Designing Your Garden With Black Paving Stones
Designing Your Garden With Black Paving Stones
Designing your garden with paving slabs is a great way to personalise your outdoor space. They come in a range of colours and shades that are sure to be attractive and add value to your property.
They are also low maintenance once laid. So if you want your garden to look beautiful for years to come, then you should consider using black paving stone.
Versatility
When designing your garden, black paving stone are a versatile choice. They work well with most home exteriors and will help you establish a cohesive design.
The black stone also adds a hint of sophistication to the outdoor space. Use them in conjunction with other neutral accents such as brick or textured wood to create a beautiful and classic look.
A simple concrete patio crafted by San Francisco-based Envision Landscape Studio is a fun example of using paving stones to create a unique and casual space in the backyard. The simple squares are evenly placed into a bed of pea gravel and the ipe wood risers provide texture and warmth to the space.
Aside from being very versatile, black paving slabs are also easy to maintain once they’ve been laid. This is thanks to their low water absorption, which will eliminate unpleasant stains from moss or salt on the surface of your paved area.
Heat Absorbance
When designing your garden with black pavers, one important consideration is the amount of heat they can absorb. The specific heat capacity of a stone is the energy it takes to raise one kilogram of the material by one degree centigrade.
The most common natural stones with high specific heat capacities include gypsum, soapstone, basalt, marble and limestone. Other stones with a low specific heat capacity can also be used to absorb and store heat.
Several other factors also influence the heat absorption of pavements, including airflow, albedo (reflective properties) and thermal conductivity. The latter is defined as the ability of a material to transfer heat from a hot surface to a cooler one (Nellis, 2009).
Pavements that are permeable have fewer barriers for heat transfer and lower surface temperatures. They are able to reduce their surface temperature by allowing air currents to pass through the pavement, depending on wind speed and air turbulence (Ting, 2012). Permeable asphalt pavements also have higher air void ratios and rougher surfaces than conventional pavements, reducing the temperature difference between them and the ground.
Snow Absorbance
Black paving stones help to absorb snow and ice that would otherwise become difficult to remove from your driveway. They also reflect sunlight and heat that can actually aid in melting the ice and snow, as well as helping to prevent ice buildup on your property.
Techo-bloc pavers are tested to be resistant to rock salt and other de-icing agents, which is a big deal for homeowners who live in areas where snowplows frequent. This allows plows to maneuver around them without causing cracking or breaking the stone.
Bluestone paving stones also have a low water absorption rate, which can make them slip-resistant in wet climates. Plus, the color of these stones will remain pristine over time, which is a great feature for those who want to maintain their outdoor space.
In addition to their durability, these paving stones are also available in a variety of colors and sizes, giving you endless design options. They can also be used to create unique patterns, such as herringbone or chevron.
Maintenance
When designing your garden, it’s important to pay attention to the paving stones you choose. They can be a great way to add interest and personality to any landscape.
Paving stones come in a variety of materials, including stone, concrete, wood and sandstone. Each has its own unique characteristics, so it’s essential to follow the proper maintenance guidelines for your specific type of paving stone.
Whether you’re planning to build a patio, a walkway or a driveway, you’ll need to clean and reseal your paving regularly. This will help prevent staining and damage, as well as making it easier to keep your paving looking its best.
If you’re looking for a quick way to clean your pavers, try using a sponge and soapy water. However, don’t use acid-based cleaners on your paving, as these can cause irreparable damage.