The Great Landscaping Debate: Natural Stone vs. Pavers

The term ‘hardscaping’ was coined in recent years to denote the permanent elements, typically some type of stone, used in landscaping. When it comes to available hardscaping materials there are two overall choices; natural stone and manmade pavers. Pavers are much like bricks. While a brick is made primarily of clay or sand, the primary material in pavers is concrete. Color is then added so that they more closely resemble natural stone.

Manmade pavers were invented by the Dutch decades ago for use in roadwork when brick was in short supply after World War II. In much more recent years, companies such as Unilock and Techo-Bloc created pavers specifically for use in landscaping.

The pros of pavers are many. They’re extremely durable which, because of our notoriously harsh weather, make them a great choice for a Cape Cod landscape. Pavers are now available in a host of colors and textures so choosing one to complement your home’s overall look can be easier than finding an appropriate natural stone. Pavers are also less expensive than natural stone and, because of their uniform size, typically require less time to install.

There is really only one con when it comes to pavers; they’re not natural stone.

So what to do if you’re rethinking your landscape, but a truckload – or two – of natural stone and the subsequent cost of the labor of having it installed simply aren’t in the budget? If budget is a concern, but your heart is set on natural stone, there are a couple of very practical options.

The first is to simply go with more minimal hardscaping elements and allow your landscape’s wow factor to rely more on plantings and lawn. Think low stone wall to create a raised flowerbed along your home’s foundation rather than a three-foot-tall stone wall surrounding your entire home. Or if you’re considering adding walkways, go with flat stones set a few inches apart within the lawn instead of tightly-joined stone. This gives walkways an appealing soft, natural look. A stone pillar of two on either side of your drive is another great possibility.

The second option is to combine natural stone with manmade pavers. If your yard needs to be leveled out and a retaining wall is required, using pavers to create a staggered wall – a series of wide steps – and then adding soil will allow for flowerbeds. Once the plantings fill in, the pavers will be nearly hidden and you’ll have a showstopper of a garden. You can then use natural stone in walkways or perhaps a patio.

Another possibility in combining stone and pavers to create hardscaping elements; add a granite face to each step in a stairway made primarily of pavers or a border of granite blocks to a paver patio for a finished, polished look.

Whitten Landscaping specializes in hardscaping and landscaping. We are an authorized Unilock installer and employ a team of skilled masons.