Masters Home Improvement

In Australia, living and dining outside is one of our favourite pastimes, particularly during the warmer months.  All you need are the classic essentials – a good barbie and a large table to accommodate family and friends.

But before the furniture and accessories arrive, you need to consider what lies beneath.

Pavers provide a contemporary look that creates an area, such as a pathway or eating zone.  They also require much less upkeep than a lawn or garden.

To help choose the right pavers, here are the hard facts on colours, materials, sizes and textures…

Colour consideration

In general, dark colours absorb and retain more heat than light colours.  The more light that is absorbed, the greater the heat produced, therefore lighter colours are cooler on the feet.

It may be tempting to select white pavers – it provides a strong contrast against the blues of a pool or the greens of a garden – but off-white or beige is a better option as it produces much less glare.

Blurring the boundaries

To bring continuity to the interior of a house, similar surfaces and tones are beautifully integrated.  So why not follow this theory in the backyard?

To create a seamless transition from the kitchen to the outdoor entertaining zone, select pavers that have similar tones and sizes as the interior tiles.

By creating an inside-outside feel, the right types of pavers can transform a tired backyard into an extension of your home.

Trends

Large format is still a massive trend and it works a treat when using natural stone.  It can be laid in surprising patterns, adding personality to an outdoor space.

Recycled pavers have also become incredibly popular, since they are both cost efficient and eco-friendly.

Tones of grey have entered the style stakes. Dark, moody grey, charcoal and chocolate brown are the epitome of cool, although mid-greys and browns are more suitable if the paving area has direct sun and minimal shading.

Type of paving

Concrete:

It’s a perennial favourite since it’s heavy-duty, easy to clean and reasonably priced.

A myriad of colours, patterns and textures are on offer, and some even replicate natural stone.

Since there are so many options, it makes it easy to mirror the indoor floor tiles, providing a natural connection between inside and out.  

After application, concrete pavers need to be sealed to provide long-lasting protection.

Clay:

Kiln-dried clay pavers are resilient and low maintenance, making them perfect for driveways, pool areas and entertaining areas.  

Since they age gracefully, decorative clay pavers look elegant when utilised as a country-garden pathway.

Geometric patterns, such as herringbone or basketweave, boast beauty and texture in any backyard.

Natural stone:

Warm textures and soft colours come to play when selecting stone pavers, such as limestone, sandstone, granite, slate or bluestone.

They suit any backyard dimensions because they can be cut into an array of interesting shapes, from irregular designs to geometric blocks.

After laying natural stone, it’s important to seal it to protect against any staining, spills or everyday dirt.

Maintenance

Quality paving is durable and low maintenance so a weekly sweep with a stiff broom is virtually all that’s required.

However, you need to be well prepared for any other slip-ups – stains, for example, need to be wiped away in an instant.

Regular resealing is also required.

For more ideas and inspiration, and to see the latest product ranges, visit your local Masters Home Improvement store.