What is a Paver?
A paver is what most people incorrectly call a brick. A brick is actually the unit used in vertical masonry work while a paver is the unit used in horizontal flatwork. Pavers are available in a variety of colors, shapes, and materials.
Concrete pavers are very popular. They are typically manufactured using multiple dyes in the concrete mix which provides a mottled appearance with each paver having varied ranges of particular colors in each unit. They are also now made in shapes ranging from the traditional 4″x8″ units to multi-sized, random-pattern units to irregular-edged, faux-stone units. Concrete pavers can be non-tumbled which provides a sharper, more modern look or they can be tumbled which provides an old-world, cobbled look. Concrete pavers have a great price-point and are very versatile. However, they do have a down-side. Through time, their colors will fade and they will weather. This weathering results in the cement wearing away revealing more of the aggregates in the concrete. What was once a flat-surfaced paver now looks like an exposed aggregate paver.
Clay pavers are an extremely old type of pavers. Usually, clay pavers are one color all the way through each unit. Therefore it is possible to provide a purely monochromatic surface if that is desired. A mottled clay paver look is achieved by mixing different colored units in a pattern. Long thought to be an expensive material, clay pavers are similar in pricepoint to mid-range concrete pavers. The are a couple of downsides to clay pavers though. They are typically limited to having some hue of red although it could range anywhere from a light peach to a dark plum. Also, they are typically only available in the traditional 4″x8″ units. If you are seeking a more random look to the pavers, then clay is not what you seek. However, unlike the negative results of weathering on concrete pavers, weathering actually enhances the look of clay pavers. It antiques them. Clay pavers have a very rich appeal to them.
Natural Stone pavers are also available. Tumbled and cut granite pavers, bluestone pavers, and limestone pavers are just a few. Granite pavers are usually oversized and are great for edgings or driveways. Bluestone and limestone pavers are suitable for all hardscape surfaces but if they are used for driveways, they must be thick enough to sustain the weight of vehicular traffic.
Since there is such an array of paver materials, do not ever let a contractor’s inexperience with multiple materials limit your hardscape preferences. If you feel that you are being steered into using a certain type of paver, then assess if that contractor is right for that project. Look for contractors that are willing to provide you with options and not limitations.
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