You may be set on for bluestone as the material of choice for your outdoor living spaces, especially if you’re going for a luxurious look. It’s not always the ideal material, however, and you may wish to blend natural bluestone with patio pavers to achieve an outstanding result. Here are 3 resort-like landscaping ideas that incorporate bluestone and luxurious pavers in Bergen County, NJ.
Related: PATIO PAVERS AND PAVING STONES FOR HISTORICAL HOMES IN ROCKLAND COUNTY NY
Where Bluestone is the Right Choice
Bluestone can be the ideal material for patios, especially those situated next to grand homes. Bluestone pairs exceptionally well with brick. It complements any type of stone used on the home. And, it can be used successfully with any style of architecture. This versatile stone is arguably the most character-filled natural stone available locally, with its dramatic hues of blue, gray, and hints of other colors. A patio made using bluestone is nothing short of stunning. It’s a showstopper, and that’s why people love it.
Where Bluestone Doesn’t Work
Wet areas like pool and hot tub surrounds are not ideal for bluestone. The stone tends to become slippery when wet, and hot to the touch when heated up by the sun. It also tends to spall as a consequence of the freeze-thaw cycle. Once bluestone begins to spall, it can be a tripping hazard, and means the stone is degrading quickly and will need to be replaced.
On walkways, too, especially if you or your guests have mobility issues, bluestone can become dangerously slippery when wet. This isn’t really a concern on patios since you will not likely be using the patio in the rain.
Bluestone is not suitable for driveways because it’s a sedimentary stone. The layers are easily scuffed and abraded by vehicular traffic.
The Perfect Mix: Natural Bluestone and Concrete Pavers
If you wish to achieve a cohesive look throughout your hardscapes, you could consider using bluestone on the patio, and concrete pavers elsewhere.
At E.P. Jansen, we feature several high quality manufacturers, each of which has wonderful alternatives to bluestone. These pavers give your outdoor spaces the character and texture of bluestone but in a non-slip, more durable package. Some are sealed for easy cleaning, some feature exceptional strength, and there is a wide variety of colors and textures to choose from. There are plenty of options for heavier duty pavers suitable for driveways; some of these are also available as permeable installations.
If you are worried that the outcome of using concrete pavers won’t have the same character as natural bluestone, blending several colors of one type of paver is one way to achieve the random, pattern-free look you want.
Achieving the Resort Vibe
Now that the practicalities have been addressed, we can move on to design tips for achieving a resort-like atmosphere.
1. One way to achieve a luxurious, serene resort ambiance is to use large format bluestone and pavers wherever possible (in the pedestrian areas). This will create a more spacious look that is simple and elegant, without the distraction of many joint lines.
2. Avoid excessive ornamentation like contrasting borders and accents. The more monochromatic the design, the more attention is brought to the materials and the space itself. Less visual distraction adds to the tranquility.
3. Complement the horizontal materials with simple vertical elements. For example, plank-style wall veneers can be used to create a modern linear look on grill islands, retaining walls and water features. This will minimize textural contrast and contribute to the luxe feel.
