Between concrete, gravel or paving stone, it turns out to be complicated to choose the flooring for your garden or terrace. Apart from its aesthetic appearance, the latter must be robust, comfortable and permeable. Installation, maintenance and price are also among the selection criteria. Zoom on the different types of outdoor floors.
Outdoor flooring: instructions for use
More than design, an aisle appeals for its practicality. It allows you to move from one point of the garden to another without having to wade through the mud on rainy days. Therefore, the material for the flooring should be chosen depending on the style of the garden or balcony as well as the technical difficulties characterizing the land. So-called “leaky” materials such as gravel and sand should be avoided for a sloping garden. It is also preferable to set up winding paths in order to limit the slope. The durability of the material is also a criterion to consider so as not to be obliged to renew it regularly.
The different types of garden flooring
There is a wide range of floor coverings for garden paths, terraces or balconies. Their use depends above all on the desired effect.
Pavers
Pavers are perfect for adding character to a garden. Those in natural stone such as granite and sandstone add a touch of elegance. There is nothing better than reconstituted stone pavers for a perfect imitation of stone. In addition, they are resistant and less expensive.
The brands also offer concrete pavers in a wide choice of colors, shapes and sizes to make a garden more modern. Pavers are generally appreciated for their ease of installation and adaptability. They are easy to maintain, as long as you clean the aisle often.
Slabs
Reconstituted tiles are available in all shapes and colors to ensure a smooth surface. In natural or prefabricated stone, the slabs are suitable above all for flat land where they allow the development of straight paths. It should nevertheless be noted that this type of slab requires the implementation of a concrete screed so that the slabs do not split easily.
For a driveway, it is better to use polyethylene hollow core slabs. In addition to this, the slabs in Japanese step allow to create dotted paths leading to a specific area.
Regardless of the type of driveway you choose, the tiles are easy to clean and do not require a lot of maintenance. The best ceramic coatings are important here.
The gravel
Quite common, gravel blends in with any landscape as it comes in different colors and shapes. For a garden path, it is advisable to use gravel with sharp edges so that it is perfectly stable. Before placing the gravel, the ideal is to place hollow slabs on the ground to hold the gravel. It is also possible to install plastic cells which will hold the chippings.
