Colonial Home Rock Edging

Quoining

• Quoining is a type of stone edging often seen in Colonial-era or neocolonial-style homes. Such homes may be constructed of brick or other material, with stonework quoining that wrap around the corners. The quoining may extend up the whole height of the corner, or multiple pieces may be installed with some distance between them. Smooth stone blocks may also be placed above the entryway, in addition to stone arches and trim. The quoining provided corner support for the structure of the home and may be composed of brick or, in modern times, artificial stone.

Exterior Wall

• Many colonial-style homes consist of a pebble-dash surface to insulate and protect the exterior of the home. Pebble-dash is a plaster of lime, cement, sand gravel and pebbles. Colonial homes are also frequently faced with brickwork or wood. Other homes of colonial style exhibit a rockface design, with cobblestone or concrete blocks used as siding. Many of the surviving original colonial homes that have survived from early centuries are made of stone, while most of the original wood homes did not last.

Landscaping

• Stone edging is also a component of colonial gardens, which generally have a formal feel to them. The pathways that meander through such gardens are often surfaced with crushed gravel, marble, brick or other rocks. Such gardens are characterized by neatly separated plots, such as vegetable gardens, flowers or groundcover crops, with pathways in between. The front of the yard may have a white fence or hedge. Rock gardens became popular in later colonial revival periods.

Foundation Edging

• The grade of the soil around your home can easily shift as times goes by. This is especially a concern if you have an old colonial home. If the soil slants toward your home, add more soil to create a level grade so rainwater drains away from the structure. Add additional crushed rock near the foundation to prevent mud from building up and protect the outer wall from getting dirty during storms.