Types of Driveway Pavers

Driveways do not have to be made of concrete slabs anymore. There are types of driveway pavers to match any style home and blend in with any landscaping theme. They can create a rustic county atmosphere or a more formal one depending not only on the type of paver, but on the pattern created as well.

Travertine

Travertine is a sedimentary stone that is produced naturally in hot mineral springs in Turkey and in Italy. There are two types of Travertine suitable for outdoor use: Travertine with a honed or chiseled edge and tumbled Travertine which comes in different thicknesses. Travertine pavers stay cool and tolerate the freeze and thaw process and the colors will not fade. Travertine can come in kits with stones of different sizes to create a driveway with a natural appearance.

Granite

Granite is another natural type of stone composed of mica, feldspar and quartz and formed in the crust of the earth. Granite is a good choice for cold climates and comes in colors ranging all the way from white to black and just about everything in between. When buying granite pavers, look for stones that have a rating of 6 or higher on the Moh's Scale of Relative Hardness and stones with smaller rather than larger graining. Granite pavers come in a wide range of shapes, making it possible to create many intricate patterns such as fan, hexagon, diamond, concourse square, half course square marquise and cobble lock.

Rubber

Rubber pavers are made from recycled tires, durable and maintenance free. Rubber pavers have two installation choices. They can either be glued in place permanently or interlocked together for easy removal. Rubber pavers come in terra cotta, black, red, beige, green and brown, are non-slip and require very little maintenance.

Grass and Turf

Grass and turf pavers are actually grass grown over cement. The first thing to do is to install a grid then the grid is filled in with topsoil, sand and gravel are added inside the grid. This holds up the grass or turf and allows for drainage. The last step is to plant the grass inside the grid. It allows the rain water to be absorbed into the ground and the pavers are very environmentally friendly. Most are made with 100 percent recycled plastic. The grids are easy to install, no tools are needed and they are easy to cut to fit any shaped corner.

Mexican Pavers

Mexican pavers are hand made from clay. Different varieties are named after the town where the type of clay used is found. Saltillo is used for a rustic feel. Lincoln is dark and is very durable. Hacienda is also durable and it can be custom sized and shaped. It comes in yellows and oranges. Mexican pavers need to be sealed in order to extend their life span, protect them from the effects of the weather and wear and tear. Sealing will also help the pavers hold their color and texture.

References

• Travertine
• Granite
• Rubber

Resources

• Mexican
• Grass and Turf