Natural Paving Stone Types

Welcome to the CalFinder Library's growing collection of paving stone articles. You may not realize that many paving stone types are made from natural substances. Here's a quick summary:

Flagstone Pavers

"Flagstone pavers" is a generic term given to any flat slab of natural paving stone material that is sourced from a stone quarry. Flagstone is a natural stone that is cut to form a shallow, flat slab. Although it can be more expensive than paving stones made of composite materials, its natural beauty can enhance your property's value and more than make up for the higher cost due primarily to the quarrying involved. Benefits of using flagstone pavers include durability, safety, low maintenance, acid resistance, and lack of heat absorption.

Rubber Pavers

Rubber pavers are generally made from recycled tire rubber. Highly durable, non-slip, and almost maintenance free, rubber pavers are used in both residential and commercial settings. Rubber pavers' versatility and inherent safety due to the non-slip quality makes them a popular choice for walkways, driveways, paths, children's play areas, sports rooms, and more. Rubber pavers are easy to install. They can be cut to size or purchased with an interlocking system. They are a cost-effective and utilitarian choice.

Travertine Pavers

Travertine has been used for many centuries in construction, dating from before the era of the Roman Empire. The surface of travertine is characterized by pitted holes and troughs, and although these troughs occur naturally, they suggest that considerable wear and tear has occurred over many years. Some producers of travertine pavers use a grout to fill these holes, whereas others leave them open — travertine can be purchased "filled" or "unfilled." It can be effectively polished to a smooth, shiny finish or treated to retain its natural, textured appearance.

Cobblestone Pavers

Cobblestones give an authentic "Old World" look to any property. The use of cobblestones as paving material for roads and lanes was common in Europe and early America, and their historical charm makes them a desirable paving option for residential and landscaping use. Cobblestones were originally collected from riverbeds, in which their rounded shapes were created by the movement of water, wearing the stones smooth over time. Today, cobblestone pavers are produced from quarried stone and rounded mechanically into regular and irregular shapes and sizes. One of their unique benefits is that they can prevent erosion by allowing drainage while still providing a durable surface that withstands heavy use.

As you delve into the topic of paving materials, review this article on paving stones: Paving Stone Types. It covers brick pavers, concrete pavers, stone pavers, and more.