Cheaper Alternatives To Bluestone
Bluestone is one of the most sought-after paving materials used for patios, driveways, walkways, and pools. But, it can be very expensive. So, if you’re looking for a cheaper alternative to bluestone, here are your options.
If you want a cheaper alternative to bluestone for outdoor paving areas, you should consider Bluestones, modular pavers, travertine, and classicstone, which offer a similar aesthetic and durability. Each alternative offers similar features and benefits for a contemporary, modern look.
So, if you’re considering an outdoor paving project, this article will help you find the perfect and most affordable option for your home.
What Is Bluestone Paving?
Cost: $17-$25/square ft
Throughout the years, bluestone has established itself as the gold standard for outdoor paving. They offer a timeless look, ranging in colors from grey to beige to blue, rust, and even plum.
The natural aesthetic and incredible durability make them one of the best-looking, most practical materials to pave an outdoor area with. It lasts for decades – even in high traffic areas and when used for driveways. Furthermore, they are resistant to fading from sun exposure, meaning they’ll maintain that beautiful aesthetic for a long, long time.
However, using bluestone paving can be incredibly expensive due to availability and the cost of quarrying. So, expect to pay a premium price – but, over time, you’ll see that it will be worth every penny.
Affordable Alternatives To Bluestone
Bluestone is highly desirable, and there’s no questioning its quality. But unfortunately, it’s simply not affordable for many of us, especially for large-scale outdoor paving projects. So, if you’re looking for a cheaper alternative to bluestone, we’ve found a few options that offer the same look and durability.
Travertine
Cost: $3-$5/square ft
Travertine is another natural stone used for paving and is highly durable. And the good news is that it’s very easy to clean and doesn’t require much maintenance.
Travertine paving is a kind of limestone made of minerals that gives it beautiful, unique colors that will suit any home.
Travertine also has a non-slip surface that doesn’t heat up in the sun, so it’s a popular choice for paving around a pool. But, it offers great versatility that allows it to be used not only for paving but tiles, garden features, and even fireplaces.
However, travertine is prone to staining, so it must be thoroughly maintained and cleaned after any spills.
Clay
Cost: $1.90-$2.40/square ft
Clay is similar to bluestone as a long-lasting, durable paver but with far more options in terms of colors and styles. Clay is used to construct unique patterns and designs to make your outdoor living space truly stand out.
You can even set clay alongside bluestone if you want to mix things up, and it won’t look out of place due to the similarity between both materials.
And, even though you’re getting a very similar product to bluestone, you’ll be paying a fraction of the price for the material.
Modular
Cost: $2-$7/square ft
Modular paving is also very popular for outdoor paving projects due to its wide range of colors, shapes, and sizes. There are endless design options, and it works out to be a far cheaper alternative to bluestone.
Unfortunately, modular paving isn’t as durable and is prone to fading in the sun, so it is unlikely to last as long as bluestone pavers. Nonetheless, modular paving offers so much versatility that it can help you achieve unique patterns and designs that truly stand out and will enhance the overall aesthetic of your outdoor living space at an affordable price.
Classicstone
Cost: $9-$12/square ft
Classicstone, a.k.a. Natural sandstone, is another popular natural-looking paver used in indoor and outdoor living spaces. It is available in various styles, such as golden fossil, graphite, charcoal, ivory, and steel blue. They are commonly paved with a cleft finish, and they look incredibly similar to bluestone.
It also has low water absorbency, good flexural strength, and is both frost and slip-resistant. So, they will offer you great durability, a wide variety of colors, and a natural look that is perfect for any outdoor setting.
Types of Finishes
Now that you’ve selected the type of paving you want and that falls within your budget constraints, it’s time to start thinking about finishing. Many types of finishes can be applied to bluestone and its cheaper alternatives. These finishes are dictated by how the stone has been processed before it gets to the store.
The finishes involve how the stone is split, the smoothness of the surface and its edges. These finishes could result in a vastly different aesthetic and feel underfoot. So, pay close attention to which type of finish you ask for, and chat to your contractor or supplier for more information on the differences between each finish and which will be the most suitable for your outdoor living space. Here’s a list of all the finishes that you should consider:
- Natural Cleft
- Thermal
- Honed
- Polished
- Letano
- Sanded
- Anciento
- Sandblasted
- AquaPower
- Hammered
- Old Cut
- SBattu
- Chiseled
- Ice Flowers
- Serena
- Blue and Dark Honed
- Blue Brushed
- Sclypé
- Graded
- Stonewashed Light
- Stonewashed Dark
- Abbay
- Cottage
- Sensato
Conclusion
Bluestone is a timeless paver that is highly desirable in outdoor living spaces such as driveways, patios, pools, and walkways. It is natural-looking, durable, resistant to fading, and can add tremendous value and curb appeal to your home. However, it is expensive, and you may want to opt for a cheaper alternative to bluestone.
In that case, travertine, modular, clay, and classicstone pavers all have great qualities comparable to bluestone but won’t decimate your budget. They are all beautiful, natural-looking, come in a wide range of colors, and offer durability so that your patio can retain its look for decades and add significant value to your home.
