Concrete Pavers Guide

One of the most important decisions when installing a driveway, patio, pool deck, or walkway is determining what material to use. The choices are many: concrete pavers (or paving bricks), paving flags, brick pavers, natural stone pavers, concrete (stamped, poured, colored), asphalt, stone, and just leaving grass or dirt. Though all of these choices have advantages and disadvantages, one stands out above the rest for durability, value, and beauty: block paving bricks.

Block paving bricks are bricks made out of a variety of materials, such as those listed above, but most often with concrete. In this article, I will briefly discuss some of the many benefits and advantages of using this material – hopefully it will convince you to consider the material, if not actually go out and use it for your next project. There are of course some disadvantages and cons to the material, but they are far outweighed by the benefits. The advantages of this material can be found in three areas:

Paving Bricks are DURABLE

Brick paving stands the test of time, weather, and daily abuse from foot or vehicular traffic. They are often rated as strong or stronger than concrete, and they can withstand the rigors of the environment as well as vehicular traffic. The secret of the strength of this material lies not only in what its made from but also how it’s arranged and built – the interlocking joints and the  strong, but flexible base underneath keeps the pavers settled while also allowing them to flex and bend with freezing and thawing cycles. This prevents the formation of ugly cracks that mar single slab projects, like concrete and asphalt. Best of all, paving brick are easy to replace if one gets damaged or stained: simply remove the paving stone, reset the base, replace the brick, and fill back in with joint material!

One of the other advantages to having strong material is that it requires little maintaining, which is a relief for many homeowners. Bricks paving requires little maintenance above and beyond weekly sweeping, washing, and yearly sealing. Of course, this kind of maintenance is not necessarily required – it’s just a great way to maximize the beauty of your project if that’s something you’re interested in doing.

Block Paving Bricks are VALUABLE

If there is one disadvantage to this material, it lies in its initial install costs: Paving bricks can be expensive to install, certainly more so than other materials such as concrete and asphalt. This is not a reason to skimp on the installation of your paving blocks, as the base and other materials need to be top quality, as does the install itself. Otherwise, you will be sacrificing many, if not all, of the benefits listed here. Any short changing the workmanship will severely degrade the final product’s looks and longevity.

Luckily, unlike other projects which will crack and look ugly over time, paving stones retain their beauty for much longer. Because they are much more attractive than other options, they add more value to a home. Thus, installing these applications represents an investment that can pay off on a later home sale. Of course, you won’t want to go into debt to install this material, but if you’re looking for a good place to dump some cash, then installing paving stones won’t be a terrible use for it. Of course, know that nothing is guaranteed, and while the value of your home may increase, it is not definitely going to increase – you may or may not turn a profit, in other words, so don’t rely on it.

This Material is BEAUTIFUL

Finally, pavers just look better than other options, even stamped and colored concrete. The variety of colors, shapes, and sizes available far outpaces those for other options. This means that you have enormous freedom to explore and try different design options, ideas, and styles/themes. The homeowner, designer, or contractor has far more flexibility to truly create hardscapes that complement and enhance the home’s features and themes. Homeowners should peruse the relevant literature to get an idea of the different color combinations, layout possibilities, and brick paving patterns for their block paving bricks. Ask your local contractor, mason, or paver manufacturer for assistance.

There are a few things you should know about this material besides the obvious benefits, of course. The installation of these brick can be a challenge for those with little home improvement experience. Many different factors, such as height, grade, depth, etc. need to be weighed when doing this work. Most people will want to contact a local contractor with experience in these types of projects, though it is definitely possible to do the installation yourself (DIY paving).

Using paving blocks in your home or business is a great way to increase the beauty and value of your property. Block paving, done with concrete pavers, paving stones, brick pavers, clay pavers, or any other type of brick material, may incur an initial high cost, but the overall value will far outpace this investment. This article will give you a brief introduction on the many aspects of paving block that you should be aware of – much more information on these and other related topics can be found on this site, so I’ve linked you to the relevant articles in this text.

Project Types and Design

The possibilities for using paving block are nearly endless. From block paving driveways, to walkways, to pool decks, to garden projects, to other outdoor projects, the size, shapes, and colors of pavers available allow for the full creativity or individuality of the homeowner or designer to be expressed. When designing a project, homeowners, business owners, contractors, and designers should keep in mind the general design theme of the area. If multiple projects will be completed at once, they should be coordinated so as to reduce costs and maintain a common theme.

Block paving bricks may be made from an assortment of materials, including clay, stone, concrete, and brick. This article will focus on one of the more popular options – concrete paving stones. With all the options however, you will find a strong, durable paver that will stand the test of time, weather, and traffic. One of the great advantages of paving stone projects is that they do not crack like asphalt and concrete. These materials usually form one huge slab, which cannot bend if the ground or base below freezes. Instead, over time small cracks form, and these cracks then enlarge as time goes on, leading to unsightly and unsafe fissures in the installation. Pavers, because they are connected with many flexible joints, will be able to absorb this expansion/contraction due to freeze/thaw cycles.

Paving Block Should Be Properly Installed

To ensure stability, paving blocks must be laid on an aggregate base, about 6-12 inches thick depending on the traffic type and frequency. They are then laid directly on top of a level, 1 inch layer of fine (concrete) sand. The paving block are then laid in the selected pattern, which will depend on the size and shape of the block purchased, the general design theme of the installation, and the size of the project (along with personal preferences). To finish, sand or some other joint material is swept between the joints. It is this friction between the joints that gives the pavers their strength. The whole is then edged and compacted. Depending on the size of the installation, the whole process could take anywhere from one day to a week or more. More information on installing pavers can be found here.

Block Paving Costs

Block paving prices will vary on a number of factors. How big is the intended installation? How much excavation needs to be completed? What brand of paver will you use? Are you completing the project yourself, or hiring a contractor? These and many other aspects of the project will heavily influence the overall cost. I go over a discussion of various costs for materials on this site under the Costs and Saving Money section, but I’ll also direct you to the article on pavers cost for a good background on some of the factors that will affect the overall price of your project.

Maintaining Your Block Paving Project

Maintenance time is quite low in comparison to some other materials – this is one of the major advantages of the material. Periodic sweeping and cleaning (such as with a power washer) of your paving bricks will keep the area looking new. Stains can also be relatively easily removed, depending on the stain and the time it’s been allowed to set – more information on cleaning pavers and removing stains can be found in this article. Sometimes, weeds or anthills will form in the sand in between the joints; weedkiller or insecticide can be used to fix this problem. A great way to prevent staining, dirt accumulation, fading, and weeds is to seal the paving blocks with a paver sealer. This only needs to be done once every two years, and greatly extends the life and beauty of the paving installation. If you would like more information on sealing pavers, check out the article.