Which Material Suits Your Hardscaping Project Best?

Choosing the appropriate materials is obviously important if you’ve decided to invest in a new outdoor living area. You desire both something that looks fantastic and something that will endure.  Using materials that will increase their home’s resale value is crucial for some homeowners. Others look for low-maintenance materials since they only want to relax in their outdoor haven. The majority of hardscaping projects employ four main materials. You can better grasp each and the alternatives they offer by reading the summary below.

ConcreteFor hardscaping projects, concrete is often the most economical material. The most basic and affordable type of concrete is a slab with a natural color and broom finish.  Simple concrete slabs can be stained after they have been finished, or they can be colored using a dry or liquid pigment. Concrete with exposed aggregate is produced by a more labor-intensive method. In order to achieve this surface, the installer forces a layer of small aggregate into the pour’s top before washing the concrete away from the stones, producing a distinctive, textured finish. Stamped concrete is the most expensive type of concrete for hardscapes. After the slab is poured, this finish is applied by artistically dusting colors over the concrete.  After that, impressions that resemble brick, stone, or even wood planks are made using stamps.

Concrete PavingFor a number of reasons, concrete pavers have grown in popularity among homeowners. They start by providing a wide range of price points. And there are various design alternatives.  Many pavers are strong enough to be approved for use on roads and driveways. Concrete pavers can be made to resemble conventional bricks, cobblestones, huge slabs, or even uneven bits of flagstone.  Even more, many producers offer permeable pavers, which let rainwater seep back into the groundwater while filtering out pollution and impurities. Concrete pavers are straightforward to maintain, and they are also simple to fix. If there are several pavers, just take out the damaged one and put a new one in its place.

FlagstoneWhen considering a stone patio, many people picture a flagstone. Depending on where you are in the nation, the type of stone can change, giving the area a distinct sense of location.  Buffs, tans, and even reds may be present in locally quarried stone in the Southwest. You’ll see tans, browns, and grays in the Midwest. On the East Coast, undertones dominate grays with blue, green, and rust.  As hardscaping has become more internationalized, stone imports from Asia and South America can even be found in more exotic colors. Using high-quality flagstone that is the right thickness for the purpose yields a long-lasting, stunning finish.

Travertine PavingYou might be shocked to learn that marble can be used outside if you like the way it looks inside. Marble is usually carved into rectangular shapes with a one-inch thickness for travertine pavers.  Unbelievable as it may seem, travertine has enough compressive strength to be utilized for driveways.  The usual color palette includes shades of white, cream, gold, silver, and even yellow-orange. Similar to flagstone, travertine pavers can be laid either dry or wet.

ConclusionSo, which type of material should you use for your hardscaping project? You must take into account your financial situation, the style you want, and what would work best for your neighborhood and the particular property.  Your landscape expert can help you weigh your options and come to the best selection possible. If you’re looking for landscape contractors in Birmingham to do your hardscaping, don’t hesitate to contact DSLD Land Management. We are a full-service design/build landscape contractor firm, serving residential and commercial clients all over Birmingham.  Book a consultation for your hardscaping project today!