Garden Trends for 2019

For the last 20 years, Indian natural stone paving has dominated the UK market. In recent years the popularity of open plan living and bifold doors has meant a new import, Italian vitrified paving, is starting to become more popular.

Vitrified paving is a robust and versatile paving material and is offered in a range of colours, textures and sizes. It is made using similar materials and techniques used for internal porcelain tiles, only thicker for the UK climate. Quality importers like Stonemarket and Marshalls have now settled on a 20mm thickness for outside.

The Stonemarket portfolio of vitrified products is extensive with many attractive colours. The Knotwood range which recreates the colours and textures of wood planks has been extremely popular with HBS customers and being vitrified, Knotwood has none of the technical issues with wood so it will not rot or warp.

Paul says 'Many of our customers worry about algae growth but require a cost effective and attractive solution, so this year we have decided to stock the Stonemarket Fortuna range. Being vitrified paving it absorbs little or no moisture giving moss and algae little opportunity to grow. This means hardly any maintenance is needed to keep your patio looking fantastic.'

If you are looking for some landscaping work to be undertaken give HBS a call or drop in to discuss your requirements. The yard is only 2 minutes from Biggleswade retail park with plenty of parking.

Trade and public are both welcome and we can also organise samples, provide free material quotes and help you find an installer. Some of our customers are Marshalls registered and would have also made an investment in the specialist diamond cutting tool required.

Vitrified paving may not take over the whole of the paving market just yet and concrete and natural stone paving still have their own place in the hard landscaping material mix. However, in future years a robot may be mopping the patio like a kitchen floor and hoovering the artificial grass so we need to be prepared for everything!