It can be argued that the choice of materials can be the most important decision made when designing a paver patio. After all, it’s the one surface that the homeowners will be in contact with the most – and in the summertime, that contact will likely be with bare feet. Here, we discuss the benefits of opting for textured patio pavers in Cold Spring, NY.
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Safety
It’s a common misconception that a highly-textured paver is automatically less slippery, especially when wet, than a subtly-textured paver. For example, natural stone such as slate often feature highly textured surfaces – but if any water pools on them and mildew is allowed to grow, they become extremely slick. The inherent properties of slate also makes it prone to chipping and flaking, which can cause a tripping hazard. By contrast, the subtle textures of Unilock concrete pavers give you superior grip, even when wet.
In addition, concrete pavers give you more options in getting a non-slip surface that is suitable for patios, outdoor kitchens, walkways, and even wet areas like pool or hot tub decks.
Unilock pavers feature textures that are also more consistent, while remaining random. They are cast from real stone, but finished with safety and beauty in mind. Beacon Hill Flagstone, for example, has a barefoot-friendly texture that is also non-slip, making it a great all-purpose outdoor living paver that comes in a variety of colors to suit any design style.
Beauty
Texture contributes to a patio’s visual interest. As the light changes, so does the appearance of individual pavers. That doesn’t mean you have to opt for an uneven surface; it doesn’t take much surface variation to create a paver that changes character as the sun moves across the sky!
Unilock pavers are engineered for beautiful functionality. They incorporate the natural look of quarried stone with superior compressive strength, chip-resistance, colorfastness, ease of maintenance, and of course a non-slip surface.
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Texture isn’t just physical; it’s visual, too.
The dimensionally consistent shapes of Unilock concrete pavers also give you many options when it comes to laying patterns and edging. Patterns contribute to the overall visual texture of a patio: small pavers laid in a herringbone pattern create the impression of more texture than larger pavers laid in a gridlike pattern. The colors used in the jointing compound also create more or less visual texture.
Texture can also be extended into the vertical elements of your hardscape by incorporating wall units such as the Brussels Dimensional System with Brussels Fullnose Coping to create seat walls and other features.
How to choose the best textured paver
Since Unilock pavers are designed to be non-slip, the best way to choose a textured paver is to see and feel it in person. Depending on your design style and the surroundings, you may prefer a paver that appears smooth but still has plenty of grip after a rain; or you may prefer the look of a tumbled paver that looks like it’s been there for centuries; or a more rustic, rough-textured look of flagstone.
Ultimately, you want to feel the paver with your hands and where possible, take a barefoot walk. To see samples and discuss your project, contact a Unilock Authorized Contractor or visit a Unilock Outdoor Idea Center near you today!
The title image features a Beacon Hill Flagstone patio with Brussels Dimensional System verticals and Brussels Fullnose Coping.
