Thinking about a patio, walkway or driveway but can’t decide between interlock and concrete? We love working with interlocking stone pavers because they’re so versatile and allow for flexible designs that a flat, rigid surface can’t do. But, there are quite a few other benefits to interlocking stone to consider:
Paving the driveway with pre-formed paving stones provides a durable, attractive finish that reflects character and style. Paving stones come in a wide array of colors, shapes, and textures, providing homeowners with almost unlimited choice in terms of design. Your paving stone driveway will be completely unique and built to last for decades. Paving stones are manufactured to carry heavy loads. When laid on a layer of gravel for drainage, paving stones stand firm through any weather, including anything from below-freezing temperatures to high humidity, or extreme heat.
Paver block is an innovative way of creating decorative pavements. Block paving is the best option for your patio, driveway, pathway. Block paving also known as brick paving is a commonly used decorative method of creating a pavement or hardstanding. The main benefit of bricks over other materials is that individual bricks can later be lifted up and replaced. Having a good-quality patio or driveway can make your home more visually appealing. The right kind of surfacing material can complement your property, whether its having a patio in your back garden or another kind of structure. One of the best materials is block paving, made from concrete and clay. The blocks can be laid in detailed patterns and shaped to individual taste shapes and Classifications
There are four generic shapes of paver blocks corresponding to the four types of blocks as below
- Type A: Paver blocks with plain vertical faces, which do not key into each other when paved in any pattern,
- Type B: Paver blocks with alternating plain and curved/corrugated vertical faces, which key into each other along with the curve/corrugated faces, when paved in any pattern,
- Type C: Paver blocks having all faces curved or corrugated, which key into each other along with all the vertical faces when paved in any pattern and
- Type D: ‘L’ and ‘X’ shaped paver blocks that have all faces curved or corrugated and which key into each other along with all the vertical faces when paved in any pattern.
The generic shapes and groups of paver blocks identified to four types are illustrated in Figures 1 & 2.
Environmentally sustainable
Compared to other surfacing materials, block paving is more environmentally sustainable because of its porous nature. This means the paving will absorb rainwater and stop it from gathering on your patio or driveway. The added benefit is that the surface area will have better drainage.
Pavers are a permeable surface that allows water to naturally infiltrate into the ground. Plus, they effectively trap suspended solids, process nutrients, and oils and immobilize heavy metals.
Safety
Pavers are very safe pavement material for outdoor applications. When the top surface of paver is oily due to the passing of vehicle over them, it is very safe to walk and drive a vehicle over them.It is also safe when the top surface of the interlocking paver block is wet or in monsoon season, there is no problem for walking or no tension of slipping over them.Interlocking pavers are slip resistant and skid resistant.
Low maintenance
Interlocking brick pavers are virtually maintenance-free. They require less energy and resources over their life cycle than concrete or asphalt.
Plus, if a brick is damaged or stained with oil, there’s no need to redo the entire driveway or patio. All you have to do is replace that one brick. It’s quick, easy and conserves the use of raw materials. In other words, it’s an environmentally sound repair.
Durability
Interlocking pavers are designed so that there are ridges on the wall of the paver. During installation special grades and sizes of sand are sifted between the pavers. When installed correctly they will not shift or sink. They can withstand being walked on and driven on, without buckling. This makes interlocking pavers a very strong and sturdy surface material.
Many shapes and colors
Concrete pavers come in a literally endless number of styles & color possibilities. Concrete pavers are manufactured to look like naturally occurring paving materials. Some of the different styles include stone-like pavers, clay brick-like pavers. Light-colored pavers offer a cooler surface around patios and pool decks. The earth tone colors harmonize with any decor, blending naturally into the landscape, and providing elegance, grace, beauty, and functionality. The same project can use two or more different colors of concrete pavers in addition to a mix of different textures.
Aesthetics
There is something classic and regal about interlocking concrete pavers. They can be the centerpiece of a nicely manicured and landscaped lawn. They also come in a variety of colors, styles and designs, which can give you the flexibility you need to make your home comfortable, welcoming looking place you want it to be.
