Certain types of natural stones are vulnerable to rust stains, posing a notable challenge for many homeowners and property owners. This susceptibility arises from the material's chemical composition, rust tendencies, and complex structure.

Rust not only affects the aesthetics of the stone but can also lead to long-term damage if left unattended. It is typically formed when iron particles come into contact with moisture and oxygen, causing a chemical reaction that results in the reddish-brown discoloration commonly known as rust. 

Unfortunately, natural stone, particularly those containing iron-rich minerals, is prone to rusting. Yet, there are effective steps that can be taken to prevent and remove rust stains from natural stone surfaces, safeguarding their allure and integrity. 

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Common Causes of Rust Stains on Natural Stones

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Iron Content Oxidation

Discoloration can manifest on certain types of sandstones, due to the oxidation of their inherent iron content. This reaction forms brown marks on the surface. However, darker granite variations like Gray, Onyx Black, and New Ebony are less prone to rust-related issues.

Hydrochloric Acid Overuse‍

Excessive use of hydrochloric acid, commonly found in patio or brick cleaners, is another common source of rust on stones. It's advised to limit the use of such products to avoid potential complications.

Weed and Lawn Feed Products

Careful application of weed and lawn feed products is crucial, as they can lead to small, brown rust stains on stones. These products often contain ferrous sulphate, a substance known to create stains and rusting on stone. To prevent this, ensure no pellets are left on the stone's surface.

‍Rusty Water Runoff‍

Be cautious when letting rusty water runoff from steel or iron tools, as it can transfer rust onto stones. Leaving a metal wrench on a stone patio through winter can cause the metal to rust and stain natural stone pavers. Cleaning is usually possible, although effectiveness might vary based on the stone type.

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Removing Rust Stains from the Surface

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If your natural stone has been recently sealed, the visible rust stains are likely surface-level blemishes. Using a scouring pad or a gentle nylon brush will allow you to effortlessly eliminate these marks. By keeping natural stones properly sealed, you’ll only have to worry about surface rust as it acts as a barrier preventing oxidized liquids from penetrating through the pores.

However, for the utmost protection of your exquisite stones, it's recommended to apply new sealant after dealing with rust and other surface blemishes.

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Managing Stubborn Rust Stains 

Encountering persistent rust on your stone surface even after most rigorous scrubbing efforts can be frustrating. In such cases, seeking the help of a professional might become essential, particularly if rust stains persist beneath the surface.

Nevertheless, it's advisable to explore the following steps initially:

1. Apply or spritz 3% to 4% hydrogen peroxide onto the rust-stained area.
2. Employ a nylon brush or a cleaning pad designated safe for use on natural stone to agitate the solution.
3. Allow the solution to rest for a minimum of 24 hours, then proceed to rinse.

Prior to implementation, it's prudent to test these remedies on a corner or edge of your stone patio. Some chemicals can react adversely with specific types of natural stones, making it essential to assess the solution's effect on an outer edge before using it on the main areas of your stone pathway. If the stain remains, consulting a professional is highly recommended. 

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Avoiding Harsh Substances to Eliminate Rust

It is appealing to use numerous DIY methods to eliminate rust from your natural stones. Mostly suggest using acidic substances and common household cleaners such as applying vinegar or lemon juice to the stain.

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However, these may worsen the problem rather than solving it. The same holds true for utilizing metallic pads or steel wool for scrubbing. It is essential to avoid using any acidic substances or abrasive materials when tending to rust on natural stone.

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If you're seeking guidance on maintaining your STONEarch natural stone, feel free to reach out to our support team anytime. We are here to provide you with comprehensive answers based on our expertise, as promptly as possible.

Your STONEarch natural stone pavers are more than pathways; they're valuable additions that elevate your property's worth and beauty. Built for durability, these stone walkways require minimal maintenance. Resistant stones like granite, travertine, and slate are tough, yet occasional cleaning is still necessary to keep them looking their best. However, even the most resilient stones need occasional cleaning to preserve their allure. Algae, mildew, and dirt can mar the appearance of some stones, but with the proper techniques, your pathway will remain a symbol of timeless elegance.

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Below are the three outdoor stone cleaning techniques for your walkways or pavers:

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1. Basic Cleanup: Sweeping and Washing

Assess your stone walkway's surface to identify stains, ensuring outdoor-installed stones are well-swept and washed.

For routine maintenance, effortlessly refresh your STONEarch natural stone walkway using dish soap:

• Mix a few drops of dish detergent with lukewarm water in a sizable bucket.
• Apply the soapy solution using a push broom with thick bristles.
• Saturate the stone surface with suds by sweeping evenly.
• After treating the entire walkway, rinse it thoroughly with water.

Before proceeding, test this method on a small corner to avoid any unintended damage caused by dish soap or scrubbing brushes.

Avoid wire-bristle brooms to prevent scratches, and use cleaners recommended for your limestones or any stone in your walkways.

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2. Eliminating Stubborn Dirt

Using a stone-specific stain remover for particularly stubborn stains would be best.

• Create a mixture of water and stone cleaner in a spray bottle.
• Adjust the solution's potency for deep stains by using less water.
• Spritz the cleaning mixture over the dirt and stains, allowing it to sit for around 30 minutes.
• Scrub the affected areas using a nylon brush.
• Mop the surface thoroughly to remove excess solution.

Use natural bristle brushes to remove trapped dirt and debris from the crevices between the stones. Be gentle to avoid damaging the stone. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions when using stone cleaners on your walkway or pool deck.

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3. Battling Tough Grime

When faced with stubborn grime, your pressure washer is a powerful tool. Keep the nozzle at a fan-like spray angle and maintain a safe distance to safeguard your stones. Employ pressure washing judiciously, restricting it to once per season to protect your stone's integrity. Start by testing in a small area before applying to the entire walkway, especially for stones like sandstone that may experience minor flaking due to heavy pressure.

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Additional Tips to Clean and Protect Stone Pathways:

Sweep the entire surface of your natural stone pavers horizontally and vertically to remove debris lodged within grout joints.

• Cleanse the stone surface with clean water to eliminate residual dirt and dust after sweeping.
• Blot stains to prevent their spread instead of wiping.
• Address spills promptly to prevent them from becoming embedded in the sun's heat.
• Before using any cleaner, test it on a spare paver from your installation to ensure it won't harm your stone.

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4. Optional: Applying Sealant

Depending on the type of natural stone, it might require sealing to protect it from future stains and weathering. If needed, apply a suitable stone sealant following the manufacturer's guidelines.

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Questions about your STONEarch natural stone walkway or installation? Contact our support team for expert advice. We are here to provide comprehensive answers based on our expertise as promptly as possible.

If you’re planning to renovate your home or have a landscape project in mind, stones are a great material to use. In comparison to other landscaping materials, they are long-lasting and can add authenticity and beauty to your property.

Most architects, contractors, and homeowners prefer STONEarch natural stones for their indoor and outdoor projects. The reason for this is because our collection is the perfect balance of modern and natural, as well as new and old. We specialize in providing natural stone to landscape architects, specifically based on their custom drawings and templates. Further, we work hand-in-hand with our contractors and their clients to help them with product selection and guide them on selecting the right stone for their projects.

Nevertheless, you have manufactured stones as an alternative to natural stones. So how do you know what is better: natural stone vs. manufactured stone? Let’s dig right in, and learn more about the two different options.

What Are Natural Stones?

As the name suggests, natural stones are stones sourced from mother nature. They are quarried and cut into different sizes and shapes to make them suitable for various purposes.

STONEarch natural stone products are collected entirely from the earth. We don’t add or remove anything from the landscape material. The colours and patterns you see from each stone are all-natural. The only thing we do is to finish the stone specifically for landscape use. Outdoor finishes in natural stone include clefted, sandblasted, flamed, bush-hammered, brushed, and many others. We are able to also provide customized finishes depending on the stone, and our speciality is to offer finishes that bring out the true natural beauty in the stone.

Furthermore, we can customise its shape to your preference, from flagstone pavers to jumbo slabs. Natural stones are diverse and versatile, providing you with a solution, no matter what your taste or style.

What Are Manufactured Stones?

Meanwhile, manufactured stones, also known as manmade or cultured stones, are a combination of cement and several components. Then, the mixture is poured out in a mould. It is then coloured to achieve the look of real stones.

Manufactured stones have become increasingly popular over the years because they offer the feel and look of natural stone. With that said, manufactured stones as in the name, are manufactured by man, which results in a shorter lifespan and a much more inferior design aesthetic in comparison to natural stone.

Further, our specialty is in sourcing natural stone and we work at large volumes, allowing us to provide a range of natural stone options at different price points many of which are actually more affordable than manufactured stone as well.

Visual Features

It’s easy to tell artificial from natural stones in terms of their visual characteristics for the trained eye.

One of the best advantages of choosing natural stones over manufactured ones is that no two stones are alike. Our product colours are rich and distinct. Meanwhile, their texture will make you feel right at home immediately. The visual features of natural stones are unlike any other.

Manufactured stones, on the other hand, are usually more consistent in colour tone and have a more artificial appearance. The colours are sometimes overly vivid and manufactured stones are usually missing the slight sparkle that is so easily visible in some of our granites.

Technical Features

Natural stones vary in size in comparison to their artificial alternative. However, they are much heavier.

Manufactured stones are available in sizes ranging from two to eight inches thick. These stones can also go as big as 14 inches in diameter. Nevertheless, STONEarch natural stones are also available in jumbo slabs. As natural stone is a denser and more durable product, it is not required to use as thick of a material for paving areas as required with manufactured stone.

Furthermore, if you’re looking for a thinner option, real stone veneers are the best choice, which is available in one and two inch thicknesses.

Purpose

Choosing between the two landscape materials will depend on the main goal of your project.

If you want a more unique and authentic design, natural stone is the best material to use. It’s perfect for pathways, floorings, steps, wallings, pool copings, installations, and more.

Man-made stones are not as durable and sturdy as their natural counterparts, so it’s not a reliable material for building purposes. Manufactured stones are a good option for building veneers, however they tend to fall short when it comes to stone for landscape use.

Why Should I Choose STONEarch Natural Stone Over Manufactured Stone?

Natural stones present numerous advantages over manufactured stone, including:

1. Ease of cutting
2. Natural authenticity of the colour
3. Durability & density
4. Appeal and overall design aesthetic

First, they are easier to cut, whereas cutting manufactured stones will expose their aggregate edge.

Another problem you have to deal with cultured stones is colour fading. Unlike STONEarch stones, man-made ones cannot withstand wind, water, sunlight, and other natural elements.

Real stones will fade only a little when exposed directly to sunlight, with the exception of our Black limestone. This is why we recommend sealing Black limestone (or Kota Black). And even if they do, this will occur over a much longer time frame. Likewise, they will age naturally, adding to their appeal.

When man-made stones are manufactured, they are applied with mineral oxide on their surface for colouring. Weather conditions can cause their colour to fade, which will change the appearance of the stone.

It doesn’t matter if the manufactured stone is from a well-known or quality brand. That will not stop it from deteriorating in time because of the natural wear brought by the elements.

However, natural stones have proven their endurance for centuries. Just look at the historical and iconic buildings, dating back to ancient times.

Your backyard is a place for relaxation and entertainment for the entire family. Hence, it’s important to choose the right landscaping materials to ensure it’s both beautiful and functional.

STONEarch natural stones are the most stunning element you can incorporate in your outdoor living space. It’s an excellent option if you’re looking to enhance your backyard, patio, or garden.

Moreover, using natural stones pavers or steps in your landscape projects offer endless design possibilities. You can create fire pits, retaining walls, pathways, steps, and so much more. Not only will your outdoor area look beautiful, but it’ll be a more enjoyable and useful space.

So with that in mind, here are the 6 reasons why natural stone is better than concrete pavers for your backyard.

Naturally Beautiful

Natural stones come in a wide variety of patterns, colours, tones, textures, finishes, styles, and designs. Replicating a similar look is nearly impossible, so installing it in your backyard will add a distinctive, more authentic look to your property. What’s more, its natural beauty will blend in seamlessly to the surrounding environment.

Aesthetic Appeal

These landscape stones are available in a unique combination of patterns and hues. In comparison to concrete and other hardscape materials, natural stone is “manufactured” by mother nature, offering you an unmatched aesthetic appeal that is truly unique. They’ll not only create a captivating design aesthetic, they’ll also add warmth to your backyard.

Regardless of what type you pick, whether sandstone or limestone, they will exude timelessness. In fact, natural stones age gracefully, with some looking even more beautiful with time.

Extremely Durable

Natural stones possess incomparable strength. It’s extremely durable in comparison to its artificial alternatives. These stones are created with minerals that underwent millions of years of pressure. Therefore, they are much tougher than those manmade materials that tend to be low-density and fragile.

Moreover, natural stones are weather-resistant, will not decay, and will be able to stand the test of time. Likewise, their composition will remain the same throughout, making the landscape material sturdy for both indoor and outdoor applications.

Some stone types such as limestones can also withstand heat, frost, and moisture. For this reason, they are the best option for Canada’s extreme weather conditions. Granite pavers and steps are an even more durable option for commercial projects that will experience constant wear and tear, including excessive salt use in Canadian winters. Stones such as our sandstones are more suitable for residential applications as they are more gentle on bare feet and are more porous allowing water percolation.

Increases The Value Of Your Property

Because of the elegant look and hardwearing nature of natural stones, it’s one of the most sought after materials for outdoor living spaces. They’ll retain their handsome appearance whether you use stone as part of your outdoor kitchen or your backyard’s landscaping, adding to the overall value of your home.

A Sound Investment

STONEarch natural stone products are long-lasting and can be cleaned & sealed every few years to maintain their authentic look which is sometimes challenging with concrete or wood alternatives. Also, some landscape materials will break down, experience wear and tear, and will need replacing or refinishing to preserve their beauty. Meanwhile, natural stones have a uniform composition so wear marks, scratches, and chips will not be as visible. This is especially the case in our block stone steps in which it is a solid single block of stone.

Less Maintenance

All natural stones that are part of the STONEarch natural stone collection, from slate to granite, can endure natural weather changes. Also, they will maintain its appearance and usability. Keeping them clean and neat is pretty simple and will require little to no effort on your part to retain its original condition besides annual cleaning & sealing of the stones.

No matter the season, natural stones are pretty comfortable to maintain. You only need to sweep it often and hose it down occasionally. So whether snow or rain, you’ll only need a few cleaning tools regardless of the size of your outdoor area.

Natural stone steps are not only beautiful but can add personality and charm to your property. Likewise, it’ll give your landscape a subtle luxurious feel to it that no other landscaping material can. Moreover, steps made from STONEarch natural stones are long-lasting and can withstand Canada’s harsh weather conditions.

No matter the style you have in mind for your landscape project, you can create an impressive focal point and a bold statement with natural stone steps. What’s more, stone steps are also an excellent option if you want to enhance the entrance of your backyard. They’re also the perfect addition to your garden to emphasize your property’s natural feel and look.

Why Should I Choose Natural Stone Steps Over Other Materials?

The majority of landscape architects and contractors use natural stone steps to add more dimension to their projects. It’s the most practical solution when your property needs steps to give it a little movement. That’s because natural stone steps are aesthetically pleasing, durable, functional, and elegant.

Moreover, they are not as intrusive in comparison to concrete or wooden steps. On top of that, natural stone steps can provide your outdoor space with a dimensional depth that other materials cannot offer. Also, with the right design and natural stone step material, the entire look of your outdoor space will not only improve, but the overall value of your property will increase as well.

Additionally, STONEarch natural stones are available in a wide range of textures, finishes, shapes, and sizes. Hence, it’s easy to find a stone suitable for the style of your home. All our stone steps are a solid, single block of stone. This makes them virtually indestructible and also very heavy, reducing the chances of any shifting from freeze-thaw cycles or heaving from unstable gravel/soil underneath. Unlike concrete steps that are made with multiple pieces, our natural stone steps will maintain their timeless character.

Benefits Of Natural Stone Steps

Aside from its timeless charm and beautiful looks, here are some of the benefits of natural stone steps:

Long-lasting. Natural stones are one of the toughest landscape materials you can use in steps construction. Just look at the stunning ruined castles with natural stone steps around the world that have survived the test of time.

Adds value. The long-lasting and classic, handsome appeal of natural stone steps is an excellent way of adding value to your property. They’re a statement piece that will surely impress your guests.

Less maintenance. Unlike other materials, your natural stone steps will not splinter or rot. Likewise, it will not wear out. You only need to sweep and mop it often to maintain its pristine condition. Occasional resealing may also be required to protect them from scratches and stains.

Fireproof. Aside from its strength and reliability, natural stones are entirely fireproof.

Versatile. STONEarch natural steps are extremely versatile. We create our products using the best and most advanced carving and cutting tools. This means that we can create natural stone steps that can fit whatever style you’re after, from modern ones with sleek lines to traditional-looking steps.

Aesthetics. Steps for landscaping are also available in the same colours to match our stone pavers and copings, meaning you can achieve a single, unified look throughout your project. Many landscape suppliers and stone dealers will sell stone steps as they are versatile enough to work well with stone pavers, concrete unit-pavers, or asphalt driveways.

Best Natural Stone Step Materials

Granite. STONEarch granite stone steps are very popular because of how it can carry out an entirely new look to your surroundings. Granite steps are the most suitable options for higher-end residential projects or used as stone steps for commercial projects.

Limestone. STONEarch limestone stone steps are very tough and have a surface with a fine-grained texture.

Sandstone. STONEarch sandstone stone steps are available in a variety of colours and have a natural, rugged appearance. Similar to all our outdoor natural stone, they are time-tested and weatherproof as well.

Regardless of the material you pick, natural stone steps can make your landscape even more dramatic. Choosing to use STONEarch natural stones will provide your home with endless possibilities. If you want to learn more, simply contact us and let’s start planning your next landscape project.

Sandstone is a stunning natural stone. It is popular not only for its distinctive style but has been a reliable material for paving for many centuries. The unique characteristic of sandstone can provide any home with the perfect decorative touch. Because of its durability, a lot of owners choose the landscape material, particularly on areas receiving high-traffic.

Furthermore, you can use sandstone in both residential and commercial applications. It’s an excellent choice if you want to give your pool deck, patio, or backyard a makeover. Meanwhile, when sandstone is utilized for commercial projects, it provides a richness and warmth to the project.

STONEarch sandstone pavers are available in a wide variety of textures and colours, including the following:

• Beige
• Brown
• Dove
• Flint
• Fossil
• Lavender
• Mint Sawn
• Oak  
• Saga
• Slate Gray
• Venetian Flint
• Venetian Gray

You can use our sandstone collection for any of your residential and commercial landscape design projects or applications.

Where To Use Sandstone

Although sandstone is quite durable, it is more porous in comparison to granite and other natural stones. It’s important assess qualities such as water absorption and also understand where the product will be installed, in order get a clear idea whether or not sandstone is right for your project. Many homeowners and landscape architects really love the use of sandstone because it provides a lot of warmth to any space, and it goes very nicely with the brick colours used in most homes.

You can use sandstone just about anywhere. Aside from your living space and kitchen, this natural stone is also perfect for outdoor applications, including pool copings and steps. Also, it’s a fantastic choice to use as a wall tile for almost all rooms in your home.

Advantages Of Using Sandstone

Naturally beautiful

Natural materials have a mysterious quality to them that’s very evident in sandstone flooring. The landscaping stone comes in a vast array of hues, ranging from charcoal to black and medium white tones to multicolored whirlpools. But whatever colour or texture it has, sandstone usually comes in more neutral beige, light gray, brown and dark gray tones with a touch of rock and earth.

Many of the sandstones that we have come with a natural cleft finish which make them great for traction and high foot traffic areas. The stone photographed above is particularly unique as it is called STONEarch Fossil and it has imprints of historic fossils directly on the surface of the stone.

Unique

Nature itself formed sandstone. This means that the pattern and colour you’ll find in all stones are different and unique on its own. So, you won’t find any two tiles that are exactly alike in appearance. And unlike manufactured tiles, sandstone has movement.

Sandstone comes out in massive slabs when quarried. Then, each piece of sandstone tile will go through a process where they are cut into smaller pieces. Therefore, each of your STONEarch sandstone tiles is a random sample of nature’s wonderful mountainous masterpiece.

Durable

No doubt, sandstone is durable and is as hard as a rock (because it is!). Although it can’t compete with the durability and hardness level of granite or black basalt, it’s still strong enough to last for many decades with proper care and maintenance.

Replaceable

The installation of sandstone flooring is in individual pieces or pavers. This means that removing and replacing this flagstone is relatively easy. Just make sure that you have some STONEarch pavers saved from the initial installation, so they match when you repair your project.

Eco-Friendly

If you want to help with the environment, natural stones are the best way to go. Unlike other materials like concrete, sandstone comes from the earth and will biodegrade in time. But don’t worry, it will take many years before this happens. Concrete is one of the largest polluting industries to this planet, second to automobiles. With natural stone, you can be safe that it is gentle on bare feet or for young children as it is an all natural product that is created by mother nature.

Why Should I Choose STONEarch Sandstone?

STONEarch flagstone pavers are truly gorgeous and will add value to your property. Once your guests walk in your home and see your stunning sandstone floors, they’ll be very impressed. So, if you’re ready to use sandstone on your next landscape project, choose the variation and colour suitable for the decor of your home and contact us for further assistance. Don’t just choose any sandstone, ask specifically for STONEarch! All our sandstones are calibrated to ensure consistent thickness to make it easy for installation and also designed to lay perfectly into geometric patterns.