Types of Paving Slabs With Pros & Cons | DIY Installation Tips

If you’re working on your hardscaping, which may include a paving project, the first thing you’ll want to do is consider what kind of material you’re going to want to use .  This article will discuss all of the main different types.  Each type of material has a set of characteristics that make it more or less suitable depending on your project and style. 

Natural Stone

There are many varieties of natural stone, but the reality is that when some of the most amazing wonders of the world has been built with it, you really can’t go wrong.  Natural stone has been produced by mother nature, and the colors involved have evolved in nature, this makes natural stone difficult to mimic with man-made materials.  Natural stone is usually considered a better product than concrete because it ages better with time, is more frost resistant than concrete, and is easier to clean. 

Sandstone Pavers

Sandstone is a classic material that comes in a wide array of colors, surface finish, and availability.  Sandstone is a natural material that is composed of tiny grains that are held together by a form of cementitious material consisting often of silicon.  It is this silicon cement that determines whether or not the sandstone will be resilient.  Some sandstone is very hard, while others are prone to chipping.  The benefits of sandstone include the wide variety of colors, patterns and designs, as well as the ease of working with it.  It is relatively easy to clean and withstands weather and frost.  It can fade over time if it isn’t well maintained though. 

Granite Paving Slabs

Granite is very durable, comes in a vast array of colors, and is beautiful to look at.  It is nice to work with since it cuts very cleanly.  Granite has a very low porosity, meaning that water doesn’t usually permeate it.  This makes it ideal for showing very little change with temperature.  It is a very dense hard stone though, so sometimes it can be heavy and labor intensive. 

Porcelain

Porcelain slabs are very low maintenance, and it has no porosity.  It doesn’t absorb stains, and is very easy to clean.  It is a stone that is able to resist scratches and pressure.  This is not a natural stone though, and because it isn’t porous, it doesn’t stick to mortar very well.  It requires a primer in order to install it correctly.  Porcelain is also usually thicker than sandstone, making cutting more difficult. 

Interested in Learning More?

At Landscaping Surrey Blossm in Surrey, BC our hardscape customer service experts as well as our landscaping and garden professionals are always on hand to help you maintain your property, provide information about hardscaping, and answer questions. 

Please feel free to continue to browse our website for more information, or contact us today with any questions that you may have.  As always our professional team is on hand to provide a free consultation if you would like, simply reach out today and schedule a time, we’ll come to you!