What is the Installation Cost of Bluestone Walkway in Melbourne?
Home »
What Is Bluestone?
Bluestone is a type of natural stone very much like slate or granite. Those selling Bluestone pavers typically get larger stones from quarries and other sources and break down those larger stones into more manageable pieces. The cost of Bluestone walkway in Melbourne depends on the place from where you buy the stone. Though some people think that the stone is only available in one shade of blue, it is actually available in multiple shades. Those shades come in an array of a paler shade of ice blue to a deeper shade of blue. Bluestone comes in many shades of blue-green, darker shades of brown and red as well.
Those responsible for making Bluestone pavers offer a wide range in terms of cost of Bluestone in Melbourne. Traditional pavers have the same distinct striations and colour graduations found in the natural stone itself. Thermal pavers comparatively have a more uniform colour, shape and size. The companies selling these pavers utilise special machines to cut the stone into pavers that have the same dimensions and thickness. Bluestone pavers come in a wide range of sizes, so the material is suitable for anything from a garden path to a large courtyard walkway.
Cost of Bluestone:
Determining the cost of Bluestone walkway in Melbourne will be difficult because it depends on the total amount of pavers required and the size of the walkway. Homeowners in Melbourne also need to think about the huge amount of labour that the job needs. Depending on the length of the walkway and Bluestone slabs prices in Melbourne the installation company might need many people to complete the job, and each worker will charge an hourly rate. Factors that can increase the cost include:
- Elaborate designs
Paths that diverge from the main walkway
Twisting or winding pathways
The more complex the design of Blue stone pavers in Melbourne is, the more the installer will need to cut and shape the stones to fit the path. Adding multiple paths that lead away from the main walkway will also increase the price as this requires more work. A good landscaping company will take into account the design of the walkway before estimating Bluestone pavers in Melbourne prices.
Advantages and Disadvantages
One reason homeowners select Bluestone for walkways and paths is that they love the natural look of the stone. Bluestone comes in a variety of colours and the cost of Bluestone in Melbourne is low compared to other natural stones used to make walkways and paths. Also, the fact that it can mimic other more expensive types of natural stone makes it a preferred choice. Many people like that they can connect the Bluestone walkway to other parts of their lawn, including a front porch or a patio.
As bluestone can handle frequent temperature changes and freeze-thaw cycles it is suitable for certain parts of the country that experiences a long freezing and thawing cycle every winter. Even if using a great any number of tiles will increase the installation cost of Bluestone in Melbourne. As the temperature warms, snow and ice melt, but when the temperature goes down again the melted water freezes. Bluestone can withstand those dangers well when they are properly sealed. Sealed Bluestone is suitable for walkways that wind around fountains, swimming pools and other types of water features.
Though natural stone has a number of benefits, not everyone is okay with the cost. Manufacturing concrete pavers and other pavers is not an expensive task, but finding a source for Bluestone takes more time. Thermal Bluestone is even more expensive because of the time that companies spend in cutting and shaping the stones. While not as expensive as some types of landscaping materials, the cost of Bluestone in Melbourne is more than concrete and other man-made materials.
Homeowners should also beware of potential problems because of weeds. Bluestone paver walkways sometimes leave small gaps between the stones. Weeds growing up through those gaps can overtake the walkway and make it very unstable. As long as the stone has a sealant applied, however, most homeowners will find that they can take care of those weeds using a few pesticides.
Installing a Bluestone Walkway
After determining the cost of Bluestone in Melbourne, installing a Bluestone walkway takes a very skilled eye and a talented hand. The installer will begin with the pavers, laying the pavers on the ground and arranging the pavers according to the design that the homeowner wants. The installer will then outline the pavers with chalk or a rope; some installers dig a small trench around each paver to mark its location on the grass.
The next step involves removing the grass and dirt directly beneath each paver. The installation cost of Bluestone pavers in Melbourne involves the labour which depends on the design you choose. Most installers will carefully set the pavers to the side before taking out at least 4 inches of dirt and sod. Using a tamping tool, the installer will then pour some water onto the dirt and tamp down the surface of the dirt. After ensuring that the surface is level, the installer will add a thin layer of sand or a similar type of material before placing the pavers on top of the sand.
Remember if you want the cost of Bluestone in Melbourne to be low you need to choose a low range type of Bluestone. Depending on the design, the installer may pour more sand over the walkway. The sand will slowly move between the pavers and fill in the gaps situated between each stone. This extra layer ensures that the stones stick firmly to the ground and don’t move later. The last step involves tamping down the surface of each stone and making sure that the walkway remains even and level.