How to Choose a Paving Material

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

Rate: (4 Ratings)

You have the perfect material in mind for paving your garden path or driveway - at least in terms of aesthetics. When choosing paving material for a home improvement project, however, keep practical considerations in mind. Make sure your materials meet your needs - and your abilities to deal with them. Here are some things to keep in mind.

Flag Article

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Step1

Consider the activities you have in mind for the paved area. Avoid loose paving units or gravel if you'll need to walk much or move furniture across the paved surface.

Step2

Notice how the area where you plan to install your surface drains. Paving stones or bricks that are set on soil may sink if the area doesn't drain quickly and becomes muddy.

Step3

Choose a material like concrete or asphalt if you'll need to drive across the paved surface.

Step4

Determine if you'll need access to pipes or anything else beneath the surface for repair or maintenance. If so, choose materials such as brick, stone, tile or pressed concrete units, which can be removed and replaced without looking patched.

Step5

Be honest with yourself about the kind of installation that you can handle ' either as a do-it-yourself project or as a contract. Beautifully installed asphalt blocks look much better than poorly installed marble tiles.

Step6

Choose a material that has some relationship to the other materials that will be near it. Paving that appears to be a natural variation of the building nearby creates a sense of harmony.