If you’re looking to increase the exterior grounds of your home, from a cosmetic or functionality standpoint, you’ll likely think of the basics; Adding some plants or shrubbery, or perhaps even a fence. However, if you want to go for something a little more unique that’ll add both beauty and function to your outdoor space, it’s time to consider a walkway or patio! Thes are both great options for entertaining, a great alternative to your indoor kitchen or just relaxing on a quiet morning as you drink your cup of coffee. One of the first things you’ll want to determine when designing either is if you’ll use natural stone or pavers. For many homeowners, this can be a challenging decision, especially if you’re not familiar with these materials. We’ve created this guide to help you determine which will be best for your project! Learn more about the differences between natural stone and pavers below.
Concrete & Natural Stone
What materials are best used for patios, walkways, and driveways? Pressed concrete pavers and natural stone. Both are durable enough to withstand the ever-changing New England weather and in terms of upkeep are very low maintenance.
Pavers and natural stone are individual pieces that together create a beautiful hardscape. The advantage of this piece-by-piece work is that if one were to break or crack it is easy to fix and fairly inexpensive.
Although there are many positive attributes of both types of pavers, they each have their own distinct differences. You want to be sure you are choosing the right kind for your project.
Differences to consider are functionality, cost, style, and color.
Natural Stone
Natural stone is extracted from the Earth. They are dig up as large stone blocks and cut down in smaller pieces, hence why they are called “natural”. Because of where they come from, they are strong enough to withstand harsh conditions.
Due to the fact that they are all natural, this means that they are not completely flat or level and their shape varies. This is an example of knowing what kind of style and functionality you’d like. If you want to have a grill and full patio set outside you may want to opt for concrete pavers which are more suitable for comfortably accommodating tables and chairs.
Bluestone, one of our most popular natural stone products, quarried from the ground. Bluestone color and finishes are the choices you can make when deciding on which bluestone is correct for your project.
There are two basic surface finishes. Natural Cleft is slightly rough, Sawn Thermal is smooth but not slippery. Natural Cleft is split along natural fault lines and the result is a slightly rough texture with distinct raised and sunken areas. Sawn Thermal is sawn and then heat-treated for a smooth finish with no raised or sunken areas. Because Sawn Thermal is sawn and then heat-treated it is typically more expensive than Natural Cleft. Lastly, since they are natural, so are their colors. Color is limited and not continuous, which some people love. The look is very unique and distinct adding much character to your outdoor space. In addition, because they are of natural color, they never use their color.
Pressed Concrete Pavers
Concrete pavers are man-made thus making the options of color, sizing and shape more abundant. They also cost less as they are easily manufactured and have a faster installation timeline.
If you want a customized-looking patio or walkway then concrete pavers are a great choice for you. Being that they are man-made you can choose the color (or colors), shape and design. This also comes in handy if you are working off an existing walkway or patio, making it easier to match what you currently have.
At Lamacchia Landscape Construction we use pavers from any manufacturer you would like. The most commonly used pavers we source are by Ideal Pavers out of Waltham. Their most popular products are Boston Colonial, Yankee Cobble, and their new Andover Collection. Boston Colonial is best for walkways or small patios, while Yankee Cobble and Andover Collection works well for medium to large patios.
Unilock is another company whose pavers we use. Their most popular product is their Beacon Hill paver.
In terms of functionality, they are just as durable as stone if not more because they are made of pressed concrete and easy to fix if one breaks or cracks and are level making it easier for tables and chairs to live without the unevenness and annoyance of the dread chair wobble.
Both designs help increase the overall appearance and value. If you’re looking to sell your property, you may want to consider adding value to the exterior of your home by installing a patio or walkway. Regardless of which you choose, it’ll certainly increase the value of your home. No matter what your style, we can help you achieve it with both natural and concrete pavers!
Contact Lamacchia Landscape Construction
Looking to have a walkway or patio installed? Want to learn more about what we offer? Contact our landscaping experts at Lamacchia Landscape Construction today. Give us a call at 877-856-9273 or email us at info@LamacchiaLandscapeCo.com. We look forward to working with you soon!
