Garden Paving Texture Ideas

Garden paving slabs can make your garden and your entire outdoor area come to life. With so many choices in sizes, shapes, colors and textures that are available today, your yard and garden can be anything from a contemporary and bright space to an earthy and inviting garden nook.

When you choose paving slabs, be aware that each material has advantages and disadvantages. From the cost to the amount of maintenance required, each choice is unique. Strike a balance between how much you're willing to pay and how much work you're willing to put in to keep your paved area looking good, and you'll find the perfect material.

Concrete garden paving slabs are a popular and economical choice. One popular option is concrete that's been cast or stamped to look like paving stones or natural stone with imperfections and irregularities built in. Concrete slabs are even tinted in a way that makes them hard to distinguish from the real thing.

Concrete garden paving slabs are one of the least expensive options, but they do tend to crack over time. Cracking and concrete's natural tendency to stain are two of the biggest disadvantages of using concrete. If one slab needs to be replaced, it's also very difficult to do so without leaving marks and scars around the area.

Natural brick used in gardens and patios won't fade, but there are other disadvantages. Like concrete, brick has no natural give. It's prone to cracking, and oils and other stains can ruin the look. Because of the way bricks are installed, removing one because of a crack or chip is difficult and can mar look of the entire area.

Flagstone is a popular choice and can give your pathway or edging a very natural look. Flagstones are thin, flat stones that are irregularly shaped. They're ideal for an earthy, natural look in your garden. The biggest drawbacks of using flagstones as garden paving slabs are that they're prone to chipping and staining, and usually much more expensive than man-made materials.

Paving stones, which are a combination of concrete and natural materials, are usually guaranteed by the manufacturer against chipping and cracking. If installed correctly, garden paving slabs made from paving stones can be flipped over to hide a stain or problem without ruining the look of the area. Paving stones are more expensive than other man-made options like concrete. But the low maintenance required for these garden paving slabs means you can easily maintain the look of your garden and patio area for years to come.

When you are want to do a project on your own,it helps to do some planning. One of the aspects of landscape planning is where to find garden paving ideas. As this is just one of the many decisions you have to make that may put a crunch on your budget, it is best to take some time and do the research.

If the purpose of the landscaping project is to update your property, there are many different places to look for ideas. The Internet is of course, a great resource for for all types of garden paving design ideas and patterns. You should also visit a garden or home improvement center to get a feel for the different types of textures and shapes that are available. When you are thinking about selecting river stone, for example, there are many different colors and sizes available. This is somewhat dependent on the region you live in for the colors available.

The colors of the landscape should compliment the color of your home. Different designs can be created with a bit of planning and some sketches. Patterns can be blown up and the rocks can be arranged in beautiful patterns. This goes for bricks also. Cement "stones" can actually be made in forms. You can buy these at various home improvement stores and sometimes, hardware stores. Color can be added to the cement to make the forms look like natural rock or brick. The formed cement allows for fine sand or mortar to be added to make the cement look like actual cobblestones.