With building products, like everything else, there is a bewildering array of choices. When confronted with the decision to pave there may be many things on your mind like fashion, colour and, of course cost, but the simplest way to reach a decision is to ask 5 major questions:

What material do I want to use?

What size of paver suits my needs and tastes?

What form/texture do I prefer?

What colour do I like?

What laying pattern looks the best?

Cost is always the major consideration but once these questions have been approached the decision is so much easier.

Materials

1. Concrete

Come in various sizes and shapes from 80mm thick industrial brick-shaped interlockers to large boutique pedestrian forms

Uses include everything from airport runways to upmarket resorts.

Made in moulds, either wet-poured or dry-pressed (more porous and subject to stains unless sealed, usually the cheapest)

Many colours, all quite uniform but subject to fading overtime and ‘pebbling’ where there is heavy traffic. Also vulnerable to salt degradation if unsealed.

Most are medium-priced. Where available in ’seconds’ quality they are usually damaged.

2. Clay

Made from kiln-baked quarried clay

Uses include roads, driveways, pathways, pools, pergolas

Common sizes are normal brick-shape (230mm x 115mm) in various thicknesses for pedestrian or vehicle use. Larger sizes (400 x 400mm) are also available.

There is considerable variation in earthy colours both between types and within a single batch. If you want consistent colour you will need to order A-grade, which cost more. They are often available in ’seconds’ for considerably less with the only fault being colour variation. This can look good and save a lot off the purchase price.

It is unnecessary to seal most clay pavers.

Usually the cheapest to purchase with a wide variety of ’seconds’ accessible

3. Stone

Quarried sandstone, limestone, granite, basalt

There is a large import trade in stone and some of the cheapest forms originate in India and China. This doesn’t make them poor quality though and some of the most beautiful stone I’ve seen comes in very accurate dimensions from China for less than poor stone 100 kms from me in Australia.

Wide variety of tones including blues, greens, red and sand colour.

Undoubtedly the most durable of materials

They are cut to various sizes and you always need to check how well calibrated (sorted for consistent thickness) they are. This can make quite a difference to the cost of laying.

Many products are available as a thin tile (20mm) as well as a thicker paver (40mm), making it possible to match indoor or outdoor tiled areas with your landscaping.

Recoverable, re-usable

Stone pavers have an expensive upfront cost depending on where they are sourced

They vary in porosity, particularly sandstone. Limestone, granite and basalt are quite impervious to moisture absorption. Usually stone doesn’t require a sealant but sealing helps to prevent mould and accentuates the colour in a well-figured stone.

4. Recycled Rubber

These are something quite new on the market, made from old tires crumbed and reconstituted. Currently they are used primarily in the horse racing industry for things like warm-up tracks, and parade rings because of their impact absorption and durability. They are also found at golf courses on pathways and in clubhouses where they provide grip and resist wear from spiked golf shoes. They come in a wide variety of colours and sizes and can be used almost anywhere that other pavers are used.

They are slip resistant, chemical and stain resistant, impervious to moisture, cushioning, durable and make good sound insulation. On top of that they are responsible for the recycling of millions of discarded car and truck tires.

Form/Texture

Pavers come in brick-shape (rectangular), hexagonal, square, cobbled and various less popular forms. Brick shape lends itself to more patterns such as herringbone (see next section) and is the recommended type for vehicle traffic because the pavers can interlock providing a stronger bond. Square pavers are available in a variety of sizes and materials, the most common being 400mm x 400mm. These can be either laid staggered or as a chessboard pattern or as stepping pads. Surface texture varies considerably with clay coming mostly as smooth surfaces. Concrete pavers are made to imitate the look of sandstone or slate with a textured face. Stone comes in a variety of textures, sandstone smooth or rough with considerable relief, limestone smooth and granite either rough and pitted or polished. Around a pool texture with grip is a good idea to prevent wet feet slipping.
All materials have either sharp, bevelled or rumbled (rounded). Rumbled pavers in concrete or stone are easier to lay because they are much more forgiving of differences in thickness. Bevelled and rumbled shapes allow for better surface drainage but have a tendency to encourage more weed growth if not sealed.

Colour

Concrete pavers come in almost any colour you wish because it is just a matter of adding mineral oxides to the blend. Be aware though that some oxides are very expensive due to the price of the mineral content ie. green/copper. Concrete colours are uniform and predictable but they do fade over time.

Clay colours are restricted to the clay source and vary from deep red to pale yellow. There is usually some variation in tone throughout a batch and this can be quite attractive particularly over large areas of paving. ‘Seconds’ have a lot of colour tones and if you don’t mind that look they are definitely the most economical choice. Clay colours do not fade.

Stone colours can be even more variable than clay; sometimes each individual stone looks unique. This is precisely its attraction, a natural look, but not everyone’s cup of tea. Granite, however, is the most uniform and it can be ordered in consistent tones of pink, red, grey and black. It is often the most expensive. Stone does not fade with time.

Remember with all materials dark colours can be hot in the sun so it’s wise to avoid them around a pool. Also go for lighter tones if you have heavily shaded areas. Light colours, however, particularly in unsealed concrete stain easily and are difficult to clean and shaded spots will have more leaf litter so either use stone or clay or seal your concrete pavers.

Laying patterns

Ok, so you’ve chosen a style of paver. Have you thought about what kind of pattern you would like to use?

There are a few popular pattern layouts – from the simple ’stack’ to a zigzag running bond. However jobs, such as a driveway, may require a particular pattern for stability or other reasons. Here are some examples of patterns. The names may vary from place to place.

Finally, it comes back to cost. In Australia the very cheapest clay seconds may be found at around $15 to $20 per square metre with the most expensive of polished granite over $100 per square metre. A-grade clay pavers range from about $25 to $55 whereas concrete vary from about $40 to $85. Stone goes for between $65 and $120.The increasing cost of fuel and transport is continually driving up these prices.

I personally don’t like all the new boutique concrete pavers that imitate stone. While many of them look great they are expensive for the quality you get, too easily damaged and I don’t think they will last long. They need sealing, an added cost of $5 to $10 per square metre about every 3 years. Otherwise they stain and fade. That said, I have laid thousands of metres of concrete roadway pavers and they are unbeatable for cost, flexibility and durability under heavy stress.

If you are searching for a rock-bottom price then choose clay seconds but remember if there are any inconsistencies in shape or dimensions then labour costs to lay them will be higher. If you want quality and have put a lot of money into your home then go for stone. Aesthetically it has the most character and in the long run you will save in sealing costs and weathering. Whatever is your final choice don’t forget to consider the labour cost of laying that paver and always obtain advice from an experienced paving contractor. Happy paving!

Written by Val Ockert