Whatever project you have in mind for your landscape, one of the most important decisions involves choosing the right materials. Material choices for masonry projects often marry strength, elegance, and durability—but with so many options, it can be hard to know where to start. Here’s how a landscape supply and stone supply can help with your fall project in York, PA.
Inspiration: The Home and the Surroundings
Any hardscape project needs to act as a transition between the home and the surrounding landscape, so the first consideration could involve choosing materials that complement both the home’s color and architectural style, and the surroundings. For example, materials to complement a brick-sided home and a densely wooded landscape could include bluestone, granite, limestone, or concrete patio pavers inspired by these and other stone types. If there are any visible rock features on your property or nearby, using the same shade of stone will make your patio, retaining wall, driveway, walkway, or pool deck feel as though it’s been there forever, and balance both the reds of the brick and the deep greens of the landscape.
Options for Landscape Supply Materials
Once you’ve decided on the style of materials you need, you can narrow your choices to natural stone, clay bricks, or pavers for horizontal surfaces, and for vertical elements, you could go with natural stone blocks or manufactured stone veneers.
Each material has its pros and cons and its perfect and less-than-ideal applications. Here are the basics—and we’d be happy to chat with you in person about the unique needs of your project.
Natural stone is mankind’s original building material, and often a fitting choice if you’re looking for a material with character (since each stone is completely unique). Natural stone may be more difficult to install due to its weight and the need for cutting and shaping (although pre-cut stone is available). Availability of any natural material can be an issue, and you’re never guaranteed a color match should you want to add on to your project later.
Natural stone can be used alongside any architectural style and is suitable for both horizontal and vertical applications. Natural stone is rarely chosen for driveways because not all stone is suitable for the pressures and abrasion of vehicular traffic.
Clay bricks are likewise ancient building materials. You’re assured an outdoor space with character, durability, and timeless elegance. You are somewhat limited to the colors of the clay but brick is used successfully with any architectural style. Bricks are suitable for both horizontal and vertical surfaces including driveways.
Patio pavers are modern alternatives to natural stone or clay brick and feature far more choices in colors, finishes, and textures when you choose concrete pavers. You won’t get the true individual character of natural stone, but blending several colors from a product line randomly onsite will give you a surface with plenty of visual interest.
Cultured stone (concrete) wall veneers are a popular option for vertical surfaces where you could choose natural stone or concrete building blocks that resemble tumbled quarry stone, or you could build an inner supporting structure using concrete blocks and clad them with either a natural stone or manufactured stone veneer.
Need help? Our friendly and knowledgeable experts are standing by! We can help you with materials selection, laying patterns, and of course all the DIY help you need for a successful project.
Photo courtesy of Unilock
