What are the Different Types of Walkway Pavers?

Walkway pavers are stepping stones designed for landscape enhancement. The different types of walkway pavers are stone, concrete, brick, and clay. The type of pavers used depends on the style of the area, budget available, and type of walkway.

Stone pavers are made of natural materials such as limestone, flagstone, or sandstone. They are taken from stone quarries and cut into various shapes. The most common way landscapers use stone walkway pavers is in the rough form. Large stone rocks are pulled from the quarry then chiseled into smaller flat pieces to form pavers.

Since each paver is a different size and shape, the landscaper must lay them all out and choose each individual paver to fit the garden path. Once the first paver is laid, the subsequent walkway pavers are placed like a puzzle so the overall walkway design is appealing. The result is a backyard path that is unique.

Stone paver material, therefore, is highly prized but also very expensive. Most stone pavers are seen primarily in affluent neighborhoods and places such as exclusive country clubs. This is due to the cost and material availability.

Concrete walkway pavers are the most commonly seen type. Concrete is poured into a mold and formed into pavers. The different shapes include circles, rectangles, hexagons, pentagons, and fan shaped. For intricate walkways, the landscaper may choose to use more than one shape to create visual interest. Concrete is significantly less expensive that stone walkway pavers but can be stained to simulate stone, so it is a good choice for people on a budget.

Brick is another material typically used for walkway pavers. Bricks are available in a large variety of colors and have been used for walkways for centuries. For traditional home and building styles, bricks blend well with the landscape which make them easy for landscape design. When using bricks, landscapers may set them in a herringbone or basket weave pattern to showcase the path. For the look of old cobblestones, landscapers may chisel the edges or have the bricks tumbled so each one is not exactly the same.

Walkway pavers may also be made from clay. It is similar to brick and is poured into a mold then fired of baked. Clay pavers are extremely durable, and depending on the size and color may be priced in the same range as concrete pavers. Due to the manufacturing process, clay pavers are not as uniform as concrete pavers but do offer an affordable alternative to brick or stone.