RESOURCES

Got questions about stone types, ordering, delivery, or what to expect when you visit the yard? This is a good place to start. We've pulled together answers to the things we hear most often so you can come prepared and leave confident.

Frequently-Asked

Questions

Where does your stone come from?
Most of our stone is sourced right here in Northern Colorado! Our stone quarry is located just a few miles up the highway near Laporte, where we excavate and process stone. We also outsource some materials from local partners in Lyons and Masonville, and regional partners in New Mexico, Arizona, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Wyoming.

Are you open to the public?

Yes! Please stop by and visit our display garden. We have created an inviting environment where you can feel comfortable and inspired.

Can we take pictures at The Rock Garden?

Absolutely! We frequently have different professional (and amateur) photographers using our beautiful surroundings as the setting for their work. You don’t need to worry about getting permission in advance, but we do ask that you respect the property while you are on it.

How do I order your stone products?

You are always welcome to stop by our showroom or stone yard at 167 Spaulding Lane in Fort Collins and order in person, especially if you'd like to discuss the project or need samples of material. Otherwise, most orders can also be processed over the phone or via email.

What are your payment terms?

All payments are due on receipt when your order is picked up or delivered, unless you have a prior arrangement with us and have filled out our credit application. Deposits are only required on select large-volume orders.

What forms of payment do you accept?

We accept cash, checks, and major credit cards. There is currently a 3% processing fee for any bank card transactions.

Can I return products?

Our current policy is “no returns or exchanges” once our stone has left the yard.

What are the lead times for in-stock items?

However long it takes to get your vehicle loaded! Our stone yard has many different products that are ready to go, you just need to weigh in and weigh out, and we can settle up in the office. Anything too large or heavy we can usually deliver to you within a week, starting at $100 per hour.

What are the lead times for custom items?

Lead time is determined by a few different variables like the size and complexity of the project, as well as the weather – but most jobs can be completed in two to four weeks.

Will The Rock Garden do a takeoff on my blueprints?

We discourage our employees from doing takeoffs, especially for custom cuts. We want you to get exactly what you want, and to ensure that, we like to use your dimensions and square footage, not ours.

Do you install products?

We do not have an installation crew, however, we frequently work with landscapers and masons, and would be more than happy to refer you to a company to you that fits your project’s needs.

What are the costs of shipping?

We have a flat rate of $100 per hour with a $100 minimum on all deliveries. This includes round-trip travel and unloading time.

Does The Rock Garden ship to Denver and Wyoming?

We deliver within a 50-mile radius of The Rock Garden within Colorado. We do not deliver to Wyoming.

How will my material be delivered?

We have multiple delivery options, including an 18-wheeler, a goose-neck trailer, and a dump truck. We need at least a 10-foot-wide access for our machine to place products where you want them.

Will sandstone stain, and how do I care for it?

Yes, sandstone is porous and susceptible to stains. We are a supplier of Dry-Treat, which we highly recommend applying to any surface you are concerned may stain. Even though your stone is sealed, it is best to immediately wipe up spills and messes. For more information, visit www.drytreat.com.au.

What is the best method to clean counter top surfaces?

For daily cleaning, use pH-balanced cleaners and soap-free detergents. Mild dish washing liquid sometimes works quite well on stone surfaces. It is important to thoroughly rinse the stone to remove any remaining cleaner.

Can my sandstone fountain stay outside year-round?

There is a chance that your water pump will freeze, and it is possible to crack the stone when it is in standing water.

How much does your stone weigh?

We estimate our stone to weigh 147.5 pounds per cubic foot.

How does your stone react to extreme heat?

Our stone fire pits can withstand extreme heat but not direct flame. We always advise caution when dealing with natural stone. Direct exposure to flame will discolor or crack the stone.

Do I need to prepare my structure for a veneer?

There are many factors to consider when the plan calls for a structure to support the weight of a natural stone veneer. Most of the weight will be supported by the foundation, and it is important to consult an engineer for your specific needs

Stone Glossary

Ashlar (pattern)

While the general definition of the term ‘ashlar’ varies somewhat within the stone mason community, in our case it refers to stone veneer that has been sawn along the top and bottom edges, and adheres to a 2:1 ratio pattern.

Brownstone™

One of the four major types of sandstone from The Rock Garden quarries. Brownstone™ is characterized by brown to black exterior and light brown to gray interior colors.

Cherokee™ Rubble

Sheared veneer cut in random pieces ranging from 8 to 15 inches that display a wide variation of naturally complementing colors. An exclusive Rock Garden product.

Cherokee™ Ashlar

Veneer with sawn top and bottom joints (bed joints), accenting the variety of rich interior colors and natural faces. An exclusive product of The Rock Garden.

Chop (pattern/edge)

Chop is a type of veneer that has a natural, yet squared up look. The pattern is generally chunkier squares and rectangles, while retaining the inherent characteristics of the stone with a natural snapped or chiseled edge.

Cladding

An exterior veneer stone covering that is rectilinear in shape and not load bearing.

Drywall

A technique used to create a retaining wall without using mortar.

Dry Stack

Naturally cleft, squared up walling rock. Approximately 8″ depth, with varying thicknesses and length.

Drystacked (application)

The process where a stone veneer is installed without any visible joints.

Extreme texturing

A unique process in which The Rock Garden team gives Watermark Buff ™ an antiqued look.

Fieldstone

Random rubble that is hand-selected for size and shape to create a natural-faced veneer.

Flagstone

Large slabs of irregular shaped, naturally cleft stone used for paving walkways and patios. Usually range in size from about 36″ up to 5-6 feet.

Hearth

The stone floor or elevated base of a fireplace that may extend into a room.

Honed finish

Also referred to as a milled finish, it is best described as a matte polish for your cap stone. It doesn’t carry the sheen that a high polish does (like on granite for example), but it has a satiny smooth feel and look. A great option especially for counter-tops, as the sleek finish will make spill much easier to clean.

Joints

The space between stone, brick or concrete blocks that is usually filled with mortar or grout. The ‘head joint’ refers to the vertically running joint, and the ‘bed joint’ refers to the joint between the horizontal edges of the stone or brick.

Keystone

A keystone is the middle stone in an arch or vault that has a special shape to help the structure of the arch stay in place. It’s generally wider at the top and narrows towards the bottom.

LaPorte Chop

Brownstone™ veneer that is 4 to 8 inches top to bottom, 4 inches front to back and random lengths left to right. An exclusive Rock Garden product.

Lintels

A beam placed or constructed over an opening in a wall to carry the superimposed load.

Mantel

The structural member spanning the opening of a fireplace or a shelf that is part of the finish and above the fireplace opening.

Moss Rock

Boulders and drywall that have been exposed to the elements long enough to be naturally carved by erosion and painted by colorful lichen.

Naturals

The color of the exterior of Rock Garden stones that have been stained by the natural elements and have not been changed by cutting or sawing.

Old World Brownstone™

Brownstone™ veneer that consists of up to 60 percent naturals. An exclusive product of The Rock Garden.

Quoins

Stones at the corner of a wall emphasized by size, projection, rustication, or a different finish.

Roughbacks

The end of the stone block that has one side natural and one side sawn.

Sawn

The moderately smooth, granular surface of the stone that comes from the sawing process. Surfaces vary with the texture and grade of stone.

Sills

A flat stone used under windows, doors and other masonry openings or a horizontal unit used at the base of an exterior opening in a structure.

Snapped

The process of breaking stone into dimensional cuts with cutter shears.

Split Face

Stone that is cut with the grain, resulting in a surface that reveals the heart of the stone.

Steppers

Smaller to medium sized slabs of irregular shaped, naturally cleft stone that are used in garden paths or small-scale applications.

Stippled texture

This is the way we finish our stone caps unless otherwise directed. Once we saw the slabs to the desired thickness, we put it through a texturing process to regain its natural characteristic feel, leaving it with a ‘sanded’ finish.

Strip Edge

The strip edge is exposed when stone is cut across the grain, making the horizontal bed plain visible.

Strip Stone

Naturally cleft, squared up walling rock. Approximately 4″ depth, with varying thicknesses and length.

Summit Ledge

Brownstone™ linear veneer comprised of up to 80 percent natural faces and is another exclusive product of The Rock Garden.

Sunrise

The sunrise portion of the quarry is similar to Brownstone™ but has colors ranging from chocolate to hints of orange. In its raw block state it’s more blocky in shape than Brownstone™.

Texturing

A process in which The Rock Garden enhances the character of Watermark Buff™.

Tumbled

A process in which The Rock Garden uses a free-spinning cylinder to render an antiqued look on certain stone products.

Veneer

A general term used to describe stone that is vertically applied to the face of wall that is not load bearing.

Watermark Buff™

Watermark Buff™ is sawn Brownstone™ and exclusive to The Rock Garden. Used for dimensional cuts, Watermark Buff™ is rendered when Brownstone™ is quarter-sawn on the grain.
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