Advantages and Disadvantages of Limestone Paving

Limestone paving, once laid, is a very low maintenance material that blends well into a variety of outdoor, natural environments. It is used in the interior as well as the exterior of homes and buildings in both residential and commercial settings. Homeowners and business owners often choose limestone pavers over granite because limestone is easier to work with and less expensive to install. But deciding whether limestone is the right choice for you for a specific application will require a careful evaluation of the pros and cons of this type of paver.

Disadvantages of Limestone Paving

Limestone Is Limited in Supply In Some Areas:

In comparison with sandstone, granite, concrete or brick pavers, limestone may only be available in limited quantities in certain regions. There are two broad categories used to classify most paving materials: quarried stone and composite material. Quarried stones include granite, limestone, slate, and marble.

Composite material includes brick, and pre-cast concrete pavers that are molded and processed as soft or liquid materials first and then fired or dried. Concrete and brick pavers are widely available, so these materials are generally cheaper than quarried materials like limestone which can vary in price depending on the quantity availability from region to region and the distance from its source.

Limestone Can Be Easier To Work With:

In some parts of North America, limestone is relatively uncommon. For example, along the coast of California and in the Pacific Northwest, limestone is scarce so the cost of this material is almost as high as the cost of sandstone or granite. Nothing beats the durability or wide range of color-choices as granite, but the areas of the nation where limestone is quarried and therefore less expensive, these pavers are an excellent second choice. Despite the high durability and wide array of color options of granite, people often choose limestone over granite because limestone is easier to work with than granite and it requires only minimal maintenance. The fine grains of limestone makes it easy to cut and shape for projects that require customization.

Professional Pressure Washing Needed to Prevent Limestone Staining:

Unlike other surfacing materials, limestone can suffer from staining. This problem can be remedied by hiring someone who’s knowledgeable about limestone-care to do pressure cleaning. Normally, limestone requires very little maintenance aside from regular sweeping with a stiff brush, but customers who hire a High Pressure Cleaning Professional to do stain removal need to make sure that care is taken not to blast away sand in the joints between pavers. Occasional pressure-cleaning is all most limestone paving needs to maintain its appearance and stay in good shape.

Benefits of Limestone Paving: A Natural Aesthetic:

There are a number of advantages to using limestone pavers. Since limestone exists naturally in caves, sea beds, and mountains, they blend in nicely and enhance the appearance of natural environments. These pavers are durable, but still malleable enough that they can be shaped to fit into patios, garages, or gardens. A number of people proudly choose limestone because it’s ecologically friendly and does not add to a home’s carbon footprint.

Limestone Has A Distinctive Look Not Found With Quarried Materials:

While the color options for limestone are more limited than those for sandstone or granite, there are a number of color options available for limestone paving including dark-gray, pale gray, blue-gray, tan, and cream colors. The limestone palette is more evenly colored than its sandstone or granite counter-parts and it has a coloring that’s more predictable in rainy or wet weather than that of sandstone. Many people choose limestone pavers to give the exterior of their home or office a distinctive look that just isn’t possible using other quarried materials.

Limestone Can Be Low Maintenance But Need Professional Pressure Cleaning:

One of the biggest advantages of using limestone is its low maintenance requirements. That being said, brand new limestone pavers are more likely to require maintenance than reclaimed limestone flags that have been subjected to some wear and tear. But even new limestone walkways and patios require only minimal maintenance. Limestone paving (new or old) should never be de-iced using salt, for example. Salt can cause pitting or scaling of the limestone so homeowners should instead use sand to de-ice a limestone walkway. And stains require professional pressure cleaning services as well as paved areas that are perpetually wet or shady that develop algae, lichen, or moss growth. In most cases, pressure cleaning services can take care of any maintenance issues that arise for limestone paving. In the meantime, homeowners can simply enjoy their limestone walkway or patio, sweeping it occasionally with a stiff brush to keep it tidy and looking beautiful.