Blog

What Gravel is Best for Drainage?

June 1, 2020 by Grand River Natural Stone

Gravel is necessary for many landscape projects and not just beautiful rock gardens. Retaining walls and other features that require drainage make great use of large gravel to allow water to drain away faster than soil would. When you’re doing a DIY landscape project, it’s important to choose the right type of gravel. Here is

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DIY: How to Install Stone Veneer 

May 1, 2020 by Grand River Natural Stone

Stone veneer is a beautiful addition to the outside of your home, your fireplace or an accent wall. Plus, it’s a relatively simple DIY project you can complete in a weekend.  There are few projects that you can do yourself that have such a tremendous impact on your space. Follow these tips to get the

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Creating Your Oasis

April 1, 2020 by Grand River Natural Stone

You can’t install a pool and expect to create a backyard oasis. Creating a backyard oasis starts with a landscape design that is beautiful and functional. Here’s a few ideas that will help you create a backyard oasis.   Planning Your Pool   Before you start envisioning your pool, you want to create a thorough plan that

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DIY Retaining Walls Construction

September 11, 2019 by Grand River Natural Stone

Constructing a DIY retaining wall isn’t a job to be taken lightly. To ensure the wall is stable and safe, it’s important to use materials that are engineered to the wall’s specifications, and then to construct the wall correctly. In this guide, we will demystify the process and give you straight forward tips to follow

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Deciding How Much Gravel Is Needed for Your Project

June 11, 2019 by Grand River Natural Stone

Wondering how to measure how much gravel you need for your project? Not sure how much area a ton of gravel will cover? Or are you curious how much a load of gravel actually is? These are just some of the questions you may be asking yourself when considering taking on a landscaping project with

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Paver Installation Tools for Interlocking Projects

May 15, 2019 by Grand River Natural Stone

From hand tools to suction equipment, which paver installation tools do you need to get the job done right? Find out from Grand River Natural Stone. Choosing the Right Tools for Interlocking Projects In order to complete your interlocking project, you’ll need a variety of paver installation tools. These may include tools for lifting paving

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Best Practices for Dry Laid Walls

April 9, 2019 by Grand River Natural Stone

A dry laid wall uses Ontario’s natural stone to reflect the surrounding environment. They appear as part of the landscape, making them ideal for aesthetic and practical purposes, and are used as both freestanding, or retaining walls.   Installing A Dry Laid Wall We recommend you get expert help when installing a dry laid wall.

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Why It’s Important to Mulch One Last Time Before Winter Arrives

November 8, 2018 by Grand River Natural Stone

In the spring and summer, we use mulch to retain moisture in the soil, keep the weeds at bay and add a beautiful, consistent texture to our landscaping. In the winter, mulch takes on a whole new role in keeping our gardens healthy. Mulch to Regulate Soil Temperature Once the ground freezes your garden plants

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How to build stone steps at home

August 15, 2018 by Grand River Natural Stone

Replacing worn-out steps (or a slippery slope at the front or side of your house) with attractive stone steps provides a more inviting entry into any outdoor space. They improve your home’s curb appeal and make walking through the yard easier and safer for older family and friends. With basic tools and materials, a little

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Base Materials – How to Lay a Solid Base with Good Compaction and Drainage

July 1, 2018 by Grand River Natural Stone

How to lay a solid base with good compaction and drainage Without a good foundation, your paver patio, walkway or driveway will look uneven and unsightly. With the swings in temperature we get in Ontario through the year, there’s a good chance your stone will settle in the winter if your base isn’t even, compact

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