Five Factors to Weigh When Selecting Landscape Stone


When it comes to landscaping, stone offers both beauty and practicality. What factors should you weigh when selecting landscape stone for your outdoor living space?

1. Aesthetics

Whether your constructing a specific space like a walkway, patio or driveway, framing landscaping beds with stone borders to draw the eye to the natural beauty within them, or using stone to thwart weeds as an alternative to move traditional mulches, you'll want an appealing look. Stone is available in an extensive range of colors, sizes, and textures, and sheer volume of design options is rather impressive. When choosing a stone, consider which qualities will best suit the look of your home. Should you keep it simple with one type of stone or mix it up to produce decorative patterns? personal preference is the primary influence when it comes to aesthetics. 

2. Cost

Few people can afford to ignore the issue of cost, so it makes sense to choose a type of landscape stone that suits your design preferences and budget. When contemplating the possibilities, remember that the size of the stone impacts the amount needed to complete a project. Utilizing smaller stones means that more product will be required. As you determine your costs, be sure to include the price of the stone, the delivery fee and any installation costs in your calculations. 

3. Texture

The texture of your selection should be appropriate for the way you intend to use it. Crushed or rounded stones like river rocks are often more comfortable underfoot, so they are a popular pick for frequently traveled surfaces like walkways and patios. However, rounded stones are more prone to scattering than their craggier peers, so they might not be the best option for borders or sloping surfaces. 

4. Moisture

Rocks don't need to worry about coming in out of the rain, but you will want to think about how they'll handle moisture. Angular rocks allow more moisture to pass through, which can help prevent puddles. Finely cut stones that fit together snugly produce a more impermeable surface. What if you want to keep water from overpowering a space like a low- flying flowerbed? Lava rocks are more porous than others stones. Since they'll absorb some of the water, they offer low spots some protection from heavy downpours. Texture is also a safety consideration. Stones that get slippery when wet can set you up for a fall. 

5. Temperature

Temperature might not be the first thing that springs to mind when you think about stone, but solar heating and cooling can have a significant impact on your comfort and the health of your plants. Darker colored stones hold onto heat. This can be appealing on a cool autumn evening, but it might bake your plants in the summer. In contrast, lighter colored stones reflect the suns rays, keeping a space cooler.