At Apex Stone, we work closely with a number of builders in and around the Houston area who trust our natural stone products. Because of our experience in the building and architecture industry, we would love to share with you a few tips about choosing a custom home builder.

Choosing a Custom Home Builder

The first and most important part of choosing a builder is to visualize what you want in a home first. Do you want your home built with natural stone? Do you already own the land? Knowing your expectations ahead of time will eliminate the potential of looking into a home builder that clearly won't be able to meet your needs.

The next most important step is to have a reference point. Is there a custom home you happen to love (maybe multiple homes)? Do you know the owner or can you find out who built that home? What do you love about that home? If you can talk to the custom homeowner, you will be able to learn from their experience and either find a great builder or potentially eliminate a poorer one.

Once you have a visualization and a reference point, begin compiling a list of potential builders and begin visiting their offices or model homes. When you talk with the custom builders, consider asking some or all of the following:

• Do you have a Build on Your lot program?
• How involved do you expect the homeowner to be in the planning process?
• How long does construction and planning typically take?
• Who are some vendors you work with and why?
• What areas of town are you willing to build in?
• Do you have a niche style or are you accustomed to an array of architectural styles? Can I see examples?
• How long have you been in business?
• Who will be designing my home? What is their experience and may I see their portfolio?

Never forget that your potential custom home builder is the one on the spot in the interview; don't be afraid to ask them anything, as your custom home will probably be one of the largest investments in your lifetime. Prepared with our suggested questions and your own, you will find very quickly whether a builder is the one for you or not. 

 If you have more questions, especially about the stone materials you would love to see and use on your custom home, contact us and we will be happy to point you in the right direction. 

One of our most highly demanded products is flagstone. Whether for its natural beauty, its functionality, or its maintainability, those who want the ultimate experience for their patios, hardscapes, and outdoor structures often choose flagstone.

Flagstone is commonly a sandstone and comes from an array of areas throughout the world and is available in numerous colors and thicknesses (from rustic to swirled) at Apex Stone. We currently carry flagstone from Arizona, Colorado, Mexico, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and Texas. Popular colors in the Southern region of the U.S. are red and buff, but colors can range from gray to chocolate. We offer several stone types specifically intended for patios, and have a solid reputation throughout the West Houston area with stone masons that specialize in the laying of stone patios.

Flagstone is Affordable

While the luxury of natural stone is often sought after, one common missconception is about the expense. When comparing the cost per square foot of outdoor flooring materials, flagstone is frequently the cheaper option.

Flagstone is Versatile

One of the major perks of using flagstone is flexibility in design. Because flagstone starts out in slabs that are typically larger than what a stone mason would use all at once, flagstone can be cut and split into a variety of shapes to be fit together in a truly one-of-a-kind pattern all your own, or a more structured pattern simulating indoor tile. The versatility of flagstone also gives you to be creative with the material - using it to decorate outdoor stone benches, fireplaces, and steps.

Many people find enjoyment in working on flagstone projects on their own. There are numerous how-to videos throughout the Internet, and with guidance it is absolutely possible to "do-it-yourself." We encourage you to talk to one of our experts about the process, sealant, and the technical facets of laying flagstone if you do not have a stone mason. We can also recommend excellent stone masons in the area!

Flagstone is Timeless

The idea of utilizing flagstone as flooring is no new concept. Humans were using flagstone as flooring materials in castles and other structures as early as the 14th century, and numerous examples of flagstone in structures have lasted throughout Europe - particularly in today's Great Britain. What may seem a "fun fact" is truly evidence of the quality and durability of flagstone when properly cared for.

We have several examples flagstone and flagstone sealants in our stone catalog, so take a look and give us a call today!

If you're vaguely familiar with the concept of thin veneer versus full veneer natural stone, you may still be surprised to learn a few well-hidden facts about full-dimension veneer. Apex is here to tell you that you can boast the prestige of full veneer stone without breaking the bank - and to the possible advantage of certain architectural structures. Let us walk you through the ins and outs of what makes full veneer stone an attractive option....

Natural Full Veneer Stone is Beautiful

As a stone supplier, we will always celebrate the unsurpassed beauty of natural stone. Utilizing any stone veneer on your home, business, and other structures will easily provide the natural beauty only mother nature can produce. Because of its nature of origin, natural stone has a way of blending in beautifully with its surrounds in a way no brick can match. If full veneer stone is used on your home, it will undoubtedly stand out next to your neighbors'.

Full Veneer Stone Supports Complex Architecture

Your stone mason may thank you for choosing to work with full veneer stone.  When it comes to architectural details, contractors have an advantage in using full veneer as opposed to thin veneer stone. Return corners, corbels, lintels, keystones, and other details are typically easier to design and cut with full veneer stone.

In addition, structural weight restrictions in more elaborate details like corbels are less likely to be an issue with the use of a strong support like full veneer.

In Northern areas, freezing and thawing will be less of a concern for structures using full veneer stone, as it can accommodate various joints and dry-stacking in the freeze-thaw cycle.

Full Veneer Stone can be a Practical Choice

In our region of the country (the South), materials and stone costs are often comparable to the cost of brick options. While full veneer stone carries the perception of costliness from its size, you may be surprised to learn it costs less than most people expect. If you're considering opting in for the beauty and prestige of full veneer stone, don't let misconceptions get in your way; we encourage you to contact us for a quote!

View our full veneer stone catalog.