Choosing the stone for your patio is an important task; you want to make sure you choose a material that is durable, low-maintenance, and attractive. That’s unless you are prepared for maintenance work and want to invest in natural stone. See some of the best options below.
Concrete Paving
If you want some paving for your outdoor area that is attractive, affordable, and ecological, then concrete paving is an excellent choice. Concrete paving doesn’t have the best reputation because it is thought to be the cheaper option, but it’s now available in some attractive colours.
Gone are the days when you only had grey concrete paving to choose from; now, you can put concrete paving in colours similar to natural stone or porcelain. Not only is concrete paving durable, but it is also non-slip and cheaper, making it easier to replace cracked or chipped slabs.
Natural Stone
Of course, the first choice for most people to design an outdoor space is a natural stone for the patio, pathways, and hardscapes. Natural stone includes limestone, sandstone, granite, and slate, among others. These stones are non-slip, frost-resistant, easy to maintain, and attractive.
The only trouble is that natural stone is significantly more expensive than alternative options. Not only does this make them more expensive to install, but when they break, they are also costly. If you choose to install natural stone, it’s smart to do so in a smaller area of your garden.
Porcelain Paving
If porcelain paving proves to be too expensive for you and concrete paving doesn’t appeal, there is another option. Porcelain paving is as durable as concrete and as attractive as a natural stone; the difference is the price; porcelain is significantly cheaper than natural stone options.
Some people worry that porcelain paving isn’t suitable for a patio or outdoor space; they use porcelain in their kitchen and can’t see how that material can withstand footfall. However, the porcelain paving used for patios is designed to be more durable and non-slip when it is wet.
Block Paving
Alternatively, you could choose block paving made from red brick. Block paving can be installed for patios, pathways, and driveways, and it provides a cheap, reliable, and attractive surface for you to walk on. The downside is that block paving might not look as attractive as other options.
While you might have to clear weeds from the gaps from time to time; overall, block paving is a low-maintenance option. Unlike natural stone that needs treating seasonally to prevent slips and protect the surface, you can forget about block paving for long periods and enjoy its surface.
Choosing a surface for your outdoor area is a good decision to have to make; it means you have a comfortable outdoor space to enjoy in the near future. The decision comes down to how much you want to spend and how you want your patio to appear. These days, the cheaper options are designed to look more expensive, making your decision easier or more difficult.
At Lizard Landscape Design and Ecology, we provide expert arboriculture services for our clients, including tree surveys, arboricultural impact assessments and tree risk assessments. All arboriculture services are objective, detailed and well presented and we can provide advice for development projects using our extensive knowledge. Contact us today.