Limestone pavers! Why are they the best choice for paving work?
It is a wise decision to choose limestone pavers above other materials when you are considering pavers. They are low maintenance material, and can be used in the interior as well as the exterior of homes and buildings in both residential and commercial settings. Homeowners and business owners will invest in limestone pavers over granite because limestone is easier and less expensive to install. Limestone has a beautiful blend of light and dark coloured rock, with stunning textures and grains which are clearly visible. There are so many different kinds of paving materials you can choose from, but the great thing about limestone is that it is easily affordable, durable and is stain resistant with proper care and maintenance.
What is limestone?
Limestone forms naturally in the sea bed. Over thousands of years and under immense pressure, this rock is formed due to the action called sedimentation. Limestone shows such features that are not present in any other rock, so are used all the way from small-scale construction to large commercial projects.
Where can you use limestone paving?
Limestone pavers can be used from many outdoor spaces, such as swimming pool areas, driveways, courtyards, patios, walkways, verandahs, landscaping, stepping stones and more. Limestone can even be used inside the house for such areas like countertops, flooring, fireplaces and mantelpieces, and even tables.
How to use limestone for paving:
It’s imperative to make sure you have chosen not only quality products but also a quality installer, when working with limestone pavers. Cutting costs today may seem like saving, however, it could mean exorbitant repair costs and higher on-going maintenance costs over time.
Limestone is a durable material, although it is highly porous. Being porous will mean it can absorb moisture, and could cause premature deterioration. To prevent deterioration, make sure you or the team you employ use a sealer to repel any moisture off the surface and stop it from seeping into the paver.
There are a few ways to install limestone. We would firstly suggest hiring a professional team. However, if you are handy and you are confident in paving the most ideal way to lay Limestone is called “Slab Paving”.
Basic steps:
1. Pour a concrete slab and allow 14 days for it to cure.
2. Waterproof your concrete slab.
3. Apply a flexible glue onto each paver allowing a minimum 3mm gap between each stone paver for expansion and contraction.
4. Pre-seal highly textured surfaces before you start grouting. Otherwise, it will be very challenging to remove any grout haze from the textured surface.
5. Once you have laid the concrete slab, waterproofed it, sealed the stones and applied the glue, you can finally grout your pavers!
6. Once you have finished grouting, you want to clean off any excess grout from your pavers.
7. Now you can add the final touch with the top sealer! We suggest using a water-based sealer as it penetrates deep into the pores of the stone and generally lasts up to 15 years.
8. Now that your pavers are sealed you can enjoy your new area!
The benefits of using limestone for paving:
Colour: because limestone is a naturally occurring stone, it means there are a wide range of unique colours such as terracotta, greys, blues and sandy shades. This is beneficial for pavers as generally there are many other architectural factors or landscaping where you need to tie in different colours to make the space look visually pleasing. Paving can either become a stand out feature or might need to be subtle under foot.
Add value: Limestone will increase the value of your property and improve your home’s curb appeal, especially if you pave driveways and front pathways. Potential buyers appreciate the use of limestone as a natural stone, as opposed to just artificially made concrete.
Environmental appeal: Limestone is an eco friendly option, especially in comparison to concrete, as it does not involve the process of artificial production. The production of concrete produces many environmental hazards. The initial cost of limestone might be higher because of the process of exposing, manufacturing and shipping limestone, but compared to the amount of pollution concrete creates, the financial cost is worth the environmental savings.
Non slip: Limestone paving can be used for wet areas around swimming pools and patios. With proper sealing limestone is extremely durable, and will not get damaged by the extreme changes in weather conditions and temperatures.
Versatile: limestone paving is a cost effective and stylish method of having a safe and versatile stone for your paving around your home or outdoor space. They can also be used in commercial space as well as the residential areas.
At Bonita Stone, we are experts in all things paving and we can provide you with natural limestone for your next project. Reach out to our friendly team today so we can help discuss not only the pros and cons for your situation. We are always working hard to be the best paving company Perth has to offer. Whether we get to supply pavers for a school or are delivering pavers for a patio around a pool, we are continuously working effectively and efficiently to offer the perfect pavers for your new floor. Unfortunately, there are some companies that sell cheap imports. So please keep that in mind when doing your research around paving with limestone
