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How do I Choose the Best Concrete Pavers?

Nychole Price
Nychole Price

Concrete pavers are used in homes throughout the world because of their many benefits. These benefits include the low cost and low maintenance of concrete pavers, their strength, the fact that they aren’t affected by freeze-thaw conditions and they install easily. When choosing which concrete pavers are best for you, there are a couple things to keep in mind.

If you are installing the concrete pavers in your driveway, consider using the interlocking style of pavers. These pavers won’t shift when weight is applied to them, making them ideal for areas with high vehicle traffic. It is also best to stick with dark colored pavers when using them in the driveway, as it will hide any oil or fluid spills, keeping your driveway looking pristine.

Interlocking pavers are generally ideal for use in driveways.
Interlocking pavers are generally ideal for use in driveways.

Select non-dentated square or rectangular pavers for use in areas with little to no traffic. These pavers may slip or move around when heavy weight is applied or high traffic occurs. These pavers work best for framing up ponds or walkways that are seldom used.

When installing concrete pavers around the pool, consider using light colored, sealed pavers. The light color will keep the pavers cool in direct sunlight, as it will reflect the heat, rather than absorb it. Concrete also provides a natural non-slip surface, making the area around the pool a little safer. It is recommended to seal the pavers to prevent the slightly acidic chemicals in the pool from damaging them.

Brick pavers have several design styles available, making them perfect for use in the garden or for accenting ponds. These designs include hexagons, pentagons, octagons, parallelograms, fans, keyhole-shapes, X-shapes, and W-shapes. There is a design available to fit almost any décor. There are also a variety of colors to choose from, allowing them to compliment the colors in your garden. These include shades of browns, reds, whites, beiges, yellows, pinks and even greens and purples.

Consider where you will be using the pavers when you choose the texture. Smooth round surfaces should be chosen if the bricks are going to be used in areas where people will be walking, running or riding their bikes. Jagged edges work best in areas that you wish to accent, such as around gardens or ponds.

In addition to choosing which pavers you want to use, you also have to choose how you wish to install them. You can install them in the basic patterns available or choose intricate designs. Interlocking pavers can only be installed according to how they are designed.

Discussion Comments

nextcorrea

I would like to build a concrete pavers walkway through my backyard but I am not sure that this is the right material. I have seen concrete driveway pavers and these all seem to be too large for the project I a trying.

So I am wondering, is it possible to buy concrete pavers in a smaller size? And should I even be thinking about concrete pavers at all? Is there an easier way to get this project done?

jonrss

I used concrete pavers to build a patio in my backyard. The project went great in spite of the fact that I am not handy at all.

I was actually really pleased with myself. The pavers were not that expensive, the work was not all that difficult and that finished result looks great. I can't claim that it is professional quality work but it works for what I need it to do.

The family and I spent most of the summer out on that patio. My wife likes to sit in the sun and read, my kids play hopscotch and do chalk drawings and I love to fire up the grill and cook up some burgers.

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    • Interlocking pavers are generally ideal for use in driveways.
      By: Pix by Marti
      Interlocking pavers are generally ideal for use in driveways.