When you want to build the best possible paved surface for outdoor living, look to Unilock products. Unilock features excellent products that have been used in many thousands of American and Canadian homes and they’ve been a go-to company for contractors that want to deliver quality for their clients. With naturally-occurring bluestone becoming harder to source and more expensive every year (not to mention the challenges inherent in natural stone), you may need an alternative. Here are four reasons to choose Unilock pavers when you want the look of bluestone in Bergen County, NJ.
Natural Bluestone Alternatives
The quarries of New York and Pennsylvania have produced the bluestone that’s present in paved surfaces of the Mid-Atlantic Region. Since demand remains high, natural alternatives for bluestone are becoming more and more popular. Sandstone natural stone slabs from Unilock in a soft Stone Cliff Grey; or Limestone in a mid-toned Hearthstone are two great alternatives to the steely grays of bluestone.
Pavers Strong Enough for Driveways
Having a uniform color scheme across your landscape may be one of the goals. The driveway should always be considered in the design decisions - not as an afterthought but with the same level of care and quality as your walkways, patio, and pool deck.
However, natural bluestone isn’t suitable for driveway applications because it is a sedimentary stone made of many very thin layers, which can’t withstand the pressures and abrasion of vehicular traffic. Unilock has pioneered beautiful driveway pavers with their patented Ultima technology, enabling a driveway that’s up to four times stronger than poured concrete. Richcliff pavers from Unilock feature the gorgeous look of bluestone and have an incredible naturalistic texture that embodies the spirit of the outstanding Mid-Atlantic geology. Color variations of Richcliff that follow the look of bluestone include Dawn Mist, Pebble Taupe, and Smoke Shale. To build some beautiful patterns in your driveway, use more than one of these color selections in a random, naturalistic mix.
Perfect Pavers for Pool Decks
You’ll also want to give your pool that beautiful bluestone addition. Pool decks need to be specifically designed for safety due to the constant surface water next to the pool. Although bluestone is a variety of sandstone and can have a non-slip texture, it’s not consistent among every single stone due to natural variations. Bluestone is also more susceptible to water infiltration which will eventually succumb to the freeze-thaw cycle and cause the slab to start flaking or cracking. Beacon Hill Flagstone pavers from Unilock are some of the more popular pavers for pool use and for good reason. They’re incredibly strong, holding up in all seasons and featuring a safe non-slip surface. The Steel Mountain color variation will mimic the look of bluestone and adorn your pool for many years.
Unilock also makes a number of permeable pavers including Thornbury Smooth and Treo Permeable, which can give you the look of bluestone while preventing excess water from collecting on the surface.
Modern Textures and Looks
Bluestone is one of those beautiful masonry stones that are used primarily in traditional home landscapes throughout the region. However, the bluestone alternatives from Unilock will look great in contemporary home landscapes as well. The Beacon Hill Smooth pavers from Unilock retain the gorgeous look of bluestone without the busy naturalistic texture that can be too much for a contemporary space. Brilliant color variations with this paver type that work well as bluestone alternatives are Almond Grove, Steel Mountain, and New York Blend.
Related: PAVING STONES VS. PATIO PAVERS: TIPS FOR WHICH IS BEST FOR A SUSSEX COUNTY, NJ, BACKYARD
