A pro and con list comparing natural stone to concrete

Getting to grips with your garden can be a very daunting task. With so many decisions to make, choosing the right paving for you can be one of the hardest. Here is a broad stroke guide to paving.

Natural Stone

Pros

• Colour lasts forever, with the right maintenance
• Very strong, will outlast all of us
• Every flag is unique

Cons

• Can be very expensive in comparison to concrete alternative
• Requires a greater skill level to be laid correctly
• More likely to have problems with staining ‘picture framing’

Concrete

Pros

• When a totally consistent colour and texture is required concrete is the only option
• Cheaper
• Easier to lay

Cons

• Colour will fade
• When chipped aggregates are exposed
• Almost impossible to extend areas years later, with a consistent finish