Natural stone is a popular choice in landscape design because of its durability, aesthetics and classic appeal. In particular, homes in the Greenwich, Stamford area of CT are particularly partial to the use of natural materials for their hardscape designs. For homeowners looking to navigate the sometimes confusing world of natural stone, understanding exactly which materials will end up in the patios, walkways, and pool decks of their home is challenging. Understanding some key points can help out with these decisions.
Color
For outdoor living projects in the CT region, there are quite a few natural stone varieties to choose from. While the most popular choices are Pennsylvania Bluestone, Flagstone, and Travertine, there are others such as Limestone, Marble, and Granite. Across these different varieties there is a wide range of color hues. Blues, greens, purples, and browns are very common in the CT region. For large projects where color is of upmost importance, ensuring consistent colors can be a huge challenge because traditional souring methods fall short. Consider Natural Stone by Unilock for a more consistently sourced material that comes backed by Unilock’s lifetime guarantee.
Shape
Natural stone comes in two main categories in terms of shape—irregular and pattern-cut. Which one of these you choose for your Greenwich, Stamford, CT landscape depends on the overall style of the design. For more contemporary, clean-lined design pattern-cut natural stone is a great choice. This means that the sizes are all rectangular or square. For a more natural, earthy feel, consider using irregular flagstone which has different shapes with each piece. For this choice, masons will manipulate the stone to fit tightly together for your hardscape.
For more tips and tricks on patio design, check out this article.
Installation
Since the installation of natural stone is very specialized and labor-intensive, it’s recommended to only consult reputable masonry and landscape construction firms who have performed similar projects in the past. With the help of a trusted professional like a CT Unilock Authorized Contractor, you can decide which installation method is best for your property and particular project. The options include what is referred to as a wet-laid installation where the natural stone is set in a bed of concrete, and a dry-laid installation where it is set on a gravel bed.
Quality
Securing your natural stone from reputable sources is key to project success. A major challenge of using natural stone products for your CT patios, walkways, and pool decks is finding consistent, reliable supply and quality. Consider Natural Stone by Unilock which eliminates these challenges. With a transferable lifetime warranty on all their products homeowners and professionals alike can rest assured knowing that their material choice is of the highest quality, will be consistent in shape and color, and will out perform and outlast natural stone from traditional sources.