Are you looking for a brand new patio but are confused as to which stone is right for you?
When looking to have brand new paving installed there are a huge amount of beautiful stones to choose from which can make it incredibly difficult to make a final decision. There are so many different types of paving slabs with so many different amazing benefits that could be perfect for you.
But there are a lot of things that you should ask yourself before making your final decision to ensure that the decision you make is right for you and your garden space. Once you have answered these questions, the decision should become far easier to make.
We have years of experience dealing with customers and paving and have gained unrivalled knowledge of paving options. In this article, we will aim to help you make a final decision on which is the best patio slab material for you.
What Is Your Budget?
The first thing to ask yourself when trying to decide on the best garden slabs for you is what your budget is going to be. Once you are aware of what your budget is going to be, you can then start narrowing down your options by working out which materials you can afford and which materials you cannot.
It is super important to not blow your whole budget on the paving materials alone, there are so many other factors that you need to factor into your budget. These are tools, jointing compounds, mortar mixes and most, labour.
Ensuring that you have enough of a budget left after materials to get a highly experienced team of labourers to complete the installation process of your patio. A high-quality installation is paramount to ensure that your outdoor patio stone will last the test of time and to give the premium aesthetic that you want it to.
Both Sandstone and Limestone are incredibly cost-effective yet stunning natural stones that will provide you with the stunning character of natural stone for a very reasonable and affordable price. However, these are not just budget paving slabs, they are hugely popular and durable paving stones that you can rely on to last the test of time and look stunning at all times.
On the other hand, natural slate paving and man-made porcelain garden slab materials are on the more expensive side of things. While these stones come with slightly higher price tags they are breathtaking materials that would be sure to transform any garden space by adding a high-end and luxurious look to any garden space.
What Do You Want To Achieve With Your Paving?
Something else that you need to think about before making a decision on a material is what exactly you want to achieve with your paving. Most people have very specific plans that they want to achieve with their paving stones and the material that is right for you could depend on these specific plans.
If you are looking for a patio that will be consistently used all year round then you should always be looking for a stone that is both frost and slip resistant to ensure that safety is covered even in the freezing winter temperatures. While these little intricacies may at first seem very insignificant, as you will be using the patio for years and years to come, ensuring that all of your needs are met is paramount.
You should also think about whether you are simply updating your paving, adding a new garden path, relaying a driveway, adding a new driveway, completely transforming your garden etc. Having an absolute concrete understanding of what you want will help you to decide on what stone best suits those needs.
You also need to ensure that the paving seamlessly integrates into the current aesthetic of your garden to make sure that you do not ruin the aesthetic of the whole garden. Making sure that the stones feel right in your outdoor space is super important otherwise you risk your paving which you spent a lot of money on, looking completely out of place.
What Style Is Your Home?
The style of your paving should typically coincide with the style of your home. This is a hugely important factor that should go into the decision-making on what stone would be best for your patio area.
If you have a very white and modern home then it would look weird and out of place to have a darker brown or yellow stone such as autumn brown or sawn yellow sandstone. You should instead go for a stone that accentuates the interior of your home such as a lighter stone.
Brand new paving is a very big investment, so making sure that everything looks smart and uniform is super important. Not only does it look amazing but it also helps your home look clean and coherent throughout.
Ensuring that your paving matches the style of your home is also important when it comes to selling your property. If you have a cohesive interior and exterior then a buyer who likes the interior of your home will also like the exterior of your home. However, if you have a different outdoor style than an indoor style then a buyer may be put off.
The Value Of Your Home
When making big investments into your home such as paving, you would normally expect that it would have a positive impact on the value of your home. However, this is not always the case. The wrong material choice or design choice could end up hurting the value of your home. If buyers do not like the patio area, it could end up as more of a hindrance than a selling point.
While at the time you may not be in the mindset of selling your home, you never know what the future holds. That is why it is super important that when you are investing a large amount of money into your home that it is worthwhile in the value that it adds to your home.
To make sure that your patio increases the value of your home instead of hurting it you need to make sure that the design and style are very much cohesive with the rest of your home and do not stick out like a sore thumb. You can incorporate beautiful design features such as stepping stones and round paving slabs as long as it matches and adheres to the style of your home.
Summary
If you have asked yourself and answered all of the above questions then you should have a very narrowed-down shortlist of materials which are going to best suit you and your home. From here the choice is very much up to you.
Paving is a project that will bring your family together for years so making sure that it is perfect is extremely important. If you can ensure that all of these questions have been answered with your chosen stone then you can be sure that the stone will be perfect for your outdoor space.