Here are three mistakes to stay away from:
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- Written by: Derek Stearns
Firepits are among the most popular features in outdoor living spaces. They naturally draw people together, creating a welcoming place for conversation and connection. As we like to say in our business, “when the fire is burning, people will talk.” There’s just something timeless about sitting around a fire with a comfortable chair and a favorite drink in hand—it invites relaxation and makes moments memorable.
There are countless options when it comes to firepits. You can choose from pre-packaged kits or fully custom builds, square or circular designs, and finishes ranging from natural stone to bold, modern looks. But the first question to answer is simple: Wood or gas?
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- Written by: Derek Stearns
My introduction to masonry was in the role of “The Mixer”. I always had a summer job from teenage years on with mixing cement and mortars for my father’s masonry company. As a younger family member, I was stuck mixing as the older boys got to cut, set stone and build. By the time I was 16 years old I knew how to mix a good batch of cement and mortar. Over the years I have seen mixes change and realize that not all mixes are the right choice for the job. Any of us 2nd, 3rd and older generation of masons have been trained with mix recipes handed down over the years. We keep them tight to the chest like a secret family recipe. Those old school mixes have stood the test of time but today mixes have changed in many ways. Today there are pre-mixes of cements, mortars and concrete. These products make the job go easier in many ways, especially when you are dealing with a confined area, an interior job or a smaller sq ft job. Still though, word on the street with some masons is that nothing is better than their family recipe mix. Here are a few mixes and how they can benefit your project.
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- Written by: Derek Stearns
Pools transform your home and your lifestyle. When I was growing up in the 70's we had an inground pool installed in our backyard. The process of the projects was full of so many details and days of hard labor. All I could think of was how great it was going to be to have a pool but what I didn't expect was how it changed the whole dynamic of our home. Our house became the place to hang out, creating cherished memories.
TIPS FOR POOL DESIGN OPTIONS
1. Coping Is The First Decision - Coping will keep you in budget or blow the budget so it's important to understand the consequences of your coping choice. Coping options are mainly concrete or natural stone. Lagoon shaped pools tend to be with a narrower concrete paver to create the needed curves. Natural stone is an option for lagoon shaped pools as well but to create the needed curves and sizes the stone would have to be fabricated out of stone slabs at a higher cost. One of the best kept coping secrets is if you keep the coping at 12" wide and you have a rectangular shaped pool, then you can use standard stock stone treads with a significant savings to you.
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- Written by: Derek Stearns
Patios are a crucial addition to your home. They are an extension of your home. Many of us don't know where to start. We usually fall in love with a product or a specific color and appearance of another homeowners job and start to design that way. I suggest you start in a different way. Start from the function and need of the patio - How am I going to use the patio? How many people do I need to fit comphortably? Will I be cooking out there or just hanging out? Once you answer these questions then you can start to make decisions on the size of the patio. The square footage of it. Every decision after this will let you know what product you will be working with. This is where the budget will come to play. I never start with budget because if I want a certain product that is higher in price then my patio may not be big enough to serve the needs based. So let's get the function, need and size right before we move forward.
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- Written by: Derek Stearns
Whether you are revamping an older fireplace or creating a new one there are many decisions to make. Brick or stone? Thin or Full Veneer? Cut and color? It can be overwhelming to make the right choice for your home so here are a few things to think about
1. "What Don't You Like?" this is the better question to ask instead of "What Do You Like?" Many customers don't know what they like. They can get overwhelmed with making the right choice or any choice at all. When I start a conversation with "What don't you like?" it helps us eliminate about 50% of options. Then we can start moving towards the best decision for them.
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- Written by: Derek Stearns
Just like any investment on your property there is maintenance to deal with. Some homeowners do not care as much as others but for me the most important thing is to protect your investment. As a manager at Plymouth Quarries and as a second-generation stone mason, I expect contractors to educate their clients about the maintenance of their projects. In reality it’s usually a quick conversation about “to seal” or “not to seal” or “clean the area with this or that”. Our sales team here is educated on the materials needed for any maintenance.
About Us
Dean and Derek are well known Masons and Outdoor Designers who help run Plymouth Quarries, one of the largest working quarries and supply stores in Massachusetts. 
As second generation stone masons they have trained to work not only with stone but all hardscape products. They were co hosts of two national television shows for DIY Network and HGTV - Rock Solid and Indoors Out. Their podcast "Let's Go To Work with Dean and Derek" puts a spotlight on companies, the trades, and people who are leaders in the construction, concrete, and masonry design business. Dean and Derek worked with trades shows around the country including the World Of Concrete and ABX Boston, along with writing for trade publications like Masonry Magazine and Masonry Design Magazine. They are passionate about inspiring the next generation of men and women who want to have a career in the trades.
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