Don't wait for the summer sun to start planning upgrades to your outdoor space. Now's the time to start thinking about creating an outdoor oasis that you can enjoy through the spring, summer and fall.
Stone is a natural choice for outdoor decorating. It's durable, elegant and able to blend with any decorating style. Low-maintenance stone adds warmth and character that will delight you for years to come.
Start with a Patio
If you don't have a patio, or the one you have is looking a little the worse for wear, install a stone patio to get an instant upgrade. A stone patio will add elegance, versatility and high resale value to your house. Get started planning now so that your patio will be ready by the time warm weather hits.
Consider a Fireplace
Your indoor fireplace is probably the coziest spot in your home. Now you can recreate that same warm feeling by installing a source of warmth and light in your garden with a fireplace or fire pit. A stone floor seating area will make it even more inviting.
Add Water Features
A water feature adds constant, soothing sound to your garden. You could opt for a pond that attracts wildlife, birds and butterflies, who will appreciate having a water source on hot days. A freestanding stone birdbath with a waterfall feature is another way to add movement and beauty to your outdoor space.
Choose Your Stone
Granite: Although granite is beautiful and durable, it's not the best choice for an outdoor patio that's going to be subjected to freezing, wet conditions. Granite is a good choice for an outdoor dining table in a covered area, or as your barbecue counter, but be sure to put a stain-resistant sealant on it.
Porcelain: Because it's fired at extremely high temperatures, porcelain tile is one of the strongest paving and building materials available. It's non-porous so it's able to withstand wetness and repel mildew. Porcelain tile comes in a huge variety of colors and styles. Tile is an excellent choice for all your outdoor buildings, from patios to fireplaces.
Quartz: Quartz has become a popular choice for countertops, for good reason. It's bright, beautiful and able to withstand all kinds of weather. You can use quartz to surround an outdoor fireplace or fire pit, to create seating benches or to make plant stands.
Lucastone Quartz: High-quality engineered stone provides some features that make it even better than natural stone for some projects. You can install it indoors or out, and it provides a uniform look. Lucastone is nonporous and stain-resistant. It's a great choice for for an outdoor tabletop or countertop, because it gives the look of granite but is much lighter in weight and easier to install.
Get Expert Help
At Francini Inc., we search the globe to bring you only the finest choices of world-class porcelain, quartz and granite. You won't find a better selection of beautiful, natural and engineered stone anywhere else. For a dose of inspiration, stop by one of our showrooms and discover how stone can add beauty to every room of your house, inside and out.