match house paints or complement any oth- er feature of your garden or home or even your own personality. It can be further enhanced by blending it


with exposed aggregate, which can be used in patterns for cosmetic purposes, as a bor- der to the driveway or mixed in the concrete or embedded in the surface to assist with skid-resistance, something that can be useful around a pool or on a sloping drive that gets a build-up of ice or snow in winter. Perhaps the loveliest of all finishes is the acid-etch staining, which can give you a sur- face in any colour topped off with a wax- bright finish. It can be left plain or stamped with any pattern you like. The process is used for patios and courtyards, but it is also used indoors in kitchens, bathrooms and sunrooms, and occasionally on driveways. Maintaining the luster of this finish is as


simple as applying a new coat of sealer every couple of years. A product that has gained favour over the


past few years is a paver made from recycled tires and old plastic garbage bags. These products have the advantage of serving the environment while they provide a flexible non-skid surface for a number of garden applications. While they are used on drive- ways, they are probably more in vogue for use in patios and play areas or around pools. Safety-conscious moms appreciate the soft- ness of the finish on little heads and bodies in play areas, while dads love it on snow re-


Stamped concrete is becoming very popular. The shiny surface can make a courtyard seem more like a room. Note the stucco fence in the background, making the backyard part of the living space with a Mediterranean feel.


Stone and natural paving products provide a soothing finish to a shaded patio space.


www.localgardener.net


Early Spring 2012 • 9


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