Castleliteblock's Blog

EarthStone Erosion Control/Retaining Wall System

castleliteblock — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 15:00:12 +0000

EarthStone offers an ideal substitute for conventional reinforced concrete. The EarthStone Wall System has demonstrated the capability to safely withstand tremendous load pressures. Some applications of the EarthStone Wall System are: Hillside retaining, Highway and roadside support, slope stabilization and erosion control, garden walls and noise abatement barriers.

The EarthStone Wall is a gravity type retaining wall that is constructed using precast concrete blocks stacked one on top of the another without the use of mortar, grout, or reinforcement. The structural system is refinement of the natural stone gravity walls, which have been used for centuries.

Characteristics-Millions of EarthStone blocks have been installed throughout America. The EarthStone S-block weighs 73 pounds and is 14.8 inches in length, 12 inches in width and 6 inches in height. The EarthStone S-block is also available in a split face.

Material-EarthStone blocks are produced under close quality control requirements with a high quality concrete mixture. The units have a minimum 28 days comprehensive strength of 4000 psi using Type I and Type II cement.

Earthquake Resistant-Many EarthStone walls have gone through earthquakes with a magnitude of 7.1 on the Richter Scale without any damage.

Aesthetics-The EarthStone Wall System is very versatile and will provide superior wall quality without cracking, wall discoloration, and the constrictive feeling other wall systems give. EarthStone will enhance wall aesthetics with or without landscaping.

EarthStone wall excavation and backfill comparison-EarthStone does not require the placement of geogrid reinforcing, which reduces the amount of excavation by 1/3 for a 15ʼ high wall and reduces the amount of backfill by 1/3 also. Therefore, EarthStone walls can be installed in a fraction of the time that a conventional SRW system requires. Since EarthStone does not require geogrid reinforcing, there is a cost savings in not purchasing geogrid and the labor to place the geogrid.

CastleLite Block-Proudly serving the San Francisco Bay Area(North Bay, South Bay, East Bay & Peninsula), Sacramento, Redding, Reno/Lake Tahoe, Monterey & surronding areas.

CastleLite Block-Proudly serving the San Francisco Bay Area(North Bay, South Bay, East Bay & Peninsula), Sacramento, Redding, Reno/Lake Tahoe, Monterey & surrounding areas.

Project of the Month-September 2010

castleliteblock — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 20:58:39 +0000

This month we would like to highlight a project in the Blackhawk neighborhood. Construction took place during the summer of 2010.Previously the home owners had a wood deck but ran into many problems with it. The deck was in constant need of having individual sections of wood replaced. Nails sticking up presented a hazard for people walking barefoot. Another complication is that their backyard is multi level which limited their options. Our pavers can be used to create landscape walls and serve different applications where levels are a problem.Also our pavers provided a slip resistant surface bordering their swimming pool.

They upgraded their deck using the Cobble Stone style in the Napa Sunset Blend. The Napa Sunset Blend is part of our recently introduced Prestige Color Series. Crafted from the highest quality Architectural Cement, our Prestige Color Series offers our customers a truly unique color blend designed to satisfy even the most discriminating buyers. Our Prestige Color Series is custom manufactured in all paver sizes and textures. If you interested in upgrading your backyard like these homeowners did contact your local factory representative or visit our website to get an instant quote.

Frequently Asked Questions-2nd Edition

castleliteblock — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 15:00:40 +0000

Q. Do I have to worry about weeds growing between my pavers?

A. If CastleLite Block’s precision fit concrete pavers were installed correctly with the recommended materials and methods, you will have created a sterile environment that will not allow weeds or grass to grow between the pavers.

Q. How can I get additional savings on my home improvement project?

A. If you are looking to save some extra money on your home improvement project, we offer ways to get addition savings on top of CastleLite Block’s already low pricing.

1. Order Online

CastleLite Block offers online only Discounts, Special Offers, and Free Estimates. Just go to www.castleliteblock.com for online only offers. If you place your order from our website(there is a link at the end of the free estimate form) we will discount your order.

2. Become a fan on Facebook

While being a great resource for up to date information about our products, our Facebook page serves another purpose. We offer exclusive specials that are only available for fans of Facebook page. Join Today and become a fan!

3. Continue to read our Blog

Stop by our Blog periodically to get details on current specials.

Q. Can I use pavers around a swimming pool?

A. Yes. Concrete pavers make a great choice for a pool side surface. They are slip resistant surface ensuring a safe environment. This is possible because the water is soaked up by the sand in the joints rather than spreading on the surface. Our concrete pavers have met slip and skid resistance standards established by both Caltrans and the American Disabilites Act.

If you have any specific questions, feel free to contact one of our knowledgeable sales representatives.

CastleLite Block-Proudly serving the San Francisco Bay Area(North Bay, South Bay, East Bay & Peninsula), Sacramento, Redding, Reno/Lake Tahoe, Monterey & surrounding areas.

Through Mix vs. Face Mix

castleliteblock — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 15:00:34 +0000

At CastleLite Block we are commited to making only the highest quality concrete pavers. This is why we chose to use a through mix for our entire product line while some of our competition uses a face mix. A face mix paver is a concrete paver with a gray core that has had color added on the surface.A through mix is when the entire paver has been mixed with color. If the concrete paver is brand new someone may not notice the difference, over time however it becomes obvious. If a face mix paver should become chipped the gray core will be exposed to the surface. The core of a through mix paver is the same color as the surface so this is not an issue. Since the color for a face mix paver is not mixed throughout the entire paver it will tend to fade at a faster rate than a through mix paver. We manufacture all of our pavers using a through mix allowing for more intense longer lasting color. If a through mix paver is much better then why don’t all manufactures make them?-It is a way for them to cut costs which comes at the expense of the customer. We chose not to cut corners so we are able to provide a superior product.

Face Mix

vs.

Through Mix

CastleLite Block-Proudly serving the San Francisco Bay Area(North Bay, South Bay, East Bay & Peninsula), Sacramento, Redding, Reno/Lake Tahoe, Monterey & surrounding areas.

Enhancing Your Backyard

castleliteblock — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 15:00:22 +0000

Californians like to spend time outdoors. Why not do so from the comfort of your property? With fall just around the corner now is the perfect time to upgrade your backyard. Don’t allow your back yard to sit dull and lifeless, enhance your home by putting in patio pavers or turn your backyard into the ultimate backyard with an outdoor kitchen. An outdoor kitchen is a great way to entertain guests or spend time with your family while taking advantage of California’s great weather.

Our MaytRx block allows you to customize the look of your outdoor kitchen while retaining the durability you would expect from wall block. Our MaytRx block can also be used as a free standing wall or retaining wall. Our concrete pavers are available in the same color blends as the MaytRx block, giving your project a complete look. Our patio pavers and walkway pavers are a great way to compliment your outdoor kitchen while adding color to your property. The Photos below show how other people have customized their backyards. Transform your backyard, contact a representative today.

CastleLite Block-Proudly serving the San Francisco Bay Area(North Bay, South Bay, East Bay & Peninsula), Sacramento, Redding, Reno/Lake Tahoe, Monterey & surrounding areas.

Paver Patterns

castleliteblock — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 15:00:44 +0000

Once you have selected the style and blend of the concrete pavers you would like for your project, it is time to select the pattern the you you would like for your driveway, walkway, or patio. We offer the following patters so you can truly customize your project.

CastleLite Block-Proudly serving the San Francisco Bay Area(North Bay, South Bay, East Bay & Peninsula), Sacramento, Redding, Reno/Lake Tahoe, Monterey & surrounding areas.

Frequently Asked Questions-1st Edition

castleliteblock — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 10:00:27 +0000

Q. What makes Concrete Pavers so durable and long lasting?

A. All of our Concrete pavers are interlocking regardless of the shape, color, or pattern. The term “interlock” is used to describe the internal friction imposed by the joint sand between the concrete pavers. This allows the concrete pavers to withstand movements of the native soil which would cause cracks in other comparable surfaces(asphalt, stamped concrete).

Q. Where can i go to see CastleLite Block products in person, to make an informed decision about my upcoming project?

A. We have three factory showrooms where you can come in and see a variety of concrete pavers and retaining wall block and talk with a sales representative.

East Bay Showroom

2023 San Ramon Valley Blvd.
San Ramon, CA 94583
Phone: 925-820-5100
Fax: 925-820-5115
Store Hours:
Monday – Saturday 9:00AM to 5:00PM*
Sunday 9:00AM to 4:00PM*
*Or by appointment

Sacramento Showroom

8615 Robben Road
Dixon, CA 95620
Phone: 707-678-3465
Fax: 707-678-3185
Store Hours:
Monday-Friday:7:00AM-4:00PM
Saturday:By Appointment

Reno/Lake Tahoe Showroom

940 Terminal Way
Reno, NV 89502
Phone: 775-348-9600
Store Hours:
Monday thru Friday 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM
Saturday 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

For those living outside those areas(i.e. North Bay, South Bay, Peninsula, Monterey, Redding, Central Valley) you can contact one of our sales representatives and they can arrange a meeting to bring samples.

Q. Can i put concrete pavers on top of an existing concrete surface?

A. It can be done if the pavement is in good condition. In situations where the pavement shows signs of major cracking, heaving, or settling we would recommend you remove the existing surface before installing patio pavers.

If you have any specific questions, feel free to contact one of our knowledgeable sales representatives.

CastleLite Block-Proudly serving the San Francisco Bay Area(North Bay, South Bay, East Bay & Peninsula), Sacramento, Redding, Reno/Lake Tahoe, Monterey & surrounding areas.

Fly Ash – What Good Is It?

castleliteblock — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 17:52:49 +0000

What good is Fly Ash? – Well for CastleLite Block it has no value for us at all.

One reason CastleLite Block makes superior concrete pavers and retaining wall block is we do not use fly ash in our products. Some of you may not know what fly ash is, so I will explain.

When coal plants burn coal, the ash that is left over is called fly ash. Concrete manufactures use fly ash as a substitute for cement because it is cheaper than cement and it does not reduce the strength of the concrete products. Using fly ash in concrete for sidewalks, walkway and driveways is fine, because the color is always gray.

However in hardscape design, we use color in our concrete pavers and Retaining Wall products and the color of these products is very desirable. Some of our competitors substitute up to 30% of the Cement with Fly Ash. The main reason CastleLite Block does not use fly ash in our concrete paver and retaining wall block is because it makes the product look flat or bland. Fly ash is darker in color than cement and it makes the concrete pavers and retaining wall block darker in color. We add color to our concrete pavers and retaining wall block to make our color blends vibrant and attractive. Then to add fly ash will only diminish the color appearance of our products.

So if you are out looking at concrete pavers and retaining wall block ask the salesman if they use fly ash in their mix. Most probably don’t know, in which you can conclude that they probably do add fly ash. If there was no fly ash in the mix, they would know. Looking at product by itself, you may not be able to see the difference, but when you put our concrete pavers and retaining wall block next to product that has fly ash it becomes quite apparent that CastleLite Block Concrete Pavers and Retaining Wall Block look brighter and more vibrant. The non-use of fly ash is just one component that makes CastleLite Block Concrete Pavers and Retaining Wall Block look different than other products.

Our entire product line is free of fly ash. This includes walkway pavers, driveway pavers, patio pavers, & retaining wall block.

CastleLite Block-Proudly serving the San Francisco Bay Area(North Bay, South Bay, East Bay & Peninsula), Sacramento, Redding, Reno/Lake Tahoe, Monterey & surrounding areas.

Project of the Month-August 2010

castleliteblock — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 17:22:08 +0000

This month we would like to highlight a project in Danville’s Bettoncourt development. These home owners upgraded their driveway using the Sonoma Blend of our Century Stone. Construction took place during June of 2009. Their driveway had been the bland concrete driveways that you see in developments accross the country. The driveway had been installed with the house 16 years ago, and had seen plenty of wear and tear. Our pavers offer the durability that standard concrete cannot. They do not crack and hold their color over time.In addition, the homeowners used our MaytRx segmented retaining wall block to construct a new mailbox. Our MaytRx block is offered in the same color blends as our concrete pavers so the homeowners were able to have their mailbox in the Sonoma Blend as well.. If you interested in upgrading your driveway and or mailbox like these homeowners did contact your local factory representative or visit our website to get an instant quote.

“Our driveway was just a gray concrete driveway and it just made our house look lifeless and bland. We were referred by a friend to consider concrete pavers and they had used CastleLite Block for their back patio. Once we saw the color pallets, it became obvious that adding concrete pavers would also enhance the color of our house.

One of our main issues is that the front of our house has a large roof line and it has a red concrete tile roof. We picked Sonoma Blend because it had some red, which enhances the roof color and it had some tan, which matched our house colors. So the pavers really pull these two different color combinations together and really enhance the look of our home. We get a lot of comments. In fact a neighbor down the street also installed CastleLite Block pavers in her driveway, although they selected Tahoe Blend, to match their home.

We also had a mailbox installed using the Maytrx wall system. When we were discussing this part of the project with the contractor, he assured us that the Maytrx wall system is unlike any wall system he has used before and that it would work really well for a mailbox. I was skeptical at first, but I actually like the mailbox and can’t think of a better solution in replacing our old mailboxes. My daughter thinks it looks like a robot and she loves to get the mail from “Artie” as she calls it.

I also feel that buying Factory Direct is a great way to save money. I originally budgeted a significant amount for redoing the driveway and front walkway, but because we saved so much on the purchase of the pavers, we were about $3,000 under budget. We used a Factory Preferred Installer that CastleLite recommended and they were very reasonably priced and did a fantastic job. I would highly recommend that contractor again.”

-Jay Magstadt, Homeowner

On The Fence About Getting Concrete Pavers?

castleliteblock — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 10:57:06 +0000

Here are some things to consider:

Unlike concrete and asphalt Driveways, concrete pavers do not easily crack or stain.

They provide a way to enhance the appearance of your home and or yard and increase the value of your property.

Should a concrete paver become damaged they are easy to replace.

Unlike cobblestones, concrete pavers will provide an even surface and discourage weed growth in between joints. Cobblestones can also be 3-4 times more expensive than pavers.

Concrete pavers can be customized using a variety of blends, styles and patterns to acheive a desired look.

Concrete pavers are more durable than stamped concrete or cobblestones, keeping a “new” look for a much longer period of time.

Maintenance and upkeep are minimal. Just occasional washing is all thats needed to keep your driveway, patio, or walkway in factory condition.