The title image features Lineo Dimensional Stone and Richcliff patio pavers
Bluestone is a popular type of flagstone used on patios and walkways. This character-filled stone works with any design aesthetic. But is bluestone suitable for every application? The short answer is no, but there are, of course, landscape features that would be a good fit for bluestone in Danbury, CT.
True Bluestone: Charming, But Flawed
Bluestone is such a coveted material mainly for its unique steel-blue color, which is often accented with shades of rusty reds, browns, or other colors. The individual stone is beautiful, and the overall look—for a patio or walkway in particular—can be stunning.
However, true bluestone has a few drawbacks that limit its usefulness.
It cannot be used on a driveway unless you choose very thick and small pieces; and even then, the constant abrasion from tires can cause the surface to wear down on this sedimentary stone.
Bluestone is textured, but it can become slippery when wet and hot to the touch after being exposed to the sun—making it a less-than-ideal choice for pool decks and hot tub surrounds.
Being a relatively permeable stone made up of very thin layers, bluestone is also susceptible to flaking and cracking due to the freeze-thaw cycle. It must be sealed every few years to prevent water infiltration, but since water can also seep into the stone from the sides and from below, there is always the chance that a bluestone surface will experience water damage. Once damaged, the stone cannot be restored, and you could face an expensive process of replacing individual stone.
Landscape Features Ideal for Bluestone
Bluestone tends to best used on only two spaces: patios and walkways.
These are relatively low-traffic, low-impact spaces where the stone won’t be subjected to constant moisture (pool decks and hot tub surrounds), or the potential abrasion and heavy weight of vehicular traffic. Pool decks and driveways are two applications where true bluestone is not ideal.
Bluestone Alternatives: Achieve the Look Throughout Your Landscape
Fortunately, concrete pavers resembling bluestone expand the possibilities for bringing a desired look throughout a landscape. If you want to incorporate the charm of bluestone, choose Richcliff pavers from Unilock. Richcliff offers the most realistic bluestone alternative thanks to Reala technology, which uses casts taken from a multitude of real flagstones. You’ll never see a repeating pattern with Richcliff pavers. You can also blend two or all three colors (Smoke Shale, Dawn Mist, and Pebble Taupe) randomly on-site—and it will take much more than a second glance to see that it’s not in fact natural bluestone. This paver is also strong and durable, thanks to Ultima technology. It is suitable for driveways, pool decks, patios, and walkways.
Richcliff is the premier bluestone alternative from Unilock. For more budget-friendly options, you could try the following pavers, and achieve the natural look of bluestone by randomly blending two or three of the available colors on-site.
Bristol Valley pavers are popular with homeowners who frequently entertain or have children. EasyClean stain resistance technology minimizes upkeep and prevents staining of this textured paver. It is a favorite around pools, as well as patios and walkways.
Beacon Hill Flagstone is a larger format paver with a rustic flagstone texture. For modern spaces, choose the oversized rectangle size or opt for the random bundle of several moderately sized pavers. The oversized rectangle is fresh and modern, while the random bundles make for a relaxed outdoor experience.
