In a world filled with asphalt and concrete, Santa Barbara Sandstone is a visual and tactile reminder of earlier days, when we were more closely connected to the earth.
Santa Barbara sandstone, is a natural stone material with an illustrious past—it was used to build the Santa Barbara Mission and many other historic buildings in the area.
Santa Barbara sandstone is not quarried, but excavated from building sites where boulders that tumbled from the surrounding Santa Ynez mountains centuries ago lie nestled in the soil. In the old days, they cleared the land and used what was naturally there to use and build with. Excavation crews extract the boulders, hand-split them, and shape them into blocks using hammers and chisels, just as they did 200 years ago. It’s an art you don’t often see today.
Santa Barbara Sandstone ranges in color from cream to yellow and golden brown. The most popular shade is called Montecito Gold. Builders like the chisel-friendly material, which is used not only for building facades, but for carvings, veneers, stair treads, wall caps, and windowsills. It’s made in heaven for stone cutters. Some builders plane the stone for a smooth surface, while others prefer to preserve its rough-hewn edges.
Area architects seek out the stone in part because it’s sourced locally, which means it’s readily available and gets delivered faster. Using local stone also gives them points towards LEED certification.
Locally-sourced Santa Barbara Sandstone puts homeowners in touch with materials and building methods of the past. In a world filled with asphalt and concrete, its a visual and tactile reminder of earlier days, when we were more closely connected to the earth.
For more information on natual stone products and services, visit our Santa Barbara Sandstone page at: Monarch Stone International.com