The Five Different Types of Paving Slabs and Their Pros and Cons

Pavers are slabs, tiles or blocks that can be made from various materials, such as rubber, clay, concrete, marble, travertine, porcelain, and even plastic.

To create them, concrete pavers and other types of pavers are manufactured in a factory by pouring a combination of concrete and a colouring agent into a mould to form it into a certain shape and cure it so it remains in its shape. Once they are cured, they are ready to be placed on a pavement.

First, the paving slab is placed on layers of crushed sand and stone to create a strong base. The pavers are arranged neatly and carefully by following a certain design. Then, polymeric sand is used to fill the spaces between them. Pavers look finer than ordinary concrete slabs, except for certain stamped concrete.

Pavers are usually used to make driveways, patios, pool decks, and other structures.

Limestone Paving

These pavers have the most aesthetically pleasing look compared to all other types of paving. Limestone pavings come in various exquisite, and eye-catching designs. The texture is fine and smooth without getting slippery which makes it great to use in both residential and commercial buildings. They are best to use in outdoor settings because they stay cool no matter how high the temperatures get. Plus, they are easy to work with. However, the downside with limestone is that the colour can fade quickly and the calcium composition in the limestone may cause acid damage.

Slate Paving

Slate is a little different to sandstone and limestone. While sandstone and limestone are sedimentary stones formed in grains, slate is a metamorphic stone formed in layers. Its distinction from other types has an impact on the usage and properties of slate paving. The great thing about slate is that they don’t fade quickly and they are durable enough to be used as external flooring. However, be careful in choosing a slate paver as they can be difficult to install if you fail to buy the right slate material. They are not weather resistant so any moisture that comes in contact with it for a long time can cause the layers to easily flake off. Best for indoor settings.

Porcelain Paving

Porcelain paving is manufactured by combining clay and other materials and then heating them in a furnace at high temperatures. They are durable and available in many attractive designs. Porcelain paving slabs are utilized both indoors and outdoors. They are not so porous compared to other materials so they are mostly used in pool decks and other moist surfaces. They require little maintenance but installing them can be difficult and costly compared to other standard material paving slabs.

Concrete Paving

Concrete pavers are made from sand, cement, stone, and aggregate. Though its production process varies, the mixture is normally pressed into a paver mould with minimal water. The mould is then pushed and vibrated to set the cement and bond the aggregate. Concrete pavers are appropriate for both on and off-road use and they are easily coloured using dyes and pigments even though the colours can fade away quicker than you can say “cool-looking paving slabs”.

Granite Paving

Granite is an igneous stone that is durable enough to be used as a paving slab. Its surface can come in a huge range of colours and finishes. This material is also the least porous of all stones, which means it cannot absorb water, and it is highly thermally stable so it can still remain in neutral temperature even when external temperature changes drastically. Dust and dirt don’t settle easily on granite so they are easy to clean. The downside to granite is installing them can be a labour-intensive task as this stone is hefty. Because of its tough and heavy material, cutting this can be difficult as well. But if you’re looking for a paving slab that will last for decades, granite is a great choice and all the sacrifices you made in installing them are all worth it.