You might have a bluestone patio in your Greater Chicago home landscape, and you probably love it as much as we do.
Bluestone makes an impactful statement in your yard, bringing a classic and timeless look with colors that go from beige and gray to blue and lavender and even have bits of plums, ocres, and rusts. The product makes for a stunning patio.
As you’re enjoying your patio, you are probably looking to embrace some downtime and detox from the stress of a busy day. There’s no better place to relieve anxiety and unwind, after all. But while a patio increases your living space and becomes a great place for enjoying the weather or hanging out with family and friends, you’re probably wondering how you can ensure it can live a long life in your backyard.
When you’re looking for how to maintain a bluestone patio, you want to make sure you follow the right guidance to ensure it looks brand new for as long as possible and continues to grace your yard and give you this enjoyable escape for years to come.
Let’s talk about some strategies for keeping your bluestone patio looking its best.
A patio is a large investment, and you want to be able to enjoy it for as long as possible.
With bluestone, especially, you chose (or plan to choose) a topnotch material for a grand patio and you want to know how to care for a bluestone patio the right way.
Follow these tactics for a clean and long-lasting patio.
First, let’s talk about the different types of bluestone patios.
There are three specific kinds: thermal – blue/blue, natural cleft – blue/blue, and natural cleft – full range.
These are listed from most expensive to least expensive type.
Heat-treated thermal, has a smooth finish without a lot of raised or sunken areas, creating a very contemporary or modern feel. And the “blue/blue” in its name means exactly that: You’re going to get a rich, consistent mix of two blue tones. They cost more because sorting out these special stones in the quarry from the others takes more time and labor.
The natural cleft versions are not heat-treated and have that natural, rougher stone look with raised and sunken areas. The only difference between the two is the more blue color tones versus the more varied color shades.
All three types of bluestone are desirable because they are extremely durable and long-lasting. In fact, you can expect your bluestone patio to hold up for decades with minimal bluestone patio maintenance.
Since bluestone is so durable, it rarely gets slick or slippery and it holds up well.
With minimal bluestone patio maintenance, it can tolerate all of Greater Chicago’s weather and temperature fluctuations without cracking or breaking.
This makes bluestone perfect for high-traffic areas, heavy patio tables and chairs, or any activity you want to enjoy on it.
We know it’s starting to sound too good to be true, but the Pennsylvania bluestone we source is a solid choice.
In fact, when it comes to bluestone patio maintenance, you can rest easy when it comes to the sun. Bluestone resists fading from sun exposure, making it a great choice for sunnier locations.
When it comes to bluestone patio maintenance, you want to be comfortable using your patio but you also want to treat it right.
If you spill something on it, you want to rinse it off with a hose and remove any mildew or moss. For tough spills, a little warm, soapy water can do the trick. But you shouldn’t powerwash bluestone on your own. You never want to use high-pressure water without the help of a professional who has power washing experience.
You want a patio you can enjoy long-term. Part of that enjoyment comes with knowing the material you choose will last and serve you well over the years.
It’s a good thing that how to care for a bluestone patio is so easy because the material is so durable. It gives you peace of mind knowing that it’ll withstand Chicago winters so you can enjoy your patio every summer without fail.
But if you have some questions about caring for your bluestone or whether or not you should use certain products on it or seal it, give KD Landscape a call. We are experts at working with bluestone and can help you better understand this material and what your options are for keeping it looking great for years to come.
Ready to see how KD Landscape can transform your Greater Chicago landscape into something you can really enjoy? We’d love to share our design and installation expertise with you and deliver a space you’ll never want to leave. Get started today with a free consultation. Together, we can prepare a bluestone patio that is ideal for your needs.