Ask an Expert: How Can I Use Stone in the Garden?
Keen to use natural stone in your outside space, but not sure which type to choose or how best to use it? Read on for expert advice
Most external space, from the tiniest courtyard to the biggest country garden, contains some hard landscaping. This is the solid stuff that’s built into a garden design from the earliest stages – the paths, terraces, walls and cladding. Natural stone is a great option for all these features, prized for its durability as well as its good looks. Whether you want to create a simple path or a stunning patio, it can deliver low-maintenance, hard-wearing style year on year. Read on for how, where and why to use stone in your garden.
Professional advice from:
Becky Birch of Mrs Stone Store
Laara Copley-Smith of Laara Copley-Smith Garden & Landscape Design
Denise Turner of Amarestone
Professional advice from:
Becky Birch of Mrs Stone Store
Laara Copley-Smith of Laara Copley-Smith Garden & Landscape Design
Denise Turner of Amarestone
In addition, since stone is a natural material, not a man-made product, no two stone slabs or pavers are the same. ‘Stone is inherently beautiful and unique,’ says Denise Turner. ‘Installed correctly, it will provide a long-lasting, practical and low-maintenance surface.’
Laara also values its textural quality. ‘It has texture whether sawn or smooth, and the same stone can have numerous different finishes,’ she says. ‘It can be combined with many other materials and can add colour to a garden design.’
Laara also values its textural quality. ‘It has texture whether sawn or smooth, and the same stone can have numerous different finishes,’ she says. ‘It can be combined with many other materials and can add colour to a garden design.’
How can I use stone?
Stone is extremely versatile and has numerous applications in an outside space. ‘There are all kinds of ways stone can be used to add function, style and beauty to your garden,’ says Denise. ‘Natural stone is a very versatile material and can be used for walls [as building stone or as cladding], paving, paths, steps, copings, artistic pieces, plinths, water features, benches, troughs, tabletops, barbecue tops, columns and balustrades, and swimming pool surrounds.’
Discover how to create a stylish dining area on your patio
Stone is extremely versatile and has numerous applications in an outside space. ‘There are all kinds of ways stone can be used to add function, style and beauty to your garden,’ says Denise. ‘Natural stone is a very versatile material and can be used for walls [as building stone or as cladding], paving, paths, steps, copings, artistic pieces, plinths, water features, benches, troughs, tabletops, barbecue tops, columns and balustrades, and swimming pool surrounds.’
Discover how to create a stylish dining area on your patio
Which stones work best outside?
There are numerous natural stones that suit an outside space, and each has its own characteristics. Denise recommends researching all the stones available and speaking to a professional, so you can match the right stone to your requirements.
‘One key point to look for is the stone’s ability to resist frost damage,’ she says. ‘The CE mark and Declaration of Performance will tell you whether the stone has been tested to resist frost damage. Your stone supplier is obliged to provide this information at the point of sale.’
‘Brazilian slate is a great option for outdoor projects,’ adds Becky. ‘It’s tough and hard-wearing, and comes in a varied spectrum of colours, from soft blue-greys through to charcoal or deep black. This gives you scope to create your perfect patio and match it to a garden design theme or interior colour scheme.’ Becky also recommends bush-hammered limestone paving. ‘This is a light, neutral tile that has a textured surface ideal for a contemporary space,’ she says.
These raised planters are clad in Italian Carrara marble.
There are numerous natural stones that suit an outside space, and each has its own characteristics. Denise recommends researching all the stones available and speaking to a professional, so you can match the right stone to your requirements.
‘One key point to look for is the stone’s ability to resist frost damage,’ she says. ‘The CE mark and Declaration of Performance will tell you whether the stone has been tested to resist frost damage. Your stone supplier is obliged to provide this information at the point of sale.’
‘Brazilian slate is a great option for outdoor projects,’ adds Becky. ‘It’s tough and hard-wearing, and comes in a varied spectrum of colours, from soft blue-greys through to charcoal or deep black. This gives you scope to create your perfect patio and match it to a garden design theme or interior colour scheme.’ Becky also recommends bush-hammered limestone paving. ‘This is a light, neutral tile that has a textured surface ideal for a contemporary space,’ she says.
These raised planters are clad in Italian Carrara marble.
Can I use the same stone inside and out?
Yes you can. Laying stone in a kitchen, for example, and running this outside onto the terrace is a great way to blur the boundaries between inside and out. ‘Stone can also be used on roof terraces or raised on pedestals to allow for services to be run underneath,’ adds Denise.
Check out 15 ways to make the most of a tiny garden
Yes you can. Laying stone in a kitchen, for example, and running this outside onto the terrace is a great way to blur the boundaries between inside and out. ‘Stone can also be used on roof terraces or raised on pedestals to allow for services to be run underneath,’ adds Denise.
Check out 15 ways to make the most of a tiny garden
What’s a great stone for terraces and paths?
Look for something that’s beautiful, but also safe in wet weather. ‘Brazilian riven slate, which is black and grey, Portuguese bush-hammered limestone pavers and Chinese multi-colour slate are all popular options, as they have fantastic anti-slip properties,’ says Becky.
‘Do not choose thin tiles or paving stones unless the specialist can guarantee they are frost-resistant at a minimal thickness,’ adds Laara.
Look for something that’s beautiful, but also safe in wet weather. ‘Brazilian riven slate, which is black and grey, Portuguese bush-hammered limestone pavers and Chinese multi-colour slate are all popular options, as they have fantastic anti-slip properties,’ says Becky.
‘Do not choose thin tiles or paving stones unless the specialist can guarantee they are frost-resistant at a minimal thickness,’ adds Laara.
What will it cost?
There’s a huge choice of stones suitable for use outside, quarried around the world, and many are reasonably priced. ‘Natural stone can be considered an expensive option for paving when compared to some entry-level paving slabs, but there are still affordable options, such as Chinese multi-colour slate, which starts at less than £20 per sq m,’ says Becky. ‘This slate has a much heavier riven texture than its Brazilian counterpart and contains striking browns and burnt orange hues.’ Brazilian slate paving starts at as little as £28 per sq m, while limestone is a more expensive choice, from £50 per sq m.’
‘Invest in the best stone you can afford on your budget,’ adds Laara. ‘It’s there for the long term, so consider this element carefully.’
There’s a huge choice of stones suitable for use outside, quarried around the world, and many are reasonably priced. ‘Natural stone can be considered an expensive option for paving when compared to some entry-level paving slabs, but there are still affordable options, such as Chinese multi-colour slate, which starts at less than £20 per sq m,’ says Becky. ‘This slate has a much heavier riven texture than its Brazilian counterpart and contains striking browns and burnt orange hues.’ Brazilian slate paving starts at as little as £28 per sq m, while limestone is a more expensive choice, from £50 per sq m.’
‘Invest in the best stone you can afford on your budget,’ adds Laara. ‘It’s there for the long term, so consider this element carefully.’
Any other tips to help with choosing the right stone?
‘Whatever your budget, it’s important to talk to an expert who can help guide you through the choices,’ adds Denise. ‘Hard landscaping should be an integral part of your garden design and it’s something you want to get right from the beginning, so you’re not repairing or replacing it in a few years’ time.’
‘Always take home samples to view in your environment, alongside your property and any other materials you’re planning to use,’ says Laara. ‘Always view the stone dry and wet, too, as most stone will darken when damp.’ This is especially important when using sandstone. ‘Many Indian sandstones can look great dry, but can be very rich in colour when wet,’ says Laara. ‘They may show up pink, orange and brown shades and, in my opinion, this does not always look good in the light we get in the UK.’
‘Whatever your budget, it’s important to talk to an expert who can help guide you through the choices,’ adds Denise. ‘Hard landscaping should be an integral part of your garden design and it’s something you want to get right from the beginning, so you’re not repairing or replacing it in a few years’ time.’
‘Always take home samples to view in your environment, alongside your property and any other materials you’re planning to use,’ says Laara. ‘Always view the stone dry and wet, too, as most stone will darken when damp.’ This is especially important when using sandstone. ‘Many Indian sandstones can look great dry, but can be very rich in colour when wet,’ says Laara. ‘They may show up pink, orange and brown shades and, in my opinion, this does not always look good in the light we get in the UK.’
What can I lay stone onto?
How you prepare the ground before laying stone depends on the thickness of the stone being used. ‘Most paving is at least 20-30mm thick and is suitable for laying onto a type 1 MOT base,’ says Becky. This is essentially a sand and gravel sub-base. Type 1 is typically made up of hard stone, such as granite or limestone, that’s been crushed to provide particles of up to 40mm across right down to dust. ‘This creates a sub-base that has fantastic load-bearing capabilities and is a must for high-traffic areas,’ says Becky.
You would then secure the stones with either a dry mix of sand and cement or a wet mix that has a synthetic rubber latex additive to improve adhesion. ‘If you’re tiling onto a solid concrete base, use a specialist adhesive to fix the stone securely,’ adds Becky.
How you prepare the ground before laying stone depends on the thickness of the stone being used. ‘Most paving is at least 20-30mm thick and is suitable for laying onto a type 1 MOT base,’ says Becky. This is essentially a sand and gravel sub-base. Type 1 is typically made up of hard stone, such as granite or limestone, that’s been crushed to provide particles of up to 40mm across right down to dust. ‘This creates a sub-base that has fantastic load-bearing capabilities and is a must for high-traffic areas,’ says Becky.
You would then secure the stones with either a dry mix of sand and cement or a wet mix that has a synthetic rubber latex additive to improve adhesion. ‘If you’re tiling onto a solid concrete base, use a specialist adhesive to fix the stone securely,’ adds Becky.
Does stone need much maintenance?
‘We normally recommend sealing the stone during installation with a good-quality stone impregnator,’ says Denise. ‘This is particularly important around eating and barbecue areas, where greasy food may be spilled.’ Once the stone has been treated, any surface dirt can then just be hosed or pressure-washed off.
The level and frequency of cleaning will depend a little on where the stone is laid, though. ‘If you have a pale stone in a shady area that collects a lot of leaf litter, it’s best to sweep it regularly to prevent a build-up of debris,’ says Denise. ‘It’s also advisable to remove bird droppings on a regular basis, but spot cleaning can be done using a specialist stone cleaner.’
TELL US…
Have you used natural stone in your outside space? Share your advice and photos in the Comments below.
‘We normally recommend sealing the stone during installation with a good-quality stone impregnator,’ says Denise. ‘This is particularly important around eating and barbecue areas, where greasy food may be spilled.’ Once the stone has been treated, any surface dirt can then just be hosed or pressure-washed off.
The level and frequency of cleaning will depend a little on where the stone is laid, though. ‘If you have a pale stone in a shady area that collects a lot of leaf litter, it’s best to sweep it regularly to prevent a build-up of debris,’ says Denise. ‘It’s also advisable to remove bird droppings on a regular basis, but spot cleaning can be done using a specialist stone cleaner.’
TELL US…
Have you used natural stone in your outside space? Share your advice and photos in the Comments below.
‘Natural stone is incredibly durable and long lasting,’ says Becky Birch, ‘and its beauty improves with age.’ Stone can enhance an outdoor space by complementing other natural materials and, thanks to its hard-wearing nature and quality, can add value to your property.
‘What I love about natural stone is its versatility,’ says Laara Copley-Smith. ‘Whether you use it in a classic, traditional capacity or in a modernist, minimal style, it has a pleasing natural solidity and grounds the space. You just don’t get that from walking on a concrete product fabricated to look like stone.’