A new patio, outdoor kitchen or outdoor living area is an exciting and valuable addition to your home. But like building a home, building a Hardscape comes with a lot of decisions. In this short series of articles, we are looking at how the patterns, colors and textures in concrete paving stones can influence the look and feel of a Hardscape.

Texture

Texture is a basic design element that adds tone, depth and weight to a room. Unlike colors and patterns, texture is a 3-dimensional aspect of design. Touch is the main sense for texture. It’s concerned with how the surface characteristics feel to us, and how those surfaces interact with the other elements of the design. Texture is an almost magical element that elevates and accentuates the color and pattern in the design.

The texture of natural mined stone is determined by its composite minerals, as different minerals vary in their structure. The mining or collection process also affects mined stone’s texture because it shows the sharp and jagged surface of the machine’s cut. The stones are smoothed down in the mining process but those cuts are still evident in the finished product. Concrete paving stones like Chiseled Stone mimic the varied surface structure of mined stone.

Aged Stone

Another example of closely-mimicked stones are aged stone pavers. These pavers are distressed with a rough, irregular edges which make them resemble bricks in a colonial American street.

Like colors and patterns, you can use texture to separate spaces and build visual interest. Large spaces can be divided into determined-use areas, e.g. a kitchen, a fire pit, a living room or a hot tub spa retreat. Different pavers help send the signal that the space has transitioned into another outdoor room. Surfaces also send signals about your design – a smooth surface is more open and contemporary but rougher and more natural textures have a rustic, cozy feel. Each patio area may call for a different texture. The important step is to always keep your options open. Thinking outside the box can help you build a dream space.