Popular Landscaping Stone

Granite – Hardest, most expensive stone; difficult to quarry and shape; wide range of colors and grains; durable; low porosity

Common applications: Waterfalls, retaining walls, outcroppings

Limestone – Easier to shape than granite; many colors available; shades/patterns are uniform (but vary by location); weathers with an attractive patina; porosity varies by location

Common applications: Coping, retaining walls, waterfalls (harder varieties)

Travertine – Type of limestone formed by hot springs; natural divots can be filled in for more even surface; often honed to create matte finish; multiple colors and graining appear throughout, giving each stone a unique look

Common applications: Pool decking, coping, patio floors; sun ledges/tanning shelves in swimming pools

Sandstone – Easy to cut; resists erosion; softer than limestone; porosity varies; found in a range of earth tones; relatively uniform texture

Common applications: Pool decking, coping, pathways, patio floors, steps, water features (low porosity varieties)

Flagstone – Any kind of stone split into shallow, flat slabs for paving; easy to walk on; helps water drainage

Common applications: Flat surfaces including pool decking, coping, pathways, patio floors

Fieldstone – Thick stone easily excavated from top of soil; exposed surface is weathered and often moss-covered

Common applications: Stacked retaining walls, sitting walls

River Rock – Smaller stones that have been smoothed and shaped into circular forms by natural waterway

Common applications: Engraved marking stones, dry river beds, borders for pathways and plant beds

Paving The Way

Hardscaping is an important part of any residential landscape to create visual balance and functional surfaces. Because of their durability, easy maintenance, and cost efficiency, pavers have become the popular choice for achieving a stunning outdoor surface. Pavers come in a variety of material options, including concrete, natural stone, and brick, and each is available in different colors, shapes, and patterns. Whether you are looking to create a walkway, patio, or pool deck, see which type of paver fits your budget and best complements the style of your home.

Concrete pavers can be installed with or without mortar. Pavers installed without mortar—called interlocking or permeable pavers—are placed in sand; then the joints between each paver are filled with sand, locking them in place. These pavers are unaffected by shifts in the ground because the sand allows for movement without cracking. This technique creates a permeable surface for rainwater to drain; however, these pavers can get clogged with sediment over time and require regular sweeping and vacuuming to ensure proper drainage performance. 

Non-permeable concrete pavers are installed in mortar and need only occasional sweeping and rinsing with a hose.­

Concrete pavers range from $5 – $15 per square foot for do-it-yourselfers, and $15 – $25 per square foot if you hire a pro. Price ranges for interlocking concrete pavers are usually higher, costing $20 – $35 per square foot when installed professionally.

Brick pavers convey a statement of timeless elegance and Old-World charm to any home. Their hard surface and durability make them suitable for heavily used areas such as driveways, patios, and pathways. They’re also a great choice around pools because their porous texture provides a non-slip surface. Additionally, bricks will not fade or erode if exposed to large amounts of water or chlorine. 

Maintaining brick pavers is relatively simple, as clay ages well and looks better over time. Because pigments are not added, bricks are not affected by ultraviolet light and will preserve their color. Though not required, sealing the pavers will protect their texture and surface, as well as prevent staining and scratching. In addition, dirt can be easily washed away with mild detergent and water. 

Brick pavers run about $5 – $15 per square foot. For professional installation, estimates are typically $15 – $20 per square foot.

If you’re looking for a truly authentic hardscaping material, consider natural stone. Natural stone pavers are cut from many different types of stones, including sandstone, limestone, granite, bluestone, marble, slate, and travertine. These stones are hard-wearing, long-lasting, and weather resistant, which makes them perfect for any outdoor application. In particular, granite, travertine, and bluestone pavers are known to have a non-slip surface, which is ideal for around pools. Additionally, travertine and flagstone have very low heat absorption, so the surface stays cool on your feet. For heavy traffic areas such as driveways, granite and slate work best.

Natural stone pavers are extracted from a quarry and cut into paver shape for easy installation. Like brick pavers, stone pavers may be set in a sand bed or in mortar. They can also be set on top of a soil surface with little preparation.  

One of the main highlights of natural stone pavers is their wide variations in color, texture, shape, and size. Stone pavers range in shades of blue, red, brown, and gray. They also can be finished to have a smooth matte, high gloss, or ultra rough texture to match the style of your home.
While stone pavers will not fade, initial sealing is advised to enhance colors and preserve luster. Stone pavers are easy to maintain: a simple rinse with a high-powered hose will remove any dirt or stains.

Stone pavers have a higher purchase price than concrete and brick pavers because they must be mined from a quarry. Their prices range from $15 – $30 per square foot, depending on the type of stone. Professional installation is usually priced around $30 – $35 per square foot.

Tips

• Simple patterns like running bond work best in small areas and can make paths look longer or wider. For larger spaces, multiple patterns can be incorporated to add variety and interest. 

• Laying pavers at a 45-degree angle to the lines of your home draws attention to the area.  

• Curves add a unique, decorative value, but involve lots of cutting; this means extra labor and wasted materials and could increase your overall cost.

Choosing Stone for Your Pool and Yard

Stone makes a statement. Carefully placed rock brings a yard to life, helping to create a look that is both functional and beautiful. The key, though, is to know what you want before ordering tons of expensive materials. For a natural aesthetic, it’s important to maintain balance between softscape (trees, plants, and flowers) and hardscape (stone, bricks, and decking) and to use stone that looks as though it belongs there.

Each stone’s intrinsic properties determine how it will function in your backyard. Selecting the best stone for a waterfall versus a footpath depends on the material’s hardness and ability to withstand running water and erosion. Granite, for example, is very dense and difficult to cut, making it ideal for waterfalls and decorative boulders. Limestone and sandstone are a bit softer and can be split into shallow, flat slabs called flagstones, which are used for steps, pathways, and swimming pool decking. Irregularly shaped stones are ideal for facers (the exposed side of a stone) and outcroppings (rocks that protrude from the soil). Fieldstone is found on the ground’s surface and can be used for numerous applications, while river rock consists of smooth, round cobbles, often used to border pathways or create dry river beds.

Where the stone is quarried or excavated also affects its characteristics and functionality. For example, Texas limestone is too soft for a swimming pool and should not be used in cold weather regions where it will be in contact with wet soil. It soaks up quite a bit of moisture, and when it freezes, the stone deteriorates.

Positioning is an important factor in rockscaping. In nature, stones don’t just pop up out of nowhere. You want it to look like it’s coming from some type of hillside. Another key to an authentic look? Foliage. “You should cover about 30 percent of the rock in your backyard with foliage, such as overlapping ferns and fronds of palm, to marry the rock to the landscape.