Experts say that sawn natural stone steps are a modern alternative to natural outcroppings. (Image: Kafka Granite)
Tiffany Coss
Tiffany Coss
Sales and Marketing Director, Kafka granite
The trend we have seen is the need for more efficient installations while maintaining a harmonious blend of contemporary aesthetics and natural elements. Minimalist, modern designs focus on clean lines, open spaces, and natural materials such as stone, wood, and metal. Clean lines are a win for contractors, who are under pressure to do more work with less labor. Designers and contractors alike are looking for premium materials that install quickly but still have the natural beauty that customers desire. Designers favor natural sawn stone steps as a sleek, modern alternative to the time-consuming installation that comes with natural overhangs, while natural sawn-cut drywall replaces irregular rock walls or manufactured concrete wall blocks.
Noah Dempsey
Noah Dempsey
Marketing Coordinator, Delgado Stone Distributors
The design and construction industry is currently embracing a higher trend: using a consistent range of natural stone to create a uniform look in designs. This can be achieved in different ways, such as using the same batch of natural stone in different shapes or incorporating the same natural stone material throughout the entire design. For example, our Liberty Hill Flagstone can be used in a patio space, while our Liberty Hill Thinstone veneer can be used in a fire pit or fireplace to serve as the focal point of the patio. Another popular method is to use natural stone veneer for a new home’s entryway or step staircase, continue to use the same stone for an indoor fireplace, and extend the material to the backyard with a stone veneer outdoor kitchen. Using natural stone in multiple ways to connect different spaces is one of the most sought-after trends currently.
Carolyn Blank
Territory manager, Unilock
Carolyn Blank
Can we call integration a trend? I think so. Homeowners invest in their outdoor spaces in equal measure with their indoor spaces, and designers work hand-in-hand to deliver captivating designs using different shapes, colors, and textures that permeate the different areas within any given project. For example, we offer our Promenade Plank flooring in three finishes, three styles, and seven colors. We are seeing a mix of at least two finishes, two shapes and three colors commercially and residentially. Our Umbriano range offers 10 different shapes and four different colours, with coordinating walls and fronts. Therefore, it is exciting to see the first trend of incorporating colour, shape and texture into one project.
Matt Malone
vice president, Kurtz Bros.
Matt Malone
The use of decorative stone as mulch has become increasingly popular in landscaping, offering numerous benefits over traditional wood mulch. With a variety of colors and textures to choose from, decorative stone creates a more modern, cleaner landscape design that will last longer than mulch. This makes it a low-maintenance and cost-effective option for homeowners and businesses looking to improve their landscaping. Using decorative stone as mulch is a smart and attractive option that provides practical and aesthetic benefits to any landscaping project.