Whether indigenous or imported, every kind of stone has its own unique properties. Tetristone can source or price out materials for any kind of look or application you can imagine.

Most stonework on British Columbia’s West Coast is either full bed (3-5” in thickness and requiring structural support) or stone veneer (1” thick decorative covering requiring no structural support). Lighter in weight, stone veneer is especially functional for facing interior/exterior walls, renovations and interior fireplaces.

Why use real stone instead of faux stone veneers?

Real stone is a superior product. It’s stronger than concrete, more resistant to freezing, absorbs less water, doesn’t fade and requires less maintenance. The cost may be the same or more than stone veneer in the short term, but it’s actually less expensive over the long term because it doesn’t wear. Real stone can also be cut and acid/power washed without losing colour or changing consistency. Plus it’s the real thing. Every stone is unique.
 

CHOOSE STONE FOR SUSTAINABILITY.

Natural stone is the original green building material. It embodies culture, history and a sense of place combined with a very modern respect for the environment. Whether you are seeking LEED® certification or just a more livable home, real stone is an environmentally responsible choice. Not manufactured or processed, it has an extremely low carbon footprint, especially when sourced locally. It requires no chemicals to finish or maintain and emits no VOCs or other airborne pollutants. Not to mention it will outlive most structures built today – after which it can be salvaged and reused or repurposed. It doesn’t get much greener than that.
 

These are some of the most common types of stone currently used in the Lower Mainland:

Basalt

Basalt is a dark-coloured, extrusive igneous rock formed from the rapid cooling of lava flow. It’s composed mainly of pyroxene minerals and is usually black or grey, but due to its fine grain, the minerals are not clearly visible. Coming from dormant local volcanoes like the stratovolcanic mountain Black Tusk, it is the most popular stone used in the Whistler area.

Brohm stone is a naturally tumbled type of basalt that ranges from soft grey to brown to hints of red. Native only to Squamish, BC where volcanic rock is found in quantity.

BLUESTONE

Bluestone is a sedimentary rock that is formed when deposits settle in lakes, streams and oceans. These deposits get compacted by pressure from overlaying sediment and solidify by minerals percolating through the porous spaces between the sand grains. Native to Pennsylvania.

GRANITE

Granite is a light-coloured, intrusive igneous rock with grains large enough to be visible to the naked eye. It forms from the slow crystallization of magma deep below Earth’s surface. Composed mainly of quartz and feldspar with minor amounts of mica, amphiboles and other minerals, it’s usually a light pink, gray or white shade with dark mineral grains. While found throughout the world, this particular granite is from Hardy Island, BC. 

LIMESTONE

Limestone is a sedimentary rock made from crystal forms of calcium carbonate. Most limestone is composed of skeletal fragments from marine organisms combined with fine sediment, so it is often light in colour – white, tan or grey. This favoured building material of the ancient Greeks and Egyptians is also found all over British Columbia.

QUARTZITE

Originally quartz sandstone, it is converted into quartzite (a metamorphic rock) through heating and pressure. The stone is usually white to grey but can also take on different shades from the iron oxide. Indigenous quartzite is quarried in the Kootenay area of BC.

RECLAIMED BRICK

The reclaimed brick we use is collected from the demolition of BC buildings 80 to 150 years old. The aged mortar is chiselled off and each brick is cleaned before it is reinstalled and given new life. As a building material, salvaged brick affords an authentic heritage feel that cannot be matched by new products. 

RIVER ROCK

River rock is indigenous river-washed stone. It tends to be mainly granite that has been rolled through creek beds during glacier movement and high river volumes. The rock shown here is from Vancouver Island, but it can be sourced almost anywhere. We've found some of the best local river rock near Pemberton, BC.

slate

Slate is a fine-grained, homogeneous metamorphic rock created from shale-type sedimentary rock composed of clay or volcanic ash. When expertly cut, foliated slate separates into smooth flat sheets of stone perfect for applications such as hearths and patios. It's usually dark grey but can be many other colours. This unique variety is from Vancouver Island.

Feel free to talk to us about the design and stone you envision for your project.