Every outdoor landscaping project is done with the express purpose of making your space more beautiful and livable.
Stone and brick laying is no different.
Regardless of the project, be it a patio, driveway or walking path, the first thing to consider is what pattern is right for you and your property.
The right stone pattern can augment the visual appeal of your property and raise the value of your home overall.
The selection process
In order to select the right stone laying pattern for your project there are a few simple questions you should ask yourself right out of the gate.
1. What size will my project be?
The size of your outdoor space, the surrounding area and the actual scope of the project can all be used as guides to select an appropriate pattern.
In simplistic terms this means that smaller stones fit best in small projects and larger stones for big projects.
Most patterns can be executed in small or large scale, if you have the right size of stones, but a mixture of three or more sizes can help to build a more random or natural look. This is best suited to larger jobs like patios and driveways.
For a more uniform and regulated look and feel it is best to keep it simple with one or two size variants.
These patterns can be augmented even further by using a collection of different stones, in addition to size ranges, for an even more unique design.
2. Do I want borders or other unique features?
With stone laying there are so many choices and opportunities to make a project truly unique.
Similar to garden trim, stone borders can help frame your stone design and clearly define the edges of the designated space.
With the proper foresight and planning, other interesting patterns can be integrated into the core of your project.
For example, many homeowners like to build in circular features at the center of a driveway design.
3. What other landscaped designs and features will be affected?
Another thing to consider is how the rest of your property will be affected:
- Will other features such as retaining walls, garden beds and the family pool work with this new stone pattern?
- Are these other features so close that special integration needs to be considered?
Similarly to borders, other outdoor features such as a pool can be seamlessly integrated into laid stone walkways and patios with a little extra material.
If these features are to remain separate you’ll generally want at least a meter of space between them for proper separation.
Anything less than that and you should consider wrapping them into the stone design.
Patterns
Now it’s time to choose a design that works for your space. Here’s a few well-known options for your stone laying project.
- Random Course: This design is simple yet timeless. Each row of stones, often made up of two sizes, is randomly offset from the next row in line. This pattern integrates some random elements with some degree of organization creating a happy medium between chaos and order.
- Stretcher Bond: A strong organized pattern that stands out, stretcher bond is built of one size of stone. The edge of each stone aligns perfectly with the center of the block directly above or below it, creating a pattern similar to that seen on brick walls.
- Repeatable Random: This design can be completely free form. Generally done with three or more sizes, stones are fitted together randomly in a Tetris-like pattern.
Now that you’re educated it’s time to get started. Contact Lane’s Landscaping today to request a quote.
