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When
choosing natural stone as a paving or walling material for a new
garden, the selection must be made according to where the material is
going to be introduced and how the colours and textures will work with
the rest of the property. Different finishes in paving such as bush
hammered, honed or flame textured provide varying degrees of slip
resistance, so choose carefully according to where the stone is to be
used.
There
are colours and hues of stone to match almost any application from
blue slate to red granite in numerous shades and tones in between so
aim to compliment the colours of surrounding house walls or other
brickwork. By mixing complimentary tones of different stone types it’s
possible to create really individual spaces which reflect your own
character.
Natural stone is durable and has a beauty which is unmatched by
manufactured products. Every single part of it is unique. Natural
stone has character quite literally by the ton, its individual
personality formed by incomprehensible geological processes. It’s the
range of contrasts in a single piece of stone that make it so special.
Often
misperceived as expensive, natural stone can be surprisingly cost
effective. Whilst it is true that initial costs of natural paving are
sometimes, although not always, higher than their man-made concrete
equivalents, there are several important aspects of natural stone
which add up to make it a lower cost solution in the long term.
Primarily, natural stone lasts a lot longer than comparative
manufactured materials. Natural paving can last as much as five times
longer than concrete, meaning less labour and replacement materials
required over the life of the product. That all adds up to huge
savings for the environment and the owner of the garden.
Natural stone also has one critical element not commonly shared by
manufactured materials. Like a fine wine it has the ability to get
better with age. That can’t always be said of concrete paving which
tends to lose its colour and texture as it degrades under the
pressures of wear and exposure to the outdoor elements. Natural stone
on the other hand is literally borne of the outdoor landscape in the
first place so the effects of weather are far less of a problem.
Knowing how to make the right choice of stone takes time to learn and
patience to understand. It’s an intimately tactile material which
almost demands to be touched and experienced. Courtyards can be made
to glow with the warmth of Porphyry setts, whilst contemporary chic
can be achieved with hard wearing forms of white granite. The colour
and textures you choose will be determined by the atmosphere you wish
to create and the practicality of the material for that particular
space.
Buying natural stone is a straight forward process providing you make
your selection from one of the main, reputable suppliers. Be wary of
‘too good to be true’ prices offered by some suppliers, especially in
relation to the increasingly popular Indian sandstone. Stone from some
companies is very occasionally extracted from quarries abroad which
care little about child labour and health and safety issues, which can
be reflected in their ridiculously low prices.
Closer to home, if you’re looking to achieve a truly Kentish feel
there are several traditional, locally sourced choices including the
warm coloured Ragstone and the unmistakable black and white tones of
knapped flint both of which make excellent materials for garden walls.
Reclaimed stone is perfect for instilling timeless character into a
garden and you have the satisfaction of knowing that you’re having
little effect on the environment by recycling a piece of history. In
an age of throwaway consumables, natural stone really is an
intelligent choice for a new garden.
Buying natural stone:
1)
Select from a reputable supplier
2)
Consider textures for different applications
3)
Think about colour in relation to the property
4)
Choose local or reclaimed if appropriate for the scheme
5)
Try a sample before you buy in bulk
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