Garden slabs and pavers are types of concrete or stone hardscaping pieces that can be both a practical and ascetic addition to many gardens and patios. Available in a variety of different types of natural and artificial materials, garden slabs are often commonly seen in many gardens used to create paths or to “frame” certain segments of the garden. In addition to different material types, pavers and slabs can be purchased in a variety of different shapes, sizes, and thicknesses at the local home improvement store or plant nursery.
Concrete paving slabs is an affordable and popular choice for many gardens and often have designs ranging from plain shapes that are very functional in appearance to far more elaborate molded patterns. Concrete paving slabs are also very durable and long lasting.
There are a number of common and popular natural stone choices including sandstone and granite pavers or slabs. Unlike concrete, different types of natural stones can provide a variety of different looks to the garden itself. Also unlike concrete, certain natural stones will react differently to moisture, sunlight, and other outdoor elements which can either enhance or detract from the beauty of your garden depending on what you’re looking for. Many natural garden slabs also come in a variety of different types of finishes ranging from smooth polishes to roughly hewn surfaces. Each will often impart the different look and feel to the garden.
Choosing what type of slab or paver to use can also vary by the location. For instance, more heavily traveled areas such as driveways, pool decks, or patios might favor more practical and rugged materials like concrete as they will show less signs of wear in the long run than other more decorative types of stones. On the other hand for creating pathways or retaining walls in a garden, more decorative stones like granite or sandstone might be more preferable.
Thus, a certain amount of planning should be involved to decide what type of look or style you want for your garden so that you can have an easier time choosing what type of garden slab you want. In most cases both concrete and natural stone slabs or pavers will fit in and nicely complement a variety of different gardens while still serving a practical function. The actual installation of garden slabs or pavers can be either done by a licensed contractor or done by you.