How to Choose the Best Type of Natural Stone Patio

Using natural stone in the patio will provide you with an eternal outdoor environment that is beautiful and sturdy at the same time. The stones have their own colors and textures, which provide the appearance and beauty to your home. In contrast to manufactured materials, natural stone offers a natural appearance, which varies with the light and weather over time, and has a unique appeal to your patio.

 There are several varieties of stone that one can use; it is important to know the characteristics of each stone and how it works in various conditions to make the correct choice. This guide will assist you in choosing the most appropriate natural stones and determining which of them can be used according to your preferences to create the most beautiful and durable patio.

Different Types of Natural Stones for Outdoor Patios

The selection of the correct natural stone is the key to a beautiful and long-lasting patio. The following are some of the common natural stones that are used as outdoor patios and their main characteristics:  

Flagstone

Flagstone is characterized by a natural and rustic appearance, with broad and flat slabs. It is available in brown, red, gray and blue. It has irregular shapes and can be laid out creatively and the rough texture provides good resistance to slipping. The material that is strong and somewhat porous is flagstone, and therefore, sealing is useful to protect against stains.

Bluestone

Bluestone has a smooth texture that is blue-grey in colour. It is thick and very slip-resistant, hence it is good in pool areas or in places that are prone to getting wet. Bluestone is robust enough to support heavy traffic and it also gives a contemporary and elegant touch to the patios.

Limestone

Limestone is available in soft creams and tan. It is smooth and, in most cases, cheaper than other stones. Though it works well in warm and dry climatic conditions, limestone is soft and it can be weathered quickly in unfriendly climatic conditions.

Travertine

Travertine is a kind of limestone that includes natural holes and a warm color range. It is cool to the feet, ideal in sunny regions. Travertine is very strong, yet it is porous, and it has to be sealed on a regular basis to keep its beauty.

Slate

Slate contains natural cleft texture and deep colors that include black, green and purple. It is thick and very strong and offers good traction. Slate is suitable for patios that require a stylish, and not slippery floor.

Granite

Granite is very hard and comes in a variety of colours and designs. It is not easily scratched, weathered, and used. Granite is the best choice where there is a lot of traffic on a patio but it is more expensive and difficult to install.

How to Choose the Right Stone for Your Patio

In order to find the ideal natural stone to use on your patio, several crucial aspects must be put into consideration.

• Understand Your Use of the Patio: How will you use your patio? When there will be heavy foot traffic, outdoor furniture or be used often for gatherings, then choose a hardy, strong stone like granite or bluestone. To make the patio less utilized or to make it more ornamental, less hard stones such as limestone or travertine can be used.

• Your Climate: Select a rock in accordance with your local weather. Stones that are resistant to cracking such as slate or granite, are ideal in cold areas where the temperatures are freezing. Stones that remain cool, like travertine, are good in warm climatic conditions.

• Determine Slip Resistance: The safety of the patio is a concern particularly when it is close to the pool or when it is open to the rain. Stones with a rough texture such as flagstone and slate, have better footing and fewer chances of slipping.

• Take into account Maintenance Requirements: There are more maintainable stones than others. The less hard stones such as limestone, require frequent sealing to keep off stains and abrasion whereas the tougher stones such as granite, require less maintenance.

• Match Your Style and Home: Select a color and a texture that match the exterior of your home and the landscape that surrounds it. Your patio should be able to complement the entire appearance and sensation of your outdoors.

• Factor in Your Budget: The prices of natural stones differ greatly. Flexibility of first cost and durability and maintenance to determine the most favorable long-term value.

Cost of Natural Stone Patios vs. Other Options

Natural stone patios are also known to be beautiful and durable and may command a high cost of purchase as compared to the rest.

The natural stone patio installation would cost between $15 and $35 per square foot of materials and labor on average. Good stones such as bluestone and granite would be on the higher side of this scale because of their hardness and beauty.

By comparison, concrete can be found at a lower cost; poured concrete patios cost between $6 and $10 per square foot. While concrete is less expensive initially, it may require more maintenance over time, such as sealing or repairs due to cracking.  Concrete pavers that can imitate natural stone generally range between $15 and $30 a square foot, which is a middle-range price.

The other alternative, which is brick patios, is approximately between $10 and $25 per square foot. They offer a traditional appearance without necessarily being as unique in terms of the elegance or durability as natural rock. A new type is porcelain Brick pavers which cost between $10 and $22 per square foot. They are also long-lasting and low maintenance but tend not to have the natural variation and texture of the actual stone.

Patio Material	Cost per Square Foot (Installed)	Durability	Maintenance
Natural Stone	$15 – $35	Very High	Moderate
Concrete	$6 – $10	High	Moderate
Concrete Pavers	$15 – $30	High	Low
Brick	$10 – $25	High	Moderate to High
Porcelain Pavers	$10 – $22	Very High	Low
Gravel	$2.35 – $6.20	Low	High

Conclusion

Natural stone patios are a great way to add permanence to your outdoor living area as well as permanence. Their natural and timeless appearance only gets better with time. These patios are hard, simple to maintain and can be used in most weather conditions.

Are you looking to have a beautiful and lasting stone patio? Then Maura Mason is available to assist you. Our skilled personnel will help to choose the right kind of stone and to take care of the whole installation process.

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