What Are Pavers?

Pavers – or paving stones – are flat stones, bricks, or concrete used as flooring typically on the exterior of the house. Pavers have been used for years for driveways, walks, patios, and pool decks.

What are pavers made of? Which material should I choose?

There are a variety of paver materials with different pros and cons.

Pavers made of natural stone are extremely durable and can have some unique characteristics depending on the stone of choice.

Almost all natural stones can be used as paver material, however, more commonly you will find pavers made of:

• Travertine
• Granite
• Basalt
• Slate
• Flagstone
• Fieldstone
• Cobblestone

A brick paver is a building material made from clay, cast in shapes, then heated. Bricks can be made in many different colors by mixing clays.  For thousands of years, brick pavers have been used as paving and construction materials to attain a classic look in patios, driveways, and garden paths. If you are looking for a traditional design with great durability and color retention, brick pavers might be the right choice for you.

The advantages of concrete pavers include being tough, cost-effective, nice looking, and have a wide range of applications. Concrete pavers are manufactured using a concrete mix containing sand, aggregate, and water to which additives can be added to give them color and specific performance characteristics. Concrete is commonly found in the cheapest price range, followed by brick and then natural stone. While concrete is a sturdy and weather-resistant material, it can withstand constant exposure to heavy loads.

Paver Color, Shape & Size Options

A great advantage to choosing pavers is how versatile they are regarding design! Pavers come in almost any color, shape and size that you can imagine, plus they can be laid in a variety of patterns. The result of combining these elements is sure to fit any design style.

Paver Durability & Maintenance

Although concrete slabs usually crack with time and require costly replacement, pavers are 4 times more durable. Even if a crack occurs, you will only need to replace the affected units, and the cost is extremely low compared to replacing an entire concrete slab.

Maintenance and cleaning pavers won’t cause too much trouble. Other than basic cleaning, paver joint sand requires some care, however you can avoid loosening and weed growth by opting for polymeric sand. Concrete pavers should be sealed regularly to prevent stains.

Contact Rockwood Landscape Company today to learn more.