Article: Inside & Out
Pave Your Way To A Better Outdoor Living Space
People all over the world love to spend time in the outdoors, particularly when they live in countries that enjoy lovely warm climates. Here in Northland, we are very fortunate to be able to enjoy the outdoor living areas of our properties pretty much all year round. Patios are very popular because they extend the comfort of indoor living to the outdoors and when planning a new patio or considering overhauling the existing one, it is important to consider all the options of floor coverings available. In last month’s issue of PropertyPlus’ ‘Indoor and Outdoor Living’ feature, we covered the various timber materials and this week we turn to pavers. Attractive patio pavers come in many options and you can choose from coloured concrete to natural stone or bricks all in a range of different shapes, colours, and textures to enhance the style of any home. A well-designed and constructed patio is not only going to give you the extra leisure space, it will also add value to your home.
Laying Solid Foundations
PP spoke to Matt McDonald, owner/operator of Black Earth Landscaping in Whangarei who says; “Preparation is everything. The hard work lies under the surface which you don’t see, but it is essential to have done correctly in order to achieve best results.”
Laying any patio starts with preparing the base which will support the pavers and this of course needs to be strong in order to stand up to years of wear and tear. With the base you can select from sand, concrete and gravel, with the concrete base offering more longevity and stability.
There are many different decorative techniques and applications, the two fundamental kinds of garden paving material are composite and stone.
Flexibility is a feature of composites and they are available in a wide range of colours and shapes. Prices vary accordingly, and there is bound to be something available for most garden paving options, from the points of view of cost, practicality and appearance.
Concrete Provides Endless Options
According to both Chris and Mark from Total Flooring Whangarei, you can add concrete to good effect for patios and other garden projects. Lots of people rely on the longevity of concrete, and these days concrete can be imprinted in any range of designs as well as colours to get a unique look. No longer is concrete regarded as a boring building material, it can be made to look like the exact replica of other materials like wood, slate, stone or brick. In fact concrete can be designed in such a way that it can blend in perfectly with your architecture and landscape.
Bricks
Clay brick paving is popular because it is quick and easy to install. Bricks are available in such a range that there is bound to be something available for most situations. They can be put down in various patterns to create different results. Made from natural clay, the rich colour of the clay brick is inherent and the colour of the brick will not affected by ultraviolet light and will maintain their colour consistently. If one of the brick becomes damaged, it can be lifted and simply replaced. Add to that the fact that they are slip resistant because of their textured surface and abrasive characteristics. Low maintenance, clay brick paving will look good for simply decades.
Limestone
Limestone is relatively easy to work with, but comes in a more limited range of colours. Slate is one of the most favoured paving choices because of its beautiful appearance, although it is probably a little less durable than some other possible choices.
Granite
Perhaps the toughest of the paving stones is granite. You will find a great range of colours, and being such a hard stone, it is an excellent choice in terms of durability.
Sandstone
A popular choice is sandstone, which also comes in a large range of shapes and colours, and is somewhat easier to work with. It also tends to be cheaper.
Natural Stone
Natural stone always a Winner. When it comes to natural stone pavers, you will be assured of a patio that is truly unique because each of the stones are one of a kind. With bricks you can shape design any range of patterns of which herringbone is still one of the most popular. The zigzag pattern of the herringbone is very eye catching and is also ideal for hiding or disguising irregular outdoor areas. The basket weave is also very popular where the bricks are laid vertically and horizontally in pairs.
Endless Pattern Choices
The implementation of patio paving to create circular or rectangular barbecues with baking ovens and storage space for firewood as well as plenty of seating space for guests is yet another option. According to Bernard Luiten from GreenGables Landscape, you can really let your imagination run wild when contemplating patio designs whether you opt for straight rows of slabs, or circular patterns. Then the question; why stop there? Extending the paving into your garden and building pathways in your backyard will undoubtedly improve the look and practical applications of the space. The advantages provided by garden paving are varied. During wet weather a grassy unpaved area will become muddy and unpleasant to walk upon. If there is a defined pathway leading to the backyard buildings etc., the elements of the backyard become linked as features of the outdoor space.
A pathway which meanders through a beautiful garden invites you to explore what is around the next corner, or what hides behind the tree which is surrounded by flower beds.
Make Sure Rain Water Is Properly Drained
Patios are within everybody’s reach with a range of durable and well priced pavers that are low maintenance and easy to repair. If you are not a handyman, professional patio paving contractors can offer high quality craftmanship for any intricate patterns and with prices that will suit your pocket. For those who care about the welfare of the environment, you can also opt for impervious surfaces that will insure rainwater can drain between the pavers and soak beneath the pavers to the earth.
It is worthwhile using different materials when paving. There is no rule which says that only one material can be used per project, and the variations which can be achieved with creative mixtures of materials can be worth the effort.
*If by any chance you have missed last months feature on timber decking options, you can access the article on our website http://www.propertyplusnorthland.co.nz under articles in our library.
