Stone Knowledge
Journal
Guides, comparisons, and local directories to help you choose, source, and work with natural stone across the UK and Ireland.
British Stonemasonry by the Numbers: 214 Stone Federation Members Analysed
Original research on the full Stone Federation Great Britain member list. What the 214 member firms actually do, where they are registered, which stones they work, and why more than a quarter of them are not stonemasons at all.
Porcelain vs Sandstone Paving: The Independent UK Comparison
Porcelain or sandstone paving for a UK patio? An honest comparison of cost, slip resistance, frost, repair and sourcing, from a site that sells neither one.
How to Lay Granite Setts: UK Spec and Costs
Laying granite setts on a UK driveway: sub-base and mortar depths, joint widths, sizes, cropped vs sawn, and the drainage rule that catches people out.
Stonemasons in Derry/Londonderry
Looking for a stonemason in Derry/Londonderry? A guide to finding a reliable natural stone specialist: local stone, what to look for, what to budget.
Stonemasons in Galway: Finding a Natural Stone Specialist
A buyer's guide to natural stone in County Galway: the region's stones (Connemara Marble, granite), the working stonemasons and quarries listed on found.rocks, and how to pick the right specialist for a Galway project.
Where to Buy Kilkenny Blue Limestone, An Independent Supplier Comparison
Honest, supplier-by-supplier guide to buying Kilkenny Blue Limestone in Ireland and the UK. Names the producer, names every merchant we list, and tells you which questions to actually ask before placing an order.
Donegal Quartzite vs Wicklow Granite: Outdoor Stone for Walls and Patios
An independent comparison of Ireland's two great outdoor stones, one metamorphic, one igneous. Geology, working character, where each belongs, and how to decide for a wall, paving, or restoration project.
Indian Sandstone: What to Ask Before You Buy
An honest, practical guide to sourcing Indian sandstone responsibly. The conditions in Rajasthan's quarries, the certification schemes that exist to address them, the questions to put to your supplier, and the alternatives if you decide against.
Kilkenny Blue Limestone vs Connemara Marble: Choosing an Irish Interior Stone
An independent comparison of Ireland's two most prestigious interior stones, geology, character, hardness, applications, sourcing, and how to decide which is right for your project.
Welsh Slate vs Cumbrian Slate: Roofing and Cladding Compared
An independent comparison of Britain's two great slate traditions, fine-grained Cambrian-Ordovician Welsh slate versus volcanic-origin Cumbrian green slate. Geology, performance, where each belongs, and how to choose for roofing and cladding.
What is the Ethical Stone Register, and Why It Matters
An independent guide to the Ethical Stone Register, the UK natural stone industry's mechanism for ethical sourcing assurance. What it is, what membership now involves after the recent restructure, what it does and doesn't tell you, and how buyers can use it.
Yorkstone vs Cotswold Stone: Choosing a UK Heritage Stone for Walls and Patios
An independent comparison of the two stones that have shaped the English vernacular landscape, gritty Carboniferous sandstone versus honey-gold Jurassic limestone. Geology, durability, where each belongs, and how to choose.
Natural Stone Garden Wall Cost in Ireland: 2026 Price Guide
2026 prices for dry stone, mortared rubble, and retaining stone walls in Ireland, per metre, with what's normal to pay and what's a red flag.
Natural Stone Suppliers in Ireland: Where to Buy Stone for Your Project
Where to buy natural stone in Ireland in 2026: a guide to quarries, suppliers, and online stone merchants covering paving, walling, worktops, and cladding across the island.
Stonemasons in Belfast and Northern Ireland
Looking for a stonemason in Belfast or Northern Ireland? A guide to finding a reliable natural stone specialist across the nine counties: what to look for, local stone traditions, and what to budget.
How to Find a Reliable Stonemason in Ireland, What to Look For and What to Avoid
Looking for a stonemason in Ireland? Here's exactly what to look for, what questions to ask, and the red flags that should send you elsewhere. A practical 2026 guide.
Natural Stone Patio Ideas for Irish Gardens: 2026 Guide
Donegal quartzite, Kilkenny limestone, Liscannor, sandstone. Six Irish patio stones compared, with 2026 costs per m² and which suits your garden.
Stonemasons in Cork: Finding a Natural Stone Specialist
Looking for a stonemason in Cork? A guide to finding a reliable stone specialist in Cork city and county: what to look for, what projects they handle, and what to budget.
Stonemasons in Dublin: How to Find the Right One for Your Project
Looking for a stonemason in Dublin? A guide to finding a reliable natural stone specialist in Dublin and the commuter belt: what to look for, what to ask, and what to budget.
Reclaimed Stone vs New Stone: An Honest Comparison for Irish and UK Projects
Should you use reclaimed stone or new natural stone for your project? An honest guide covering cost, availability, character, and which is right for different projects in Ireland and the UK.
The Difference Between Indian Sandstone and Irish Limestone
Two popular paving choices, very different realities. Understanding the distinction before you buy could save you from a costly mistake.
Granite, Marble, or Quartz Worktop: Irish Kitchen Guide 2026
Granite, marble, or quartz? 2026 Irish kitchen costs, Mohs hardness, acid resistance, and the trade-offs that decide which suits your kitchen.
Natural Stone vs Porcelain Paving: Which is Right for an Irish Garden?
Natural stone or porcelain paving for your Irish garden? An honest comparison of cost, durability, maintenance, appearance, and which is actually the better long-term choice.
Where to Buy Donegal Quartzite Online (With Delivery)
A practical guide to sourcing genuine Donegal quartzite with delivery across Ireland and the UK, including what to ask before you order.
Stone Fireplace Cost in Ireland: 2026 Price Guide
2026 Irish prices for limestone, granite, and marble fireplaces (surround, hearth, inglenook) and what to ask the stonemason before you commit.
Stone Cladding Cost in Ireland: 2026 Price Guide
2026 stone cladding prices in Ireland: manufactured vs natural veneer vs full-thickness rubble, per m² installed, plus what drives quotes up.
Stone Fireplace Cost in the UK: 2026 Price Guide
How much does a natural stone fireplace cost in the UK in 2026? Real prices for limestone, granite, and slate surrounds, with advice on choosing the right stone and finding a specialist.
Stone Cladding Cost in the UK: 2026 Price Guide
How much does natural stone cladding cost in the UK in 2026? Real prices per square metre for exterior and interior stone cladding, and what affects the final bill.
Yorkstone Patio Cost: 2026 UK Price Guide
How much does a Yorkstone patio cost in the UK in 2026? Real prices for reclaimed and new Yorkstone paving, what affects the cost, and where to source it.
Granite vs Quartz Worktops: Which is Best for an Irish Kitchen?
Granite or quartz? An honest comparison for Irish homeowners, covering cost, durability, maintenance, appearance, and which suits different kitchen styles.
Granite Worktop Cost in Ireland: 2026 Price Guide
How much does a granite worktop cost in Ireland in 2026? Real prices per linear metre, what affects the cost, and how granite compares to quartz and marble for Irish kitchens.
Natural Stone Patio Cost in Ireland: 2026 Price Guide
How much does a natural stone patio cost in Ireland in 2026? Real prices for limestone, sandstone, and granite paving, with honest advice on what drives the cost up or down.