stone throughout your home for rock-solid impact

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Homeowners adopt the look both inside and out
Melissa Hebert Plain Dealer Reporter
Rock on for a gorgeous home.
Stone is being used to create beautiful spaces inside and outside the house, said Leslie Albery-Ortman, president of Great Lakes Marble & Granite in Mentor.
"It's versatile," she said. "Depending on the type of stone, and how you use it, you can go contemporary or traditional."



Granite almost has become the default setting for kitchen countertops. But despite its near ubiquity, granite and other stone can personalize the look of a home, Albery-Ortman said.
"Each slab of stone - whether it be granite, marble, sandstone or limestone - has uniqueness to it, giving it a different appearance in each application," she said. "Mixing it with materials such as glass, metal, wood or a tile backsplash gives a residential home its own style."
In addition to countertops in kitchens and bathrooms, stone is also commonly used as a fireplace surround, flooring and backsplash. Some less-common uses include range hoods and tabletops.
Slabs of polished granite create a more contemporary look for a fireplace surround, Albery-Ortman said. Tiles of granite or slate create a more casual look. Marble is very formal. Sandstone or limestone are ideal for custom jobs, she said, and limestone is good for carving. Stacked sandstone creates a modern look.
Stone backsplashes are the biggest trend, Albery-Ortman said. "I think it's part of people liking their stone countertops," she said.
Stone comes in many colors, from the beiges and taupes of limestone to the charcoal of slate. The varieties of granite seem endless. You can even go high-end with slabs or tiles made of gems such as onyx or amethyst.
If you want colors to match, such as a countertop and backsplash, you must order from the same lot. Even from the same quarry, there can be large variations of tone from lot to lot.


People who use stone outdoors want a more natural look, said Jack Kinzie, owner of Cactus Jack Landscaping in North Ridgeville.
"Stones are irregular, not cookie-cutter or modular like pavers," he said.
Broken sandstone and flagstone are the most popular materials for patios. Putting it together is like a puzzle, Kinzie said, making sure the colors, sizes and shapes work together to look natural, yet unified.


Homeowners like natural stone for landscaping, too, said Herrick Mann, owner of H.A.M. Landscaping in North Randall. Owners of older homes tend to favor stone over pavers to fit the style of the house and property.
Mann, who has been in landscaping for 36 years, uses both quarried and reclaimed sandstone for retaining walls as patios.
Moss-covered rock - with its rough, irregular finish and mossy splotches - is a top pick for creating terraces and water features.
"It looks natural, like it belongs there," Mann said.