Mark Murphy from Owens Corning shows Bob a new man-made stone product for the exterior of the modular home project. Southern Ledge Stone and Dressed Fieldstone (both in the color Bucks County) are molded from natural stones. Cultured Stone product is much lighter than natural stone as pumice, a volcanic stone, is used as filler in combination with Portland cement. It is colored with iron oxide and other natural pigments to give it the �fresh from the ground� look of real stones. The installation of manmade stone is much simpler than real stone, as without the weight, the stones are adhered directly to the wall with standard mortar and no sill or base is needed to hold them. Owens Corning produces nineteen types of cultured stone in a variety of colors. The cost of the product installed is about 50 percent of natural stone.

On the exterior of the Rowley home, extensive retaining walls, foundation work, and curving stairways in cement block are ready to be dressed out and finished in Cultured Stone from Owens Corning. Mark Murphy, from Owens Corning, joins Bob to explain how Cultured Stone is created and installed. These cast cement, pumice, and iron oxide products are made in molds taken from real field stones to look like regional stones in both shape and color. Cultured Stone is lighter than real stone and has a flat back for easy mortaring. It is applied like traditional stone and shaped by the vision of the mason who leaves an individual stamp by the pattern created. Cultured Stone costs about 50 percent less than a traditional stone facade because it is a huge timesaver. It even comes with 90 degree returns for easy corners, which make this project ideal for do-it-yourselfers. Cultured Stone layouts are figured based on linear feet and number of corners. With over 100 different stone type and color combinations, there is enough variety to suit any style.

Here are some tips for laying down a nice stone walkway outside your home. After making the walkway with string, the first step is to lay a foundation of stone dust. When it's level, begin laying in the stone pieces. It may take a bit of planning to get a perfect fit. Once they are in place, tap tham tight with a hammer and a piece of scrap wood. Finally, sweep the excess dust into the cracks to prevent shifting and insure a compact fit.

The structure for the fireplace is now being trimmed out with real stone. Bob talks with John Nadler of Plymouth Quarries about the stone being used. In this case, real stone is cut thin so it can be applied like a manufactured veneer. The stone is a New England fieldstone from Connecticut. The stone can be cut with a hammer, a four-inch grinder, or a wet saw. Because the stone is so thin, it can be cut quite easily. It costs approximately $12-15 a square foot. In contrast to traditional stone which weighs about 50 pound to the square foot, this is a lightweight stone product weighing less than 15 pounds to the square foot. The installation can go from the top down as it does not require any structural footings underneath. Bob talks with Joseph McDonough of McDonough Masonry. McDonough built the original chimney when the house was built over 25 years ago. A grout bag is used to squeeze the mortar into the joints between the stones. After two to three hours, once the mortar is set, McDonough uses a pointed stick to scratch out the joints. He then brushes the joints to clear any fine leftover particles.

…difficult to safely position ladders. Also check to see if obstacles like trees, shrubs, decks, fences, vines or electric wires will be in the way. How much prep-work? Examine your house for potential problems that may require extensive…

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…plants that will be the right size when fully grown. It stands to reason that if you want a small tree, such as under electric wires, don't plant a giant of the forest. Instead try Japanese lilac tree, carolina silverbell, magnolia or Kousa…