Pavers are prefabricated pieces of stone that interlock with each other to create a solid yet flexible surface. They are available in a variety of different materials such as limestone, sandstone, brick, slate, or concrete to name just a few. This material is used to create aesthetically pleasing yet durable driveways, patios, sidewalks and pathways.

Applications

Pavers provide flexibility during extreme seasons such as cold winters and hot summers. While concrete surfaces can and will crack, these materials are designed to sit close to each other and provide a flat surface, but not so close as to crack when moved. When temperatures change, the stones flex against each other without cracking or breaking. If a stone cracks or breaks, they are exceptionally easy to replace: simply lift out the broken stone and insert the new stone.

Advantages

No matter what type of stone is used, they have many other advantages over traditional materials like asphalt and granite. They come in a variety of shapes, allowing for unlimited design possibilities. Instead of sticking with just one shape to design, different shapes can be combined to create the desired design.

Another benefit is that these materials are better for the environment. Unlike other materials that force things like rainwater and melted snow to flood the sides of the hard surface, water is allowed to seep through and reach the ground below them. Not only does this help the ground below, but it also prevents the house from flooding, since the runoff water is not forced in any particular direction.

cost

While it may seem like a more expensive option, pavers are the most economical decision in the long run. Since they last for many years and retain their shape and color, they are a worthwhile investment. Other materials that are commonly used for driveways and patios such as concrete due to its cheaper price have high maintenance costs. Builders will make sure to put joints in the concrete so that when it cracks, it cracks in a straight line.

Maintenance

These stones are one of the strongest materials available and naturally require little to no maintenance, short of replacing a cracked or discolored stone. To increase the life of the color and appearance of the stone, sealants can be used, but are not required as they last for many years. In terms of ongoing maintenance, simply sweeping the area is enough to keep the stones in good health. Cleaning agents can be applied in case something like grease or oil drips onto the stones.

Installation

One of the best advantages of pavers is that they are easy to install and require few materials to do so. Materials typically required are things like sand, a shovel, a rubber hammer, a tape measure, a level, markers, a shovel, and your source material.

While many may choose to do the installation themselves, there are plenty of experienced contractors available to hire.