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Why Pennsylvania Bluestone is the Superior Choice
In Northeast Pennsylvania (NEPA), choosing Pennsylvania Bluestone isn't just an aesthetic choice—it’s a geological one. While concrete and manufactured pavers are popular for their price point, bluestone is widely considered "superior" for this specific region due to how it interacts with our local environment.
Here is the breakdown of why bluestone wins out over manufactured alternatives in the Lake Wallenpaupack area:
1. Resilience to the "Freeze-Thaw" Cycle
NEPA is famous for its brutal winters where the ground freezes and thaws dozens of times per season.
Bluestone: As a dense, fine-grained sandstone formed over 300 million years ago, it is naturally adapted to this climate. It has a high "compressive strength" and low water absorption, meaning it won’t easily crack when the moisture inside it freezes.
Concrete/Pavers: Manufactured pavers are porous. Over time, water seeps into the concrete, freezes, and causes the surface to "spall" (chip) or the entire unit to crack. While modern pavers are better than they used to be, they cannot match the 75-year+ lifespan of natural stone.
2. Chemical & Salt Resistance
If you live in an area that requires heavy de-icing, the material you choose matters.
Bluestone: It is far more resistant to the corrosive effects of salt and magnesium chloride used on Pennsylvania roads and walkways.
Concrete/Pavers: Salt is the enemy of concrete. It accelerates the breakdown of the binders in manufactured pavers, leading to a "pitted" look and structural failure within a decade if not sealed religiously.
3. Thermal Stability & Comfort
While bluestone is known for getting warm in direct sun, it has a "thermal mass" that behaves differently than concrete.
Bluestone: It holds a steady temperature and, unlike many cheap pavers, it won’t feel like a "radiator" hours after the sun goes down.
Concrete/Pavers: Many manufactured pavers use synthetic dyes and high-density concrete that can become unnaturally hot or, conversely, feel like a slab of ice in the colder seasons.
4. Unmatched Aesthetic & "Property Value"
There is a reason the Starrucca Viaduct in Lanesboro (built in 1848) still stands today.
The "Natural" Factor: No two pieces of bluestone are identical. You get a range of "Full Color" (tans, rusts, greens) or "Select Blue" that manufactured processes simply can't replicate without looking "stamped" or "fake."
Value: Real estate in the Poconos and NEPA values natural materials. A bluestone patio is considered a permanent architectural upgrade, whereas a concrete paver patio is often viewed as a 15-to-20-year "landscape feature.
Installations you can trust.
Using materials and techniques that are specifically tailored to our region, allows us to create a beautiful and lasting environment for you to enjoy and cherish for many years to come..
Uniqueness, Redefined
Every patio and walkway we install is unique, showcasing our commitment to individuality and craftsmanship, but they all share one essential element in common, Nature. This aspect is undoubtedly the most important part of our installations, ensuring that each structure not only enhances the outdoor space but also provides lasting beauty and functionality..
The LiveAgain "Bulletproof" Base System: Bluestone Edition
Built for the Lake. Built for the Frost. Built to Protect Your Stone.
At LiveAgain Landscaping, we treat Pennsylvania Bluestone with the respect it deserves. It is a premium natural material, but in the Lake Wallenpaupack region, it faces a harsh enemy: moisture.
The soil in Wayne and Pike counties is heavy, clay-rich glacial till that holds water like a sponge. When you lay natural Bluestone over a standard sand-and-dirt foundation, that moisture wicks up into the stone. When the temperature drops, trapped water freezes, causing the stone to heave, crack, and spall (flake off).
We do it differently. We utilize a violently durable, open-graded engineering process we call The LiveAgain Bulletproof Base System.
How It Works: The Physics of Longevity
Unlike traditional methods that rely on compacted dirt and sand, our system creates a self-draining structural "raft" underneath your patio.
Phase 1: The Ultimate Subgrade Prep (Optional but Recommended for Heavy Clay)
For sites with the most aggressive, unstable clay, we don't just build on top of it—we change its chemical composition.
The Process: Before any stone is laid, we amend the native sub-soil by tilling in hydrated lime or a specialized soil stabilizing agent.
The Function: This is a chemical reaction that permanently alters the clay structure. It dramatically reduces the soil's ability to hold water and shrinks its capacity to swell. Effectively, it turns soft, sticky mud into a hard, stable, cement-like floor that provides a consistent bearing capacity for the entire patio.
Phase 2: The Structural Build
1. The Separation Barrier (Geotextile Armor) We line the excavated and stabilized ground with a heavy-duty, non-woven geotextile fabric.
The Function: This acts as a permanent barrier. It prevents the native soil from "pumping" up into our clean stone base during the spring thaw, ensuring your foundation never gets contaminated and sinks over time.
2. The Structural Core (Clean #57 Stone) Instead of "modified" gravel (which contains dirt and dust that traps water), we install a massive 6–10 inch layer of PennDOT 2B Clean Stone.
The Function: This stone has large voids that allow water to flow freely away from the patio. Because the base holds no water, it cannot freeze solid. Even if the ground deep below heaves, your Bluestone "floats" on this buffer layer, remaining flat and stable.
3. The Bedding Layer (High-Performance Chip Stone) We never use concrete sand under Bluestone. Sand acts like a sponge, keeping the bottom of the stone wet and leading to rot and flaking. Instead, we lay your stone on a bed of PennDOT 1B Chip Stone.
The Function: These small, angular stones lock the irregular Bluestone slabs in place while maintaining perfect drainage. This allows the stone to breathe, preventing the moisture buildup that causes moss growth and winter damage.
Phase 3: The Finish
A strong base means nothing if the joints fail. Here is how we choose the right finish for your Bluestone:
EZJoint (The Premium Choice): For natural flagstone with wide or irregular joints, this is our preferred solution. Unlike sand, EZJoint is a permeable resin compound. It allows water to pass through the joints and into our drainage base below, rather than pooling on top. It doesn’t crack in wide gaps, it handles flex better than rigid sand, and it keeps your patio surface drier and safer.
Polymeric Sand (The Standard): Best for thermal (smooth-cut) bluestone with tight, even joints. It hardens to lock out weeds and ants.
(We Strictly Avoid Stone Dust): It has zero structural integrity, washes out with rain, and attracts ant colonies.
Why Choose the Bulletproof System for Bluestone?
Prevents Spalling: By keeping the underside of the stone dry, we stop the freeze-thaw cycle from flaking off the beautiful surface of your Bluestone.
Zero Frost Heave: No water in the base means no ice lifting your heavy stone slabs.
Local Resilience: Specifically engineered to conquer the rocky, clay-heavy glacial soils of the Lake Wallenpaupack area.
Investment Protection: Bluestone is an investment. Our base ensures it looks as good in 20 years as it does on day one.
Don't build for the best-case scenario. Build for the worst weather Pennsylvania has to offer.
We specialize in expert restoration of failed or sub-par Bluestone patios.
We request all potential clients to fill out the following questionnaire to help expedite the estimating process.