The title image features Richcliff
Bluestone is a very popular stone used on patios and walkways. Its unparalleled character pairs exceptionally well with any architectural style. However, bluestone is not ideal in every application. To help you make the best choice for your Pottstown, PA, outdoor living space and create a cohesive appearance throughout your landscape, we’ll discuss achieving the look of bluestone with concrete pavers.
The Allure of Bluestone
Why is bluestone such a coveted material? Its unique steel-blue color, often accented with flecks of rusty reds, browns, or other colors, and its rustic texture makes it an ideal pairing for virtually any architectural style.
However, bluestone isn’t always the best choice. Bluestone can become very slippery when wet, and the dark color can become uncomfortably hot, making it less than ideal for pool surrounds or hot tubs.
Bluestone is vulnerable to damage. This fairly porous sedimentary stone is made up of layers and can be prone to cracking and spalling (flaking) due to the freeze-thaw cycle. This can be mitigated to some extent by sealing the stone, but the stone won’t last as long as less porous stone.
Bluestone also doesn’t stand up well to abrasion or pressure from vehicles. This basically limits its practical uses to patios and perfectly flat walkways. That may be fine unless you wanted to extend its good looks to other hardscape features.
Alternatives to Bluestone
Today, you can choose a variety of bluestone alternatives from Unilock that give you the beauty of bluestone with greater durability and flexibility of applications. Here are five pavers with the look of bluestone.
Bristol Valley pavers are favored among homeowners with children as well as those who entertain frequently. Even though it is a textured paver, it is made with EasyClean stain resistance technology to minimize upkeep and prevent staining from pool chemicals, food and beverage spills, and deicing salts. Bristol Valley is available in Bavarian, New York Blend, and Steel Mountain.
Beacon Hill Flagstone is a larger format paver that also delivers the rustic flagstone texture and bluestone colors including Steel Mountain, New York Blend, Almond Grove, and Fossil. Use the oversized rectangle size to achieve a more sophisticated yet relaxed look on your patio, pool deck, or walkway.
Treo Premier is a paver similar to Beacon Hill Flagstone but in a smaller package. The colors closest to bluestone include New York Blend, Fossil, Almond Grove, and Steel Mountain. This stylish paver can be used for any pedestrian application as well as your driveway for a unified look throughout your landscape.
Richcliff pavers are considered the most realistic bluestone alternative from Unilock, thanks to Reala technology, which uses casts taken from real flagstone. Not only do you benefit from a greater variety of patterns, blending two or three of the colors (Smoke Shale, Dawn Mist, and Pebble Taupe) on-site results in a truly authentic, random, and natural look. This paver is also incredibly strong thanks to Ultima technology, which makes it suitable for any pedestrian or residential vehicular application.
Thornbury pavers can be installed as a permeable surface to make your hardscape features more eco-friendly by helping to minimize runoff. This paver is similar to Beacon Hill Flagstone but comes in a smaller format that can handle vehicular loads. Its blended colors (Bavarian Blend, Almond Grove, New York Blend, and Steel Mountain) are wonderful on their own, and spectacular when mixed on-site.
