Once most of the flowers have faded and most of the leaves fall, the forms will focus the most attention, especially those represented by the so-called garden architecture. The stone is not affected by any aura.The passage of time even works to its advantage, which makes it a timeless material and is always used in the garden.A granite cube is suitable for paths (also good for a driveway). You can build a representative terrace from sandstone slabs, and a fence wall from fieldstones and slate.
Stone structures are erected with many years of use in mind.The choice of materials becomes all the more important. Most of the damage to a stone is caused by the action of water. Stagnant water is the most noticeable, which can cause discoloration, and in severe frost, even cracks.Therefore, the stone should be placed on a substructure that is permeable, and the load-bearing part should be placed with a slight inclination (it is said to be 2%, i.e. 2 cm per meter), allowing rainwater to drain off.
The base of the stone surface should also be permeable. Otherwise, it may lead to cracks or protrusions. When choosing a stone, you should always adjust its purpose to its parameters. Sandstone will never be a good material for a driveway because it is too brittle.
One of the most used raw materials is granite. This stone has a granular structure, it is hard, resistant to compression and weather conditions.It is also relatively easy to work with.Granite can be used to build terraces, stairs, paths and driveways.Importantly, it is available in a wide range of colors. Bas alt, porphyry and syenite are also quite durable. The stone can have a different finish, it can be polished, flamed or brushed.
However, the stone also needs to be cared for. From time to time it must be washed with water under pressure, or scrubbed.Stains, e.g. after a car oil spill, can be cleaned with chemicals.
Witness to historical events
Stone is a building material of strategic importance. It was used long before it was learned to be professionally processed. Such assumptions can still be found in Ireland today.The ancient Egyptians, Romans and Greeks were the masters of erecting monumental stone structures.However, we also have many examples of magnificent stone architecture in Poland, such as the currently reconstructed castle in Chęciny.
Good to know
According to the accepted construction standards, the surface of the path or terrace should have a 2% slope so that the water does not stagnate.This means that over a distance of 100 cm, the difference in height between the measured points must be 2 cm.
Slippery stones in winter
At this time of year, when the leaves fall from the trees and the rains continue to fall, the stone floor becomes dangerously slippery. Hence, it is important to remove impurities on an ongoing basis.flaming (consisting in treating the surface of the stone with fire) and sandblasting (consisting in treating the surface with a very strong stream of water with sand).As a result of these processes, the stone becomes rough without losing its physical properties.
The basic tool for cleaning the stone, in addition to the hard bristle broom, is a pressure washer.You have to be very careful here, because too strong a stream of water may wash out the joints and even damage the surface structure of the stone.
A little different skalniak
Gaps in stone structures - especially in walls - can be large enough to be planted with plants, thanks to which the raw stone structure will come to life and blend harmoniously into the landscape of the garden.Of course, not every plant will survive in such extreme conditions, but the choice is still considerable.Species for rock gardens work best here. Sedum and swarms look good all year round. In spring, magnificent cranes, clothes and whipworms bloom.
Rock plants are undemanding and catch on even in very poor soil. Larger gaps can be filled with permeable substrate.It is important that the plant roots are not crushed. Therefore, if the root ball is large and does not fit into the fissure, it must be divided before planting.Grouts and gaps between cubes or plates are usually covered with sand, but then ants often settle in them.
