Landscape in Las Vegas With Sandstone, Flagstone or Concrete
Your landscape is one of the most important aspects of your home. If you’re a homeowner who wants to spruce up his or her landscape in Las Vegas, you certainly have options. Hardscape is one of the biggest features of your landscape architecture. As such, many homeowners spend a great deal of time trying to choose the right hardscape to incorporate. Today we’re going to talk about the pros and cons of three popular hardscape options — sandstone, flagstone and concrete — to help you make the best decision for your needs.
Go Natural With Sandstone
One of the first options you can consider for your landscaping in Las Vegas is sandstone. Sandstone has a distinctive style and is a popular choice for many homeowners. This hardscape is known to mimic the look of a beach or desert sand, which is the perfect complement for a Las Vegas landscape. Sandstone is also known to have gold, red, brown and tan undertones, which makes it one of the best decorative features. Here are the pros and cons of sandstone.
Pros
One of the best things about incorporating sandstone is its durability. While it doesn’t have the same durability as a material like granite, you can count on sandstone to last for decades.
Another benefit of sandstone is its natural beauty. Out of all hardscapes, sandstone is among the best in this department. This is because sandstone is made with natural materials and can include a vast range of hues to meet the needs of homeowners.
Another reason to consider sandstone for your Las Vegas landscape is the texture. While sandstone is leveled through a process called gauging, it is still made of rock and carries a nice texture that is loved by homeowners.
Cons
On the downside, sandstone is a porous material. With that said, this type of hardscape is known to absorb water. In fact, it can have an absorption rate between 1 percent and 6 percent. This leaves this material prone to things like damage, stains and mold.
Another thing to consider is that sandstone is slippery when wet. This can become a hazard for those who walk on it if they’re not careful.
Additionally, your sandstone won’t look like it did when you first installed it years down the line. Due to weathering, age, and wear and tear, your sandstone will discolor over time.
Quality Flagstone for Landscape in Las Vegas
Another great option for your landscape in Las Vegas is flagstone. This is a natural stone especially well-suited for your patio.
Many homeowners love this hardscape because it is beautiful and complements many landscapes well. Here are the pros and cons of flagstone.
Pros
Like sandstone, flagstone is a durable hardscape. In fact, as long as you take care of your flagstone, it can last for centuries.
Another benefit of flagstone is that it is easy to install. This is because it can be installed stone by stone rather than needing to cut it to fit small nooks and crannies.
In addition, flagstone holds up well in the Las Vegas climate. This means that you won’t have to worry about the stone expanding or contracting as the temperatures fluctuate. Even more, flagstone is low maintenance. All you need to do is give it a good sweep or spray it down.
Cons
While flagstone is easy to install, it can be time-consuming for homeowners. Another thing to consider with flagstone is that it can become really hot when the temperature is really high. This makes it uncomfortable to walk on. At the same time, it can become slippery when it rains.
Make It Last With Concrete
Concrete is a popular option when it comes to landscaping in Las Vegas due to the fact that it can fit almost any style. Poured-in-place concrete is a typical concrete choice for homeowners. This is a type of building material that is poured into forms, set in place and remains almost permanently. Here are the pros and cons of a concrete hardscape.
Pros
Like the other hardscapes mentioned on this list, concrete is durable. But out of all of them, concrete is going to be the most reliable hardscape option as it will not only last for decades but won’t shift.
Another benefit of concrete is the versatility of design. When homeowners choose concrete, they can easily customize it to a specific shape or size to fit their landscape needs.
Another great thing about using concrete is the ease of installation and cost. While concrete isn’t the best option for those that are inexperienced, it is the fastest and easiest to install out of any other type of material.
Cons
On the other hand, maintenance and repair can be an issue over time. Day-to-day maintenance is certainly simple for concrete. All you need to do is sweep and hose it down. But concrete is prone to cracking in extreme temperatures. These cracks aren’t just costly to repair but difficult as well.
Another thing to consider with concrete is that it is slippery when wet and may not be the best choice in areas that experience heavy rainfall or mist.
Sandstone, flagstone and concrete are all excellent options for your landscaping in Las Vegas. Each hardscape option has its own unique pros and cons to consider. Regardless of which one you choose, be sure to thoroughly research and reach out to a professional for service.