9 Landscape Paving Materials You Need to Know About
To choose the best paving for your landscape, look at climate, cost and context
Paving is a landscape investment, and the cost varies considerably based on the type used and how readily available it is. Cast-in-place concrete is usually the cheapest and most easily installed paving option, but those who live in regions with naturally occurring stone like limestone or slate can use that local stone at a more affordable price.
Here are our guides to 9 of the most popular paving materials. Whether you are repaving or paving new, you can use them to understand the basics about paving to make an informed decision based on your situation and where you live.
Here are our guides to 9 of the most popular paving materials. Whether you are repaving or paving new, you can use them to understand the basics about paving to make an informed decision based on your situation and where you live.
Precast concrete pavers
Best colour and texture variety at an affordable price
Precast concrete pavers are modular pavers that come in a dizzying number of sizes, shapes, colours, textures and patterns. Precast concrete pavers are a great choice for those who want a different look but don’t want to pay for natural stone. Modular permeable systems, which soak up water instead of creating runoff, are available for driveways, walkways and patios.
Best colour and texture variety at an affordable price
Precast concrete pavers are modular pavers that come in a dizzying number of sizes, shapes, colours, textures and patterns. Precast concrete pavers are a great choice for those who want a different look but don’t want to pay for natural stone. Modular permeable systems, which soak up water instead of creating runoff, are available for driveways, walkways and patios.
Brick
Classic style and works in all climates
Brick in the standard 4-inch-by-8-inch size can be used to make many fun patterns, including herringbone, without looking too busy, and its reddish tones bring warmth to the garden. Brick also works well with many other hardscapes, which is why you’ll often see it used with wood decks and other paving materials.
See how exposed brick makes these homes shine
Classic style and works in all climates
Brick in the standard 4-inch-by-8-inch size can be used to make many fun patterns, including herringbone, without looking too busy, and its reddish tones bring warmth to the garden. Brick also works well with many other hardscapes, which is why you’ll often see it used with wood decks and other paving materials.
See how exposed brick makes these homes shine
Gravel
Great for permeability and to soften a hardscape
Gravel is available as decomposed stone by the bag or pallet and can be used for paths and patios where you want a softer look. It needs to be bound by some kind of rigid edge, like in the space shown here, to contain it.
Great for permeability and to soften a hardscape
Gravel is available as decomposed stone by the bag or pallet and can be used for paths and patios where you want a softer look. It needs to be bound by some kind of rigid edge, like in the space shown here, to contain it.
Limestone
Great for reflecting heat in hot climates
Limestone is typically white to off-white and sometimes a greyish white. Its light colours make it fantastic for warm climates, where it can reflect heat. It also brings a nice brightness to shaded garden areas – lightening up even places in deep shade.
Here’s how to use limestone in the patio
Great for reflecting heat in hot climates
Limestone is typically white to off-white and sometimes a greyish white. Its light colours make it fantastic for warm climates, where it can reflect heat. It also brings a nice brightness to shaded garden areas – lightening up even places in deep shade.
Here’s how to use limestone in the patio
Travertine
Best for surrounding a pool
Travertine is harder and less porous than its cousin limestone, which makes it somewhat easier to maintain. It stays cool to the touch and makes a lovely poolside surface for bare feet.
Best for surrounding a pool
Travertine is harder and less porous than its cousin limestone, which makes it somewhat easier to maintain. It stays cool to the touch and makes a lovely poolside surface for bare feet.
Tile
Great colours for warm climates
Tile is bold and funky because it comes in bright and rich colours and is a nice choice for warm climates. It can be tricky to maintain, so be sure you are ready to keep up with tile maintenance.
Great colours for warm climates
Tile is bold and funky because it comes in bright and rich colours and is a nice choice for warm climates. It can be tricky to maintain, so be sure you are ready to keep up with tile maintenance.
Granite
A superior tough stone that’s excellent in cold climates
Granite is expensive, but it may be worth the investment for you because it lasts several lifetimes. It’s also a sustainable, local building material.
See these popular granites for kitchen countertops
A superior tough stone that’s excellent in cold climates
Granite is expensive, but it may be worth the investment for you because it lasts several lifetimes. It’s also a sustainable, local building material.
See these popular granites for kitchen countertops
Slate
Great for cold climates and deep in colour
Slate has a deep, rich colour and is available in many tones, from deep charcoal to jade green. Slate withstands the coldest climates and works like a champ in the freeze-thaw cycle.
Great for cold climates and deep in colour
Slate has a deep, rich colour and is available in many tones, from deep charcoal to jade green. Slate withstands the coldest climates and works like a champ in the freeze-thaw cycle.
Read more:
8 Materials Perfect for Driveways and Home Pavements
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Are there any other topics on landscaping you’d like to know more about? Let us know in the Comments below.
8 Materials Perfect for Driveways and Home Pavements
Tell us:
Are there any other topics on landscaping you’d like to know more about? Let us know in the Comments below.
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Budget-friendliest
Concrete is the standard because it’s affordable, easy to install and easy to maintain. However, cast-in-place concrete doesn’t have to be boring just because it’s the standard. There are many ways to create patterns, textures and colours to liven it up.