Pavers & Paving Stones

TYPES OF PAVERS

Concrete paving stones are available in many types and styles for best performance in specific applications. Thinner smooth pavers can create beautiful patios and poolsides, while thick, textured pavers build durable and practical driveways. Concrete paver stones can blend into the surrounding environment or become a standout feature in landscape design.

The two primary types of concrete pavers are interlocking pavers and architectural pavers. Interlocking pavers are most common in residential landscape design for walkways, patios, driveways and more. Strong and long-lasting, interlocking concrete pavers are made of thick and stiff concrete that can withstand heavy vehicle or foot traffic. Interlocking pavers typically have edge spacers that create uniform spacing and joints. You can arrange interlocking pavers in a variety of patterns, including basketweave and herringbone, to create unique designs. With dozens of single-color and blended color options, durable interlocking pavers can fit seamlessly in any residential or commercial design.

Architectural pavers are often thinner than interlocking pavers and not well-suited for vehicle traffic. However, architectural pavers shine in patio design, courtyards, parks and pathways. These aesthetically appealing concrete pavers come in a wide variety of shapes, including irregular patterns that resemble natural stone and large, smooth slabs for a sleek and modern appeal. Architectural concrete pavers offer more design possibilities and are perfect for large-scale applications such as sidewalks and plazas at shopping centers, businesses and schools.

A third popular type of concrete pavers is permeable pavers. While all unsealed landscape paving stones allow water to pass through the spaces between them, permeable pavers are specifically for stormwater management. Permeable concrete pavers can remove hydrocarbons, heavy metals and other pollutants from rainwater before releasing it safely into the groundwater or collecting it for other uses such as irrigation. These pavers are especially useful in parks, sidewalks and other urban applications where groundwater runoff can be a serious concern. By facilitating rainwater absorption, permeable pavers can prevent urban runoff that can cause flooding and pollute waterways near cities.

STYLES OF CONCRETE PAVERS

When choosing concrete pavers, homeowners and landscape architects have a variety of colors, textures and styles to choose from. By combining colors and textures of concrete pavers, striking contrasts can become the focal point of a cohesive hardscape design. Here are a few different style elements of concrete pavers and the varieties available.

• Color: Concrete pavers range from traditional colors like charcoal gray or rustic red to creative blends like Appalachian gray or sierra tan. Choose a single color for a uniform appeal or combine colors to create designs on sidewalks or a border around a patio.

• Texture: Concrete pavers are available with three different surface types — smooth, tumbled or textured. Smooth concrete pavers can have matte or glossy surfaces to resemble porcelain or slate. Tumbled concrete pavers feature distressed and weathered edges that offer a beautiful and affordable alternative to cobblestone. Textured concrete pavers feature imprinted patterns that create a more visually exciting surface.

• Stone appearance: Some concrete pavers’ design resembles other materials, such as cobblestone, slate and porcelain. These concrete pavers offer the look of natural stones without the hefty price. Because of their affordability and easy maintenance, concrete pavers offer an excellent alternative to stone pavers.