Key Factors to Consider Before Garden Paving
Key Factors to Consider Before Garden Paving
Are you thinking about getting your garden paved? Garden paving is used to create a pathway through a garden and a solid surface for an outdoor sitting or a dining area. Apart from this, the hard paving juxtaposes perfectly with the greenery of the garden, which in turn adds to the value and the aesthetic appeal of your home.
So what are the key factors you should consider before paving your garden? Keep on reading-
Deciding the Space
First and foremost, you have to decide the space you want to get paved. This is a crucial step, as you have to strike the right balance between the paved area and the garden. It should be enough to serve its purpose but not too much that the garden loses the outdoorsy aura.
You can begin by deciding whether you require a walkway. If you have an expansive garden, then a walkway is a must for proper upkeep of the grass and landscaping. There are endless customisation options available for walkways. You can have a simple stone path, a rustic gravel path, or a combination of both.
The next step would be creating a paved platform where you can have a sitting or dinning set up. Again, you have a lot of scope for customisation. You can handpick everything from the shape, the placement to the elevation.
Kind of Paving
After you have finalised the placement and style, you have to decide the material for the paving. The four essential factors you should keep in mind are durability, style, cost and maintenance requirements.
Some popular options are concrete, brick, gravel, limestone and tile. Each of them has a its own set of advantages and disadvantages.
Concrete is easy to install and maintain but falls short on aesthetics. Limestone and brick are two materials that brighten up a space and look fantastic but can be comparatively pricer. A bold alternative is tile, which is highly customisable and appealing. Gravel is another popular material, as it’s cheap and easy to install.
The suitability of the material also depends on the climate of the area where you live. Concrete has a universal suitability, while limestone and tile are perfect for regions with warm climate. On the other hand, brick is fitting for colder climates.
If you are torn between two options, then you can consider a combination walkway. A symmetrical tile path with gravel elements and a concrete walkway with a brick border are some well-liked combinations.
Paving Design
Now that you have decided the paving material, it’s time to look at the various paving styles and designs. With paving designs, there is endless scope for customisation.
Some popular designs are paving with a simple silver border, curved paving with a circle design, elevated patio paving, complete paving bordering a turf of grass, mismatched limestone paving, black slab paving with yellow borders, slab paving with a diamond motif, stone paving with a mosaic feature, grid paving with grass, broken slate paving and symmetrical tile paving.
Experts or DIY
Depending on your requirements and budget, you can either do the paving on your own or hire experts for the same.
You can consider paving your garden on your own, if your area is small and easily manageable and you have a limited budget to work with. If you have absolutely no experience with construction, then simple slab paving and gravel paving are two attainable options.
However, if you desire beautifully designed and installed garden paving, then hiring an expert is a better idea. Of course this means shelling out more money. A paving specialist will not only help you with the installation, but will also give you expert advice regarding the materials and designs.