Dominican Coral Stone

 

The Coral stone or as some say keystone, is an excellent choice around heavily populated hotels areas due to the ability of material to maintain a non-slippery surface around pool decks. There are a wide range of benefits and traits the Dominican coral stone carries.

The benefit of this is that children or anyone can easily slip on any other tile, however, with keystone tiles you reduce or eliminate the chances of children falling on the tile due to wet surfaces. Moreover, the heat resistance the stone provides is perfect for hot, summer days because the stone will maintain a cool temperature allowing people to walk and enjoy without being bothered by the hot surface.

The smooth finish on the coral stone tiles is really what makes the resort look like the magical place it is. The white coral stone stands out when in the picture with beautiful, green grass and palm trees. Keystone allows anybody to build their picturesque paradise and enjoy their paradise day in and day out.

The patterns on the Coral Stone tile/paver are unique in every piece which creates an authentic, tropical appearance to the pool deck. We challenge you to make the beautiful paradise you dream of with all natural Dominican coral Stone.

 

North Town Bricks

 

Our line of NorthTown Bricks are modeled after the infamous Chicago Bricks. Sourced and produced in the Caribbean, we portray the phrase, “Built today, yesterday’s tradition.” Our bricks are a way to portray the rustic, traditional elements as seen around the country in colleges, historical towns, and many other places well known today.

We quality test them to ensure they are the perfect dimension of 3 ¾ “ x 8” x 2 ½” every time. This is important because as an installer the material you are working with must remain consistent to ensure high productivity rates and clean trims post installation. However, not only for the installer but for the client we expect them to receive the highest quality and consistent material when purchasing from us; this leads to the client being satisfied and us thrilled to provide a great, reputable service.

Furthermore, our bricks can be used in cahoots with our Coral Stone for an elegant finish in wall veneers, columns, and other decorative applications. North Town bricks are made up of 100% clay which allows for vibrant colors such as bright red, yellow-red, yellow, and orange all in the same pallets. This allows a beautiful mixture and attractive finish once applied.

 

Coral Stone & Chicago Brick

 

In the world of design there are countless building materials that vary in origin and inspire designers to try new materials and routes towards the end goal. In central and northern parts of Florida it is very common to use red clay bricks as a décor material, however it is typical to see wall veneers or driveways made of clay. Down in south Florida, more specifically, Coral Gables and Coconut Grove both use Coral Stone as a structural and décor material for buildings and private homes. Taking a closer look at the type of coral stone used in the south Florida. One can tell that it is Floridian Keystone that is used quite often in these areas.

What is keystone? Keystone is referring to Coral Stone that was mined in the Florida Keys as there was once a mine in the Florida keys. What are the differences between keystone and Dominican Coral Stone? The keystone is much more porous compared to Dominican coral stone and it is common to get some rugged and jagged pieces that can become dangerous. Meanwhile, Dominican Coral Stone, has the ability to lay out as the keystone it is a much higher quality of Stone and carefully cut to have a smooth face on the Stone that has the texture and features that are eye catching. If you are reading, you are probably looking for information regarding installation and actual applications of the product. In my experience, I have commonly seen keystone in the form of small boulders to create a steppingstone walking way, or I have seen it used as a wall veneer as it is very attractive. In terms of coral stone, I have witnessed some incredible feats of architecture and design.

Dominican Coral Stone has three unique features that separate it from other materials… 1) has the lowest heat absorption rate compared to any other building material on the market. 2) does not slip even when wet. 3) remains as a very traditional and rustic material in the Dominican Republic. The higher quality of the Stone really makes a difference as installing the material is a heavy load of work, but once it is placed you want to worry about it the very least possible. Although our Dominican Coral Stone remains a very porous material, the SELECT variant of our Stone helps the installer and customer and once applied it is a noticeable difference in the face of the Stone. Recently, I was able to view a project that had incorporated the use of Dominican Coral Stone and our red chicago bricks, North Town Bricks.

It was a great idea to design an interior that combined the rustic, traditional features of the Coral Stone and the classic red brick. If you take a look at the pictures attached you will notice how the subtlety of the red bricks makes the rustic, jagged faces of the coral stone bricks to come alive in the wall. Although this is my personal opinion and may include some bias, I say this to show the client that it is possible to recreate your dream project with some back-and-forth communication and dedication getting things done right.

Coral Stone

 At Coral Stone & Marble we work to provide our clients with a natural beauty this Earth has given us. Coral Stone tiles and pavers can be used for a wide variety of installations and projects. In our 15 year span in this industry we have learned that Coral Stone applications can be extensive and costly. However, that is why we quality test our products to ensure top-quality material is passed down to the consumer. One of the many questions we receive is, “Is there a variation between divots, color, and texture of the stone? In short, the answer is yes and I will tell you why. Coral stone is a natural stone that is made up of calcium and has been submerged under water for hundreds of years prior to mining. The fossils and texture that have dried and become part of the stone is one of the beautiful features this stone can offer, however that does create a variety of the ‘coral stone’. This variance the stone offers is what makes the stone so special for wall veneers, pool decks, retaining walls, and other applications where the main purpose is to illustrate the beauty of the material. 

A more specific example is our coral stone SELECT WHITE product line. The material is a bright white, especially under the sun, and it is beautiful along beaches, pools, and other tropical environments. In terms of divots and holes in the stone, this product is carefully selected to ensure the best material is being picked for your project. For instance, a pool deck surface should be one that is non-slip, warm but not hot to bare feet, and should provide the elegance and look the homeowner wanted. Our select white product line, ensures two of those three main points, and more often than not when we show clients finished projects using this stone we receive positive feedback.

Coral Pool Deck

When it comes to designing a pool area for commercial purposes as well as private homes and residences; there are many aspects to take into account. Not only does one give thought to depth, length, width, safety standards, plumbing, etc. but also the deck of the pool is the part of the pool that will take the ‘beating’ over time. With this in mind, one should find something that appeals to their taste but is also durable, sustainable, and safe for its consumers. 

Moreover, not only in pool areas of high traffic such as hotels and communal pools, but private residences as well must ensure that the material for the pool deck is non-slip and heat resistant. Why? Well, pools tend to have kids running around excited and eager to get in the water; using a natural stone like coral stone that tends to have grip even when wet is a great option to prevent children and adults from slipping. In terms of heat absorption by the stone itself, Coral Stone has one of the lowest heat retention rates compared to other natural stones. This is one of the many reasons consumers lean towards coral stone when it comes to pool decking. No one likes stepping out and going to the pool to get there and have your feet or thighs burning while sitting/standing on the deck. 

So, what about maintenance? In the situation of using natural stone on an exterior surface, it is always a good idea to use a sealer to protect the stone. Keep in mind some sealers are ‘color enhancer’ this is not something you want if you want the natural look of the stone. Along with sealing upon installations. The sealer should protect against mildew and mold in tropical climates. Another recommendation is to pressure wash the stone before applying the sealer. This gets rid of dirt trapped between pores of the stone and restores the stone quite a bit. 

Classic, low-maintenance, kid-friendly, and affordable are just some of the adjectives used to describe Dominican Coral Stone used for pool decks.