As a supplier of both manufactured and natural stone pavers, segmental walls, and related products, we help homeowners select hardcaping project material every day. It doesn’t matter whether the customer is a Do-It-Yourself-er or using a professional contractor, the decision process involves the same set of issues. And color is always a major decision.
When planning a new patio, sidewalk, or other outdoor living environment enhancement, homeowners usually look first at the colors in their home. Options get quickly narrowed down to complement or match strategies and many beautiful options are always available.
However, the decision tends to become much more difficult when the existing environment features the color red. For any shopper who has ever tried to find a red blouse or shirt to match the red in another piece of clothing, the issue is obvious. Reds don’t match.
All grays blend. You can always find a brown that will complement another brown. But not reds. Reds are blue or orange or pink or purple. The variety in shades of red is endless.
If you have red siding, red shutters, red shingles, red brick veneer, look for grays, browns or a gray brown blend. Unless you get amazingly lucky, a new red will clash.
If you have manufactured red pavers or walls and you want more red, use the same color from the same manufacturer. But check to make sure the formula for the color of that hardscaping project material has not changed since you installed your existing project.
Manufacturers of concrete pavers make reds that are designed to look good with clay brick. And once in a while, the combination works. But, not often. If you think you see a product that will work for you, take a color sample home before making your final decision.
HardscapingTM is a registered trademark of EP Henry Company.