These are employed outdoors in your house. Typical applications include:
- Planters
- Walkways
- Driveways
- Pool decks
- Fire pits
A great variety of pavers is available to choose from for installation in your yard.
10 Types Of Pavers And Their Advantages
1- Concrete Pavers
A dry mixture of aggregates, cement, sand, dyes, and pigments makes concrete pavers. Manufacturing procedures can vary, but the mixture is generally enclosed in a paver mold with a small amount of water. The mold is then pressed and vibrated simultaneously till the mixture is bound strongly.
Concrete floors are being fired in big industrial furnaces by manufacturers. These are suitable for roads and even off-road use. The color of concrete floors fades faster than stone and brick pavers, which can be preserved with sealants.
2- Brick Pavers
Also called clay pavers (due to clay and shale as forming materials). Brick pavers are made with a variety of processes, with a soft mud approach as the widely employed and cost-effective method.
The raw clay is blended with 25-30% sand. The mixture is then pressed into a steel mold and burned at 900-1000 degrees Celsius. The natural properties of raw materials produce an effective and long-lasting product.
3- Flagstone Pavers
These are flat slabs of natural stones such as slate, sandstone, or limestone. The stones are easy to cut and break into the slabs. Flagstone pavers are used in residential settings. Common applications of these pavers are patios, pool decks, walkways, and stepping stones.
These pavers are available in a range of reds, browns, blues, and a mixture of these colors. These are unevenly formed and are rectangular or square. Depending on the intended use, the stones can be 1-3 inches thick.
High density, versatility, low maintenance, safety, durability, aesthetic appeal, and easy installation are just a few benefits of flagstone pavers. These are acid-resistant and can be set directly on soil. Plus, you can use them both indoors and outdoors, without concrete or aggregate.
4- Bluestone Slabs
These are ideal for courtyards, patios, and walks as they are attractive and long-lasting. This paver has large proportions and a textured surface, which makes it eye-catching for outdoor projects. An oversized edge spacer generates a bigger joint, which mimics a genuine stone.
Bluestone can be combined with other paver materials. It is extremely tough and can be molded to any desired shape. Though available in different colors, royal blue is the most attractive and distinctive choice for most people.
5- Marble Pavers
Marbles are utilized for residential and commercial applications; they are one of the most attractive and costly paver stones. The tumbled texture of these stones makes them less slippery and ideal for outdoor use.
It remains cold, even on a hot day, since it’s a black stone. Marble pavers are resistant to heavy traffic and do not require sealing, which makes them almost maintenance-free.
6- Travertine Pavers
Like marble pavers, travertine pavers are all-natural pavers used in various applications. These sedimentary rocks originate and grow in response to temperature and pressure. Patios, pool areas, worktops, and indoor floors look great with travertine pavers.
It has a variety of colors and is less expensive than marble. Travertine is long-lasting and resistant to discoloration. It insulates heat and, therefore, keeps rooms cool throughout the summer. Travertine is sensitive to acids and may reveal undesirable strains.
7- Cobblestone Pavers
Cobblestone pavers are best used for both attractive aesthetics and long-term durability. Granite is the most used material for cobblestone. Other materials are sandstone, limestone, or basalt.
Cobblestone is a highly long-lasting material and requires very little care (about 2-3 times per year). Cobblestone paver installation is labor-intensive and time-consuming. It is also much more costly as compared to other paver types.
8- Rubber Pavers
Rubber pavers are new to the market; most are constructed from recycled materials. These are extremely tough and resistant to wear and tear. Rubber pavers are simple to install and replace compared to other paver types like concrete and brick pavers.
Although concrete and brick pavers add more aesthetic appeal and do not fade rapidly, rubber pavers are environmentally friendly, cost-effective, and long-lasting options compared to other pavers.
9- Plastic Pavers
These can either be newly created or recycled from trash. This process involves melting the plastic with water and mixing it with soil. The material is then poured into paver containers to dry. The method was developed by environmentalists to cope with the global proliferation of waste plastic.
Plastic pavers are easy to install, affordable, and available in a variety of sizes, colors, and shapes. These can only be used on walkways, where they serve the purpose of a small garden pathway.
10- Porcelain Pavers
It is a clay-based material that undergoes intensive heat treatment. This process yields a rigid, non-porous, and long-lasting product. Porcelain pavers can be used outdoors and indoors. They are less absorbent than other porous materials and are utilized in pool decks.
Porcelain pavers are less expensive as they are made from natural materials such as marble, slate, and granite. It’s easy to clean and absorbs less moisture.
It’s not ideal for damp places like the driveway, which has extreme frost.
Different Types of Pavers by Style
After you choose the desired material for pavers, here is a variety of styles you can opt for:
1- Interlocking Pavers
Interlocking pavers fit together like a puzzle. As the name suggests, the pavers have ridges and grooves on the edges, which enable them to fit into each other as the pattern is laid. Examples of this style are concrete and brick pavers.
2- Tumbled Pavers
These create a rustic, weathered appearance. The pavers are tumbled in a drum mechanically to give them a more stressed and aged textured finish.
3- Textured Pavers
The pavers are rough, and non-slippery due to etching, sandblasting, or brushing techniques. Textured pavers are ideal for heavy-traffic outdoor places like driveways, walkways, and pool patios.
4- Smooth Pavers
Smooth pavers represent a smooth, flat appearance without any roughness or texture. These are used to create a sleek and modern look or to complement textured pavers.
Paver Maintenance Tips
Paver maintenance requires you to complete a variety of tasks such as yard work, stain removal, seasonal cleaning, and joint maintenance. Here are a few best practices you can follow to keep the pavers in good condition:
- Sweep the pavers regularly to remove any debris or dirt. This also prevents stains and keeps the surface clean.
- Rinse with water to wash away pollen that is not removed by broom.
- Use a cleaning solution to remove tough stains and mildew. This also prevents buildup and maintains paver color.
- Seal the pavers with an appropriate sealant every year to protect against staining and weather damage.
Conclusion
Pavers are not only installed for aesthetic appeal, but also for the durability of outdoor areas. So, it’s important to choose the paver carefully to meet all goals. Factors like intended use, design preference, and geographical locations also impact the final decision.
Whatever paver style or material you choose, Guerrero Landscapes make the best outcomes of your choice to build a dream pathway for your property. Our experts are skilled at providing 100% satisfaction.
Get in touch with us to get started with your paver project today!
