
Indoors and out, The Setting Stone Company handles stone masonry for Whitby homeowners: fireplace surrounds and hearths, feature walls and veneer, stone steps and stoops, and repointing, from Brooklin to the streets of Werden’s Plan.
Newer homes are a big part of Whitby: the Town’s Housing Needs Assessment counts 8,910 units from 1991 to 2000 and 7,430 from 2001 to 2005. If yours came with a roughed-in fireplace, the Town’s permit list says completing it needs a building permit, the same as a new one. A gas fitter or WETT-certified technician handles the appliance and chimney, and we build the stone around it.
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Stone is heavy, so the wall comes first. For manufactured stone on interior studs, the Concrete Masonry and Hardscapes Association (CMHA) guide shows framing at a maximum 16 in. spacing, with lath, a scratch coat at least 1/2 in. thick and corrosion-resistant fasteners. For adhered natural stone, the Natural Stone Institute wants a true, rigid backing, with each piece back buttered for as close to full contact as practical. Near a fireplace, it says to allow for thermal expansion. If a wall can’t take the stone as built, we’ll tell you.
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Fireplace and feature wall jobs suit the colder months, and front steps are outdoor work that depends on the weather. Our stone work overview for the region lists the same services.
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Stone masonry on an older Whitby house can start with paperwork. The Town has two heritage conservation districts: Brooklin, with 169 properties, and Werden’s Plan Neighbourhood in Downtown Whitby, with 250. In the Brooklin district, an owner must follow the district plan and needs a Heritage Permit before any proposed work. Send questions to heritage@whitby.ca.
Across Whitby, the Town’s building permit list applies as well. New and roughed-in fireplaces, structural alterations and adding or removing walls are on it, and re-cladding may be, depending on the circumstances. These lists get updated, so confirm your job at building@whitby.ca.
Property Standards By-law 6874-14, s. 6.3 has owners keep chimneys, vents and flues in good repair. A WETT-certified technician handles that side, and we handle the stone.
The Town counts 3,810 units from 1960 or before and 7,700 from 1961 to 1980, so plenty of front steps have seen a lot of winters.
The Town's Corbett Creek report says clayey silt till commonly shows at surface near the lake, though lots vary. The Code's notes name clay and silt as frost-susceptible.
The Town names a 2051 greenfield expansion there as one of the places most new growth is headed. If you are building there, raise any stone work early.
Every wall and stoop is different, so there are no ballpark phone estimates. A visit tells us what the job really involves.
The consultation is free, carries no obligation and happens on your property. We reply within 1 business day to set it up.
The stone is ours. We tell you what needs a gas fitter, a WETT-certified technician or a Town permit before any work begins.
It is clear and itemized, so you can see where the money goes before you say yes.
Our crew protects your floors, sets the stone, cleans up properly and walks through the finished job with you.
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Tim and his team helped replace and repaint the exterior stairs of our house. They were knowledgeable about what needed to be done and helped come up with a plan to do the work. They were tidy as well which is always a bonus. We are very happy with the finished work!
Alex G. Google reviewTim at Setting Stones rebuilt our slipped stone steps and installed a new retaining wall. Hands down the best contractor we’ve worked with. He was professional, listened closely to our vision, and accommodated every design change without complaint. He kept the site immaculate throughout the project, and the finished stonework speaks for itself. Highly recommend.
Samra M. Google reviewTim and his crew did a fantastic job on our walkway and stairs - we couldn’t be happier with the results! His recommendations, communications and expertise are top notch! Would highly recommend his services and look forward to our next project!
Karen A. Google reviewHave a project in mind? Contact Us Today
Yes. The Town's building permit page says new fireplaces and completing roughed-in fireplaces both need a building permit. A gas fitter or WETT-certified technician looks after the fireplace itself. We come in for the stone surround and hearth. That page does not mention stone facing, so ask the Town about that part.
At least 300 mm above the opening, if it projects more than 38 mm from the face. That is the Ontario Building Code's rule for masonry fireplaces built on site. Factory-built units go by their own listing, so we read the maker's instructions before any stone or mantel goes on the wall.
Ask the Town first. Werden's Plan Neighbourhood is a heritage conservation district of 250 properties in Downtown Whitby. In the Brooklin district, owners need a Heritage Permit before any proposed work, so it makes sense to check what applies in Werden's Plan before changing anything. Email heritage@whitby.ca, then we can plan the stone around the answer.
That is a matter of taste, and no rule settles it. We would choose by the house, not the trend. In our opinion, tight stacked stone can suit a newer room with clean lines, and rougher, wider-jointed stone can suit an older house in Downtown Whitby. Show us a few photos you like at the site visit, and we will tell you what we think.
It comes down to the stone, the size of the wall and what the backing needs before stone can go on. A phone estimate would only mislead you, so we look at the room for free and send an itemized quote. The appliance and any Town permit for it are separate from our stone work.
Front steps can join up with a new flagstone walkway or a retaining wall holding the slope beside them. See our local services below.
Send a note or call (905) 922-6684. Tell us what you have in mind, and we will come and look, with a free, itemized quote.
Expert interlock, flagstone, driveways, retaining walls, decks, and fences across Courtice, Bowmanville, Newcastle, Oshawa, and Clarington.
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Tim is amazing 🤩 he went above and beyond for our beautiful step and was reliable and excellent communication the whole way through ! Highly recommend 👏
Emily S. Google review