subject: Types Of Landscaping With Natural Stone [print this page] Using natural stone in your landscaping is a great way to make the best features of your yard to stand out, but many homeowners are simply lost when it comes to choosing the best natural stone for your landscape project. You can do almost anything you want to do with stone, although it certainly does help to have a knowledgeable and creative eye to assist you in planning your landscape design.
While you should start with a general idea of what you want to include in your yard, you should also begin thinking about the style of stone you would like to see as well. There are numerous types of stone used in landscaping, so the best thing to do is learn a little bit about the features of some of the most common landscaping stones available and then use that knowledge to make a decision. Here are some options you will likely be able to choose from:
Sandstone This type of rock is probably one of the most cost-effective in terms of price. Sandstone comes in everything from tan to pink, and it is often the stone of choice for building walls.
LimestoneThese stones do not absorb water much at all and are commonly used to build walls. Tan, white, black, and grey are probably the most common colors you will find.
Granite This is one of the strongest types of stone available. It comes in red or pink shades, although there are other colors that may be a bit more difficult to find. The grain in this type of stone is fine or medium. The most common use for granite is as stepping stones or walls.
Marble This type of stone has very fine grains and comes in colors like yellow, pink, black, white, and brown. Many homeowners love the appearance of marble because it is very elegant. They absorb a lot of water and can be used in water features or around your pool if you are looking for an especially elegant effect.
Slate Green, red, and black are common choices in slate, and one of the best characteristics of this type of rock is how resistant it is to water. If you are planning any kind of water feature or creating a deck space around an in-ground pool, slate may be your best option.
In addition to choosing the type of stone, you also will need to select from the style. Within landscaping, tumbled, non-tumbled, and natural stones are all used. Tumbled stones are those that have been tumbled so that they look like they have been out in the weather. Water, river rock, and sand are mixed together to create a tumbling solution, which the stones are tossed in to age them. Tumbled stones are great if you dont want stones that stand out because they are new. They also make great walking paths or patios because they are less slippery.
Non-tumbled stones tend to have rather sharp edges rather than the smooth surfaces that occur as a result of the tumbling process. These stones are better for creating a focal point in your yard thats decorative rather than functional. Natural stones are those that are left in their natural state. They have been formed by the earth, and nothing has been done to them to make them look aged, but sometimes they do appear weathered simply because they are still in their natural state. Natural stones can be used for just about anything you wish outside.
