Landscape Paving 101: How to Use Limestone for Your Patio

Limestone has been used to construct some of the earliest forms of architecture all over the world, from the pyramids at Giza to the Parthenon in Athens. In today’s landscapes, limestone can be used to create an antique or old-world look, but it also is a great choice for contemporary patios and terraces. It’s available in many different colors, depending on where it is quarried,

The basics: Limestone is a sedimentary rock with a typically grainy appearance. It’s quarried all over the world, and it comes in many colors, including blue, gray, tan and pinkish white. Limestone is a durable old-world stone with contemporary uses for high-end landscape projects.

Cost: $16 to $40 per square foot installed, depending on color and finish.

Shown: Coeur d’Alene limestone paving


Pros
Wide range of color and texture options availableLight limestone colors deflect heat and stay cool on bare feet; useful in warm climates and around poolsExtremely durable and long livedConsHeavy and expensive, making it difficult to use for DIY projectsSensitive to acids; acidic cleaners can erode the surfaceShown: French limestone pavers


Size and color: Limestone comes in all sizes and shapes: slabs, pavers, edging, wall veneer, capstone, stair treads and sizes for fountains and fire pits. Dimensioned stone and irregular flagstones are also available.

Most people associate limestone with creamy white tones, but the material has beautiful grays and blues that rival those of bluestone.

Finishes: Limestone can be honed to a smooth and consistent finish or have a thermal finish, which is a little more rough or uneven.

Sealing the stone is up you. Some homeowners like the look of unsealed stone, which works fine outside and will have a patina over time. If you do choose to seal the stone, check with your stone supplier for a sealer recommendation.

Shown: A pool deck paving of Eramosa limestone in Connecticut


Maintenance: Limestone is sensitive to acidic materials, so think twice before planting a fruit tree next to limestone paving; fallen fruit can decay and easily stain the limestone.

“Limestone should be cleaned gently using a mild cleanser that has been diluted with water,” says Hal McCullough of Maiden Stone Inc. in Houston, Texas. “Use a stiff bristled brush to scrub the surface. After scrubbing, simply rinse the limestone. Intense pressure washing is not recommended because it will damage the stone surface. Also, if you decide to use a sealant, you must continue to use the same product or sealer type for all future reapplications.”

Shown: Coeur d’Alene limestone paving


Sustainability: Limestone comes in colors lighter than brick and concrete, which gives it a better solar reflectance index, or SRI. A high SRI means that the stones stay cool by reflecting sun and releasing thermal radiation, rather than absorbing it and heating up, reducing the heat-island effect around your home. Limestone is popular as a building material in warm climates because it stays cool to the touch.

Shown: French limestone fountain


This fountain and courtyard pool is made of cream-colored limestone. The light colored stone works beautifully with the gravel in a similar color.


A contemporary flush-edge limestone pool deck. The gray colors are lovely against the changing autumn leaves in the landscape beyond.

More: Browse more patio ideas

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