Stonework vs. Grass

The Great Debate: Decorative Stonework vs. Grass

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For many people one of the biggest parts of being a homeowner is taking care of their lawn. A well kept line shows pride, dedication, and prosperity. However, a well kept lawn also requires dedication, money, and time. For many people that's just too much of an investment.
The trend these days is decorative stonework, and you see it in a variety of different uses: driveways, walkways, patios, porches, pathways, decorative stones... you name it and someone has found a way to do it in decorative stonework.

Looks are subjective, and for that reason I'm not going to tell you that one is better than the other. Instead, I'm going to lay out a series of points for each and you can make your own decisions. Like anything there are going to be different options available depending on where you live and who you know. Before you make any drastic changes that you can't reverse make sure that the option that you have chosen is the right one for you.

Obviously there are positive and negative aspects associated with each- which one appeals to you the most is dependent on what you need.

Decorative Stonework

If you are looking for a yard that has almost no maintenance or upkeep then perhaps decorative stonework is for you. Decorative stonework is actually concrete that has been colored and finished to look like stonework; though concrete normally has a "driveway" kind of connotation, decorative stonework has revolutionized the entire decorative landscaping industry. The beauty and simplicity of many of the products rival much more expensive methods in both aesthetic appeal as well as functionality.

The only real maintenance that you will need to perform is a once a year seal. Depending on the size of your stonework and on the quality of the sealer that you buy this can range anywhere from $50 to $500. Aside from being sealed, however, decorative stonework has no other maintenance.

This is something that a professional must do- I can guarantee that, unless you've got the tools and experience, doing it yourself will result in disaster and an expensive removal.

When you are planning your patterned stonework yard your contractor will discuss with you what size, depth, and color that you want. Obviously each variable directly affects the expense.

Quality

Pouring a thin slab of concrete may save you money in the short term but it will only cost you in the long term. Concrete that is too thin won't be able to support its own weight, let alone any load that may be placed on it. This will result in cracking and crumbling, and ultimately, one ugly (and expensive) eyesore.

A good contractor won't let you cheap out too much in this regard- there is generally a rule of thumb depth that your contractor will stick to. Don't cut costs here; if the contractor recommends a depth of five inches let him pour five inches of concrete.

Color

You may not know that concrete can be poured in almost any color that you want. New coloring techniques that have started to gain popularity give you total control over your desired look.

Integral color is a fine iron-oxide pigment that is mixed directly with the concrete in the cement truck. The result is colored concrete that has the same color all the way through. If you were to chip or cut the concrete you would see little to no change in color.

Color hardener is a compound that is similar in design to concrete. Mix it with the right amount of water and it will actually become harder than concrete. Many contractors will use color hardener in an area that needs a high impact rating or will receive a large load distribution. It is common to see driveways made from color hardener. You pour your slab of concrete and then put down a layer of color hardener on top of it. Only the top layer will have color.

Since your options are very flexible when choosing the color of your concrete there's no reason that you shouldn't be able to incorporate it into any theme.

Expense

This is what will turn most homeowners away. Along with all of decorative stonework's benefits comes the price- expect to pay upwards of $15,000 for your entire lawn and driveway done in patterned concrete. Don't take that price for gospel though as there are significant variations based on your location.

An area where concrete is hard to produce you can expect to pay up to 25% more; likewise, in an area where there is a lot of contractors and little demand you can expect the price to be more competitive.

Along with the initial investment you will be required to seal the stonework once per year. The sealer does exactly what its name implies: it seals the concrete to keep moisture out. This will keep the concrete color intact as well as make the surface look better.

Sealer ranges in price, from $50 for an 18 liter pail of a poor quality blend all the way to $200 a pail for the really high end stuff. The price is usually determined by how much solvent is mixed within it. A sealer will a high solvent amount (30% solvent, for example) will make any concrete with that sealer applied appear to be very glossy and shiny. Conversely, a sealer with a low solvent percentage (say 10%) will look to be more of a mat finish and will not have that much gloss.

I'm not going to recommend a sealer for you to use, but I will say that cutting costs here and getting poor quality sealer will come back to bite you. A poor quality sealer may "flake", leaving white flakes all over your concrete that will not go away until you power wash them off.

Value

Once they've gotten past they expenses many people find concrete to an excellent, low-maintenance alternative to grass that looks sharp and increases the subjective resale value of their home.
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Grass

Grass is the traditional yard of choice for many homeowners as it can look fantastic and can be inexpensive to both put in and maintain.

If you've ever lived in a suburban neighborhood you've probably heard someone mowing their lawn at some insanely early hour in the morning. The only real disadvantage to a lawn is that you need to maintain it throughout its growing season or it can look unkempt and become an eyesore.

There are many different types of grass that you can use for your lawn and all of them have their own growing characteristics. Some will grow faster while others might feel softer; some may have a nice, deep green color, while another may have a lighter shade. The sheer amount of variation gives a new homeowner plenty of selection when deciding what's right for them.

A healthy lawn can provide a strong cooling effect for a home, bringing temperatures down by as much as 3 or 4 degrees Celsius around the house. This can reduce air conditioning costs in the summer months.

Quality

The biggest factor in your lawns quality is how you maintain it. If you fertilize, aerate, and water your lawn you can expect it to go healthy and remain resilient throughout the year.

Grass is a very durable plant and can withstand constant mowings, over fertilizations, drought... you name it. Unless you become extremely neglectful your lawn will continue to grow and thrive.

Maintenance

This is what turns many people off of a traditional lawn is the amount of maintenance required to keep their lawn growing healthy and looking good.

You will need to mow your lawn a few times every month, trim the edges, fertilize, water, aerate, fertilize again, and then water it some more. It becomes a constant cycle that, unless you live in a climate that experiences snow, will never end.

Many people enjoy the work they put into their lawn and see it as an investment. Every homeowner wants to have the best lawn on the block and you will often see people spending hours trimming, mowing, and fertilizing.

It doesn't have to be that complicated however- one good mow every week, one good watering every week, and a fertilization twice a year is generally all you need. Aeration early in the growing season is beneficial but not required.

Price

A lawn, without question, will cost less to initially install when compared to decorative stonework. You might spend three our four thousand dollars for some 'Nebraska Blue' grass, but at least it's not the fifteen or twenty thousand you might spend for a stonework backyard finished in 'Basalt Grey'.

Maintenance is where a lawn can get expensive. Along with a lawn comes the required lawn mower, trimmer, sprinkler system, fertilizer, and aeration services. If you get an insect infestation you need to spray insecticides; get a large growth of weeds and out come the herbicides. Too much of either and you might kill your entire lawn forcing you to grit your teeth and start over.

Conclusions

Financially, a lawn is a better long term value. There's simply no better feeling than lying on the lawn staring at the sky late at night. A healthy lawn is comfortable and inviting and can be the envy of the entire neighborhood.

However, if you are simply not willing to maintain it you will benefit from having a decorative stonework yard. Its good looks and ease of ownership make it an excellent choice for a homeowner looking for something attractive without having to trim it every week.

Or, having grown tired of both options, you could level it all, throw down some gravel, and make yourself a nice big fire pit in the backyard :)