Summer is the time when you want to be enjoying your garden, usually from a patio or other seated area. However, the increasing number of hot spells the UK is enjoying – including this year - means that the temperatures paving slabs can withstand without getting too hot underfoot (or showing signs of wear and tear) could become more of a factor in people’s choices.
Lumberjacks supply porcelain and natural stone paving from our Ipswich base. Here we explain why, if you are looking to build a new patio, that whatever type of slabs you choose, lighter colours are usually best if your new patio (or pathway) is likely to get a lot of sunlight.
Reflection, Not Absorption
Lighter-coloured natural stones such as sandstone are well known for their ability to reflect sunlight, rather than absorb it. This ensures they stay cooler in prolonged hot spells – making them cool enough to walk on.
Darker coloured natural paving, particularly limestone, absorbs more heat and may be best avoided if your patio or footpath is likely to get a lot of direct sunlight. In addition, it may be more vulnerable to scratches and wear than some of the alternatives.
It can also fade and discolour more easily as well (it gets damaged via the sun’s UV rays). Concrete should be avoided too, as although it may be cheap, it gets hot very quickly, and it is prone to shrinking and cracking if the weather is too hot, cold or wet.
Porcelain is Good Too
Porcelain paving has plenty of advantages in hot weather as well. Not only is it available in lighter colours (although black, dark grey and wood effect are available as well), it won’t stain or scratch as much as many natural stones.
This is important if you are eating out a lot on your patio – spillages of drink and food do happen, however many precautions you take. And, during hot weather, the porcelain will still be cool enough to walk on – cooler than even some lighter natural paving. You also won’t have to worry about the slabs warping, cracking or discolouring.
What About Footpaths?
With footpaths the choice isn’t quite so straightforward. Lighter-coloured stone (whether natural stone or porcelain) won’t be damaged as much by direct sunlight, and they will be cooler underfoot - plus they have the added bonus of making the garden (particularly if it’s small) feel more spacious.
However, footpaths are, by their very nature, likely to see much more footfall than the average patio. This means lighter coloured slabs will show dirt (particularly wet or muddy footprints) much more during wetter or poorer weather, so they may need much more cleaning and maintenance. So – even more than patios – it’s very much down to individual choice and the layout of the garden.
Natural Stone and Porcelain Paving from Lumberjacks in Ipswich
At Lumberjacks, we supply both types of paving. Our porcelain paving styles can be found here – and they are almost exclusively in paler colours. Our natural stone paving includes a Kandia Grey option, which will both look and stay cool in the warmest weather.
We won’t just supply paving slabs; we can deliver them to you as well (our deliveries page can be found here). We also have a downloadable guide on how to lay you’re your new patio.
