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Petrillo stone carving project

Choosing Between Cast Stone and Natural Stone

Petrillo stone carving projectStonemasonry has evolved since its early beginnings. Even as far back as thousands of years ago, natural stone from quarries was used to build the first homes, churches, and theatres. Today, adding stonework to your home, church, or business is easy and you have many options. Some use stone for their fireplaces, others spruce up their landscape or add a custom path to their front door. As a business or church, you may want to use stone to add beauty and intricate design to your building.

Cast Stone

Modern techniques have made adding stonework to any area much easier. One of the best ways to add stonework that is also great on a budget is by using cast stone. Cast stone is a highly refined building material usually formed by mixing natural elements like quartz, granite, limestone, or marble. Cast stone mix is then pushed through molds to give it a look that resembles the density and texture of natural stone. While this can look authentic, it cuts the cost of paying for the real thing while still adding the value that stonework offers.

Natural Stone

Just like our ancient ancestors, we too can use natural stone to enhance the beauty around us. The historical look of natural stone can give you a unique look that will draw the attention of anyone who happens by. Natural stone can be quartz, marble, limestone, granite, basalt, onyx, and more. By using quarries, natural stones are brought forth from the earth and used for building a variety of things. Because cast stone is created using molds, the amount of detail within the stonework can be minimal. With natural stone, a sculptor can get as detailed or as intricate as possible (think of Greek and Roman marble statues or ancient cathedrals). This level of detail is unparalleled – but you have to pay for it.

How to Choose a Stone for Your Project

natural stoneDeciding which stone to use for your project can be difficult, but there are some things to consider. While cast stone is often an easier choice and more cost-effective, cast stone has its limitations. Because cast stone is created by mixing stone elements together and pushed through a mold, it can be difficult to add intricate detail through carving. For buildings that need to go up fast, or for walkways or additions to your home that you want to be done quickly, cast stone is a perfect choice.

Natural stone, although more expensive, can provide you with more detail by allowing a professional sculptor to customize it for your needs. If you think back to Roman theatres or Greek marble statues, the level of detail can be incredible, and that is what you can expect from natural stone.

Work With Us

At Petrillo Stone, we love working with all types of stone to help people get their desired results. We love historic cathedrals and monuments that showcase the beauty of natural stone, but we also appreciate the types of buildings that can be erected with the use of cast stone. For more information or for help deciding which stone to use, please contact us today.

Acropolis Stonework in Greece

Stonework From Around the World

This month, we decided to combine our love of history with our passion for beautiful stonework. The result was a collection of some of the most awe-inspiring stonework from around the world. Some are well-known, and some are more obscure, but we hope to showcase just how incredible and long-lasting quality stonework can be. Enjoy!

Ancient Greek and Roman Stonework

Acropolis Stonework in Greece

Acropolis Stonework in Greece

No one can talk or write about stonework without mentioning Ancient Greece. The Greeks were incredible architects, and they were not discouraged by the countless number of times invaders destroyed their masterpieces. Fortunately, the stonework erected in 482 BCE is still a sight to behold. The once gold and ivory statue of Athena stands atop the Acropolis in the city of Athens. Constructed mainly from limestone, these Greek architects weaved in Pentelic marble to create the jaw-dropping scene you see today.

Just a rock skip away in Rome remains the megalithic Theatre of Marcellus. The architectural influence of many theatres of the time, including the master Colosseum, was built from tufa and travertine, two types of stone known for their ability to resist water absorption. In addition, Marcellus was the first known structure built with fired Roman brick. These skilled architects knew how to construct a robust design, as this is the only theater from the period of Augustus (circa 11 BCE) surviving today.

English Cathedral Stonework

Exeter Cathedral Stone Work_1000

Exeter Cathedral Stone Work

Some of the most eye-catching pillars of architecture from the old world are the cathedrals stamped across England. One of the most noteworthy for stonemasons, such as our team at Petrillo Stone, is the Exeter Cathedral, properly known as the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter in Exeter. Exeter is an Anglican cathedral, and the seat of the Bishop of Exeter, in the city of Exeter, Devon, in South West England. Gothic-styled stonework, the Cathedral was constructed from stone from more than 20 different local quarries. A combination of Salcombe Stone, Chalk, and Devonian Limestone, Exeter is genuinely a structure that architects, stonemasons, geologists, and historians appreciate.

Closer to Home

While we all seem to fancy ancient and olde worlde stonework, we cannot forget that we are surrounded by beautiful stone structures right here in our neck of the woods. Here is our top-three of the must-see stonework around New York City:

St. Patrick Cathedral New York_1000

St. Patrick Cathedral New York

  • Empire State Building. Most of us have probably been to the top, but have you ever stopped to enjoy the stonework? We highly recommend it.
  • St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Built entirely out of stone in the mid-1800s, St. Patrick’s is an icon around New York City. 
  • Brooklyn Bridge. Next time you take a drive from Brooklyn to Manhattan, as you stop to take in the views of the city, construction, and rush hour, be sure to gaze up at the beautiful stonework of the piers. The Brooklyn Bridge, constructed mainly of limestone, granite, and steel cables, was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1964.

The Stonework of Petrillo Stone

While the history of Petrillo Stone doesn’t go back quite as far as Ancient Greek, we are very proud of the stonework we have erected and the legacy we have built since 1907. Stonemasonry is not only our career; it is our passion. We would be honored for you to view any of our recent stonework projects

Construction on a 50-Story Office Tower in New York City

Construction of 787 Seventh Avenue in New York City

We are excited to share that we have been awarded a multimillion-dollar marble contract for our most recent project with the CommonWealth Partners’ property in the lobby of their 50-story office at 787 Seventh Avenue in New York City.

787 Seventh Avenue in New York City houses an athletic club, an Olympic-size swimming pool, a parking garage, two restaurants, and offers direct access to transportation. Our contract consists of removing and salvaging stone benches, planters, and lighting, known as Flanagan Sculpture. We are drafting, supplying, and installing over 20,000 square feet of Avorio Limestone, Calacatta Marble, Absolute Black Granite, Porcelain, Ceramic Tile, and Silestone. This project is estimated to be completed by the second quarter of 2021.

CLOSE OUT MARBLE AND GRANITE SLAB SALE

FOR NOVEMBER 1- December 31, 2017

 

All 2cm slabs $11.50 square foot

All 3cm slabs $16.00 square foot

C.O.D. picked up in our warehouse

We have the following materials to choose from:

Verde Acceglio 2 and 3 cm

Bardiglio 2cm and 3cm

White Marbles 2cm, 3cm and 5cm ($21.00 square foot)

Mocha Cream 2cm, 3cm and 5cm ($21.00 square foot)

Onyx 2cm

Various Other materials please call for more information and appointment 914-668-8561 ask for Debbie

ONG Estate

 

Petrillo Stone supplies Birmingham Buff Sandstone to the ONG Residence Estate in Greenwich, CT

 

 

 

 

 

McGinley Center Fordham University

 

The stations of the Cross and carvings were found in a Jesuit Monistary in Shrub Oak, NY which later became the Phoenix house. The property was recently sold and the marble carvings were a gift to Fordham University. Petrillo Stone dismantled, warehoused, stored, restored and installed at McGinley hall Fordham University Rose Hill campus. This project was overseen by both Ralph and Frank Petrillo from Petrillo Stone Corp Mount Vernon, NY.

Inventory Sale

Petrillo Stone Corporation would like to announce a special offering for you:

We are currently over-stocked in a large variety of stone slabs and pieces, and need to liquidate this stock to make room in our warehouse.  Because of this, we are greatly discounting the prices on our current inventory and passing this saving to you.

Our currently inventory includes all different types of products ranging from:

Marble Granite Blue Stone
Lime Stone Travertine Onyx

Plus other Natural Stone in a variety of sizes (slabs and pieces), colors, and thicknesses, and all are priced to move quickly. Discounts Range from 30% to 50% off normal pricing with additional discounts available for larger quantity purchases.

Appointments are available on a first come, first serve basis and are filling up fast:

Weekdays:  8:30am – 3:30pm Monday – Fridays

Weekends:  Available by appointment only

To make your appointment, contact Debbie Santoro at

914-668-8561 (or email at mailto:dsantoro@petrillostone.com)

Petrillo Stone Corporation Commences Its 109th Year

 

The following is from a press release published by Petrillo Stone Corporation:


A 109-Year-Old Stone & Installation Company Refuses to Get Stuck in the Stone Age

Petrillo Stone Corporation OwnersGuided by founder A.T. Petrillo’s grandsons, Frank R. Petrillo and Ralph E. Petrillo, Petrillo Stone Corporation, a leader in natural stone supply and installation, is heading into its 109th year in business.  The New York based company first opened in 1907 and has worked on a number of recognizable projects, including 11 Madison Avenue, Fordham University, and the Verizon Building (formerly known as the AT&T Building).

“We’ve been involved in high end projects for as long as I can remember,” Ralph Petrillo said.  “One of my first memories is when my father and uncle (John Petrillo and August Petrillo) had taken the contract for the fabrication of the travertine for Lincoln Center in NYC in our shop back in the 1960’s.”

While the fabrication shop has been located at the same location since 1926, not everything is quite the same as it used to be.

“Back in the old days, nothing was brought in cut-to-size from abroad. Everything we installed was pretty much fabricated in our shop,” Ralph Petrillo said. “Now, much of the material is fabricated in other areas and abroad, and when that’s the case, we are still field measuring and doing shop drawings in-house before we install the finished product.”

Petrillo Stone Corporation is still supplying and installing natural stone to high end-projects, which include fabricating the Indiana limestone for the New York Life Insurance Building, supplying stone to St. Patrick’s Cathedral for a restoration project, and working on a new lobby at 90 Park Avenue. Some of the stones for these projects require real craftsmanship and are hand carved in our shop. Besides being very intricately carved, many of those stones weigh over a thousand pounds each.

“We’ve been blessed with a terrific reputation within the stone industry. Our shop can replicate any stone, no matter how fancy or how big. Being able to change with the times is very important as well and finally, it doesn’t hurt to have a little luck on your side.”