Last Updated on July 19, 2024 by Kravelv
Whether you are planning to upgrade your outdoor setting or build it from scratch, choosing the right surfacing material will determine the longevity of your space. Outdoor areas - be it patios, facades, walkways, or pool surrounds - are subjected to severe weather impacts. Therefore, outdoor stone surfaces must be durable enough to stand the test of time.
Here are some of the best stones for various outdoor uses:
Marble
Marble is prized for its luxurious appearance. Its elegant patterns and colors weave into a sophisticated and inviting outdoor experience. Marble feels cool even in scorching hot weather, which makes it a must-have material for patios, garden walkways, and even benches.
It is commonly used for pool decks, outdoor stairs, patios, garden benches, and pathways. Marble surfaces are porous and soft compared to granite, making it prone to staining, scratching, and etching. Therefore, regular sealing is required to protect the surface, especially if it is used on the exterior.
Marble can take different finishes, be it polished or honed, which allows interior designers to create different aesthetics. If marble is sealed and maintained properly, it can last for a long time even in high-traffic areas.
Granite
Granite takes the crown for its unshakable durability, making it an excellent choice for outdoor applications. It shows great resilience against staining, scratching, etching, and heavy impact, enduring wear and tears in heavy-use areas.
Its ability to withstand UV rays, and even other environmental impacts such as rain, and snow renders it a perfect material for outdoor granite kitchen tabletops, countertops, bar tops, patios, staircases, facades, shower walls, and pool surrounds. Granite with its grainy appearance lends a sparkling shimmer to any setting.
Travertine
Travertine is appreciated for its timeless and low-key appeal. Its somber beige and grey hues with delicate veins flowing across the surface create a calm and relaxing environment. This stone has been extensively used in popular Roman architecture.
Travertine's rough texture equips it with the durability to endure heavy footfall. Moreover, the naturally occurring surface indentations hide minor cracks, or scratches, making it more suitable for areas with heavy impact. Being a porous stone, travertine is susceptible to staining, allowing liquids such as coffee, wine, and food spills to seep through its surface.
This is why it is recommended to seal your travertine flooring and countertops on a timely basis. Travertine offers excellent grip for pool surrounds with its textured finishes. Furthermore, its ability to regulate heat enables travertine to maintain a comfortable temperature that renders it cool even on hot summer days.
Many interior designers choose travertine to create luxurious outdoor settings for high-end projects.
Slate
Slate has a distinctive, rustic appearance due to its natural cleft surface and varied colors of gray, green, blue, and black. Its textured surface is highly slip-resistant, even when wet. Slate is strong and resistant to freezing and thawing, making it ideal for colder areas.
Slate is commonly used for patio flooring, pool surrounds, walkways, garden paths, and outdoor wall cladding. However, slate thickness varies, so careful selection and competent installation are required for a flawless finish. Regular sealing is recommended to keep its beauty and protect against moisture and stains.
Quartzite
Quartzite stone is an embodiment of beauty and durability. Its unbeatable resilience against scratching, staining, moisture, and etching, makes it ideal for outdoor choices. It can withstand severe weather conditions without losing its structural integrity.
Moreover, nature produces a wide range of colors in quartzite that add visual interest to any setting and its marble-like veins create a stunning contrast against the bold backdrops.
Quartzite is so strong and durable that it takes no effort to clean and maintain. Quartzite is commonly used for outdoor bar tops, kitchen countertops, and pool surrounds. Its translucency allows for gorgeous backlit applications that visually transform any ambiance into a wonderland.
Dolomite
Dolomite is another popular stone used outdoors. It is harder than marble but not as strong as granite or quartzite. Dolomite surfaces offer a perfect blend of workability and strength. It offers great resilience against extreme heat, making it a good option for outdoor applications.
Dolomite comes in a variety of soft shades with typically subtle and cloudy veining, providing a refined and more elegant look. Common applications for dolomite include outdoor kitchen countertops, patios, pool surrounds, and garden pathways. While dolomite is comparatively less porous than marble, it still requires sealing to protect against stubborn stains.
However, dolomite requires consistent cleaning and proactive measures to maintain its natural brilliance and structure for a longer period.
Choosing the best stone surface for outdoor applications is all about balancing aesthetics, durability, and upkeep requirements. There is no such thing as the perfect stone. Every stone comes with its own set of boons and banes.
Which stone would be ideal for you depends on your requirements, design plan, and budget. While quartzite, and marble incline slightly on the expensive side, granite, slate, and dolomite are available at affordable prices. Proper selection, installation, and maintenance will ensure that these stone surfaces remain aesthetically beautiful and functional for the years to come.
