What grout color works best with your standard limestone pieces?
Many designers prefer to have the grout match the stone, others are looking for contrast. One national brand Mapei, has a grout called Harvest Color which matches our stone. Many tile dealers carry the Mapei line, if yours does not, take a piece of stone to your local tile dealer and check their grout brands for a close match.Link for Harvest Color: http://www.mapei.com
How do I install your lightweight cast limestone?
We recommend a professional mason follow closely the guidelines published by the Cast Stone Institute (www.caststone.org) Milestone products are 50% lighter than heavy cast stone, however you cannot go wrong in following their time tested suggestions. When you receive a commercial order from Milestone, you will have installation drawings featuring the stone, anchoring devices and systems, numbered and measured in CAD software along with other installation suggestions. Larger projects will have "Smart Map" templates of your entire job so that all stone for each section is counted and laid out prior to installation, a great time saver! Our stone is so easy to cut and drill on site; even a less experienced mason can install our pre-sealed stone like an old pro!
Can I just use a thinset mortar to adhere the lighter weight pieces to the structure?
Yes, utilizing the "masonry to masonry" rule, the pieces which are within code for adhered veneer, under 15 lbs. per sq. ft. can be attached to brick, Durock, Hardy board, or other masonry surfaces with Laticrete 4237. This thinset mortar additive mixed with Laticrete 211 crete filler powder creates a high-strength mortar which is frost, chemical and shock resistant. ASTM C 627 rated for extra heavy service. Go to www.laticrete.com to find out more about these products or call Laticrete at 1.800.243.4788.
Can you recommend anchoring systems for larger stone elements?
We recommend Hilti, the global leader in products, systems, and expertise for fastening, installation and firestop. Go to www.us.hilti.com for professional information on anchors, clips and adhesive solutions for all types of stone installation requirements.
I need a professional engineer for my next project, who do I contact?
We often utilize the ultra professional engineering services of Curtain Wall Design. CDC has continued to lead the industry in areas of design and engineering for high performance cladding as well as expanding into other diverse wall systems. They employ over 70 professionals who together have a combined total of hundreds of year's experience with exterior walls. For additional information, visit the CDC website: www.cdc-usa.com Milestone is confident that CDC will professionally provide our clients the installation, engineering and shop drawings needed to rapidly complete a commercial project using our lightweight architectural cast stone elements.
What type of saw will cut your lightweight stone in the field?
Any saw which has a diamond blade is preferred, and will easily cut Milestone right at the jobsite, however, since our stone is 50% lighter than heavy cast or natural stone, a carbide blade will suffice. Our stone is very easy to drill into for the installation of anchors for hanging.
Will I need a forklift to unload the stone upon site delivery?
The buyer is responsible for all offloading and storage of stone from the delivery trucks. Larger orders are regularly shipped on a flatbed, 12 or more pallets of stone. Two to four pallets, or crates may be shipped via covered truck, some of which have lift gates on the back, call us prior to shipment and we will try to arrange that for you if needed.
What if anything gets broken in shipment?
We have so carefully designed our shipping methods that we rarely ever have a broken piece. If this does occur; the breakage must be reported to the delivery company and Milestone within 48 hours of delivery. We will replace any broken element ASAP, after the claim has been filed by you with the shipping firm. Any broken pieces and packing materials must be saved, and generally photographed, so that your claim with the shipper can be easily processed.
What if I need a custom stone element QUICKLY in order to finish my project?
The Milestone mold shop is set up with the utmost in high tech, precision equipment to help you get a custom piece to the site as quickly as possible. Even the most well thought out projects cannot always see a need prior to the final assembly of stone, therefore we are always ready to rapidly respond to this situation. Once a change order has been approved, we will design and get the approved drawing straight to the computers on the routing machines. Your mold original can be created right away so that the production floor can be casting your piece in short order.
My client wants the entire job to be completely custom, can you do it?
Yes, Milestone is known as the "ART" company in the stone industry. We have performed the seemingly impossible in stone in order to create modern day masterpieces that will endure for many generations to come. We can work from already designed blueprints from your architect or design something for your client in house.
Do I need to seal or finish your stone?
Sealing is optional, however, just like a fine wooden deck, sealing can enhance and protect our stone. Sealing is recommended for outdoor stone and high traffic areas such as restaurants. Our stone can be sealed with any quality concrete sealer, and is applied in the same way.
Can I age, stain or color your stone?
Yes. Samples can be provided if needed for staining or paint selections. It is also possible to stain the stone yourself with any quality grade masonry stain or masonry paint, simply follow the instructions as stated on the product. If you have any questions, please call one of our in-house technicians.
What kind of lead times do I need for delivery of my order?
Standard stone elements, which include most of our fireplaces, columns, stove hoods, sills and trims may be in our stock inventory when you call; so that we can crate and ship your order right away. If we have the mold, we can usually put it straight into the production line so that the stone can be cast immediately and shipped after a 28 day cure time. Large, complicated or highly customized projects should be ordered well in advance of need. Many builders would rather have the peace of mind that their stone order is safely stored, well before the masons are ready for installation. Some builders can underestimate the drawing approval process between the architect and Milestone, so we recommend you submit your prints for quotation very early in the job so that all design and manufacturing issues can be resolved as soon as possible.
How do I set Milestone in cold weather?
We recommend the following guideline provided by the Cast Stone
Institute, www.caststone.org.
Design Tips - Technical Bulletin #41 The International Masonry Industry All Weather Council recommends
the following:
Above 40F: Normal masonry procedure. Cover walls at end of workday
to prevent water entering masonry.
What firebox types do you recommend?
My
client wants "Green Construction" throughout; can you
advise?
Never set Cast Stone on a frozen or ice covered
wall. All masonry bond will be ineffectual. Cold weather building
practices have been developed to protect masonry against the perils
of freezing when construction must be carried on in such environments.
Avoid setting stone with mortar in extreme cold. Stonework set
in cold (below 40 degree) weather may expand and crack mortar
bond in warm temperatures. Calcium chloride will cause efflorescence.
See Technical Bulletin #33 on Efflorescence. Mixing water may
be heated up to 160 degrees to heat the motor to between 40F and
120F. Sands may be heated with propane or air blast heaters. All
materials must be heated slowly to prevent scorching.
40F - 32F: Heat mixing water to produce mortar temperatures between
40F - 120F. Cover walls with plastic or canvas to prevent wetting
and freezing.
32F - 25F: Heat mixing water and sand to produce mortar temperatures
between 40F - 120F. Cover walls with plastic or canvas to prevent
wetting and freezing.
25F - 20F: Heating mixing water and sand to produce mortar temperatures
between 40F - 120F. Cover walls with plastic or canvas to prevent
wetting and freezing. Mortar on boards should be maintained above
40F. Cover walls and materials at the end of the day to prevent
wetting and freezing. Maintain masonry above freezing for 16 hours
using auxiliary heat or insulated blankets.
20F - 0F: Heat mixing water and sand to produce mortar temperatures
between 40F - 120F. Cover walls with plastic or canvas to prevent
wetting or freezing. Mortar on boards should be maintained above
40F. Cover walls and materials at the end of the day to prevent
wetting and freezing. Provide enclosures and supply sufficient
heat to maintain masonry enclosure above 32F for 24 hours.
Patching should not be done in any environment which may be subject
to freezing within 72 hours.
This Technical Bulletin is provided by the Cast Stone Institute,
and is intended for guidance only. Specific details should be
obtained from the manufacturer or supplier of the Cast Stone units.
All
Milestone products are "Green". There are no toxic chemicals involved
in any stage of our manufacture. We exceed any Green classification building
code. We find that many of our clients also want to own benefits like
durability, energy savings, and sound and fire-proofing which can be achieved
in a luxury home with lightweight concrete walls. With concrete, you don’t
have to sacrifice beauty for utility. Milestone building veneers offer
substantial insulating values as well as ageless beauty. The following
organizations will be helpful in establishing what both you and your client
feel is important in Green Construction :
Energy & Efficient
Building Association (EEBA)
Green Building
Concepts
Environmental Design
+ Construction
These sites others can guide you in asking for building products
and techniques for green construction.
Curing— is a 28-day process; if a piece needs to be poured, 6 weeks is added to the production timeline, to allow for production/pouring, curing and crating.
Drying—is not necessarily complete in 28 days, but is variable with weather, moisture, etc.
Cutting— Milestone lightweight limestone is easily cut with a diamond point blade. Typically, mantles, hearths and panels need cutting. On-site (field) cutting is preferred to allow customization of a unit. Milestone will provide cutting services at a fee of $25 per cut. However, we can provide cut sheets for the customer/mason, based upon the dimensions provided by the customer. An additional charge will be applied for cut sheets provided beyond our standard measurements.
Installation— Milestone disclaims and is not responsible for any damages or costs that may result from improper installation or use of its products. We suggest the use of a qualified mason, and recommend the Cast Stone Institute's installation guidelines, available at www.caststone.org.
Patch Kits are available from Milestone at $25.00 each.
Shipping charges — are determined by the total weight (including pallets), delivery/destination, whether a forklift is available on site, whether or not it is a residential delivery, and whether arrival notification is required. An estimate of shipping fees (using these criteria) is included in the Milestone invoice.
Crating fees — are determined by the number of pallets required, and are priced at: $135 per pallet, not to exceed 200 lbs. of material per pallet. Crates are priced at $200 each.
Custom Molds — can be designed per a customer's specifications; pricing is determined by the handwork and materials required to create each mold.
Shipping — is ground delivery (FOB - free on board) — Title of the stone passes from Milestone to the customer when the goods leave our plant; therefore, the customer is required to pre-pay all shipping fees. Upon arrival and receipt of goods, the customer is responsible for inspecting all material at the time of delivery, noting any obvious damage to the crate on the bill of lading. The customer then has 48 hours from receipt of the goods to inform Milestone in writing of any replacement pieces needed due to damage. Any additional pieces needed due to improper installation or incorrect measurements, etc., should be submitted to Milestone on a Change Order (provided), and an invoice will be directed to the customer ASAP. Irregardless of the nature of the replacement, the new material will go into production immediately. Customers also have the option to select their own method of ground transportation.
Revisions — the first revision of our standard fireplace unit to fit your specifications is free of charge. All other revisions will require an hourly design fee of $65.
Hairline cracking — has no structural or duraility significance, and does not, by itself, constitute a cause for rejection. It is a uniqueness of our product, similar to the imperfect grains in tanned leather.
Payment — is 50% down (at the time of the order) and 50% prior to final shipment. For multiple shipments or a large/commercial order, additional payment installations can be made.
Initial Bid Take-off