Landscape Paving 101: Some Reasons to Go for Granite
Thinking about a new patio or path? Invest in granite for its durability and low maintenance
Falon Mihalic
July 28, 2015
Houzz Contributor. Landscape Architect in Texas and Florida and owner of Falon Land Studio LLC. Through landscape design, I create spaces for quiet reflection and lush gardens using native plant palettes and sustainable stormwater techniques. I'm a contributing writer to Houzz so that I can be active in the conversation about sustainable design for residential projects. Learn more about my company's work at falonland.com
Houzz Contributor. Landscape Architect in Texas and Florida and owner of Falon Land... More
Granite is one tough, resilient paving material. Available in cut stone and irregular shapes, it’s a popular paving material for driveways and walkways because of its strength. It is low maintenance and makes a great durable walkway, patio or terrace in the home landscape.
The basics: Granite is an igneous rock with a recognizable grainy pattern. It’s quarried all over the world and is readily available for landscape and building applications. Granite is an old-world stone, like limestone, that was used in early architectural applications.
Cost: $14 to $20 per square foot installed.
Shown: Black granite from Minnesota
Cost: $14 to $20 per square foot installed.
Shown: Black granite from Minnesota
Pros
Cons
- Long-lived and extremely durable
- Low maintenance
- Reusable
- Very dense, hard rock that stands up to vehicle loading and traffic
- Does not crack or split
Cons
- Expensive, especially if using rare colors
- Heavy, making it a potentially tough material to use for DIY projects
Shown: Common granite cobble-style pavers with moss growing between them
Size and color: Granite is available as cut, dimensioned stone and irregular stone, just like limestone and bluestone. Common dimension stone sizes are 3 inches by 6 inches, 6 inches by 9 inches and 9 inches by 12 inches. Stones in these sizes are cut to share a similar edge dimension so they can be combined into ashlar paving patterns.
Granite does not just come in gray. It is also available in pinks, whites, tans and deep charcoal to black. Deep pink and black are rare colors that cost more than the more typical gray tones.
Finishes: Granite, like other natural stones, can have a finish that ranges from smooth to rough. Honed, thermal and split-face options are all great for outdoor applications. The smoothest finish is polished and too slick for paving, but makes a beautiful fountain or wall veneer. Finishes for outdoor paving need a little texture to make them slip-proof.
Granite does not just come in gray. It is also available in pinks, whites, tans and deep charcoal to black. Deep pink and black are rare colors that cost more than the more typical gray tones.
Finishes: Granite, like other natural stones, can have a finish that ranges from smooth to rough. Honed, thermal and split-face options are all great for outdoor applications. The smoothest finish is polished and too slick for paving, but makes a beautiful fountain or wall veneer. Finishes for outdoor paving need a little texture to make them slip-proof.
Maintenance: Granite paving is a low-maintenance material that needs only an occasional pressure washing or a periodic rinsing. If your paving is permeable, you may also need to pull weeds or refill sand between the paving joints to keep them tidy.
Shown: Reclaimed granite set in compacted crushed stone
Shown: Reclaimed granite set in compacted crushed stone
Irregularly shaped granite surrounds granite fieldstone at the end of a rain chain.
Sustainability: Granite has a long life, which makes it a sustainable material — it gets additional sustainability points if sourced locally or a recycled variety is used. To make granite even more sustainable, set sand or gravel between the stones so that it is permeable. Permeable granite paving allows for rainwater to infiltrate the soil below, which is good for water quality and runoff.
Learn more about infiltration and managing stormwater in your landscape
Shown: Thin recycled granite pavers in a mix of pink and pinkish-gray colors
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Learn more about infiltration and managing stormwater in your landscape
Shown: Thin recycled granite pavers in a mix of pink and pinkish-gray colors
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I like the way granite looks. It's one of the main reasons why I want to have it incorporated into my landscape. It's good to know that this type of stone will stand up to vehicle loading and traffic. Although that probably won't be an issue, it's good to take into account. http://www.aussierockmen.com.au/newpage
I have been to every granite and stone vendor in Nashville TN and surrounding areas. When I mention granite for walkways, they look at me as if I have 2 heads. Granite is only offered for countertops in this area; what's worse, people here refuse to accept that granite can be safe underfoot depending on the finish. It's so discouraging.
You should also mention that is is extremely dense and difficult to cut with a stone saw as a con to granite!