Paving stones are pre-cast pieces of stone that interlock with each other to create a solid yet supple surface. They are available in a variety of different materials such as limestone, sandstone, brick, slate, or concrete to name just a few. This material is used to create aesthetically pleasing yet durable driveways, patios, sidewalks and roads.
Uses
Paving stones provide flexibility during extreme seasons like cold winters and hot summers. While concrete surfaces can and will crack, these materials are designed to sit close to each other and provide a flat surface but not so close they crack when they shift. When the temperatures change, the stones flex against each other without cracking or breaking. Should a stone happen to crack or break, they are exceptionally easy to replace: simply lift out the broken stone and put in the new stone.
Advantages
No matter what type of stone is used, they have many other advantages over traditional materials like asphalt and granite. They come in a variety of shapes, allowing for unlimited design possibilities. Rather than being stuck with only one shape to design with, different shapes can be combined to create the desired design.
Another benefit is that these materials are better for the environment. Unlike other materials that force things like rain water and melting snow to flood the sides of the hard surface, water is allowed to seep through and reach the soil underneath them. Not only does this help the soil underneath but it also prevents flooding to the home as the runoff water is not forced in any particular direction.
Cost
While it may seem like a more expensive option, paving stones are the cheaper decision in the long run. Since they last for many years and retain their shape and color, they are a worthwhile investment. Other materials that are commonly used for driveways and patios like concrete due to their cheaper price have high maintenance costs. Builders will make sure to place joints in the concrete so that when it cracks, it cracks in a straight line.
Maintenance
These stones are one of the strongest materials available and naturally require little to no maintenance short of replacing a cracked or discolored stone. To increase the life of the stone's color and look, sealants can be used to but they aren't mandatory since they last many years. In terms of consistent maintenance, simply sweeping the area is enough to keep the stones in good health. Cleaning agents can be applied should anything like grease or oil drip onto the stones.
Installation
One of the best advantages of paving stones is that they are easy to install and require few materials to do so. Materials that are usually required are things like sand, a spade, a rubber hammer, a tape measurer, a level, markers, a shovel, and the source material.
While many might opt to do installation themselves, there are plenty of experienced contractors who are available to hire.
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