditionally used to keep a clean boundary between lawn and plant life, you could also use it to border a garden pathway.

If you’re using gravel or pebbles to form walking trails throughout your landscape, you will need to find a way to contain the loose stones. Garden edging is the perfect way to restrict the movement of the stones and give your path a neat and tidy edge.

The creamy tones of limestone will always pair nicely with the silvery, blue-grey of crushed stone or the orange-red shades of gravel.

Create a Feature Statement

If you have an older property, you may have larger, established trees in your landscape. You can use garden edging to make a statement out of a tall tree by encircling or squaring off the area around the base of the trunk. On the other side of the limestone boundary you could either plant potted flowers or a decorative hedge. Alternatively, you could simply allow your lawn to grow around the tree, increasing the usable area in your yard.

Another idea for a feature statement could be a water fountain or a statue. Almost any focal point in your landscape can be bordered by garden edging, as long as it is resting on a surface that contrasts with the surrounding area. For instance, a water feature could be sitting on a bed of pebbles, with a limestone frame separating it from the rest of the garden.

Light the Way

One way to enhance any garden edging is design is to use clever lighting. Outdoor, LED strip lights are robust and flexible so you can apply them to the underside of your limestone edging to create a stunning effect.

LED strips will essentially light up the lines and shapes you have created, making your landscaping design even more eye-catching during the evenings. Available in a range of colours and colour temperatures, you could use LEDs to add a warm glow to your garden or you could create a vibrant, lighting design. At Christmas time you could even go for red and green to be extra festive.

No matter what garden edging idea you decide to pursue, you can get all of your limestone supplies from Remastone. Offering Perth’s highest quality, reconstituted limestone blocks, our friendly team will be able to help you select the right product for your landscaping design.

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Busting The Backyard Myths On Porcelain Pavers

While porcelain pavers are becoming an increasingly popular addition to landscaping designs throughout Perth, there are still many misconceptions around the suitability of the material to outdoor areas. Unlike what the name suggests, porcelain pavers are highly durable and low on maintenance, providing homes with beautiful yet also practical outdoor flooring solutions. Let’s bust some of the most common myths and shed some light on the benefits of using porcelain pavers in your backyard.

Myth #1 – Porcelain pavers are not durable

During the manufacturing process, porcelain pavers are subjected to extremely high temperatures, making them stronger, denser and longer lasting than other paving options. Porcelain pavers also have enhanced resistance to scratching when compared to concrete, natural stone and timber, and are also less likely to become damaged by the movement of furniture and other abrasive surfaces. With superior strength, porcelain pavers are ideal for commercial areas that experience high foot traffic and can be used on driveways when wet installed. Overall, porcelain pavers are one of the most robust choices for outdoor spaces.

Myth #2 – Porcelain pavers feel hot underfoot

When it comes to the temperature of your outdoor flooring, it is actually the colour rather than the composition of the material that will have the most significant impact on its heating and cooling properties. Industry testing indicates that the temperature of porcelain pavers is comparable to natural stone pavers of the same colour, with pavers in darker hues tending to generate higher surface temperatures than lighter ones. In general, porcelain pavers are also cooler to the touch than concrete pavers.

Myth #3 – Porcelain pavers need to be sealed

Unlike natural stone and concrete, porcelain pavers are non-porous and virtually impenetrable. As a result, it is not necessary to seal porcelain paving. Such properties also make these pavers the most stain resistant product available in today’s market.

Myth #4 – Porcelain pavers must be installed on concrete

Porcelain pavers are actually quite versatile. The tiles can be wet installed on concrete or mortar bed, or dry installed on top of sand or cracker dust. It can also be laid on top of grass.

Myth #5 – Porcelain pavers are slippery

With slip-resistant properties, porcelain pavers are suitable to use in all outdoor areas, including around pools and spas. It’s best to obtain pavers that meet the Australian standards for non-slip surfaces. With a R11 A, B, C classification, your pavers will continue to be slip resistant even in sloping areas that are subjected to wet and dry conditions.

Myth #6 – Porcelain pavers are high maintenance

As mentioned, the non-porous surface of porcelain pavers makes them resistant to stains, discoloration, chipping, scratching and more. Unlike other flooring types, it does not require any form of ongoing polishing, varnishing or resealing. To keep porcelain pavers in good condition, all you have to do is hose them down with water from time to time.

If you’re looking to use porcelain paving in your outdoor entertaining area, visit the Remastone showroom in Bibra Lake today. We have a large range of high quality, slip-resistant porcelain pavers available and can help you make the best selection for your needs.

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How To Style Your Fireplace With Stone Cladding

When considering ways to bring visual interest to an unused space in your home, your first thought may not be an indoor or outdoor fireplace. As Perth is known for its warm and sunny weather, it’s not a feature that is commonly included in our home designs.

While we do enjoy hot summers, we still get our fair share of wintry days and cold nights over the course of the year, making a fireplace a unique and practical feature that could add value and sophistication to your home.

To integrate your fireplace with your existing design and make a real statement in your home, you need to style the surrounding walls space. Stone cladding is a versatile material that is ideal for all sorts of wall features and can be used to create a beautiful fireplace design.

Key factors you need to consider when styling your fireplace with stone cladding

Type Of Fireplace

The type of fireplace you select will have an impact on the overall aesthetic of the design, so it’s important to choose a unit that will provide the right look.

If you would like to create a rustic or classic country style, then you may be better off with a wood fireplace. For a more contemporary look, you may consider electric or gas options.

You will also need to decide whether you select a built in or freestanding unit. The built-in option can be adapted to a wide range of styles and could be inserted into either a structural or feature wall to create varying effects.

Depending on your preference, the built-in style could project from the wall with a traditional hearth and mantel, or it could sit within the wall for a more sleek and minimalist result.

Your other alternative is to choose a freestanding unit, which will allow you the opportunity to apply stacked stone cladding on the wall behind the fireplace to create a textured background.

Veneers or Natural Stone

Once you know the type of fireplace that will best suit your requirements, you will need to choose between using stone veneers and natural stone cladding.

It’s easiest to differentiate each type of cladding by thinking of natural stone as the ‘real brand’ and veneers as the imitation. The former will provide an authentic, high-quality look that takes full advantage of the unique colours and textures of natural stone, while the imitation brand will strive to look as similar as possible.

Stone veneers are more cost-effective than natural stone, but they are not as long-lasting, and the surface of each tile does not have the same level of intricate detail.

If your decision will be limited by your budget, veneers could be a great option for you, however, if you have more flexibility in your finances, you should definitely look into natural stone cladding.

Veneer Range by Remastone | Colour Amber

Natural Range by Remastone | Colour Black Quartz

Stone Style & Design

No matter whether you opt for a natural or artificial solution, you will have many shapes and layouts to choose from. If you want to achieve a modern and elegant look, you can get cladding styles with narrow, rectangular-shaped stones that are stacked in neat, uniform rows. If you’re looking for more of a homey, cottage style, you can use cladding with an organic pattern that’s made from stones in odd shapes and sizes.

For those who have selected the built-in option, you can also use stacked stone cladding to create a keystone border or archway around the top and sides of your unit. A keystone design is a great way to add depth and detail to your fireplace by providing a focal point that will draw the eye.

Colour Selection

Stone cladding is available in a variety of warm and natural tones that will complement any home or landscape. You could use the colouring of your cladding to contrast against your existing décor or you could use it to seamlessly blend your fireplace with the theme of your space.

For dramatic impact, you could use dark and luxurious colours, or for a more subdued look, you could try stone cladding in creamy browns, taupes and mahoganies. If you would like to brighten up an area and give the impression of more space, you could also go for an ivory or other lighter shade of natural stone.

Hearth & Mantel

After you’ve settled on the key details of your stacked stone fireplace, it’s time to think about the finishing touches. With built-in units, you have the option to use cladding or another material to add a decorative hearth or mantel.

A hearth is a small platform that will extend out onto the floor, giving the appearance of a traditional, masonry fireplace with chimney and all. While not essential, a hearth can complete a fireplace design and provide a space to position various knick-knacks and décor.

Similarly, a mantel can also finish off your fireplace by creating a shelf that stylishly frames the top of the unit, creating further opportunities to add ornaments, photo frames and other accessories to your design.

Once you have decided how you will style your fireplace, you can get all of your stone cladding supplies at Remastone. If you would like some guidance on how to use stone cladding to create the most effective look for your home, our friendly staff are always happy to help. Contact us or visit our showroom today!

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