Your garden is a special space that offers you the opportunity to get away from the stress of everyday life and be alone with nature. Cooling off with the gentle breeze of the wind, feeling the texture of the soil and walking on the grass offers you the opportunity to refresh and relax in the lap of nature.
With the elegance and durability of natural stones, you can further enrich this peaceful atmosphere of your garden. Choose from Mermersa’s granite or marble collections to suit your style and enjoy the unique beauty of your garden for many years to come.
Now, let’s take a look at the tips you should pay attention to when choosing and applying the most suitable flooring for your garden.
Advantages of Using Natural Stone for Garden Flooring
Thanks to their high-quality and durable surfaces, natural stones are highly resistant to wear and abrasion, making them a reliable choice even in gardens with heavy foot traffic. You also don’t need to worry about harsh weather conditions, extreme temperatures, or the risk of freezing. Stone floor coverings that are built to withstand the challenges of outdoor environments help your garden maintain its original beauty for many years.
The unique colors and patterns of natural stones add a dynamic and vibrant appearance to your garden, far from being monotonous. With Mermersa, every step and every glance brings a new detail to light, making your time spent outdoors even more enjoyable.
Natural stones are sourced directly from nature and undergo minimal processing, making them an environmentally friendly option.
Contrary to common belief, natural stone surfaces are easy to maintain. Regular cleaning helps preserve their natural texture and shine. Cleaning with special stone-safe products ensures the surface is cleaned without damage. In addition, periodic sealing protects the stone surface and helps maintain the richness of its colors and patterns over time.
Key Points to Consider in Garden Flooring
Material Selection and Quality
Neglecting the quality of the selected material can lead to issues over time, such as cracking, fading, or surface wear. High-quality stones are more durable, less porous, and offer better consistency in color and pattern.
Color and Environmental Harmony
The harmony between the color of the natural stone and the surrounding greenery is a crucial factor that defines the overall aesthetics of your garden. While certain color combinations may look cohesive indoors, they may not produce the same effect outdoors. That’s why, when selecting colors for your garden design, it’s important to consider how they appear under natural light.
Area Calculation and Ordering
Measure the area carefully to ensure accuracy. Double-check your measurements and order slightly more material than needed to account for cutting losses or unexpected situations. This extra amount provides flexibility and peace of mind during installation.
Failing to order the full amount at once can compromise the visual consistency of the flooring. Even if they are the same type, natural stones can vary in color and pattern from batch to batch. Therefore, it’s best to order all the stone you need in one go, from the same batch.
Subfloor Preparation
Proper subfloor preparation ensures the longevity and durability of your outdoor flooring. This includes thoroughly excavating the area, installing necessary drainage systems, and using suitable base materials such as sand or gravel.
It is also important for the subfloor to be flat and compacted. A well-prepared subbase ensures the stone pieces lay evenly and stay in place over time. To avoid mistakes, professional assistance is recommended during this phase.
How to Install a Drainage System?
Installing a proper drainage system in your garden flooring ensures long-lasting performance. A good drainage system prevents water from pooling on the surface and helps avoid root rot in plants. Here are the steps to follow when setting up a drainage system in your garden:
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Analyze the soil in your garden. Soils with a high clay content can hinder water drainage. To improve permeability, you can mix these soils with sand or organic matter.
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Identify the areas where water tends to accumulate the most. These areas should serve as starting points for the drainage system.
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Create a gently sloped path and dig trenches to guide water flow. A slope of 1–2% is typically sufficient to allow water to drain naturally. The depth and width of the trenches will depend on the size of your garden and the amount of water to be managed.
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Place drainage pipes into the trenches. Surround the pipes with gravel or drainage fabric to prevent clogging.
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Install drainage channels and inspection chambers (catch basins) at the endpoints of the drainage pipes. These components help collect and discharge the water effectively.
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Once the system is complete, cover the pipes and trenches with soil and level the surface.
Maintenance and Sealing
Outdoor flooring made from natural stone requires regular cleaning and sealing. Even if the surface is not polished, natural stones need to be sealed periodically (every 6–12 months). This helps maintain the durability of the surface over time.
Incorrect or insufficient sealing allows staining substances to penetrate the stone. If the surface is particularly porous, issues like discoloration and staining may occur over time. Therefore, the sealing process must be done carefully.
Steps for Sealing Natural Stone
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First, make sure the stone surface is completely clean and dry.
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Using a clean brush or roller, apply the sealing product in thin, even layers. Thick layers can lead to build-up on the surface.
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Allow the product to penetrate the stone according to the manufacturer’s instructions, typically 15–20 minutes. Full curing time usually takes between 24–48 hours.
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After 15–20 minutes, wipe off any excess sealer from the surface with a clean cloth to avoid stickiness or unwanted shine.
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Ensure the sealer is evenly distributed with no streaks or patches. The entire surface should have a uniform appearance.
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To check effectiveness, drop a small amount of water on the surface. If the water beads up, the stone is properly sealed.
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If needed, apply a second coat following the instructions—only after the first layer has fully dried.
Safety
Make sure to use slip-resistant stone surfaces for outdoor flooring. Wet conditions or post-watering can make polished surfaces slippery and hazardous. Instead of polishing the surface, opt for honed or brushed finishes, which create a more textured and safer surface underfoot.
Conclusion
With the help of this guide prepared by Mermersa, you can create a garden space that is both elegant and long-lasting. Discover our refined and durable natural stone collections to enhance your outdoor area and enjoy a peaceful environment with your loved ones.
