Category Archives: Stone Pavers

Like all renovations, retiling your living room floor is a big undertaking, both financially and in terms of the disruption, albeit temporary, that it will cause for your lifestyle. As such, to avoid doing the job twice, we recommend taking the time to research and review the type of tiles on the market.

Why choose marble tiles for your living room?

From our experience working with builders and home renovators like yourself for over 10 years, marble tiles have proven time and again to be a fantastic option for living room flooring. In this article we’re going to share 6 reasons why we feel they are the best choice for most residential properties in Australia.

If you like the idea of installing marble flooring but you’re not completely sure it’s the right choice for your living room, consider the following advantages:

1. Beauty – There is no denying that marble is one of the most beautiful natural stone pavers used for flooring in residential properties across Australia. It has also been used in many grand building projects over the centuries – like look at all the buildings in Rome that have stood the test of time. If you are looking for a type of flooring that will transform your living room into an elegant space, and be appreciated by your friends, marble tiles are definitely the right choice for you.
2. Environmentally friendly – If you are conscientious of the environment, you can rest assured knowing that choosing marble tiles for your living room is an eco-friendly option because when marble tiling is manufactured no chemical processes are involved. On the other hand, when synthetic floors are manufactured, harmful gasses and toxic waste is emitted in the process. Timber flooring, unless it comes from renewable sources or reclaimed wood, is also potentially harmful to the environment.
3. Wonderfully easy to shine – Marble tiles can be polished like no other natural stone paver and positively sparkle when polished to a high gloss finish. While this finish is not advisable for households with young children because it makes the floor very slippery, it’s very appealing for adult-only living areas.
4. Relatively Easy Maintenance – Marble tiles are relatively easy to clean and can be mopped the same way you clean any other type of hard flooring. Just be careful not to leave standing water on marble. Because it’s a porous stone, extended exposure to water can lead to discolouration and damage to the stone. On this subject, some people insist that marble tiling should be sealed. On the other hand, others say it’s not necessary. In our experience, a highly polished marble floor is quite stain resistant so sealing is not essential. However, if you are worried about spilled drinks staining your new tiles, we recommend sealing them once a year.
5. Durable – As a dense natural stone, marble is suitable for high traffic areas such as busy family living rooms. It has been used in many ancient buildings and stood the test of time so you can rest assured that with some attention and care will outlast  your property.
6. High Thermal Mass – Marble has a high thermal mass, which means it can absorb a lot of heat before its internal temperature is raised by a significant degree. For this reason, marble tiles for living room floors are a popular choice in parts of Australia where summer temperatures can be brutal. A cool floor underfoot is a much appreciated luxury when outside temperatures are soaring.

We hope this article was helpful to you.

At Armstone we stock a selection of beautiful marble tiles, including Carrara, Pietra Grey and Tundra Grey marble, all of which are ideal for use in living rooms. For more information, or a free quote, reach us online or at 1300 560 560 during business hours. We have helped thousands of customers bring their dream project to life and would love to help you too.

If you’re renovating the exterior of your home and researching paver stone styles, you’ll find the choices on the market are truly endless! With such a wide variety of materials, finishes and sizes available, picking the right stone pavers can be a time-consuming and challenging task.

We understand this struggle, which is why we’ve created this handy guide with key tips to make your job a little easier.

So let’s dive in!

What are the best paver stone styles and materials to use? 

Before investing in a paver, doing the adequate research to select the right type and style of paver is super important and there are a few factors worth considering. The importance of these factors will depend on your personal preferences and priorities, however we suggest reviewing them all prior to reaching your final decision.

• Cost – Unless you have an unlimited amount of money to spend, cost is going to play a deciding role when choosing a type of paver to use for a new patio, pool surround, driveway or other indoor/outdoor project – especially depending on the size of the area you will be paving.
• Appearance – Generally speaking, the colour and texture of the pavers you use should compliment the exterior of your home and the land on which it stands. However, the importance of this depends on whether you are planning a home improvement project purely for practical reasons or to enhance your outdoor living space and the value of your property for an upcoming sale.
• Durability – Some paver stone styles and materials are more durable than others, making them more suitable for areas that will endure heavy foot or road traffic. If you’re building an ornamental pathway in your garden, durability might be a low priority. However if you’re installing a new driveway, this will definitely be at the top of priority list.

Once you’ve considered which of the above factors have the highest importance for your project, it’s time to consider the pavers you can choose to install. Below, we list 6 of the best paver stone styles/materials available in Australia:

1. Limestone pavers – There are a number of different types of limestone pavers available, all of which are very durable and easy to maintain. Limestone compliments many exterior environments and does not stain as easily as some of the more porous natural stone alternatives.
2. Marble pavers – Marble is a denser and harder form of limestone and as such, it is very durable and resistant to heat. Its luxurious appearance will definitely add curb-side appeal to your home however, it comes with a price. If you’re working on a budget, marble pavers require more investment.
3. Granite pavers – Granite is harder than marble or limestone, making it even more durable which is ideal for high foot traffic areas. It is relatively stain resistant too but because it’s porous paver (like marble and limestone), if you’re concerned that staining is likely to be a major issue, we strongly recommend sealing the pavers on a regular basis.
4. Travertine pavers – A form of limestone that is formed from hot spring deposits, travertine is more brittle than normal limestone. As such, it’s not recommended for use in high traffic areas. However, its attractive appearance and naturally slip-resistant surface make it a popular choice for garden features and pool surrounds.
5. Bluestone pavers – Attractive, easy to install, economical and durable: it is easy to see how bluestone pavers are  one of the most widely used paver stone styles.
6. Sandstone pavers – Due to their susceptibility to erosion from exposure to acid and salt, we do not recommend installing sandstone around pools. Other than that, sandstone pavers are beautiful and their natural appearance makes them an excellent choice for patios, ornamental features and pathways.

Now that you’re well equipped to decide on the stone paver, can you see how it is much easier to make the right decision on which one to invest in? 

The next question you might be asking is: “How many paver stones do I need?” and “What is my investment in my project” 

These are excellent questions and we can help you answer them both. Reach out to us online or at 1300 560 560 to speak to one of our experts. We’ve been helping people like you transform their dream project or renovation into a reality for 10 years now and would love to help you too!

If you’re renovating the exterior of your home and researching paver stone styles, you’ll find the choices on the market are truly endless! With such a wide variety of materials, finishes and sizes available, picking the right stone pavers can be a time-consuming and challenging task.

We understand this struggle, which is why we’ve created this handy guide with key tips to make your job a little easier.

So let’s dive in!

** Grampian Limestone Pavers

What are the best paver stone styles and materials to use? 

Before investing in a paver, doing the adequate research to select the right type and style of paver is super important and there are a few factors worth considering. The importance of these factors will depend on your personal preferences and priorities, however we suggest reviewing them all prior to reaching your final decision.

• Cost – Unless you have an unlimited amount of money to spend, cost is going to play a deciding role when choosing a type of paver to use for a new patio, pool surround, driveway or other indoor/outdoor project – especially depending on the size of the area you will be paving.
• Appearance – Generally speaking, the colour and texture of the pavers you use should compliment the exterior of your home and the land on which it stands. However, the importance of this depends on whether you are planning a home improvement project purely for practical reasons or to enhance your outdoor living space and the value of your property for an upcoming sale.
• Durability – Some paver stone styles and materials are more durable than others, making them more suitable for areas that will endure heavy foot or road traffic. If you’re building an ornamental pathway in your garden, durability might be a low priority. However if you’re installing a new driveway, this will definitely be at the top of priority list.

Once you’ve considered which of the above factors have the highest importance for your project, it’s time to consider the pavers you can choose to install. Below, we list 6 of the best paver stone styles/materials available in Australia:

1. Limestone pavers – There are a number of different types of limestone pavers available, all of which are very durable and easy to maintain. Limestone compliments many exterior environments and does not stain as easily as some of the more porous natural stone alternatives.
2. Marble pavers – Marble is a denser and harder form of limestone and as such, it is very durable and resistant to heat. Its luxurious appearance will definitely add curb-side appeal to your home however, it comes with a price. If you’re working on a budget, marble pavers require more investment.
3. Granite pavers – Granite is harder than marble or limestone, making it even more durable which is ideal for high foot traffic areas. It is relatively stain resistant too but because it’s porous paver (like marble and limestone), if you’re concerned that staining is likely to be a major issue, we strongly recommend sealing the pavers on a regular basis.
4. Travertine pavers – A form of limestone that is formed from hot spring deposits, travertine is more brittle than normal limestone. As such, it’s not recommended for use in high traffic areas. However, its attractive appearance and naturally slip-resistant surface make it a popular choice for garden features and pool surrounds.
5. Bluestone pavers – Attractive, easy to install, economical and durable: it is easy to see how bluestone pavers are  one of the most widely used paver stone styles.
6. Sandstone pavers – Due to their susceptibility to erosion from exposure to acid and salt, we do not recommend installing sandstone around pools. Other than that, sandstone pavers are beautiful and their natural appearance makes them an excellent choice for patios, ornamental features and pathways.

Now that you’re well equipped to decide on the stone paver, can you see how it is much easier to make the right decision on which one to invest in? 

The next question you might be asking is: “How many paver stones do I need?” and “What is my investment in my project” 

These are excellent questions and we can help you answer them both. Reach out to us online or at 1300 560 560 to speak to one of our experts. We’ve been helping people like you transform their dream project or renovation into a reality for 10 years now and would love to help you too!

Whether you’re building a new patio or BBQ area in your backyard or thinking of paving your entire garden, choosing the right pavers is an important part of the process.

Since there is so many choices on the market, it’s crucial to make the right one for your home, family and lifestyle. One such choice is deciding between concrete pavers and natural stone pavers and figuring out which will be a better option for your project. 

At Armstone, we are passionate about and dedicated to finding the world’s best-quality natural stone products for our customers to install inside, and outside, their homes. With this in mind, you might expect us to dismiss concrete completely. However, our objective is to provide you with the best service and advice at all times.  As such, in this article, we’re going to take you through a balanced look at natural stone pavers vs. concrete pavers and give you our honest opinion about which is best for exterior home improvement projects.

**Nulla Bluestone Pavers

Choosing between different styles of pavers for patio projects 

Natural stone pavers are generally considered to be more attractive, more durable and easier to maintain than their concrete cousins. However, there is one aspect that makes concrete pavers a more appealing choice for home projects rather than natural stone pavers. You see, concrete pavers are the more economical option. However, as with all things in life, the cost can be relative. For example, if you’re planning to renovate or install a small patio area where you can relax and enjoy al fresco dining in fine weather, the aesthetic appeal will be more important than the price per paver. And because it won’t be such a large area you won’t need a huge quantity of pavers. On the other hand, we need to point out that certain types of natural stone pavers are in fact cheaper than concrete. Raven granite pavers and some types of bluestone pavers are two examples you may like to consider that are cheaper than concrete. 

In summary, if you are installing pavers for a relatively small backyard patio project we recommend natural stone for its longevity, ease of maintenance and superior aesthetics. The best natural stone for patios will depend on your style preferences and budget and if you need some expert advice on this, reach out to us over email or at 1300 560 560. We’ve been helping our customers for 10 years bring their dream projects to life and would love to help you too.

The best type of pavers for driveways

For larger driveways that are used on a daily basis and endure a lot of heavy weight from vehicles and foot traffic, concrete pavers – since they are relatively easy and economical to install and repair – can be a very cost-effective option. If, however, you want to add curb appeal to your home, we recommend considering our lower-cost natural stone pavers. Porcelain, granite and bluestone are all excellent choices that will not stretch your budget too far, are durable and will stand the test of time once installed. You can browse our selection online here.

Natural stone pavers vs. concrete pavers: our conclusion

As with all home building and renovation projects, the purpose, location and your lifestyle all play a role when choosing the type of pavers you choose. If you are building on a budget or if you are paving a large area, concrete pavers are a worthy consideration: they do the job, look good, are sturdy/durable all at a lower investment.

On the other hand, if the aforementioned factors are not a huge consideration for your project, then we definitely recommend installing natural stone pavers for patios, driveways, pathways, pool surrounds and other residential paving projects. They look better, are almost always more durable and they will retain their natural beauty for decades, even centuries, to come.

In case you are still undecided, reach out to our expert team at 1300 560 560 or online. We can answer your questions and point you in the right direction for your project.

When it comes to entertaining, it’s hard to go past a patio – it’s the perfect place to sit around with friends and family, enjoying the afternoon air and some refreshments. Depending on the size of your patio you might opt for a simple outdoor setting and small barbecue, or full outdoor dining and cooking, the decision is all yours! No matter what you end up choosing, it’s highly likely your patio is going to succumb to a fair bit of wear and tear over the years, so you need to be sure the foundations of your entertaining space are going to hold up. This is where stone pavers really come into a class of their own, providing you with a picture-perfect patio tile that is elegant, versatile and built to last.

When it comes to picking a flooring option for a patio, you have to consider what the patio is likely going to be used for. Generally, it may involve a lot of eating and drinking and with that comes spillage. It’s also outdoor, potentially near or surrounding a pool so it may get wet with rainwater and chlorinated water and finally it may spend multiple hours a day in the harsh Australian sunlight, so we need to be sure the flooring option we choose is durable! On top of all that, we actually have to clean it and ensure it’s safe for children. So, to help you make this decision a little bit less stressful, we’ve broken these categories down and we’ll look to bring you the foremost information on why stone pavers are your best bet.

Entertaining: When it comes to choosing the perfect flooring option for your entertaining space, you need to be sure it’s ticking all of the boxes – it should be easy to clean, safe and easy to instal, but it’s an entertaining space! So, it needs to look fantastic too – right? This is where stone pavers really shine through, providing you with a really subtle, stunning and rustic finish that acts as a bit of a blank canvas so the decorating can be yours and yours alone. With a wide range of colours, styles and textures, Armstone is your number 1 place for stone pavers, especially for your patio!

Durability: When it comes to durability, it’s hard to beat stone pavers for your patio. Built to last, hard to stain and almost getting better with age, stone pavers can hold up to any wear and tear you throw at them! Something to consider here though – if you’re going to have you stone paver patio next to our pool or being impacted by rain, you may need to look at a sealer to stop the stone from being damaged. We can help you here, so get in touch to be sure you’re doing what’s best!

Safety: From a safety perspective the benefit of using stone pavers, especially a rough stone paver, is its ability to provide a quite textured and grippy surface even when wet. In the instance of a patio that may be around a pool, this greatly reduced the risk of slipping for both adults and children. Naturally children love running and jumping into pools, so you don’t want a surface that is going to endanger them like a slick bathroom tile. On-top of this, due to the stone paver being (you guessed it) stone – it will actually absorb some of the water that it comes into contact with, rather than pooling it up on top of the surface.

Cleaning: Stone pavers don’t just look great, they’re also a breeze to keep looking great! While there are a range of cleaning products from brands like Aqua Mix and others, a simple solution of warm water and soap is generally the best way to keep your patio stone pavers clean and looking amazing.

For any and all information about stone pavers, patios or a wide range of tiling and flooring options outside of your home, get in touch with Armstone today!