The title image features Richcliff pavers.
The look of stone never goes out of style, whether the application is traditional or ultramodern. If you love the look of natural stone but want a material with greater design flexibility, concrete pavers are the way to go. Here are some interesting paving options that copy and complement classic stones in Smithtown, NY.
Related Read: 9 Tips For Paver Sealing Success
Granite
Granite is a hard stone made primarily of quartz and feldspar, along with other minerals that give it a unique speckled appearance and a huge array of colors. It’s one of the most popular natural stones to be used on countertops, but the look of granite can also be used outdoors as patio pavers because of its elegant aesthetic, and color options ranging from pink to black. Of course, the granite used for patios and walkways won’t be buffed to a glossy sheen because you want a non-slip surface. This can be achieved by bush-hammering granite to give it texture. Granite is a dense stone but it must still be sealed every few years to prevent water infiltration and staining.
A beautiful granite alternative, if you want the look without the maintenance, is the Umbriano paver from Unilock. The distinctive granite-like surface appearance is due to ColorFusion Technology, which randomly disperses deep color and real granite particles to achieve a natural, non-slip texture. Umbriano pavers are sealed with EasyClean, which prevents staining. Umbriano pavers are available in French Grey, Summer Wheat, and Winter Marvel as well as Midnight Sky, which is great as an accent or border.
Limestone
Limestone is a popular landscaping stone. If the stones have rough edges and uneven surfaces, they give your landscape a rustic appearance; but limestone can also be “dressed up” when it is cut to uniform shapes and sizes, and fine-blasted to a smoother texture. It is popular for walkways, retaining walls, raised garden beds, and, of course, patios. Limestone is a dense stone, but it must still be sealed periodically and is prone to staining. Colors include white, cream, beige, yellow, rust, various shades of gray, and blue, and as with all stone, the finish can enhance these colors.
Arcana pavers from Unilock are a beautiful limestone alternative if you are looking for a sleek, modern paver with timeless appeal. Colors include Corvara, Lugano, Modena, and Vivanto—all in the same color family as natural limestone. These pavers get their unique speckled appearance from real granite, quartz, and marble particles. They are sealed with EasyClean to protect the pavers from staining and abrasion. And they’re perfect for patios and walkways, with their large format rectangular and square sizes making them ideal for modern applications.
Bluestone
For a relaxed and rustic appearance, you can’t go wrong with bluestone. Natural bluestone has an amazing blue-gray tint that is enhanced by random veins, speckles, and shades of tan, purple, rust, gray, and sometimes even green. The unique characteristics of this stone make it extremely appealing. Its shortcomings are that it becomes slippery when wet, and unless meticulously sealed, it will degrade over time due to water infiltration and the freeze-thaw cycle.
Richcliff pavers let you re-create a realistic bluestone appearance, without the hassles of the natural stone. Richcliff pavers are made using Reala Technology, which takes casts from various natural flagstones to achieve a naturally random appearance without repeating patterns. You can also combine two or even three colors to give your patio an even more authentic appearance. Smoke Shale and Dawn Mist are closest to natural bluestone and can be used individually or blended on site; and you can use Pebble Taupe either mixed in randomly, or as edging. Richcliff pavers also feature Ultima Concrete Technology, which makes this paver a top choice for upscale patios, driveways, walkways, and pool decks.
