One thing that most beautiful homes have is some kind of fencing, whether it is a boundary fence, swimming pool fence or retaining walls in the garden, so essential on a sloping or steep block. Rather than having something ordinary, you could have a fence made from limestone blocks that would totally enhance your property and add value to it.
Higher limestone walls would be ideal for both shade and privacy, offering a material that is long lasting, durable and beautiful as well. Lower walls made from the same material would be a great way to put an attractive edging around a garden or along the drive.
There are two types of limestone blocks or bricks.
- Natural limestone that is cut from the quarry into the size and shape required.
- Reconstituted limestone that is made from crushed limestone with the addition of other materials such as concrete aggregate.
Both have aesthetic properties and are strong and stable for all kinds of use around the home. However, the latter choice is even more eco friendly in that it uses all the waste from broken limestone that would otherwise be unusable. So if a piece of the corner chips off the former block so it can’t be sold, both the chip and the block are crushed to form another kind of limestone block that is made even stronger with the addition of concrete.
Using a material that is in plentiful supply and that lasts a lifetime or more is also eco-friendly, so either choice is a good one if you are thinking in terms of environmentally friendly materials.
These blocks can be rough-hewn for those that love the rustic look, or they can be smoothed over to create a wall that is more sophisticated, ideal for seating or a table. Either one could be used for a feature wall inside or outside the home.
Another great advantage is that it is unlikely to be ruined due to bushfire, like many other fencing or wall choices. Timber burns while steel or wire mesh can melt or twist out of shape due to fire. Stone doesn’t burn, though if subject to a great heat it may crumble, but at least it won’t catch on fire and add to the disaster.
It may even offer some protection from creeping flames or blowing embers, stopping them in their tracks until they’ve burnt out.
Limestone may not be the most affordable option initially, but when you consider how long it lasts, it is likely to be the cheapest over the long run because most other types of fencing would have to be replaced several times during a lifetime. Add to that the fact that it looks so much more attractive and you have found one of the best materials for your fencing.