Patios & Pathways

What options do I have for patios and pathways?

When you're looking to build a patio or pathway that has presence and permanence, the top material options are concrete paving stones (often simply called pavers) and flagstone.

• Paving Stones
  Made from concrete and available in a many styles, patterns, and colours.
  
• Flagstone
  Large, flat natural stones, laid on a bed of sand or set within mortar.
  

Whether you prefer the hard edges of a paver surface or the organic pieces of flagstone, our hardscapes are built from a careful blend of planning, artistry, and installation techniques

WHICH OPTION IS BEST? The best option for your landscape depends on the aesthetic style and functional qualities you want to achieve. We'll help you understand the pros and cons of each choice.

How much does surface hardscaping cost?

The cost for your project will depend on factors that include:

• Type of paving stone or flagstone chosen
• Specific location of your installation
• Pattern or size of stones chosen
• Number and degree of curves
• Site access for machinery and materials

We don't offer a flat per-square-foot rate for pavers or flagstone features. Instead, our staff will visit and assess your site in order to generate a detailed estimate for the design and installation of your hardscape project.

Why choose pavers for patios and pathways?

Concrete paving stones are a beautiful and valuable addition to a landscape.

They are available in a huge variety of styles, textures, and colours that can be combined with different patterns to create nearly unlimited configurations. This makes pavers a smart choice for nearly any landscape.

Pavers are a manufactured, highly uniform product with straight edges. Surfaces built using paving stones create hard, clean lines that juxtapose beautifully against our naturalistic gardens and water features which soften the space with their asymmetry, movement, textures, and colours.

What are some characteristics of paving stones?

It takes a keen eye and a skilled hand to smoothly blend a product like paving stones into a landscape. When designed and installed correctly, paving stones are:

• Attractive
  Paving stones are an aesthetically pleasing option that can be customized to suit your tastes.
• Complimentary
  With a huge range of colours, sizes, textures, and finishes, pavers can accent nearly any landscape design.
• Versatile
  Patios, walkways, driveways, and even flooring for outdoor kitchens can be built using paving stones.
• Durable
  When you need a long-lasting surface that's easily maintained and cleaned, pavers are a great choice.
• Accessible
  Interlocking paving stones provide a smooth, wheelchair-accessible surface that's easy to navigate.

OUR APPROACH: Each site is different and has its own character. We’re here to bring that character out! We generally favour graceful curves, simple patterns, and a muted colour palette to let the surrounding landscape do the talking.

What is flagstone?

Flagstone is a general term that simply refers to a flat stone. It doesn't refer to a specific type of stone.

Patios and pathways built using flagstone have a rugged beauty to them, and can help to provide contrast to hardscapes with geometric shapes, or blend in with organic lines.

YOU HAVE CHOICES: There are many styles and types of flagstone available, and as you might expect of a natural product, availability and costs can be highly variable.

We are here to help select a flagstone that perfectly complements your landscape!

How is a flagstone surface installed?

There are two main installation options when installing flagstone surfaces:

• Bedded Flagstone
  The flagstones are bedded directly into sand or soil and interplanted. The bedded approach is typically reserved for pathways or for gently-used patio installations.
• Mortared Flagstone
  The flagstones are set in mortar on top of a poured concrete pad. This creates a stable, safe surface that will withstand constant foot traffic and the focused pressure of patio furniture.

Of course, the right installation method depends on your project. If you're interested in a natural stone pathway or patio, give us a call and we will happily check out your site and discuss your choices.