Expanding the personal and architectural style of your home to your outdoor area requires some careful deliberation. The paving stones adorning your garden path or patio are guaranteed to last decades and must be chosen as meticulously as your water features and outdoor furniture. Although the generous assortment of pavers at your fingertips can be overwhelming, understanding the specific qualities of each material will allow you to select the best paver for your project.
Concrete Pavers
Concrete pavers are created by pouring concrete into moulds, adding dye to mimic natural stone or improve the visual appeal, and incorporating various textures and finishes. These manmade pavers can adopt a wide range of colors, shapes and sizes, resulting in a virtually limitless array of design possibilities. The surface texture of Unilock Richcliff pavers, for instance, emulate natural stone and create a tranquil, charming conversation spot when paired with a generously natural landscape.
Laying concrete pavers in different patterns forms focal points on your patio floor and your paving project can be coupled with features like fire pits, retaining walls, and steps made from the same or complimenting materials. Unilock Artline pavers in Winter Marvel – just one of the many colors and finishes available – is a splendid candidate for your modern, minimalist patio, driveway, or entrance. Such a diverse assortment of concrete pavers allows for the pairing of a perfect paver to any aesthetic style or theme.
Concrete pavers are individually and collectively strong, withstanding both the elements and the test of time. Your paving project will last decades due to the strength and flexibility of the pavers as well as their interlocking system of sand-filled joints. With permeable paving solutions, the numerous larger joints between pavers allows for effective drainage of rainwater into the ecosystem, bettering the environment.
A concrete paving project can easily be cleared of snow and is virtually maintenance-free, aside from the occasional replacement of a settled paver or the re-application of jointing sand from time to time.
Natural Stone
Natural stone encompasses a wide range of materials, from flagstone to granite and other types such as travertine. These pavers are carved from the earth, making them incredibly strong and more original than concrete pavers. Each stone is unique and their slight variations in color can be incorporated into your design to add an organic beauty and personal touch to the area. Natural stone pavers are timeless enough to thrive in contemporary designs while their rich earthy tones correspond with the surrounding landscape for a more rustic aesthetic. The several types of natural stone pavers differ in size, color, pattern and finish to build an endless variety of design possibilities.
These high quality pavers are low maintenance, involving regular sweeping and rinsing as well as the easy removal of snow. Traditional sourced natural stone does absorb moisture readily, however, which can freeze during winter and cause cracks in the tile surface. Natural Stone by Unilock solves for this with revolutionary products. The installation of natural stone pavers will add excessive value to your home and will also last for decades as these stones don’t fade over time – in fact, they often only look better with age.
Porcelain Landscape Tiles
Porcelain landscape tiles are liquid resistant due to their high density and can be made even more impervious to water through the addition of a melted glass glaze. This property results in a further resistance to staining and discoloration, requiring little maintenance. The jointing material between the tiles is vulnerable to humidity and moisture, however, and can be discolored by mould and mildew if not sealed. Porcelain tiles tend to withstand fire and physical impact but individual tiles can easily be replaced if damage does occur.
Unilock Porcelain Landscape Tiles come in a wide variety of patterns and textures that resemble anything from brick to wood. Large, muted tiles with a slight earthy tone are perfect for a brightly-lit and comfortable retreat. The color extends all the way through the tile to avoid discoloration as it wears away – a process that happens over an extremely long period of time. Although the installation of porcelain tiles can be time-consuming and costly, this long-lasting project will award your beautiful property with surging value.
