If you choose natural stone when designing your terrace, you are guaranteed not to go wrong. The easy-care and weather-resistant material doesn't just look beautiful. The different types of stone patio coverings have different looks and colors, so that not only a Mediterranean and rustic style can be created, but also a modern or elegant one. We have listed some suitable types with all their properties, advantages and disadvantages to make your choice of natural stone patio slabs easier. You can also find out which stone offers which color variants so that you can design the color of the terrace according to your wishes.
Granit
Granite is very popular due to its durability. There is also a variety of colors. If you want something more neutral, you can choose any shade of gray. Pink-gray has also proven itself and gives yourTerracea pleasant look. It becomes a little more colorful and strong with terrace slabs made of granite in yellow. But you also have the choice between blue, green, brown, purple, red, white and even elegant black.
Another special property of the stone is its grainy surface. This is irregularly distributed. While the structure makes the stone even in some places, interesting streaks appear in other places. Granite can also have a rough surface and in this way appear particularly natural, or it can be polished and then has an elegant, shiny look that is also very suitable for the terrace.
Advantages:
Granite itself is very weather-resistant and very durable. If the stone is also given a polish, its attractive appearance is guaranteed for decades. This is mainly due to its hardness and density. The stone is even acid-resistant, so cleaning the natural stone patio slabs is particularly easy and does not require special cleaning agents. This easy-care feature is another reason why granite slabs are so popular for outdoor use.
Disadvantages:
What is an advantage also turns out to be a disadvantage. The hardness of the rock leads to very time-consuming processing. This in turn leads to rapid wear and tear on tools and machines used for this purpose and this is of course also factored into the price. This is why granite is a very expensive natural stone, which is especially the case when special designs are desired.
If granite for the terrace is too expensive for you, you can also combine it with other types of natural stone and only use granite here and there to set accents. Remember that the investment is definitely worth it.
Laying basalt
Basalt is also wonderfully suitable for combining terrace slabs made of natural stone. Its dark gray color enables interesting, high-contrast designs by choosing a light natural stone as a second material. However, the choice of colors is not as diverse as with granite stone. It ranges from dark gray to black. However, this does not make the stone any less interesting. Its subtle look makes it timeless and ideal for modern and elegant designs. Impregnation is recommended for outdoor use.
Advantages:
Basalt is a volcanic rock, which also makes it very weather-resistant. It absorbs water to a very small extent. So frost doesn't bother him at all. In addition, its rough surface guarantees non-slip and non-slip properties, which is particularly important for outdoor areas where rain and snow affect the surface.
Disadvantages:
When it comes to care and cleaning, not everything is allowed. Mild cleaning products are used that must not contain any acid. Otherwise its color will change. But if you pay attention to the right care, you can enjoy this stone for many years to come without having to worry about constantly changing fashion.
Travertine panels
You will receive terrace tiles that are MediterraneanTravertinplatten. Warm colors for the terrace slabs made of natural stone in beige, ocher and brown are typical for this stone and create a pleasant, warm atmosphere. Of course no two records are the same. The different nuances that arise with each stone slab create the look typical of natural stone. Travertine is a limestone and is formed in freshwater lakes. This type of stone also has its advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages:
Travertine is also timeless, but this stone does not have a simple, modern look, but rather an old, weathered look that gives the stone slabs their special charm. Even a brand new terrace looks rustic and cozy. Temperature fluctuations have no effect on the panels, provided of course they were installed correctly. Milder acids such as vinegar or fruit juices do not harm the stone either. Nevertheless, a mild cleaning agent should be chosen for care. Scratches are also difficult to form on such plates and tiles.
Although travertine is very robust and durable, it still feels, interestingly, very soft on the feet, which makes it perfect as a floor covering. The stone is also not heated up by the sun like some others, which is something you should consider when making your choice, especially if your terrace is not covered. Moisture is also not absorbed by the rock.
Disadvantages:
The colors for the terrace slabs with a natural stone look often vary greatly. This means that even slabs that originally come from the same quarry can have different colors. Maintenance is quite complex because the rock is characterized by a porous structure. These holes are often filled with resin, but this also wears off quickly. For this reason, there are no polished versions of travertine patio slabs made of natural stone.
Laying limestone
Limestone comes in different colors. These include green, yellow-brown, red and black. It comes in two forms. The stone can be soft and open-pored or dense, which enables elegant polishing. The dense variant is more suitable for outdoor areas as it weathers more slowly than the one characterized by pores. Before you buy limestone, look at the advantages and disadvantages of natural stone slabs.
Advantages:
Limestone slabs are a very cheap option. The reason for this is that the rock is easier to process and tools wear out more slowly. The different color variants enable a variety of patio designs to suit your needs. Ask the manufacturer about suitable natural stone patio slabs that guarantee the slowest possible weathering.
Disadvantages:
As already mentioned, polished panels are best suited for outdoor use. However, you should keep in mind that these polishes are primarily worn out by very acidic rainwater. If you choose open-pored panels, impregnation is recommended. This makes the material more durable.
Shell limestone for the terrace
Shell limestone, as the name suggests, is a limestone. Limestones are formed by lime deposits, usually in the seabed, and often contain mussels and this is the so-called mussel limestone. Here too, the range of colors is diverse. The advantages and disadvantages of shell limestone are similar to those of limestone in general.
Quartzit
Quartzite is a fine, medium-grained rock. It has a high proportion of quartz, which is where the name comes from. The rock can be found in white, grayish, yellow and also reddish colors. It is often the first choice for outdoor use, thanks to its advantages. You can find out about these below:
Advantages:
Quartzite is a very hard rock, which makes it very weather-resistant and perfect for flooring. In addition, its rough surface makes it non-slip and even frost does not harm the stone. This means that your terrace can be safely walked on with such panels, even when it is damp. Quartzite is also characterized by promising resistance to stains and discoloration.
Disadvantages:
A lighter color is more suitable for outdoor areas exposed to direct sunlight, as very dark stones heat up quickly. This can make sitting on the patio on sunny days downright unbearable.
Sandstone
Sandstone is also one of the open-pored stones. Its density and hardness vary. Because sandstone is quarried in many regions of the world, there is also a wider range of colors, which include gray, yellow, beige and brown, as well as bolder colors such as red, blue, green and even multi-colored variations. Sandstone is suitable for a Mediterranean or rustic as well as a modern flair. This depends entirely on the design, the color and the stone design.
Advantages:
Since there are both hard and softer types, you have the choice between cheaper and slightly more expensive natural stone patio slabs. That's why it is often the first choice when it comes to flooring made of natural stone. If you would like to lay natural stone, you can definitely consider sandstone.
Disadvantages:
For outdoor use, it is important to remember that sandstone turns green faster than most other types of stone. However, with impregnation, this weathering process is slowed down, so sandstone remains a suitable option with a good price-performance ratio. Regular care is mandatory, although mild products are definitely preferable.
Slate is not a rock in itself. Instead, it refers to the superimposition of rocks in the form of several layers. For this reason, the colors can vary greatly and are determined by the types of stone contained in the slate. This variant is less suitable for patio slabs made of natural stone as it is not very advantageous for outdoor use and a natural stone patio. However, terraces that are closed by sliding windows in winter can easily be laid with such stone slabs for the terrace.
All of these advantages are intended to give you a rough overview of the most common types of stone. Nevertheless, advice from the manufacturer is recommended. They can also show you a wide range of colors and designs that could influence your decision. The manufacturers' years of experience guarantee you competent advice and let you know the pros and cons of each type of stone for patio slabsNatural stoneweigh it up better.
