If it’s time to replace your outdated or worn-out patio or walk, you’re in luck. Nature’s Perspective has expanded our hardscape material offerings, featuring the newest, popular options. We invite you to visit our indoor and outdoor paving showrooms to see them for yourself.
Antique Travertine Slab Pavers
Antique Tavertine Tiles. Photo courtesy of Rochester Concrete Products.
Patterned slab pavers have become a customer favorite in recent years. Antique Travertine Tiles, from Rochester, are composed of premium white cement, with 18 unique faces for a natural appearance. They look as if they were mined from European quarries. They come in large sizes (12″ x 24″, 18″ x 24″ and 24″ x 24″). Each tile has a sublte, rounded edge, which adds distinction to its overall appearance. The product is also available as bullnosed coping, steps and treads. Strong and durable 10,000 psi concrete means they can withstand tough Chicago winters.
Aberdeen Slab Pavers
Aberdeen slab pavers are oversized and available in four earthtone colors. Photo courtesy of Techo-Bloc.
Techo-Bloc, a 25-year old concrete paver manufacturer from Canada, is new to the US market this year. One of their offerings is Aberdeen Slab Pavers, which closely resemble natural stone. Offered in big, bold sizes (10″ x 20″, 20″ x 20″, 20″ x 30″ and 10″ x 30″), Aberdeen pavers add a polished yet casual look. It’s available in four earthtone colors, with each color option composed of a variety of darker & lighter tones. Natural ingredients such as granite are present within the recipe to allow for a range in tones, veining and textures. Techo-Bloc products are backed with a transferable lifetime warranty, and are de-icing salt-resistant.
Barn Plank Pavers
Barn Plank landscape tiles add a rustic yet contemporary look to the landscape. Inset: Barn Plank steps. Photo courtesy of Rochester.
Barn Plank Landscape Tiles from Rochester have a rustic yet contemporary appearance, with a realistic look of weathered white pine, with soft edges, splits and 5 sides of varying wood grain detail. Composed of wet cast concrete, it will never rot, warp, splinter or peel over time like typical wood products. Also available in steps. Two colors are offered.
6×12 Clay Pavers
Whitacre-Greer #56 Desert Gray clay pavers. Photo courtesy of Lurvey Landscape Supply.
Clay pavers have the advantage of always looking new, retaining their color for years and having very high strength. They have traditionally been offered in a small 4″ x 8″ size. Appealing to customers’ desire for larger sizes, Whitacre-Greer now offers generously sized Old World Cobble 6″ x 12″ clay pavers. The featured photo above shows a combination of 6″ x 6″ and 6″ x 12″ sizes.
Decorative Gravel
Clockwise from top left: Mojave Rotten Granite Chip Gravel, Micro Bluestone Chip Gravel, Bearpaw Expanded Shale Pebbles and Apache Wisconsin Pebbles.
For those seeking a budget-friendly yet all-natural option, decorative gravel is a smart choice. Decorative gravel is a good patio surface for an area that does not get frequent traffic, such as a fire pit area. It can also be used as a bed mulch to inhibit weeds, adding long-lasting color and texture to the landscape.
