Sunday, July 8, 2012

Outdoor Landscaping With Slate


 

Slate is a metamorphic type of rock, which means that it started out as something else, and then changed over time. This results in a rock that can stand up to changing temperatures and lots of water. These qualities, in addition to the beautiful look of slate, make it a wonderful material for outdoor landscaping.

Many types of outdoor landscaping projects come to mind when we think about stone. If you’re only looking for an accent of stone, you might want to consider a flower bed border. It doesn’t take a lot of stone, and it looks very nice. Many people use brick for this, and while brick is less expensive, it is not as durable as slate. Also, you can usually find broken slate or salvage slate for a project like this and pay very little for it. Some people like to simply line the outside of their flower bed with slate, but others like to build an actual border along the outside – sometimes as high as six inches high.

Stone-China Cobble Stone, Pavers
Another project you could consider is that of a water feature in your yard. Slate can be used to build a fountain-like, or a waterfall-like water feature that will add a cool tranquility to your outdoor space. Because slate can be exposed to water, heat, and even freezing temperatures, it is the perfect material for such a project. As for the look of your water feature – there are many possibilities. You can choose an unusual slate color for the project, for one. For another, you can create very different looking spaces depending on the size of slate pieces you use, and how you arrange them. You could arrange them in a stair pattern, with the water trickling from above. You could use larger sheets of slate to create a basin with a water source in the center. Check online or in do-it-yourself landscaping magazines to get ideas.

Lastly, many people choose to build a walkway or patio out of slate tiles. Slate can get slippery, because it does not absorb water, but there are ways to texture the slate to improve traction. Because the stone is so durable and withstands weather changes so well, it is resistant to cracking, which is a very important feature when considering the material for your walkway or patio.

It is surprisingly easy to lay a slate patio or walkway. Pre-cut slate squares are available for a uniform look, or you can create a quirkier, more natural look with different size and color pieces of slate. While bricks will crack and crumble, concrete will crack and warp, slate will hold up for many years, creating a natural, yet sophisticated and classy look for your patio or walkway.

If cost is a factor, consider the fact that slate has been around for years and years, unlike man-made materials like brick or concrete, so while you may pay a little more upfront, you will certainly save money in the long run because you won’t have costly and time-consuming repairs to do to your outdoor landscaping structures. Slate is an investment, and one that only improves over time.

"Gauged Natural Slate Paver in California Gold"