Block Paving – All You Need to Know

Block paving, often known as brick paving, is a popular decorative method of laying down pavement or hard surfaces. It allows individual bricks to be raised and changed when damaged or worn. It is the fundamental advantage of choosing blocks over other materials. Driveways, pavements, patios, walkways, and road surfaces are all examples of a paving block. The blocks usually are built of concrete or clay, with some composite materials thrown in for good measure.

The popularity of block paving has been growing in the paving industry for the last three decades, and enough potential remains in it. In this blog, we will discuss different aspects related to this paving option.

What Is Block Paving?

Block paving is a common practice to construct exterior pavement in the construction industry using individual blocks made of different materials like clay, concrete, and natural stones.

Why Block Paving?

– Scientifically, individual blocks offer a flexible architecture to absorb live & dead loads from standstill/moving people and vehicles.
– Block pavers are easy to install and maintain, as replacement restricts up to some damaged blocks only.
– Brick and natural stone block pavers have been for centuries, so it has classic charm and aesthetic value.
– The availability of clay, stones, and cement-concrete like block building materials is almost universal and affordable.
– Blocks offer ample design options and freedom to match your construction theme or surroundings.

Types of Paving Block

There are primarily three types of paving blocks found around the world.

Clay Brick Paving Block

Kiln-fired clay bricks are the most ancient block paving material found worldwide. House brick manufacturers can design clay pavers with special treatments and with different sizing options. The size variation is generally found in the following range:
– 60x60mm – Cobbles
– 150x150mm – Setts
– 300x300mm – Squares
However, the usual size is 100x200x60mm in the USA and elsewhere, with slight fluctuations.

Clay blocks develop natural colors during the kiln process that lasts long and offers a wide range of hues such as brown, red, buff, gray, blue, and a mix of other tints. Besides these, clay block pavers exhibit natural textures and other properties that the clay bricks carry.

Concrete Paving Block

Concrete block paving proffers infinitive opportunities to create color, shape, size, and texture variation. It allows you to mimic any block paving type, including clay and stone block pavers.

However, a typical concrete block paver has a 200mm length, 100mm width, and a range of 50mm to 100mm depth. Chamfered edges and spacer lugs are typically found in most standard labels.
We can add colors and different hues throughout the mass of concrete block pavers or simply give treatments to faces open to the exterior to save color-related costs.

Natural Stone Paving Block

Natural stone is one of the most popular block paving options among households looking to create a durable surface. Stone blocks are generally available in different sizes, textures, and stone types. You can easily select a stone of your choice or something that matches your requirements. Enhanced technologies from quarrying to finishing have made natural stone pavers handy for anyone compared to other materials.
– Natural stone block pavers are available in standard and customized sizes as well.
– Mostly, 200mm x 100mm x 50mm dimension stone blocks with 1mm variation are used and available in the market.
– Tumbled, Honed, and similar non-skid surface treatments are found on stone block pavers.
– Dimensional accuracy and smooth or acute edges allow neat and tight-fitting in any pattern to give a seamless surface experience.
Siliceous types of stones like granites and sandstones are usual in the industry. You can avail of all richness of natural stones in your block paving project, including colors, textures, patterns, veins, grains, and so on, natural beauty under the foot.

Why is Stone Block Paving a Superior Choice?

– By physical and chemical properties, natural stones are the sturdiest material in the construction industry.
– It means stones are the best material for load-bearing applications like exterior paving for paths, driveways, and parking spaces for vehicles.
– With proper surface treatment, natural stone block paver block design can provide anti-skid surfaces for safe and secure walking.
– You can bring stone blocks with accurate dimensions and anticipated edge treatment.
– Stones are durable and weather-resistant. So, stone block pavers are the best fit for exterior application in any climatic condition.
– The long-lasting ability and aesthetics of natural stone block paving projects add value to the construction property.
– If you have used natural stones in other applications like interior flooring, exterior wall cladding, in the construction of retaining walls around the driveways or paths, and gate walls, stone block paving will beautifully match with the surroundings and augment the overall natural beauty.

Common Block Paving Patterns

You can make your backyard a masterpiece for aesthetics and design by implementing different laying patterns, such as:
– Random “I”
– Runner Bond
– Herringbone
– Random
– Basket Weave
– Modular Paver Patterns from a single piece to four pieces

Out of these, basket weave and herringbone patterns are considered the best patterns for driveways and paths due to intense interlocking.
Similarly, you must learn about different Block Paving Border Patterns to decorate your drive uniquely and innovatively.

How to Lay Stone Block Pavers?

The stone block paving installation process is akin to standard stone paver installations for patios and paths.
– Create a sub-base nearly 150mm thick with available and suitable paver base material.
– You can use the Screeded coarse Class-M sands as base/on the top of the sub-base in standard thickness or according to the depth of your stone block pavers.
– As per industry norms, an edge course must have contrasting colors to define it apart from the rest of the block paving areas.

How to Maintain Stone Block Pavers?

Thanks to the great inherent properties of natural stones, the stone block paving areas are easy to clean, maintain, and repair.
– The plain water cleaning in a week can prove enough to keep stone block paving areas neat and clean.
– You can use standard washing detergents to remove staining by leaf falls and other ways.
– Various sealants and chemical coating solutions can enhance the life and appearance of block pavers.
– In some areas of the world, weed growth between the gaps of block pavers is a headache, and you can deal with it effectively by taking some required measures mentioned in our blog “5 Ways to Prevent Weed Growth Between Paving Stones” and other treatments prescribed by your contractors.
– There are some dos & don’ts for cleaning, so keep things in mind while cleaning the stone block pavers.

Get the Best Stone Block Pavers in Your Vicinity

World of Stones USA has an extensive network of distributors across the nation. It can ease your reach to our diverse stone block paver inventory and enable us to serve you without additional hurdles & expenses.

We intend to serve the custom orders by meeting their bespoke requirements accurately. So, we hope to have some details prior to the acceptance of your final order. Your online or in-person meeting can help us in this regard. Moreover, our stone consultants can guide you perfectly to make your block paving project successful.