Homeowners in the Kansas City area that are considering installing a new patio or upgrading an existing one have several options, and many are curious about the pros & cons of natural stone patios. These patios are known for having a beautiful and distinctive appearance, but what other benefits do they bring to the table?
We’re going to dive into not only the benefits of natural stone patios but also the potential drawbacks that homeowners may want to consider before committing to having anything installed. You may decide that a natural stone patio is right for your home, or you may find out a serious, deal-breaking drawback that you just don’t want to deal with.
What Are Natural Stone Patios?
Natural stone patios are patios that are constructed on a foundation and have a top surface of natural stone. The natural stone could be anything from a Bluestone product, to a flagstone-type material that can be cut into shapes such as triangles or rectangles as needed.
The Pros & Cons
Pros
Timeless In Style
One of the biggest benefits that people tend to cite as the reason for them wanting a natural stone patio, is the simple, timeless beauty of the stone itself. Just like a natural wood door can provide a very old-world charm to a home, a natural stone patio can do similarly for an exterior leisure space. This appearance is bold but neutral, so it can be easily coordinated with the rest of the home and landscaping.
Look Great Over Time
One big drawback to many other materials is that they tend to degrade over time and either need significant repairs or even replacement. Natural stone patios, however, age very beautifully and tend to look better over time.
High Resale Value
According to many real estate experts, natural stone patios will consistently add value to your home. While many people have the desire to customize their exterior leisure spaces to a very personal degree, natural stone patios are almost universally desired and seen as value-adding when putting your home on the market.
Cons
Natural Stone Can Peel & Crack
One downside to natural stone patios is that the stone surface can peel and crack over time. This isn’t something that can be avoided and is simply a by-product of the way that common landscaping stones are formed within the crust of the earth. Visually, once the peeled sections are swept up, the stone often appears as good as new. This is especially common after a hard freeze or thaw.
While many people often cite this as a drawback to having a natural stone patio, most homeowners that have chosen to have natural stone patios installed have done so because they saw this minor drawback as acceptable in the big picture. Since the appearance of the natural stone is so gorgeous, it’s often seen as worth it to have to deal with some surface degradation over the years.
Does Not Tolerate Vehicular Traffic
Natural stone will not stand up to vehicular traffic. This is just one of the compromises that homeowners make when choosing a natural stone. It simply can’t be used for driveways, so beware of any contractor or company that claims they have a natural stone product that can be used in a driveway setting.
Don’t Salt Natural Stone Patios
During snow and ice storms, it can be tempting to apply salt based ice melting products to your natural stone patio. Do not apply salts to your natural stone. It can damage the stone causing pits and cracks.
Make Sure Your Natural Stone Patio Is Installed By An Expert
Exterior upgrades can add a lot of value and family bonding potential to your home, and choosing to put in a new natural stone patio is something that will benefit your family for years to come. If you have any questions, reach out to a member of our expert local patio installation team.
