The paving you choose for your garden is of great importance for how the final appearance of the house and its entire surroundings will be. You have quite a few options to choose from! Make sure that the type and color of the surface matches both the facade and style of the building, as well as the entire garden. Among what solutions you can choose from and what is worth paying attention to?
First - the design!
The larger the area to be landscaped, the more important it is to make an accurate design, so you can estimate how much material you need to finish the driveway, alleys and all other planned elements of the home paving.
The design will also give you a better idea of how the surroundings of your home will look after the paving is installed. The design will also help you properly select the shape, size and color of the elements that make up the entire pavement.
Pavement in front of the house - which one to choose?
The pavement you use in your garden should, above all, be durable and safe, but its aesthetics are also extremely important. Although in the whole arrangement the most important thing is the building, and the driveway or sidewalk should be only a background, their appearance will be of great importance for how the whole looks. How to choose the right material? Will paving blocks, concrete slabs or yet another solution be better?
The surface of the driveway and alleys in front of the house should match the style of the entire building.
Photo: Peter Jan Rijpkema © Unsplash
Concrete slabs for the driveway
A material that is becoming more and more popular every year are concrete slabs. Such a solution will be great for the surroundings of modern, minimalist buildings. Raw, geometric and economical in form , the slabs look perfect as a complement to architecture in a similar climate.
Concrete slabs are characterized by high durability and resistance to mechanical damage. They come in many patterns and shades, so the pavement can be perfectly matched to the color scheme of the building and its surroundings. You can choose between rectangular, square or triangular shaped slabs. The finish can also vary - you can opt for raw and natural, metallic or polished. Many manufacturers offer concrete slabs that are additionally impregnated and protected from the weather, such as rain, frost or intense UV radiation.
Paving blocks for the garden
Paving blocks are a solution that has been very popular for years. This is not surprising. It is a proven material that is durable, very aesthetic and available in many color variants. Traditional paving stones will go well with classic-style buildings, among others. Paving blocks can be made of concrete, but granite or clinker pavers, for example, are also often used.
However, it is worth remembering not to decide to buy the cheapest paving stones you can find on the market. We realize that finishing the surface in front of your house is a huge cost, but it will be a one-time investment, and a well-made driveway or sidewalk will stay with you for many years. Therefore, it is worth betting on paving blocks from reputable manufacturers who create in accordance with European standards and can guarantee the quality of their products.
Openwork panels
If you are looking for a surface that will look light and not overwhelm the surroundings, pay attention to openwork slabs - such as those made of concrete. This type of paving is the most environmentally friendly - openwork structure allows natural retention, i.e. absorption of water into the soil. No puddles form on such a surface, and it does not require additional drainage. In the space between the concrete elements you can sow grass - such a surface will look great, for example, next to buildings in a rustic style.
The use of this solution makes the biologically active area on the plot larger than in the case of the use of slabs or cubes with a full structure. This is often a very important issue - it happens that local zoning plans specify requirements for the size of biologically active space on a given site.
Openwork paving is ecological and looks very aesthetically pleasing
Photo: masden picture © Unsplash
Budget paving in front of the house from aggregate
Slabs or pavers are a durable solution that will last for years, but require a not inconsiderable investment. If you are looking for something that will fit into a more limited budget, you can consider using aggregate. Such a driveway can be poured with materials such as gravel, grit, stone fines or ballast. This is a solution that is much cheaper than paving, and the surface can be made quickly and easily. Aggregate blends in beautifully with the surroundings and naturally accentuates the garden vegetation.
If you still don't know what type of paving will be best for your garden, it's worth talking to a specialist who does driveways or sidewalks. A person with experience will assess the characteristics of your home's surroundings, listen to your requirements and suggest which solution will be best for you.
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