Natural stone was forged in the red hot fires of a young Earth in a process that began over 4 billion years ago. This process created a number of types of rock, such as granite and marble, all of which are millions of years old. While modern flooring materials are inexpensive, none can offer your home the same element of splendor and elegance as natural stone.

If you are currently unsure of whether natural stone is right for your driveway, poolside or patio, the following list of natural stone benefits should help you to come to a decision.

Earth's History is Written in Natural Stone

Where ever you go on Earth, you find stone monuments, both natural and manmade, that are thousands, or even millions of years old. For instance, the Sierra Nevada mountain range in the western United States is thought to be at least 40 million years old.

Then there are the manmade stone monuments. The Egyptians were the first to use stone in construction, around 5,000 years ago. The pyramids, which were built with limestone and granite, are still standing today. When you walk across natural stone paving then, you are taking a journey through the ages, back past the earliest civilizations to the birth of Earth itself.

Nothing is More Durable Than Natural Stone

If it wasn't for the durability of natural stone, the 7 wonders of the world, all of which were built using natural stone, would not be standing today. In terms of its ability to stand up to traffic and the elements, nothing else comes close. For instance, the oldest paved road in human history is over 4,500 years old and is made of limestone and sandstone slabs.

Likewise, the Romans, who were famed for their road-building expertise as well as their fighting prowess, built stone roads that survive to this day, around 2,000 years later. Although stone is not impervious to the elements, and to wear, it is sturdier than manmade materials.

Natural Stone is More Attractive

Modern materials, such as asphalt, concrete and brick are much less versatile than natural stone in regards to design, and are also much more monotone in appearance. This is because these materials tend to be uniform in colour, texture, size and shape.

Natural stone paving on the other hand, offers a variety of colours, textures and shapes that differ from stone to stone. This gives your driveway, patio or poolside area the kind of ancient elegance that can be found in old buildings and ruins from hundreds or thousands of years ago.

Natural Stone is Environmentally Friendly

The concrete industry is responsible for 5-10% of the world's carbon dioxide emissions. Similarly, asphalt and brick require energy resources for production and recycling purposes, and they contain chemicals. Natural stone poses no such environmental risks as it simply needs to be quarried and later cut to industry specifications. In terms of recycling natural stone, again, little modification is necessary as the stones can be taken from one area and used in another similar construction project.

The Price of Natural Stone is Falling

Over the past couple of years, the price of natural stone has fallen due to advancements in stone quarrying and cutting technology. These advancements have made the mining of stone faster and less costly than it once was, meaning it is now more affordable than ever before.

If you are looking to add exterior flooring to your home, natural stone paving offers both durability and elegance in abundance. Natural stone is especially suited to homes with swimming pools and water features, blending in and creating an atmosphere of calmness and serenity.