With such an incredible range of texture, colour, size and shape available, it is not surprising that "paving" remains one of the most popular landscaping materials in the garden today. Here at Tom Moore Landscaping we have created a number of beautiful gardens using natural stone. There really is something for everyone, from the most traditional cottage garden to the cutting edge contemporary "outdoor space" – the choice is yours.
Perhaps the most difficult thing is to choose the right stone for you and your garden, whether you want to match the style of your own property and continue a theme, or contrast with the surrounding area.
You can find some striking examples of some of our paving work in the photographs on this page. More examples can be found within the portfolio section of this website.
There is no finer paving than natural stone, a material, which will outlast our lifetime. A truly natural product with varying texture and colour determined by millions of years of geological processes instead of chemical colourings and dyes.
One of the most popular choices has to be that of the traditional Indian Sandstone. This natural stone is available in a range of shades and colours. The stone can be sawn or supplied in its "riven" state. The word riven refers to the surface of the flagstone; this is a natural bedding plane from which the stone was quarried. Popular colours used in landscaping are buff, brown, green and red.
York stone (or locally quarried Sandstone from the UK) is another alternative - traditionally hewn from the Pennine grits. This does however tend to cost a little more than the imported Indian sandstone.
Here at Tom Moore Landscaping we source our stone from local suppliers such as Hardcores (Sheffield), South Yorkshire Stone (Sheffield) and Wath Stone (Dearne Valley). We also visit several Derbyshire quarries when sourcing specific granite sections, stones or other materials. The companies ensure that correct and ethical procedures are adhered to at extraction and distribution stage, and this is particularly relevant when importing Indian Sandstone.
There is also a decision whether to choose newly quarried stones or go with reclaimed slabs. By using reclaimed materials in a garden, you immediately add an element of history and obtain that "weathered" "lived in" look so many desire. The newer slabs will of course "age" and you will ultimately obtain the same effect.
Natural slate paving is a very attractive material to use in the garden. Slate is strong and resistant to water. The dark colours can be particularly contrasting and can go towards creating a more contemporary look whilst maintaining a "natural" finish. The size and thickness (as with any natural product) can of course vary. Common colours are black, green and red.
Limestone is another popular choice. This sedimentary rock can be very similar in appearance to slate. It has very low water absorption and common shades include grey, black, buff and green.
Stone cobbles are hand chiselled natural stones, which are environmentally sound, recyclable, non-slip, everlasting and require almost no maintenance.
There is a range of cobblestones available in all styles, sizes and colour. Because of their natural beauty and architectural properties they are widely used for decorative purposes. They can be very effective when used to edge patios, a pond or to section off one area of the garden. As you can see in the photos, they can be very attractive when edging pathways or small areas of water and they go to add interest to the rest of the garden. They are also very popular to use when laying a driveway. Cobbles are available in sandstone, limestone, granite and slate.