Mystic River Signature Pattern Flagstone, Slate, from Luck Stone. Photo courtesy of Luck Stone.
By Kevin Hutchinson
Driveways, walkways, patios, and recreational areas all deserve the same attention to detail as the interior of the home. One of the most important decisions that you can make in the design of these outdoor rooms is the selection of the right outdoor flooring or paving products.
DevonStone Collection, Yennyson Stepping Stones, from EP Henry. Photo courtesy of EP Henry.
Granite is an extremely hard, temperature-resistant, natural material popularly used in landscape applications including decking, walkways, sidewalks, and patios. Available in a wide variety of colors, flamed granite refers to granite that has been heated with a blowtorch, creating a rough and textured surface perfect for exterior applications where slipping needs to be prevented. (Polished and honed granite is smooth and better suited for interior use.)
Slate is a versatile building material available in uniform or patterned shades of gray, blue, purple, red, and green. Formed over time mostly from compressed clay, slate gets its coloration and patterns from trace elements. Often used for roofing and tiling, slate cut in 1- to 2-inch thick slabs makes excellent paving material for walkways and patios.
Limestone is a light-colored, versatile, durable material that can be used for patios and walkways and is also often used indoors for countertops, fireplace surrounds, and more. Limestone is a naturally occurring quarried stone that is made of many layers of hard sediment and often contains fossils from the ocean. Depending on the cut, limestone can achieve either a rustic or a formal aesthetic.
Flagstone paving, either in the broken or the cut rectangular form, provides a more natural material for walkways, patios, and pool decks. In combination with other materials or set in uniform patterns, the style can reflect either a formal or informal setting. Flagstone is available in a variety of colors ranging from blue and gray to tan and red tones. The material can vary in price based upon thickness and whether it has been cut to nominal sizes. Flagstone paving is considered a moderate to expensive paving material.
Canyon View Signature Pattern Flagstone, Sandstone, from Luck Stone. Photo courtesy of Luck Stone.
Sandstone is a soft, natural, creamy-tan colored stone that was formed as a byproduct of erosion. It is a popular, easy-to-work-with paving material. Sandstone effects an elegant, natural look and is often applied to patios and walkways in an irregular pattern of large cut stones ranging from 12- x 18-inch rectangles to 24-inch squares.
Bluestone is a sturdy, blueish-gray sandstone that has long been a popular choice for walkways and patios. It can blend to achieve formal and naturalistic landscapes depending on whether the stone is honed, tumbled, or unfinished.
Brick paving (clay) is a more classic and formal paving option. Brick seems to never go out of style and is a popular paving material for homes and structures façaded by similar wall brick. Brick comes in a variety of earth tones ranging from reds, browns, grays, and tans. An advantage of brick or manufactured pavers is the availability and the number of design options possible through various patterns, sizes, and material combinations. Brick paving is a moderately expensive material that will tend to become more expensive based on pattern and cutting additions.
Concrete paving and interlocking pavers have gained popularity in recent years. New stenciling, stamping, and coating techniques have provided more visual interest to the standard concrete paving of the past. Many different designs, colors, and textures are possible, simulating cobblestone, brick, and slate to name a few. Decorative concrete is generally lower priced than the other paving options and usually twice that of standard concrete paving.
Interlocking pavers are available in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes and offer extremely high-strength paving solutions for driveways. Interlocking pavers vary in style from a more traditional “brick” look to a casual cobblestone or contemporary diamond shape. Price varies per the amount of cutting but is generally moderately priced similar to brick paving.
Star and spiral inlays from Serene Ponds & Landscapes, Inc. Photo courtesy of Serene Ponds & Landscapes, Inc.
Eco-friendly pavers refer to a category of water permeable interlocking pavers that are often required by law for coastal applications. These pavers allow rainwater to permeate the surface and recycle back into the groundwater supply rather washing into lakes, rivers, and bays.
Mulch and gravel can also be used for informal paths and walkways but are not common materials for patios or other applications. Benefits of mulch and gravel include cost effectiveness, ease of installation, and environmental friendliness (they allow all rainwater to drain through the surface). Mulch and gravel, however, are not permanent solutions. The loose material either decomposes or is scattered easily and needs to be refreshed regularly.
Whatever the paving option selected, the material that will provide the most appeal and harmony is the one that ties in with the existing architecture, color, and/or style of the home and its inhabitants.
Kevin Hutchinson is a Senior Designer for ValleyCrest. For additional information about your options for paving walkways and patios, call 301-831-8000. To learn more about ValleyCrest, visit valleycrest.com.
Other Contacts:
EP Henry: ephenry.com or 800-44-HENRY
Luck Stone: luckstone.com or 800-898-LUCK
Pine Hall Brick Co., Inc.: pinehallbrick.com or 800-334-8689
Redland Brick: redlandbrick.com or 800-366-2742
Serene Ponds & Landscapes, Inc.: sereneponds.net or 301-805-0119
Uni-Group U.S.A.: uni-groupusa.org or 800-872-1864
