Cobblestones For Driveways and Landscaping

Mistral Granite Cobblestones

Cobblestone pavers have a way of taking you back in time, to old European cities where horses and carts ventured through windy, narrow, and uneven roads.

Maybe you’ve even strolled through these European laneways, lined with cafes and restaurants in France or Zurich, or stumbled across the cobbles while shopping in Italy, or even enjoyed exploring old castles with cobbled courtyards.

Whether you have travelled to Europe and explored these cobblestone streets, or you’ve only seen them in movies, you’d agree that cobble stones add a beautiful, magical, and romantic touch wherever they’re installed.

But why cobblestone pavers?

Well, cobblestones earned their popularity in Europe because they were easy to find, economical to source and simple to install. These rounded stones, collected from riverbeds, had many helpful qualities for roads. As they formed from years of erosion through fast-racing rivers, they were excellent for traction and reducing muck and mud on roads.

Fast forward a few hundred years, and you’ll see that cobblestone pavers are installed in many modern and contemporary homes. In fact, they’re an extremely popular choice amongst builders, landscapers, architects, and homeowners, and with due reason too!

Firstly – as evidenced with the cobble streets in Europe – they are strong and durable stones that can stand the test of time. Neither political turmoil, nor environmental changes, nor heavy traffic can ruin them.

Secondly, their versatile nature makes them an ideal natural paver for driveways, patios, pathways, and many other places.

Thirdly, they are ideal for installation in more challenging areas like curved or gradient surfaces, where installing larger and rectangular natural stone pavers is a difficult and cumbersome task.

Now, in today’s article we explore why cobblestone flooring is the ideal solution for driveways and landscaping in contemporary and modern homes, the types of cobblestones you can choose and where they’re best suited, as well as the product specifications to consider for the installation purposes of mesh cobblestones.

Raven Granite CobblestonesRaven Granite Cobblestones create a grand and practical entrance to this house.

Best Uses For Cobblestones

As mentioned above, cobblestones are strong, versatile, and extremely durable. This makes them an ideal solution for high traffic areas that are more susceptible to wear and tear, like driveways and pathways. In saying this, you might also consider adding cobblestone flooring – with their old-world appeal – to your patio or general outdoor landscaping around your home.

If you’re wondering what paver is best suited for driveways, we strongly recommend cobblestones for driveways for a few reasons. While compared to other natural stone pavers, cobbles are much smaller stones – roughly 100x100mm and 30-60mm in thickness – they are slip-resistant and can hold a lot of weight. So, if your garage holds several cars and people are using your driveway several times a day, cobblestone pavers will support the traffic load without bearing much damage. In fact, if you invest in granite cobblestones, porphyry cobblestones or bluestone cobblestones, the stones will even help mask tyre marks and assist with traction – especially if your driveway is on a slope.

Secondly, since cobblestone pavers are small and available in different patterns – like brick, herringbone, and stagger-set – they are a much more versatile material to work with. As such, choosing cobblestones for driveways means you don’t have to fuss around with large pavers that can be awkward to install on gradient slopes and curved areas – both of which are quite prominent in driveways. In this sense, cobbles are much easier to install in difficult areas. Additionally, Armstone cobblestone pavers are made overseas to resemble the original European cobblestones as closely as possible. This means they’re available in modern colours such as grey, dark-navy and blue-greys which means you can easily match them to the design of your modern/contemporary driveway and home.

Audrey Cobblestones on mesh

**Audrey Cobblestones on mesh are perfect for busy driveways.

Cobblestones are also a wonderful choice for outdoor landscaping, gardening, and flooring like pathways, bordering around trees and flower beds, patios, as well as edging around a fountain and other water features.

Whether you have a modern or more traditional outdoor design and aesthetic, we stock cobble stones that will suit either exterior. The darker, mysterious and cooler tones of granite, porphyry, regetta, and bluestone cobblestone pavers are ideal for modern decors, while quartz and travertine cobblestones, with their creams and off-white tones, add warmth to a more traditional outdoor aesthetic.

If you want to create a unique pathway that resembles an old English cottage vibe or the paving of ancient Roman streets, install cobblestone pavers in a rectangular pattern. You can choose from a herringbone, filetti or brick-bond design. For a flat and consistent surface, we recommend a herringbone pattern as it’s easier to walk on. This is ideal for homes with kids, pets and elderly members who might otherwise trip at the uneven surface created by installing irregularly shaped brick or narrow cobble pieces to achieve the filetti or brick bond looks. And if you’re looking to add a unique touch to your landscaping and maybe define certain focal points, cobblestones make exquisite borders around larger pavers.

Regardless of which cobblestone paver design you choose, you’re guaranteed to create a timeless landscape, along with a durable and slip-resistant flooring solution that will last generations to come.

Bonza Quartz CobblestonesBonza Quartz Cobblestones create a beautiful circular artwork in this outdoor patio.

Types of Cobblestones

Now that you’re more familiar with the history of cobblestones and their best uses, let’s look at the types of cobble stone flooring available and the best uses for each variety.

Basically, cobblestones are available in three types of finishes: split-face, tumble/rumbled, and flamed/exfoliated.

So how to choose which finish is the best one for your project?

Well, this truly depends on the type of aesthetic you’re trying to achieve. For example, if you want a natural, uneven, and old-European laneway cobblestone look, split-face is ideal because the cobbles have been split from a much larger stone and have a rough look, as though you’ve just found them at the riverbank.

Alternatively, if you’re looking for a smoother, uniform, and consistent finish, the tumbled/rumbled look is ideal. Tumbled cobbles have been processed by joining smaller stones together. Though they still look like cobblestones, they have softer edges and are a good option for pathways.

Finally, if you want a textured, natural, slip and moisture-resistant surface, then the exfoliated/flamed finish is the best choice for you. Here the cobblestones have been heated with a high intensity flame making the stone’s surface rough and faded. This means the cobbles have better grip and have a more natural aesthetic.

Reggetta Cuboid Cobblestone Pavers 2

Regetta Cobblestones add a stylish touch to your home.

Once you’ve decided which finish best suits your project, it’s time to choose from the following three installation options that we stock at Armstone:

  • Mesh cobblestones (see adhesion method at the end of this article)
  • Cuboid cobblestones
  • Split-loose cobblestones

Much like choosing the type of cobblestone depends on the general use and aesthetic for your cobblestone driveway or landscape project, choosing the best installation method factors in your budget and the type of finish you desire.

So let’s look into them in a bit more detail.

  1. Mesh Cobblestones

Like the name suggests – instead of using them individually – we glue cobblestone pavers on mesh. The mesh backing offers an easier and more efficient installation process. So instead of fussing around and going through the time-consuming task of installing the cobblestones one piece at a time, you can achieve the natural cobble stone aesthetic at half the cost of installation.

Additionally, since these cobble stone pavers are made from off cuts of different stones, if you’re looking to create an outdoor floor with an un-uniformed style that closely resembles cobblestone flooring found in older European cities, mesh cobblestones are the ideal solution. Their variety of colours and shades adds character and texture to any space.

BONZA QUARTZ COBBLESTONES

On the other hand, if you prefer a more uniform shape, size, and colour for your cobblestone flooring, we recommend Granite Cobblestone pavers. These pavers are available on mesh backing in either a flamed or exfoliated finish. The granite has a high non-slip rating of P5, achieved by using high heat to fracture and spall the mineral inclusions. This makes the cobblestones flat and consistent, ideal for pathways and driveways with high traffic. If you’re looking for a consistent finish, Raven Granite Cobblestones and Gris Granite Cobblestones are ideal choices.

If you’re set on installing cobblestone pavers on mesh, learn more about how to do this yourself by reading our article here.

Bonza cobbles 1

  1. Cuboid Cobblestones

Cuboid cobblestones are comprised of loose pieces of bluestone, limestone, marble, and travertine cobblestones. We call them ‘invariable’ because of their invariable and constant sizing. They typically have rumbled edges and a non-slip texture. Invariable cobblestones are ideal for areas where you prefer to have uniform flooring such as high traffic pathways that will be accessed by children and the elderly.

  1. Split-Loose Cobblestones

Split-Loose Cobblestones are the last option available at Armstone. These individual stones are split all around, giving the cobbles a traditionally vintage and natural cobblestone look. We recommend installing these cobblestones for exteriors with a more vintage aesthetic. As they provide excellent grip for tyres, split-loose cobblestones are especially ideal for steep driveways.

Being loose individual stones, split-loose cobblestones allow more versatility for installation. For example, you can lay them in either a fan, straight set or brick pattern. Additionally, if you have curved spaces or wish to create a circular design, split-loose cobblestones are the ideal stone paver because they offer you the flexibility to be able to work around otherwise challenging spaces.

Our split cobblestones are generally 100x100mm in length, with a thickness that varies from 30-60mm. Since the stones are split on all 6 sides, it’s very hard to get a consistent thickness throughout. Compared to invariable cobblestones and mesh cobblestones, split-loose cobblestones are also more challenging to install. Thus, it’s best to install them on a mortar bed where you can tap down each individual cobble to make the surface as consistently flat as possible. While the surface will have deviations throughout, it will be reasonably level. If you have any questions regarding the installation process, we recommend reaching out to an experienced professional who understands how to install them so that they are adhered correctly. This way they will provide a solid and durable floor that will stand the test of time.

 

Porfido Porphyry Split Loose Cobblestones
**Porfido Porphyry Split Loose Cobblestones

Adhesion Method for Cobblestones Pavers on Mesh

As we have mentioned above, installing cobblestone pavers on mesh is both faster and more economical than installing other cobblestone pavers like invariable or split-loose cobbles.

Mesh cobblestones can be adhered directly onto the chosen surface using the appropriate adhesive such as the Ardex X18 with an Ardex E90 latex additive.

Prior to adhering to the mesh cobblestones, you need to create the mix and then fix them into place.

  1. Mixing

Creating a two-part adhesive requires mixing the adhesive with either an additive or an additive with water. As with most mixes, we recommend carefully reading and following the manufacturer’s instructions. They will advise the best ratios for powder, additive, and water for each product. Follow these closely to create the best mixture.

Pour the advised proportion of additive into a clean mixing container. If you’re adding water, use clean and cool water to the additive and mix until blended. Gradually add the required amount of powder to the additive / diluted additive solution and slowly mix the combination. We recommend using a low-speed mixer to create a smooth and creamy consistency.

Once you’ve achieved the desired mixture, let it stand for 1-2 minutes. Then re-stir the mixture prior to using it to adhere the mesh cobblestones.

  1. Fixing

Now that the mixture is ready, it’s time to glue the mesh cobblestones onto your chosen surface. Much like working with any other pavers, first and foremost make sure that your chosen substrate is clean, solid and free of any particles like dust, oil and grease. Make sure your mesh cobblestones are also clean and free from contaminants and dust.

Once everything is clean, follow these steps to install the mesh cobblestones.

  1. First and foremost, ensure that the substrate has been cured. Curing ensures that the chosen surface (whether it’s a waterproofing membrane, concrete base, or a screed bed) is of the ideal moisture and temperature for installation purposes. Again, follow the manufacturer’s instructions so that you’re laying the mesh cobblestones on the best base.
  2. Next, work/key in the adhesive into the substrate using a 15mm notch trowel. Then ‘back butter’ the mesh side of the cobblestones, covering the entire surface so that each cobble firmly sticks to the substrate. “Back buttering” is when you spread a thin layer of the adhesive onto a paver prior to adhering it to the desired surface.
  3. Once well buttered, firmly press the cobblestone sheet onto the freshly notched adhesive. The base of each individual cobblestone needs to be covered by the adhesive bed. Additionally, the adhesive needs to rise 5-10mm into the joint. Use a rubber mallet to move any cobblestones into their desired positions.
  4. To achieve consistent joint spacing for the grout, use joint spacers or wedges between the interlocking sheets. Remove these spacers/wedges once the adhesive sets but is not full cured.
  5. Work in controlled spaces with consideration for adhesive open time (pot life).
  6. Use a spirit level to ensure the installed mesh cobblestones are the desired flatness/consistency.
  7. Ensure that there are no voids beneath the cobblestones by lifting a random sheet from time to time to check.
  8. Finally, before the adhesive sets, ensure that any surplus mixture is removed from the surface of the cobblestones and joints.

Ardex X18

There you have it!

A step-by-step guide on installing mesh cobblestones.

As usual, if you have any questions, we strongly recommend consulting or working with a professional installer.

In summary, whether you’re decorating the borders around your water feature, or looking to install a timeless and rustic pathway that reminds you of your European adventure, or you want a natural stone paver that can endure the heavy load of your busy driveway, cobblestones pavers are strong and versatile, and an excellent choice for any outdoor exterior.

At Armstone we stock a wide range of cobblestone flooring to suit both traditional and modern home aesthetics including Granite Cobblestones, Porphyry Cobblestones like Porfido, Quartz Cobblestones like Lorax, Marble Cobblestones like Lokki and Limestone Cobblestones like Aria.

Hopefully, this article helped you see why cobblestones are an ideal solution for your driveway and landscaping project. If you need any help, feel free to reach out to our natural stone experts online, over the phone at 1300 560 560 or at our Sydney showroom in Glebe.

We love this stuff and would love to help you bring your cobblestone project to life.

Below video will help you understand why is it important that your trusted stone suppler works closely with Installer.

 

 

 

Ultimate Guide for Crazy Paving and Flagstones

Pazzo crazy 3

Stone Crazy Paving (also known as Flagstones) is a type of natural stone paving that originated in Ancient Rome.

This is where they used chipped stones to create roads and pavements.

This type of stone paving resembles a mosaic.

Except instead of glass, it’s loose, irregularly shaped, and sized stones that are laid in a haphazard manner.

With grouting poured between the gaps.

Unlike most stone paving where the pavers are laid in a geometric grid style.

A crazy paving design uses naturally broken stones.

And it has no clear geometric grid or pattern.

This design is predominantly used in driveways, garden paths, courtyards, pool-side pavers.

And many other locations where you want a more natural or Avant Garde look.

Apart from being popular in Ancient Rome, crazy paving made its debut in Australia in the 1970s.

This was when more homes started to embrace the modern aesthetic and design in their architecture.

Nowadays, due to their more naturally flowing aesthetic, crazy pavers are an excellent choice for many curved areas in your front or back yard.

 

Pazzo crazy 4

**Pazzo Slate Crazy Paving

Armstone’s Crazy Pavers are both dense and durable.

And available in a variety of natural colours.

They are also consistent in size and thickness.

So that when you lay them down, they create a smooth walking surface.

Our range of crazy paving stones include Bluestone crazy paving, Porphyry, Limestone, Slate and Travertine.

If you want to use your crazy pavers indoors (as well as outdoors).

And directly apply them to a concrete slab using glue.

We have 20mm calibrated crazy pavers with a tolerance of 2mm +/-.

These calibrated pieces have a consistently flatter thickness which allows more ease for installation.

Along with a flatter and smoother surface.

There you have it: a summarised guide on crazy pavers and flagstones.

Where they’re used and the best suited home aesthetic.

Now that we’ve covered that and you’re more familiar with these natural stone pavers.

Let’s dive a bit deeper and address a few questions we are often asked about the installation process.

To do this, we have created a video with Rhys from RBG Landscapes.

In our conversation, he shares the best mortar and grouting technique for installing these types of pavers, which we also summarise in the blog below.

Pianura Bluestone Crazy Pavers 1
** Pianura Bluestone Crazy Pavers 

Best Practice for Installing Crazy Paving and Flagstones

Prior to installing crazy paving or flagstones.

It’s important to determine the type of stone you’re working with and the texture of the ground you will be laying it on.

For example, it’s better to install Pazzo Crazy Pavers onto a mortar bed.

Why?

Because they have a naturally occurring split from top and bottom.

This gives you a 10mm minimum give and take in its thickness and variation.

When laid on a mortar foundation.

This tolerance in thickness gives you the chance to tap down the crazy pavers to create a smooth and even surface.

In the video below.

Rhys from RBG Landscapes takes two square metres worth of crazy pavers from the palettes.

And places them across four square metres of flooring.

He advises that it’s important to see the stone’s shapes and colours clearly.

So that you know what you’re working with before actually adhering the stone to the floor’s surface.

Since the slab they’re using is very rough.

Rhys uses mortar instead of glue, to stick the crazy pavers onto its surface.

If you do not have a slab to work with.

Rhys suggests adding a 120mm compacted road base as the foundation for the paving.

Grampian crazy
**Trello Limestone Crazy Pavers

The Magic Mix

If you’re planning on installing your own crazy paving and flagstone paving.

Here are Rhys’s recommendations for creating all the mixes for crazy paving floors.

The Foundation Mix

Due to the irregular thickness of most flagstones/crazy paving is generally installed on a traditional wet (mortar) bed.

To create the perfect blend, we use a traditional bricklayers mix which consists of:

  • 12 shovels of white / yellow bricklayer’s sand
  • 1 bag of white cement
  • 10L of water mixed with 100ml of Efflock to reduce any efflorescence
  • 50ml of Bycol to keep the mix fluffy and workable.

So that your mix is consist, we recommend using a cement mixer and following these steps:

  • Turn on the cement mixer
  • Add the Efflock water into mixer
  • Add 6 shovels of bricklayer’s sand and allow the Efflock and sand to mix.
    Once you achieve some consistency, add the next 6 shovels of bricklayers sand
  • Review the mixture and if required, add more Efflock to the mixer so that the sand has a good moisture level
  • Once you’ve achieved a nice creamy consistency.
    Add the bag of white cement, and let everything mix quite thoroughly
  • Continue adding Efflock to maintain the moisture levels
  • Let the mixer spin until the consistency of all the ingredients are fluffy with no visible signs of sand or cement
  • To finish, add a capful of Bycol to keep this mix workable
Norse crazy
**Norse Marble crazy Pavers

The Pre-Sealer

Prior to grouting crazy paving.

We always apply a pre-sealer to the surface.

Why?

Basically, applying a good pre-sealer (we recommend Aquamix Pro Block).

Prior grouting the pavers.

Makes the cleaning process easier.

It also minimises any residual grout that is left on the surface after sponging.

Problock-Gallery

Leveling

Unlike other paving alternatives which use a straight and geometrical pattern and format.

Crazy paving means that the installation will be exactly how it sounds: crazy and unformatted.

Additionally, there is also the possibility that the surface will be different depending on the type of product used.

As such, whether you’re installing crazy paving for a patio, pool area, or courtyard.

It’s very important to set reference points while installing crazy paving.

This is so that you can clearly track the starting level and the finished level.

And ensure that everything is (more or less) consistent.

So how do we do this?

First, we install string lines in a grid pattern to establish a set of reference points.

Since crazy pavers can vary in surface structure and thickness.

The stringlines help us gauge how much mortar to use.

And reduce our room for errors when laying the pavers.

Once you have the gridlines established.

Spread the mortar onto the surface and ensure that the pavers sit about 1/2mm under the stringline.

If they protrude, tap the pavers to level the surface and achieve the desired level and gradient.

The Grout

After you’ve installed the crazy pavers and you’re happy with the levelling.

It’s time to add the grout.

At RBG Landscapes, we grout crazy pavers using a wide joint sand-based grout supplied by Ardex.

The produce we recommend is the Ardex WJ50, for a variety of reasons.

ARDEX-WJ50

Firstly, it’s available in a variety of colours which means you can pick one that will match your pavers.

Secondly, it’s sand based with a pre-mixed back and a maximum joint width of 50mm.

This combination guarantees that the grout won’t shrink or crack.

Two important factors to consider when choosing grout for crazy paving.

Now, onto making the grout and its application.

Mix a 20kg bag of grout with 2L of Ardex grout booster.

To achieve the desired consistency, we recommend mixing the grout using an electric drill with a paddle.

ARDEX-Grout-Booster

Once you have the mix.

Apply the grout into the joints using a squige tool.

Ensure that all the joints are sufficiently full and levelled with the surface of the pavers.

Scrape away any excess.

And wipe the grout from the stone’s surface using a tiling sponge so that there is no residue grout left.

The trick here is to always use clean water so that the stones and joints remain clean.

Repeat this process until all the joints are filled with grout and you’re satisfied with the result.

Top Sealer

After finishing the grouting.

The final step in the crazy paving process is adding the top sealer.

Prior to applying the top sealer.

We suggest removing any residual grout or grout haze film from the surface.

You can do this with a stiff broom and the cement grout haze product by Aquamix or with a pressure clean.

Non-Cement-Grout-Haze-Remover

Once the surface is clean and completely dry.

Apply the Aquamix Sealers Choice Gold as a top sealer.

Use a lamb wool applicator and be generous with the amount.

So that both the stone and grout are protected from the elements.

And stand the test of time.

You want the sealer to penetrate through the stone and grout.

Sealers-Choice-Gold

And there you have it!

Everything you need to know about crazy paving and flagstone pavers.

Along with where and how to install them.

Check out the video below.

And if you have any questions, reach out to our team of experts at Armstone online or by calling 1300 560 560.

We can help point you in the right direction with choosing the specific crazy stone paver for your project.

If you’re looking for help with installing your crazy pavers.

Reach out to Rhys from RBG Landscapes for guidance and advice at ​​0415 874 416.

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Feel free to subscribe to our updates on YouTube and find us on Instagram for more stone related content.

Why and Where to use Stone Capping or Stone Pier Caps

Bellport Bluestone Pier Caps

Stone Capping 

You’ve finished transforming your boring outdoor retaining walls with some stunning stone veneers and stone cladding, but you’ve stood back and looked at your masterpiece and it just doesn’t look complete.

We understand the feeling which is where stone capping comes to your rescue!

What is it?

Basically “stone capping” is where a large flat stone is used to be placed atop a freestanding wall, giving it a complete look.

When installing stone capping, the basic rule of thumb (for consistency purposes) is to use the same stone for the capping as you used for the cladding. And if you really want to give your retaining wall that designer appeal, we suggest choosing capping that is thick in height and one that ideally overhangs on each side of the wall: this gives your wall a majestic appeal.

Depending on personal preference, you can also install stone capping that contrasts the wall cladding. If you prefer this style, we suggest doing your research prior to starting your wall cladding project and picking out the contrasting stone colours and textures before you start installing the wall. 

Below is an example of a contrasting wall capping project. As you can see, the retaining wall has been veneered with loose granite stone cladding that oozes with a rustic and natural texture. In contrast, the wall has been capped with bluestone capping – a stone that is deep blue-grey in colour and has a clean, smooth, and thick texture. This contrasts beautifully with the granite beneath it..

Bluestone Pencil edge capping

Essentially, capping should work like a roof for your wall and, just like a roof protects the house from damage, so too the stone capping protects the stone cladding from being weathered down from environmental factors like rain and heat.

If you have installed a short feature wall that is say approximately 600mm in height, a smooth surfaced capping can be installed to serve as a make-shift outdoor seat or couch: just throw some funky and colourful cushions over the top and voila! Your wall is now also an outdoor seating area. With this scenario you (quite literally) killed two birds with one stone.

If you prefer your capping to overhang over the wall, a 30mm overhang is the benchmark. We also recommend this as it further protects the wall cladding from environmental factors damaging the wall.

So let’s have a look at the four different profile edges that stone capping is available in: 

1. Rock Faced

This type of finish is rustic in nature and is created with a split or chiselled face which creates a rough and natural looking edge that retains its natural aesthetic even if it chips. Usually this type of capping is used on Australian Sandstone.

White Sydney Sandstone Capping

2. Split-Faced Stone

This type of stone capping has a face where the stone has been broken to an approximate size. It looks rustic and natural and gives an edgy feel to the wall.

Split edge sandstone capping

3. Chiselled Edge

This rustic, aged appearance on stone capping is produced by mechanically chipping at the stone’s edge to give it that edgy look. This is an ideal stone capping option for feature walls that blend well with nature. 

Mica Slate Capping

4. Square, Pencil Edge

These types of stone capping finishes have a smooth and clean aesthetic which looks excellent on more modern and contemporary styled feature walls. With smooth edges, these wall capping stones look best installed flush against the wall cladding. This capping has edges that are sawn, with slightly rounded corners to reduce the sharpness. 

Bisque Stacked Stone

5. Bullnose Edge Capping

Lastly the ‘bullnose edge’ (as seen in the image below) has a half circle look and adds another level of elegance to your wall. if you want your capping to overhang the wall, the ‘Bullnose edge’ looks brilliant!

Granite Stone Capping Bullnose web

Pier Caps

While stone capping adds a finishing touch to a feature wall, stone pier caps are slabs of stone that add the finishing touch to brick piers or gate pillars. While their main function is to give support, they also add a regal elegance to your feature wall by completing, protecting and accentuating the pillar or column. 

Sydney Sandstone Pier caps

Pier caps for pillars are available in a variety of sizes and styles including pyramid caps, flat pier caps and even single/double brick pier caps for brick walls (as you can see in the image above).

 Apart from their appealing aesthetics in bringing a sense of brilliance to your gate pillars, letterbox, columns or boundary walls, pier caps (much like stone capping), serve the purpose of protecting the stone pillar/wall from environmental factors such as rain and heat, from damaging the pier itself. To fully maximise their protective purpose, we suggest installing overhanging pier caps.

Bellport Bluestone Pier Caps

Stone Pier caps are available in beautiful bluestone/basalt in dark grey and banded sandstone. We stock Bluestone gate pier caps all at Armstone and would love to help you out with your project! We stock them in many sizes and thicknesses.

If you have any questions, please reach out to us online or at 1300 560 560. Alternatively, visit our showroom in Glebe, Sydney. We would love to help you bring your project to life. 

7 Ideas to Take your Patio to Next Level

Payton Payton Limestone pavers ARMSTONE

Patios are the perfect way creating undercover spaces in your backyard. Their multi-purpose functionality makes them ideal for entertaining, cooking, family dinners, working from home or just chilling out while surrounded by the serenity of your garden and fresh air.

In our latest blog we would love to share with you a collection of patio decor ideas that will take your outdoor living space to the next level! 

Our only warning is this: your patio will look so good, that you might forget you have an adjoining house!

1. Start from the ground up

Choosing the right paving is an essential decision when creating an outdoor patio that compliments your home decor and stands on its own merits. If you want your patio to be an extension of your home, consider using matching paving materials so that the design flows seamlessly from the inside out. This small detail will ensure that your patio genuinely feels like a part of your home, rather than a hasty add-on.

Porcelain pavers, available at Armstone, are actually a perfect paver for this because we have them available as matching indoor and outdoor tiles.

2. Creating continuous flow with your outdoor patio decor

On the other hand, if you want your patio to blend seamlessly with your garden, or if you want it to be roofless so you can stargaze on those warm summer nights, it’s best to use paving materials designed specifically for outdoor settings.

For this purpose, cobblestones are an ideal material because they can be used as paving for your patio and throughout your garden, creating a beautiful, harmonious and unified effect throughout. Cobblestones are both attractive and practical in outdoor settings. They add an elegant and cosmopolitan charm wherever they are laid, whether this is patio floors, driveways, garden paths or outdoor steps. As such, they are a clever way of adding a new level of stylishness to your patio. From a practicality standpoint, their slip-resistant surface makes them remarkably robust.

At Armstone we stock an impressive range of cobblestones designed to suit different tastes and backyard styles, including the Bonza Quartz Cobblestones, pictured below.

Bonza Quartz CobblestonesThe Bonza Quartz Cobblestones make a stylish addition to any patio. Browse the full range at Armstone

3. Pool-friendly patios

If you have a pool in your backyard, or other wet spaces like spas, there’s a good chance that people will enter the patio with wet feet or dripping towels. So that the pool water doesn’t damage your patio floors, it’s best to use paving that can handle chemically treated water.

Once again, porcelain pavers are a smart selection for such situations. While porcelain pavers are a big trend for building outdoor patios because they look like natural stone, their advantage is that unlike natural stone pavers which can easily stain and deteriorate when exposed to salt or chlorine, porcelain pavers are stain-resistant and exposure to salt or chlorine doesn’t disintegrate them.

For these reasons, porcelain pavers are a very popular choice for pool paving. They’re also super stylish and are available in a wide range of colours and finishes, meaning you can find the perfect look for both your backyard patio and wet areas.

Jura Grey porcelain PaversStunning Jura Grey Porcelain Pavers. Browse them online at Armstone

4. Vertical gardens and bespoke plant beds

If you don’t want your patio to stand out like a sore thumb in the middle of your natural and green backyard as the only man-made structure, incorporating greenery into it will help blend it with the rest of the landscape. And there are many ways to do this! For example, vertical gardens are a popular way of adding plant life to outdoor spaces, especially when you don’t have a lot of room to play with.

Another way to incorporate greenery into your patio is by using stone retaining walls and stone capping to accommodate shrubs and flowering plants. These look absolutely stunning in patio settings, especially when planted with repeat patterns of succulents, as seen below. Another advantage of using stone capping is that it protects the wall while simultaneously giving it a pleasant visual aesthetic.

Nostra Sandstone CappingNostra sandstone stone capping is an excellent choice for a patio. Check out the range at Armstone

5. Play with contrast

Playing with contrast is a fun and wonderful way to experiment with style, especially in an outdoor setting.

If this sounds like an exciting idea for you, one foolproof option is to invest in patio furniture that contrasts with the colours of walls and floors. Getting seating, cushions and tables that have bold tones like bright red, green, blue or yellow, means they will pop nicely against the softer hues of the floor tiles and walls. In a way, playing with contrast actually draws one’s attention to all the design choices and helps each individual item stand out in its own right!

 

6. Get the natural look

As a patio is an ‘indoor-like’ setting installed outdoors, getting the best patio décor means thinking beyond the parameters of traditional home decor. You see, the most stylish patios have the perfect combination of indoor and outdoor elements.

The elements that work best in outdoor living spaces include anything natural. For example, garden pebbles are making a splash in the outdoor decor scene at the moment. They’re modern, eco-friendly, affordable and come in a wide variety of colours, sizes and textures which makes them a perfect natural addition to your patio. You can use them to create a feature wall or place them around your patio fireplace. However you choose to use them, they’ll add something extra to your patio space.

Ivory Natural Garden Pebbles

Pink Natural Garden Pebbles. View our entire range at Armstone

7. Lead the way to your patio

Once you’ve designed and built the perfect patio, the final touch is to create the ideal garden path that leads everyone to your outdoor paradise, or one that connects your patio with other outdoor areas.

If you have used cobblestones for your patio, then using cobblestones for your path is an attractive and effective solution.

Stepping stones are another excellent alternative. These have the advantage of being cost-effective, non-slip, easy to install and easy to change if they need to be repaired due to wear and tear. Stepping stones are an easy way to connect your home, pool and the rest of your backyard to your patio.

Payton Payton Limestone pavers ARMSTONEPayton Limestone Stepping Stones are a perfect way of connecting your home, pool and garden to your patio. Browse our entire stepping stone range at Armstone

Contact us

We hope these 7 ideas have inspired your patio project! 

If you’d like more inspiration for your patio decor, contact Armstone today and one of our experts will help answer any question. We have many more exciting decorating ideas for creating the patio of your dreams.

If you enjoyed this blog, please share it with your home and garden enthusiasts!

As always, it’s been a pleasure sharing our ideas with you.

Warning: Don’t use Travertine Pavers Around the Pool before reading this Article

Cinnamon Travertine Pavers

Our headline is loaded and intriguing and you’re probably wondering:

“But why aren’t tumbled travertine pavers suitable for installation around the pool?”

Good question!

We would love to answer it for you.

There are three major reasons why tumbled travertine pavers aren’t suitable for installation around the pool.

Before we dive head first into these.

We would love to introduce ourselves so that you know that we aren’t just a character blogger who is regurgitating content.

Cinnamon Travertine Pavers

In the past 10 years, Armstone has become one of Sydney’s high-end natural stone suppliers.

Situated in Glebe, we are passionate about supplying you with the best quality pool pavers that transform your outdoors and bring you and your family, joy and happiness.

We love to guide our customers to make the best decision that is perfectly tailored for their project.

We have worked on thousands of multimillion-dollar homes and commercial projects.

Working closely with pool builders, architects and landscapers alike.

We have learnt a few tricks of the trade about how to create attractive natural stone designs.

All the while keeping the area around your pool safe and practical for your entertainment and enjoyment.

Over the years we have received 5 star rated feedback from our lovely clientele.

Making us one of the best stone suppliers in our niche-industry.

Now, let’s get back to the article.

Below we will highlight the three key disadvantages of installing tumbled travertine pavers around your pool area.

If you would like more information about travertine pavers, check out our article on the 9 most frequently asked questions here.

Cinnamon Travertine Pavers

3 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULDN’T USE TUMBLED TRAVERTINE AROUND THE POOL:

  1. TUMBLED TRAVERTINE PAVERS ARE SLIPPERY WHEN WET

A pool is obviously a wet area.

So in order to keep the surrounding paving as safe as possible.

It’s best to install materials that are made of non-slip surfaces.

It is recommended that these extend at least one metre from the pool.

Are graded away from the pool and installed in such a way where any water that gets onto the surface of the stone.

Drains to a waste area so that it decreases the slippage of the stone’s surface.

Ordinarily, tumbled travertine pavers can get slippery when wet.

And as such, it is not recommended for installation around the pool.

How do we know this?

We pride ourselves on testing our natural stones for safety.

To check how slippery stones are, we put them through what’s called a “Wet Pendulum Test”.

We conducted this test on “A” grade travertine pavers and noted that they had a P3 slip rating.

This is the same rating as to your indoor stone or porcelain tiles.

Which means that the stone is slippery when wet.

The Wet Pendulum slip test is where a metal boot.

With a spring-loaded rubber slider on its outsole.

Swings down onto a stone and slides across its surface.

Once the boot swings back up.

The height of the swing helps us determine the slip rating of the surface.

The more slippery the stone is, the higher the pendulum swings.

The “P” Stands for Pendulum Test.

And its rates range between P0 – P5 (see table below for more information).

When choosing a paver for your pool surrounding.

It’s important to understand that when there is too much water on a stone’s surface.

It can naturally get very slippery.

As such, it is much wiser to choose a pool paver with a P4 or P5 slip rating.

These ratings show that the stone has a better grip than a stone with a P3 rating.

For example, while having fun in the sun, excited children tend to run around the pool.

If the stone’s surface has a P3 rating.

It can be tough to keep your balance and a small slip can result in devastating injuries.

Yes, adults included.

P4 or P5 ratings will give you the confidence and peace of mind that your pool paver is safe for everyone to enjoy.

slip risk graph

  1. TRAVERTINE MAY CONTAIN PITTING THAT TRAPS DEBRIS

One of the characteristics of travertine tumbled pavers.

Is the various sized holes throughout its surface.

This isn’t a defect, but simply a unique trait of the stone.

However, these pits and holes can become quite troublesome outdoors.

Especially as debris and dirt can build up in them.

If installed near a wet area like a pool, these holes are also prone to water filling into them.

As they are hard to clean, eventually the travertine paver will have mould growing in it.

Meticulous maintenance and care are prerequisites for travertine pavers.

For example, it’s recommended to fill these holes with an appropriate grout.

However, this adds additional labour and material cost.

Which coupled with the additional maintenance time, is not always an ideal situation for many homeowners.

If you are keen to learn how to grout travertine pavers, follow this link and read the answer to question 9.

travertine pavers

  1. TUMBLED TRAVERTINE PAVERS USED AS A COPING CAN CUT OPEN YOUR SKIN

Aside from being super slippery and full of tiny holes that require additional maintenance and care.

Travertine pavers are actually one of the more economical natural stone pavers on the market.

Which is why many people use tumbled pavers as pool coping.

However, to cut costs, they do not purchase the tumbled travertine in an appropriate bull-nosed or pencil-rounded edge.

And this is necessary for pool coping.

You are probably thinking: why not?

Well, many have a preconception and belief that tumbled travertine pavers have a rumbled edge that is “suitable” for pool coping.

As such, they think this cost-cutting method can help them “get away” with using the pavers.

Rather than getting the correct bull-nose, pencil-rounded or drop edge necessary for pool coping.

Like we mentioned in the second point, travertine has naturally occurring holes throughout it.

This is true of its surface and its edges as well.

It is also impossible to source travertine pavers with smooth edges.

Why is this important for pool surroundings and pool coping purposes?

Well, if you run your hand (or foot) over the edges of travertine pavers.

The holes can be so sharp, that they can cut your skin open.

Now imagine you are trying to pull yourself out of the pool.

You grab onto the edge of the travertine paver and cut yourself because the stone is slippery when wet.

And the little holes are sharp as well.

Now you’re injured and the pool is full of bloodied and contaminated water.

We are always amazed at how many consumers close their eyes to this detail.

And even more astounded by how some shady-stone suppliers will never tell you about this, just to close a sale.

Travertine Pavers Leggero

 

To know more here is a video with frequently asked questions about travertine pavers:

Conclusion

Tumbled travertine is a beautiful natural stone.

However, it’s best to avoid installing it in an outdoor area that is susceptible to water.

This is because it can be slippery when wet and cause unnecessary injuries.

When installing pool paving, safety is the first priority.

There are many beautiful pavers that are safe and aesthetically pleasing.

If you want to learn more, check out our article where we share 5 tips on how to choose pool pavers and pool coping.

In case you need any help or guidance finding the right natural stone for your pool paving or coping.

Reach out to us at Armstone and one of our experts will guide you in the right direction.

PS. Below video will help you understand why is it important that your trusted stone suppler works closely with Installer.

 

How to Landscape With Pebbles ?

garden pebbles

WHAT ARE GARDEN PEBBLES?

Garden pebbles are small, round edged stones that add a beautiful landscaping touch to create unique and stunning gardens.

As a versatile material, stone pebbles are is available in many different colours, sizes and textures. Whether you use them to give an empty space some character or for decorative purposes, your list of options is endless. For example, more and more homeowners are using river pebbles to decorate garden beds, pathways and for creating indoor features.

Natural Stone Pebbles are an easy and inexpensive solution for transforming your space into something magical and stylish.

In this article we will review the different options available to you and give some suggestions of how you can add value to your home with stone pebbles.

Snow White Quartz Pebbles

WHERE DO PEBBLES COME FROM?

The shiny, smooth stones you see in beautiful gardens are actually a by-product of years of natural erosion in exotic places like China, Indonesia, Philippines and Vietnam.

Contrary to popular belief, these pebbles aren’t easily formed and are not easy to find either. In fact, it takes millenia for pebbles to be created.

This process starts when rainwater washes loose stones from a mountain. Over the course of thousands of years (yes, it’s a slow process), these rocks find their way into mountain streams and eventually into rivers and oceans.

As the stones travel along their newfound path, over time their rough texture and sharp edges are weathered down by the water’s current. This is how they become the beautiful, soft edged and rounded stones you can use in your home today!

River pebbles

WHERE CAN STONE PEBBLES BE USED?

One of the biggest draw cards for using stone pebbles is that they are very versatile. Here is a list of all the places you can use them:

  1. Rooftops
  2. Between stepping stones
  3. Drainage
  4. Poolside
  5. Garden edging
  6. Ground cover
  7. Garden beds
  8. Pot Plants
  9. Around a Fire-pit
  10. Around bathtubs

Let’s look at them individually.

Rooftops 

If you want to add visual appeal to your roof, simply add garden pebbles! On a more practical level, adding a thick layer (about a few inches thick) of stone pebbles to your roof can also help insulate your property (and reduce your electricity bill). As pebbles absorb and release heat, they can help reduce the heat that is absorbed and released from your roof. Wouldn’t that be handy? Also, sun exposure can cause cracking on your roof. Stone pebbles can protect from this too.

Between Stepping Stones 

You can use exotic pebbles to strategically define the area between your stepping stones. We recommend choosing pebbles that either compliment or completely contrasts your stepping stones.

Raven Granite Stepping Stones

Drainage

You can also use pebbles to fill and decorate drain areas! Firstly, they make the area more attractive. Secondly, as they are permeable (they allow water to pass through them) they can turn a plain and necessary part of your home into a feature space.

Poolside

If you have vegetation and landscaping along the fence of your pool, use pebble stones instead of mulch as decoration! As pebbles have rounded edges, they can really break up the pool area from being too linear and really add some fluidity to the outdoor space.

stone pebbles

Garden Edging

Landscaping Pebbles can also be used to as edging around your garden. We recommend using larger pebbles that are approximately 90-120mm or 100-150mm in size as these naturally create a border to define your garden space.

Ground Cover

Using decorative pebbles as ground cover is an easy solution to transform neglected areas of your garden into feature landscapes. For example, use pebbles to reform an eroding pathway, an unwanted lawn space or an edge around the pool where you don’t want to plant anything. Firstly we recommend matting the area and then adding approximately two courses of pebbles that are 40-50mm in coverage.

mixed polished pebbles

Garden Beds

Using pebbles for garden beds can really reduce the loss of moisture in the soil and thus, help the plants stay rejuvenated and healthy. On the plus side, this means you don’t need to water the plants as often, which saves you time and water. In a drought prone area like Australia, this actually becomes a really handy landscaping hack. Also, pebbles really beautify the area around the plants. So it’s really a win-win-win situation.

Pot Plants

Sprinkling garden pebbles atop the soil of pot plants not only helps the soil retain its moisture, but the overall aesthetic really completes the pot.

Volcanic Earth Pebbles

HOW TO INSTALL GARDEN PEBBLES?

As you can see, there are many benefits to adding garden pebbles to your outdoor (or indoor) surroundings.

However, there is one thing that can become quite problematic.

Weeds!

The trick here is to add a thick layer of pebbles to stop the weeds from growing through them. Another solution is adding a  Roundup treatment to the soil prior to laying the garden pebbles.

Finally, you can create a weed barrier by adding underlay between the rocks and the soil. This helps prevent weed seeds from touching the soil. We suggest using landscape fabric, double pebble matt or black plastic as the material for the underlay. Plastic creates a stronger weed barrier than landscape fabric, but water won’t pass through it to feed the bushes’ roots. If you decide to use plastic, make sure to puncture it with holes so that water can still seep through.

HOW TO CALCULATE THE COVERAGE OF THE PEBBLES?

A number of factors affect pebble coverage. These include: the coverage area, depth of cover and the shape and size of the garden pebbles.

As garden pebbles come in a variety of shapes and sizing, it can be tricky to calculate the exact amount required to cover a specific area. We have solved this by laying pebbles on a square meter area and found a reasonably accurate formula that you can use.

In saying this, calculating garden pebble coverage isn’t an exact science and so please keep in mind that our formula is still only an approximation.

 

HOW TO MANAGE YOUR PEBBLES QUANTITIES CORRECTLY

Here are three simple steps to help you manage the quantity of your pebbles as accurately as possible:

  1. Use an underlay material
    Typically a less expensive pebble such as blue metal (or one that is a similar colour) can be laid to cover a significant amount of depth. Once this area is covered, add your feature pebbles on top. This solution works best on areas that are not exposed to heavy foot traffic as this can disturb the pebbles and expose the base pebbles.
  2. Mix sizes
    Small pebbles offer much better coverage than larger pebbles. To save money while achieving a visually pleasing aesthetic, you can strategically mix large and small pebbles together because the smaller pebbles will fill gaps between larger pebbles.
  3. Insert your pebbles into the grout
    If you are using pebbles in high foot traffic areas, grouting your pebbles will create better coverage and also hold them in place without being disrupted by constant foot movement.

CONCLUSION

Now that you have a more solid understanding about garden pebbles, where they come, how they can be used and a guide to calculating coverage, you can use them to spruce up your space.

If you need some help, or if you have any questions about anything we’ve discussed in the article, please reach out to us here or visit us at our showroom in Glebe, Sydney.

Thanks again for reading our article!

If you found it useful, please share it with your friends!

How & Where To Use Crazy Pavers?

Bluestone crazy pavers

We can just imagine what you’re thinking.

Crazy paving?!

What even is that?

So first, let’s take a look at what crazy paving is.

What types of homes it suits best.

How to best lay crazy paving.

And of course, best practices for sealing and grouting.

 

WHAT IS CRAZY PAVING?

Basically, Crazy Paving is exactly what it sounds like!

It’s stones that have been assembled on the floor in a crazy look with irregularly shaped stones of small, medium and large-sized pieces.

Crazy pavers are also known as flagstones or flagging.

Usually, flagging stones refer to stones that have a natural split finish on the top as well as the bottom.

As such, these can have inconsistent variations of thickness.

The most popular flagstone pavers are Sydney Sandstone.

These can be sourced in many random shapes or more random squared/rectangular shapes.

Crazy paving stones are also available in many other materials, like Bluestone Crazy Paving, Limestone Crazy paving, Marble Crazy paving, Slate Crazy Paving,  Quartz Crazy Paving and Porphyry Crazy Paving.

With its multi-purpose functions, crazy paving can be used for driveways, patios, courtyards, around fire-pits and in many other spaces.

 

Grampian crazy

**Trello Limestone Crazy Paving

WHAT STYLE OF HOME DOES CRAZY PAVING SUIT?

Crazy paving and its unique “randomness” works naturally in retro-styled homes and inspire a pleasant retro feel.

Being a versatile material, it also works well in modern settings, creating beautiful terraces and entertaining areas.

As it is easy to use and install, you can also create seamless and organic spaces.

These will complete your home with contemporary or mid-century designs as well.

Many homeowners and designers also strategically use crazy pavers with accessories like dichondra plants.

This is an incredible combination in the modern landscaping industry.

It helps create a truly beautiful balance between land and plants.

Cullbara crazy pavers

**Culburra Quartz Crazy Paving

 

HOW TO LAY CRAZY PAVERS?

If you are planning to lay crazy paving stones in a foot traffic area that has a concrete slab.

And the crazy paving stones are 20mm in thickness.

You need to use flexible glue to adhere them onto a concrete slab.

If you don’t have a slab, you need a compacted road base and sand-cement mix.

Then you can lay them on the wet bed.

But if you use this method, your stones need to be 30mm or more in thickness.

The type of glue you use depends entirely on the traffic of the area where you’ll be installing the pavers.

For example, a vehicle traffic area like a carport and driveway requires a very different glue to a foot traffic area like a footpath.

Prior to gluing the stones, we recommend laying at least 3 square metres on the floor.

This will help you have a good idea of the shapes and visual design you will be working with.

Then you need to mix the shapes and colours of the natural stones to make them as “crazy” as possible.

There are only two major rules you should follow. 

Rule number one: 

Do your best to create consistent gaps between the pavers.

For example, if you decided on a 20mm gap between the pavers, do not exceed a 30mm gap.

Also, ensure that your gaps are not less than 10mm in width.

Rule number two: 

Do not line the paving pieces consistently with each other.

The goal is to maintain an organic and unstructured look and feel.

As such, the pavers should not be aligned to create any straight lines.

Aim to lay them in a free-form manner.

Pazzo crazy 4

 

**Pazzo Crazy Paving

HOW TO SEAL CRAZY PAVING?

Prior to grouting crazy paving pavers with split finishes, you must pre-seal them.

We recommend pre-sealing your crazy paving with Aqua Mix – Pro Block.

We recommend this product because it will help you easily clean off any grout haze or leftover grout from the surface.

This way you’ll be able to keep the job tidy and clean, without hindering your installation process.

Once you finish grouting the crazy pavers, you need to apply a top sealer.

This helps protect the stone, increase its longevity and allow for easier maintenance.

At Armstone we recommend using Aqua Mix – Sealers Choice Gold.

This is a water-based penetrating sealer that also contains a micro-band formula and a low VOC rating.

We also recommend re-sealing outdoor exposed areas every 8 years with our recommended sealer.

Norse crazy
**Norse Marble Crazy Paving

WHAT IS THE RECOMMENDED GROUT FOR CRAZY PAVING?

At Armstone we recommend using Ardex WJ50 grout for crazy paving.

This grout has a lot of colours to choose from.

More importantly Ardex WJ50 doesn’t have polymer in it.

So your grout won’t shrink and you won’t have cracks in the joints.

To avoid possible shrinking issues, Ardex WJ50 is ideal to use in joints that range from 3mm to 50mm in width.

It is recommended to combine the Ardex WJ50 grout with the Ardex Grout Booster.

The Ardex Grout Booster is a water-based, synthetic polymer grout additive.

It was specifically created to be used with cement-based grouts.

It improves the grout’s adhesion strength, flexibility and resistance.

The product is available in a range of colours.

Added benefits include improved colour consistency and excellent workability.

If you have any questions or want to find out more, contact the team at Armstone on 1300 560 560.

Our experts would love to help you.

 

How To Plan A Kid-Friendly Garden?

1 7

Why build a kid-friendly garden?

In this age of screen addiction and sedentary lifestyles spent on games, YouTube and Netflix, it’s easy to neglect quality outdoor time for your child. However, playing ‘in real life’ is incredibly important for a child’s physical and mental health and development, fostering motor skills and executive function as well as creativity and imagination.

By building a kid-friendly garden, it becomes much easier to incorporate quality playtime and fresh air into their everyday routine. Creating a kid-friendly garden also means that visiting children can enjoy it too.

  1. Play equipment

    Growing up we all had fond memories of playing on good old fashioned play equipment like tyre swings and cubby houses. Cubby houses can be bought fairly cheaply, and tyre swings are cheap and simple to make while providing hours of fun.

    KidFriendlyGarden2

  2. Kid-friendly plants

    Kids love to lie down or play on grass, so it’s a good idea to plant grass that’s both sturdy and won’t irritate sensitive skins, so your child can run, play games, and practice somersaults and cartwheels with ease and comfort. Couch, buffalo and zoysiagrass are all varieties that are easy care and great for kids and pets.

  3. Avoid toxic plants – ensure kids safety

Spending time in nature might be beneficial to your child, but not when the plants pose a risk to their safety. Several plants can be extremely dangerous if ingested. A couple of plants that could be considered high-risk are castor bean (Ricinus communis) and precatory bean or rosary pea (Abrus).

Other plants are toxic in larger quantities, like foxglove, angel’s trumpet, euonymus, morning glory, lantana, cardinal flower, sweet alyssum, valerian, and love-in-a-mist. It’s always a good idea to do your research before planting vegetation to ensure it’s safe.

  1. Fruit and Veggie garden

Planting fruit and vegetables is a great way to get kids engaged in a more direct one-on-one way with nature. What better way than to create your own fruit and veggie patch

KidFriendlyGarden Armstone

  1. Outdoor blackboard

    Drawing is a healthy hobby that builds up fine motor skills and cognitive development – and is a great outlet for kids to unleash their budding imaginations. Let your kids play teacher, write words or doodle away on an outdoor blackboard complete with coloured chalk.

  2. Coloured pebbles

    Painting pebbles is a cute way to decorate your garden – and the process is fun for kids too. Use a combo of poster paints and nail varnish to paint eye-popping colours and patterns onto large pebbles sourced from the seaside.

    KidFriendlyGarden Armstone

  3. Outdoor toy storage

    Outdoor toys are a great way for kids to spend their time away from screens and enjoy time in nature. Whether it’s balls, bikes, or scooters, toys and other play equipment need an easy and accessible place to put them away.

    KidFriendlyGarden3

For more quality advice on gardens and professional landscaping, visit us at Bayside Landscaping 

Things to Know when Using Limestone Pavers

Payton Payton Limestone pavers ARMSTONE

Limestones pavers have softer colour variations than most natural stone.

They also have less veining and a chalky feel about them.

Each piece of limestone has a story behind its beautiful aged look.

And makes an excellent paver for your home, outdoor entertainment area or poolside.

In this article, we will answer a few important questions about limestone pavers to help you make the right choice.

Let’s start with…

What are Limestone Pavers Made of?

Limestone is a sedimentary stone that is primarily composed of calcite and is formed by nature.

Compared to travertine and sandstone, limestone pavers are a very popular natural stone with Australians for outdoor usage.

While travertine is a stone with much character, its holes make it look quite busy.

And though sandstone is a desirable paver, it’s very porous.

Which is not ideal for outdoor usage due to it attracting mould and discolouring over time.

So if you are searching for an exclusive and unique paver for your outdoor entertainment areas and pool surroundings.

Limestone pavers are an excellent choice.

 

Dutoit Limestone Pavers 2
*DuToit Limestone Pavers

Do Limestone Pavers Stain Easily?

We have noticed a common trend from customers when they visit our showroom:

They have mixed information about limestone pavers.

Many think limestone pavers are cheap, porous and stain very easily.

Whilst others have been told that limestone pavers are so durable that they are suitable for driveways.

So we want to make it clear once and for all:

The porosity, durability, suitability and cost of limestone pavers.

Are all dependent on the supplier and the quality of stone they stock.

For example, a fine limestone paver is not as durable as a bluestone paver or granite paver.

However, limestone pavers are much denser than your average travertine paver or sandstone paver.

On the other hand, while high-quality limestone pavers have great strength.

And are salt and slip tested to ensure they are suitable for installation around saltwater pools.

They are not ideal for installation in heavy traffic areas like driveways.

 

Melba 2

How Much are Limestone Pavers?

Like all natural stones, quality limestone pavers add value to your home.

So even though they are a higher investment now.

iIf you look at it from a long-term perspective, they’re worth every dollar.

Limestone pavers can vary in cost from $65 per/m2, all the way to $230 per/m2.

This variance in cost is not due to the limestone’s durability.

But rather the fossils and shells that have set in its formation.

This unique trait adds a lot of value to limestone pavers.

 

Limestone Pavers Melba* Melba Limestone Pavers

What Makes Some Limestone Pavers Superior to Others?

There are a few characteristics that distinguish a superior limestone paver from a less superior one.

These include:

  • The stone’s density
  • The colour of the stone and
  • The cut of stone sold to the supplier.

In saying this, we urge you to be wary when investing in limestone pavers.

This is because some pavers on the market, even if they are 30mm thick.

Are actually quite porous and need to be dip-sealed to help make them less porous.

In such cases, you may even need to seal all 6 sides of the stone to protect it.

Also, there are some very low-quality limestone pavers on the market.

They’re so porous and soft that installing them around a pool, especially a saltwater one, is not ideal.

The stone will simply crumble over time and cost you even more time and money to fix.

This is why investing in the right quality stone for the area you intend to install it in, is very, very important.

If you need any help with this, reach out to our team of experts for some guidance here.

 

Grampian 1
* Grampian Limestone Pavers 

Limestone Pavers Around the Pool?

If the particular limestone is carefully selected and adequately tested.

Limestone pavers can have up to double strength and durability compared to their sister paver, travertine.

As such, limestone pavers can be installed around the pool.

However, we will caution you to salt test your limestone pavers before actually investing or installing them as pool coping pavers.

We have seen limestone pavers installed in various locations around the pool including pool houses and pool surroundings.

They’re also perfect as walkway pavers and for patios, courtyards and basically anywhere else you can imagine.

 

Limetta Limestone Pavers 8

What’s the Best Limestone Paver Pattern?

The French pattern is the most desired pattern for tumbled limestone pavers.

Basically a French pattern consists of four different sized pavers, that form a pattern which repeats itself.

The sizes include 600×400, 400×400, 400×200 and 200×200. Below is an example of this pattern.

In terms of design trends with limestone pool coping

Bullnose coping pieces are used in traditional homes or for curvy pools.

While square edge or drop edge limestone coping is used for modern contemporary homes.

See image below:

 

French Pattern Diagram

Do Limestone Pavers Get Hot?

Compared to granite and bluestone, limestone pavers reflect heat.

As they are made of calcite, this element does not absorb heat.

And as such, limestone pavers are an excellent choice as a poolside paver.

This is because they do not get hot underfoot.

And in the harsh Australian climate.

Where temperatures can reach 40 degrees celsius and higher.

This is a helpful characteristic for a poolside paver.

 

Payton Payton Limestone pavers ARMSTONE

Along with heat-resistance.

You also want to ensure that the limestone you purchase for your poolside, is slip-resistant.

Ideally, you want to invest in a poolside paver that has a slip rating of P4 or higher.

To make sure, always ask your supplier to send you a slip rating test of the stone prior to purchase!

Do You Need to Seal Limestone Pavers?

As with all natural stone products, sealing is essential to maintain the stone’s aesthetic and longevity.

Limestone pavers are no exception to this.

Aqua Mix – Sealers Choice Gold is our recommended sealer for limestone as it keeps the stone’s natural appearance intact.

Aqua Mix - Sealers Choice Gold

Aqua Mix® Sealer’s Choice® Gold – Rapid Cure, which contains MicroBan®, is the world leader in antimicrobial chemistry.

This sealer is able to penetrate through denser stones with smaller pores.

It also has a Low VOC (Low Volatile Organic Compound).

Which means it emits less carbon into the atmosphere.

For example, Aqua Mix only emits 46 grams of carbon per litre of sealant.

Which in the scope of things, is a very small amount of carbon pollution.

Aqua Mix Sealers and Cleaners have been used on limestone pavers globally in different environments for over 20 years.

Compared to other sealants, they are more long-wearing.

Which means you get the most bang for your buck from the product.

Conclusion

Choosing the right limestone paver will add a wealth of beauty, class, longevity and functionality to your home.

However, paving your home and surroundings is a significant investment and as such, should be one that stands the test of time.

This is why prior to investing in any natural stone pavers, it’s important to always do your research.

As we’ve mentioned earlier, the quality of a natural stone can vary between each supplier.

This is why it’s important to review the tests conducted on each stone.

And see if this information makes limestone paving an appropriate choice for your area of choice.

It’s easy to be led astray in this industry, especially when so few suppliers actually know their products.

If you’d like some guidance with your research or to chat about a specific product, you’re welcome to reach out to us.

We love this stuff and would love to guide you make the best decision for your home.