There are so many options available on the market today when it comes to designing hardscape elements for your property. Hardscaping comes in an array of colors, shapes, sizes, and materials that make just about any look you need achievable.
Some of the most common hardscaping materials used on residential properties include:
- Concrete Pavers
- Travertine
- Brick
- Flagstone
Concrete Pavers Offer a Variety of Options & Simple Maintenance
Regarding concrete pavers, there are a wide variety of price points, which offers homeowners the flexibility they need with their budget. These pavers come in a variety of shapes, such as traditional bricks, cobblestone, large slabs, or irregular flagstones, and offer unlimited customization options when designing your hardscaping project.
Concrete pavers are also simple to maintain and easy to repair, making them a no-brainer for homeowners that need a low-maintenance, long-lasting structure. When the pavers are damaged, they need only be removed and replaced with a new one!
Travertine…A Luxurious, Resistant Material with a Variety of Colors Available
Have you heard of travertine? Travertine is rectangular pieces of marble that are cut to a 1″ thickness and used as exterior building materials due to their strength and durability. Homeowners get a luxurious material that comes in a variety of colors when they use travertine. Available colors include:
- Whites
- Creams
- Golds and Silvers
- Yellows
- Oranges
- Grays
Travertine is extremely resistant to both hot and cold temperatures, making it a perfect material for your exterior needs. However, as an acid sensitive and porous material, it may need maintenance in the form of filling in holes over time.
The Aesthetics of Brick
Are you looking for a timeless look for your new patio or walkway? Brick is the look that never fails! For thousands of years, brick has been a staple when it comes to exterior designs. Brick is a low maintenance material that needs little done, after it is laid, to maintain its aesthetics for years.
On the downside, and perhaps taking away slightly from their aesthetic appeal, bricks come in a limited color palette. Due to the firing process when bricks are made, reddish tones are about the extent of what you will find. Bricks come with a higher cost due to the intensive labor and installation process. Homeowners can expect to spend about 15-20% more on brick than on concrete. Bricks are also breakable and tend to chip and crack around the edges over time.
Bricks are a material that homeowners can reuse or create a new design out of, using reclaimed bricks.
Flagstone’s Characteristics
The majority of patios built use flagstone. A characteristic of flagstone is that it varies in colors and types of stones, based on your geographical location. You can find buffs, reds, and tans in the Southwest, but may see more tans and grays in the Midwest. Even the East Coast has its own look, with grays, blues, and greens being used frequently.
Flagstones are a beautiful, durable material that offers a variety of aesthetics for many budgets. Another characteristic they have is they can be both dry laid with sand or stone dust, or wet laid through bonding to a concrete slab or mortar.
The Option to Use Pavers or Tiles
Another great choice for homeowners to make is between pavers and tiles. These are frequently used to create a custom design for your walkways, driveways, or patios. Both options have pros and cons that need to be considered when choosing materials for your next hardscaping project.
Pavers
Pavers are a durable and inexpensive material homeowners can choose for their hardscaping project. They are usually made from concrete, brick, stone, or limestone and used for high traffic areas, such as walkways and patios. They are a well-made construction that offers a surface that wears well over the years.
On the flip side, pavers lack the luxuriousness that tiles provide. You get less of a variety in color and design than you do with tiles, and a sealant should be applied to prevent staining every 3-5 years.
Tiles
Tiles come in a variety of materials, colors, sizes, styles, and textures to complement your property. Tiles are typically composed of ceramic, clay, porcelain, concrete, or stone. Tiles have the option of being patterned, glazed, or solid in color. They provide an elegant, high-end look that can be worked into intricate and customized designs. And, they are easy to clean and maintain!
However, tiles are twice as expensive as pavers. Heavy use on a tile surface can create damage to the area. If a glazed tile becomes damaged it will have to be replaced. Stone tile can also become chipped and need replacement.
It takes a high level of skill and labor from a professional landscaping company, like Master’s Landscape Design, to replace a tile correctly, and is something that homeowners should not attempt.
Call to schedule a free consultation for your hardscaping project.
There are so many viable options for your hardscaping project that it can be overwhelming. Narrow down what is most important to you when determining what type of material will fit your lifestyle. A professional landscaping company, such as Master’s Landscape Design, can walk you through the pros and cons of your favorite materials before you land on a final decision.
Keep in mind that the location of your project and design preference all play a major role in selecting your materials. Color and texture will also affect your options. If you prefer a grey tone to your patio, you probably would not choose brick. If you need something that is budget-friendly, concrete pavers may be your best option.
Call us at (615) 288-2052 so that we can schedule a free consultation that will offer guidance and options, to ensure your material selection meets all of your needs in form and function!