Sandstone Gives You a Classical Edge

There’s something about the “heritage” look that sandstone gives buildings. Be it a cosy cottage or a larger structure, this much-loved classic is perfect for creating a style that’s as timeless as it is durable.

It’s got that Downtown Abbey feel about it, and for good reason. With the light hitting the rugged edges of stone, its tones of caramel and honey become an impressive sight that lasts.

But why has it become so popular?

British structures have long adopted sandstone and it’s also made its fair share of appearances in TV series’ and movies across the globe. Mostly, this is because the  Sandstone gives a modest and homely appeal to a home, and often gives a nostalgic vibe that resinates during filming.

For some, the fact that sandstone buildings are usually heritage listed and provide an “old-world” feel is also highly appealing. But they can be limiting due to the nature of needing approvals from councils to get any further alterations done.

The historical appeal

In Australia, Sandstone is an abundant resource. It has been used in Sydney for hundreds of years, with many buildings and structures having this foundation since the end of the 1790s. Major historic landmarks in the Sydney CBD and surrounding suburbs traditionally used stone quarried from beneath the buildings themselves. Sydney “yellow block”, an oxidising and now rare stone material was easily accessible and used by the convicts to create the beautiful and timeless masterpieces that still stand today.

These days, however, the property market is reviving the use of sandstone across the country, combining the traditional material in modern finishes and profiles testing the limits and exploring the versatility of Australian Sandstone. Notorious for giving a “prestigious” look to homes, real estate trends are seeing values increasing for properties boasting this foundation. On average, sandstone houses are generally worth 10 per cent more than others—so the obsession does not come without good reason.

Adding value across the board, sandstone also pays tribute to colonial Australia, giving rich thermal capabilities and acoustic properties. With its elegant touch and charming appeal, the natural substance is likely to stay a crowd favourite for many more years to come, no matter the generation. 

What is the difference between paving, tiling and cladding?

If you are looking to breathe new life into the interior or exterior of your home, it won’t be long before you hear terms such as ‘paving’, ‘tiling’ and ‘cladding’. While you probably have some idea of what they are, you may be wondering if there is any difference at all between the three terms.

Here’s a quick explanation of what you’re dealing with when it comes to tiling, paving and cladding, along with common applications in a residential context:

Tiling

Tiles are a form of surface covering that are usually used for interior applications. Ceilings, floors, walls, showers, tabletops and other surfaces can be tiled for both practical and decorative purposes, ranging from simple squares to intricate mosaics. Common materials used to make tiles include ceramic, glass, concrete, metal, granite, marble and more, and grouting is required to keep each tile in place.

Paving

Paving is a similar form of tile or brick surface covering with a focus on exterior applications. Typically, pavers are often larger than standard tiles for use on driveways, footpaths, patios, courtyards, landscaping and other outdoor areas. Unlike traditional tiling, paving does not usually require any adhesive or retaining techniques when it is placed: a concrete foundation is poured and covered with sand or soft earth before pavers are laid by hand in the chosen pattern. Pavers are usually thicker than regular tiles but can be thinner with an adequate substrate.

Cladding

Cladding refers to a layer of material that is applied on top of an existing external surface to provide protection from the elements. It is usually used on the exterior of homes, sheds and other structures to control water run-off from rain and diminish the effect of strong winds. The finish is not necessarily waterproof, but acts as a control element at its most basic level. Cladding can even offer secondary benefits such as thermal and sound insulation, easy cleaning and fire resistance. It also contributes to the aesthetic of the building—planks are commonly used in a horizontal or vertical arrangement while numerous other patterns can also be applied.

There you have it. Cladding, paving and tiling all combine similar concepts but can vary greatly in application. Talk to Gosford Quarries for more information and to find out what will best suit your taste, needs and budget with a finish of the highest quality.

Futsal Fun For a Good Cause

It is that time of year again. The annual 24 Hour Futsal Marathon is back on to raise much needed funds for the Children's hospital in Westmead. Gosford Quarries is proud to be major sponsor and excited to take part in a worthy community event.  

This year he event will be held at Dural Sports and Leisure centre from 6pm Friday 2/9/16 - 6pm Saturday 3/9/16 . There will of course be the famous 24hr BBQ for all players and spectators. Come and join the fun and raise money for a great cause.  

This year Radio personality and good friend of Gosford Quarries, Mr Ray Hadley will be presenting the cheque on Saturday night.

Please follow the links below for more information and ways to contribute to this wonderful cause. 

https://give.everydayhero.com/au/kicking-goals-for-sick-kids-2016

https://www.facebook.com/kicking.goals.for.kids

Top 4 Considerations for Your Residential Landscaping Project

If you want to start a landscaping project to improve your home, it is important to plan effectively. This will ensure that your final result matches your vision, without having to compromise due to a lack of preparation. Whether you want to create an area for summer barbecuing, turn your yard into a beautiful garden, or build a new deck, here are some questions you need to ask yourself to help bring your dream to reality.

1)  What is the purpose of the area?

If you enjoy hosting parties, you will likely desire an outdoor space that is inviting and convenient for accommodating a large number of people. If you’re looking for something to enjoy alone or with family, perhaps you’d like to landscape a small area to create a relaxing atmosphere for reading or sharing meals. When considering a landscaping project for your residential space, make a decision on how you want to use the space.

2)  What design should be prominent?

Everyone has a certain taste, even in landscaping. If you decide on a style or design early in the project, you’ll be able to make sure all the components of the process work in unison to create that design. This includes the plants you choose, the pavers and retaining walls, and all the details that will create the larger picture of your new outdoor space.

3)   How much maintenance will be required?

A great outdoor space can add considerable value to a home and property by increasing the amount of usable space. However, if it is hard to properly maintain, it can end up being more hassle than it is worth. Your ability to maintain the space once it has been completed is a key element in the type of landscaping you choose. Whether this means bringing in a professional on a regular basis or doing it yourself, if you under-estimate the time and effort required to keep it looking great, you will find your design becomes a hindrance to your property.

4)   What is your budget?

Of course, budget is usually the first concern when planning for home improvements. Your budget will determine the quality of the materials you choose and the size of the developments you make. An important aspect of the process is prioritising the elements you need to spend the most money on, versus the ones that you want to spend the most money on. Creating an accurate, realistic budget is a major factor in the success of your landscaping project.

Landscaping the yard is a fun way to change up your home for the new season. By making decisions on how you plan to use the area, deciding on a specific design, accounting for the required maintenance, and establishing a budget, you will save yourself time, money and the headache of an incomplete project.

Our Commitment to Sustainability

At Gosford Quarries, we are committed to business practices that are environmentally sustainable as we offer high-quality sandstone. Resistant to weathering and highly durable, sandstone is ideal for use in the construction of buildings and outdoor projects. From the beginning to the end of our manufacturing process, we promote sustainable business practices through conscientious sourcing, reducing waste, employing the local community, and providing a quality product. Because thoughtful ethics are a cornerstone of good dealings, we put our values first in everything we do.

We Consider the Source

The earth creates sandstone on an on-going basis. A natural stone, sandstone comes from a readily-available source and its production uses much less energy than does the production of brick and concrete.  Because sandstone is so easily reusable, we are proud to say that nearly one hundred percent of excess sandstone is recycled into another project.

We Strive to Waste Not

Sandstone is already a highly reusable material. It can be used again and again to build new projects or as part of the foundation for restoring an old project. Very little water is used to manufacture sandstone and we are careful in our manufacturing process to be conscientious of areas in which we can conserve even more of the earth’s natural resources, wasting as little as possible and recycling every material we can.

We Employ the People

Providing jobs for local Australians is one of our deep core values. People are the future. We believe Gosford Quarries was built upon a commitment to the people, so we strive to continue that legacy by building our future around quality people and a quality product.

We Provide Quality

Quality should never come before environmental sustainability. In fact, we believe a quality product is, by definition, one that promotes sustainable living in every possible way. Sandstone is one of the most beautiful and useful natural materials on the planet, arming architectural spaces with both elegance and durability. We are serious about maintaining a stellar production process that sustains the natural beauty of the stone while perpetuating the material’s most winsome qualities.

The earth is the source upon which we depend for our sandstone product, which is one of the many reasons we believe in nurturing it. We honour the source of our materials by striving to waste little, to provide work for the community, and by defining quality as a product produced sustainably.

Reasons to Choose Sandstone for Your Next Project

From restorations and sculptures to commercial venues and residential beautification, sandstone is one of the most well-loved materials to complete an architectural design. This natural material is versatile enough to make the most humble of walkways more elegant and the most gorgeous of buildings more winsome. Thanks to its quality, sandstone is also long-lasting and scores high on the eco-friendly scale. Here are some reasons sandstone should be your first choice.

It’s Versatile

Versatility is important. Because so many styles are available, it’s easy to jump on one design without really considering the other options. Sandstone can be used to create many of the looks accomplished with other materials, but sandstone provides greater quality and longer-lasting results. The material offers color variation to oblige even the most deliberating of tastes.

Well-suited to be used in many different projects and architectural designs, sandstone can be used to create stunning facades, arched interiors, patios, walls, barriers, and much more. Whether you’re looking to complete a space with a carved sandstone sculpture, enhance a walkway with sandstone paving, or finish a wall with cladding or solid sandstone block, Australian sandstone will add the perfect polish to your design.

It’s High Quality

Though it’s common to go for more common materials, you’ll get more value and long-term satisfaction from sandstone. Because it’s so long-lasting, the material is likely to be enjoyed for many years and will hold up nicely against much use. The trustworthy material is known for its durability and non-slip quality as well as its ability to lend a more sophisticated ambience to patios and pool decks. Whether small or large, almost any architectural project can benefit from being made with natural sandstone.

It’s Eco-friendly

Australian sandstone is a very earth-friendly product. Locally sourced, the material is readily available and is manufactured without the use of any chemicals. Because its processing results in no chemical waste, a large amount of water is also saved. Not only is the material local, chemical-free, and conserving of water, sandstone is also extremely easy to reuse in new or existing building projects.

Since sandstone is one of the most versatile building materials on the market, it might come as a surprise that it holds so many other desirable qualities. Should you choose natural sandstone for any commercial, residential, or landscaping endeavors, you will find satisfaction in knowing you’ve invested in one of the highest-quality and most environmentally sustainable options to upgrade your space.

10 reasons why Gosford Quarries remain the leader in Australian sandstone supply

At Gosford Quarries, we have a very strong history supplying Australian sandstone to iconic building projects all over the country. We offer sandstone for a variety of purposes, from residential, commercial, civil and landscaping to high-profile heritage restorations. Here are 10 true blue reasons why we continue to lead sandstone supply in Australia:

#1. We have a lot of experience in the stonemasonry industry – 100 years’ worth, in fact. Actually, we have even more when you take into account our merger with the Sarkis Bros. Pty Ltd in May 2014! Not to mention the accumulation of technical know-how that occur when two industry powerhouses join together and pool their resources.

#2. We use cutting edge technology, not just keeping up with the latest machinery, but innovating so that our processing methods continue to improve, providing more product flexibility and design options.

#3. We are Australian owned and operated. As we source all our sandstone from the best Australian quarries, choosing not to import material or export labour, we support the Australian economy and provide job opportunities for fellow Aussies.

#4. We have high standards. At Gosford Quarries, we are committed to providing the best quality product possible. We are constantly testing our sandstone to determine the accuracy of our geotechnical results.

#5. We take pride in our craft and support the industry by employing Australian apprentice stonemasons from Miller TAFE, thereby ensuring the longevity of a specialised and traditional trade.

#6. We are efficient. Due to the fact that we are a local business, we have the advantage of greater efficiency in delivery times and clear communication without the potential complication of language barriers and time zones.

#7. We are environmentally friendly. Naturally occurring sandstone is actually a very eco-friendly building material, with a relatively low carbon footprint compared to man-made concrete or brick.

#8. We offer a superior range of colours and finishes to suit every kind of sandstone application, including paving, cladding, solid block walling, carving and profiling, as well as split and raw material.

#9. We offer unique building restoration abilities. Wondabyne Quarry is the oldest operating sandstone quarry in Australia, and produces the best match to Sydney Yellow block sandstone, perfect for restoration of Neo Classical and gothic Architecture. With the most sophisticated new profiling technologies there is nothing Gosford Quarries cannot restore or recreate.

#10. We supply sandstone internationally. While we have developed a reputation for excellence in Australia, we have also initiated exciting international projects, with our sandstone featured internationally in England, China, Japan and The Middle East.