Pathways lined with pavers bring a rustic look to any garden. In this article, we take you through to building your own pathway with pavers.

Mark Out the Pathway

As with laying stone tiles for an indoor surface, marking out the pathway in your garden is important for getting a clear idea of what it will look like and the quantities of materials required. A garden hose, spray paint, a some stakes and string are all great ways to visualise the pathway.

Materials

Once you’ve marked out the pathway, you can start calculating how many square metres your path will be. Use the measuring tape to obtain a final figure.

• It’s a good idea to incorporate 10 per cent extra when ordering your pavers in case of measurement error or wastage.
• For the sand, keep in mind that the sand bed will be around 1 or 2 inches thick. The larger and heavier your pavers, the thicker your sand base should be. Multiply this figure by the square metre size of your path. You’ll also need a bit of extra sand for levelling the path and filling the gaps between pavers.

If you have any questions about working out how many pavers and sand you’ll need, check with your supplier for assistance.

Digging the Path

Before getting started with digging, do check for any utilities wiring, irrigation, or other piping in the area.

• Thickness. You’ll need 1 or 2 inches for the sand bed plus the thickness of your chosen pavers. If you’re adding a gravel base, consider
• Compacting. Once you’ve completed the digging, compact it with a plate compactor.
• Levelling. Check that the pathway is sloped downward away from your house with a leveller. The general rule of thumb is a quarter inch (0.65 cm) drop for every 30 cm of space.

Laying the Base

Once you’ve removed the topsoil and levelled it with a slight drop from the house where required, you can start laying the foundation for the pavers. Lay down around 1 to 2 inches of sand. If you’re laying a gravel foundation, make sure you’ve dug deeper to accommodate the gravel and lay the gravel before the sand.

For screeding, lay down two pipes on either side of the path in the sand and drag a wooden board over the sand to level it. Compact the sand with a plate compactor.

You may choose to use paving edging to hold your paver in place. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and install the edging before you lay down the pavers.

Laying the Pavers

Lay the pavers directly on to the sand. For pathways, consider using a perimeter of angled pavers along the sides to create striking lines. Unlike stone cladding on walls, pavers should be compacted when used on pathways.

You can use a plate compactor for larger surfaces. If you’re concerned about scratching your pavers, lay a rubber mat or carpet between the paver and the compactor.

Once you’ve compacted your pavers, apply a good layer of jointing sand over the top, wet the sand, and sweep away excess sand.

Guide to Building a Pathway with Pavers is a post from: Bellstone

Great paving brings elegance and practical appeal to your outdoor spaces. Outdoor pavers come in a range of versatile and attractive options to suit any backyard or driveway.

1. Sandstone

Use sandstone to introduce the colours of the seaside, rivers and earth to your home. The natural colours of sandstone pavers harmonise with water features such as pools and fountains while setting off greenery. There is wide variation in sandstone quality and this is usually reflected in the cost. Some sandstones are affected by salt from salt water pools so ask your supplier for test results for resistance to salt attack before contemplating its use for pool paving. Sandstone is unlikely to be affected if used around traditionally chlorinated pools.

Sandstone is a naturally forming sedimentary rock with a rich and earthy, yet elegant feel that blends into any landscape.

Sandstone is highly durable and versatile. Little maintenance is required. It’s also worth noting that sandstone ages very slowly and will tend to maintain its appearance many decades later. Sandstone is popular for anything from paving, tiling or cladding. Sandstone used outdoors can It can be cleaned easily with a high pressure water jet.


2. Quartzite

Quartzite is an incredibly durable material used for building as well as landscaping. With the same natural beauty as sandstone, quartzite is very dense and has very low water absorption properties and a high resistance to salt water. This low-maintenance material is frequently used for indoor surface areas, pedestrian walkways, and for building. Its high stain resistance means it requires little treatment or maintenance. Quartzite is also one of the most environmentally friendly materials. Its colours range from white to grey, with reds, yellows and oranges – colours familiar to lovers of Australian bushland..

3. Travertine

Travertine has a long history of use in holy and monumental buildings. Travertine was used by the Romans to build the Colosseum. Its earthy appearance and unique textural features make it suitable for indoor or outdoor paving. It is especially popular for outdoor applications in tumbled form whereas a honed surface treatment is preferred for indoors. Travertine comes in a range of natural shades ranging from light beige to chocolate browns.

4. Bluestone

Bluestone is a remarkably durable and dense material that is frequently used indoors and for outdoor paving and building. Flamed bluestone is a wonderful material for pool areas as its density makes it highly resistant to salt water. The flaming process creates a surface with good traction with a low risk of slipping when wet. A wide variety of finishings are available for bluestone pavers and tiles. Polished, flamed, or natural, bluestone combines elegance with visual appeal. The honed product is absolutely stunning – interior designers love this product.

5. Granite

Made from molten rock, granite is one of the toughest paving and flooring choices. Quartzite and granite are the toughest of all the natural stone types. Granite’s resistance to stains makes it extremely easy to clean – this is why it is used so frequently in shopping malls and airport terminals. Granite is a great material for indoor and outdoor use. As granite processing before use is minimal, it’s very environmentally friendly. Cool elegant shades mean granite will bring a touch of class to any space.

6. Limestone

Limestone is one of the most elegant of all paving materials, widely used in official buildings, airports, and other public structures. Limestone has wonderful insulation properties. Limestone’s durability can be seen in one of the oldest built structures in the world, the Great Pyramid of Giza. In modern use, limestone comes with a clean and fresh look, and it can be used on walls, pavements, as well as indoor tiling. Age resistant limestone will keep indoor and outdoor spaces looking as fresh as new.

7. Cobblestone

Used in paving streets in Europe as early as the 15th Century, cobblestone can bring a quaint or modern look to driveways, depending on how it’s shaped and paved. The remarkable durability and dark colouring of bluestone is less susceptible to tyre markings, making it suitable for cobblestone paving on driveways or anywhere with heavy traffic.

7 Choices for Outdoor Paving is a post from: Bellstone

If you are building a patio and can’t decide whether or not to use outdoor pavers, then I have some news for you. The truth about outdoor pavers, and especially sandstone pavers, is that they are not 100% maintenance free.

But the good news is that they require much less maintenance than concrete or wood. Patios that are built with pavers also look great and elegant, especially when they are installed by an interlocking expert.

But the funny thing about patios that are built with pavers is that when the patio pavers are not sealed, the whole patio loses its beauty and elegance. You might even discover a few ant colonies and their sand pyramids in between the pavers; not a great look!

So in order to keep those troublesome ants away, follow these nine simple steps to sealing your patio pavers:

Step 1: When construction is taking place, the only thing that differentiates a professional and a starter is the rate at which mistakes are being avoided. So make sure that you are patient when sealing your patio pavers. Take all the time you need and never rush. Sealing is a very quick procedure and high quality sealants can last up to 15 years under good conditions.

Step 2: Before you start to seal your patio pavers, clean off any dirt on the surface of your pavers. Use cleaning agents that are pH neutral or agents that have been especially formulated for natural stone. Acid cleaners should be avoided. If an acid based product is left on the surface of the stone for too long, it can corrode the matrix that holds the stone together and gives it strength. Acid can pit and delaminate stone so acid cleaners or even foodstuffs (vinegar, wine, soft drinks) should be cleaned off stone if spilt.

Step 3: Always check the present condition of the pavers. This is necessary because some paver stones may have shifted overnight, making them uneven.

Step 4: After you’re sure the pavers are even, re-grout any joint that is making sounds when you put pressure on it. Though this doesn’t sound like a lot of work, you will be surprised at how much time is spent re-grouting wobbly joints.

Step 5: This will probably be the hardest step for most people.

You have to take a break! Your patio pavers are already wet, so in order for them to dry you will need to let them soak up the sunshine for a day or two. Focus on something else, anything! Just don’t go outside and touch those pavers before they’re dry.

Step 6: Now you can choose your choice sealer. The best sealer’s are usually water based, but always ask an expert before you apply it.

Step 7: This simple step is so often disregarded that it warrants extra attention. Always read and follow the instructions of the manufacturer of the water-based sealer. Some products require a different application, so keep this in mind.

Step 8: Now all you have to do is apply the sealer. It is best applied with the use of a pump, purchased at any hardware store. There are many different ways of applying sealants, the choice of which will depend on how rough or smooth the surface is. It is not a complicated process but there are many tricks to it. For instance, it is really important not to apply too much sealant all at once – two thin, even coats are better than one heavy coat.

Step 9: The last thing to do is maintenance. Blow off any leaves so they don’t stain on the pavers, clean up any spills ASAP. There’s little point in spending all that time laying and sealing pavers if you let them fall into disrepair. The sealant if properly applied, will prevent staining from vegetable matter but if rotting leaves or lawn clippings etc. are left to decay on the surface over time they will eventually degrade the barrier set up by the sealant and staining will occur. It is always best to keep stone surfaces free of dirt or vegetable matter that can hold moisture.

Nine easy steps that will have your outdoor pavers looking like a million bucks, good luck and happy paving!

Nine Steps to Sealing Your Patio Pavers is a post from: Bellstone

Growing up in the heart of suburban Sydney, I’ve always been pretty well used to asphalt roads and concrete outdoor pavers. So you can imagine my surprise when, upon making my first trip to Europe, I discovered many of Europe’s older cities are still paved with cobblestones. Places like Istanbul, Prague and Bratislava are still heavily cobbled and their cobbled streets provide thoroughfares for vehicular traffic. While these streets proved to be a bumpy ride for the buses and bicycles that I made my way around Europe on, it lent these cities an undeniable sense of history and majesty. Cobbled streets may not be ideal for modern roads, but it got me thinking about other uses for cobblestone. Specifically, I was looking forward to heading back to my home in Australia  and finding a way to introduce outdoor pavers with cobblestones to my front yard.

Adding curb appeal with cobblestone pavers

Lately, I’ve been considering ways to add value to my home, and I came across the concept of "curb appeal". Curb appeal refers to the impression that people get as they approach or pass by your house (walking along the curb — make sense now?). No matter how many improvements you make to the interior or back of your home, if the place doesn’t look attractive to somebody standing on the curb, your home’s value is going to take a significant hit.

Since those European cities were undoubtedly extremely appealing, I thought: Why not lend a bit of that Euro majesty to my own humble home? And so, I decided to experiment with cobblestone pavers.

I had sandstone pavers around the rest of my home, particularly in the backyard, but I wanted to try something different for the front yard. I replaced my driveway with cobblestones and the difference was immediately noticeable.

The many benefits of cobblestone

The benefits of cobblestones were plentiful. First of all, they allowed me to experiment with fun and exciting designs, with a range of shapes, sizes and colours to choose from. Secondly they’re extremely durable — it’s no coincidence that those European streets, built centuries ago, are still in extremely good nick today, and I knew my new driveway was going to be very low maintenance.

Finally, and most importantly, the driveway looked absolutely stunning, adding an undeniable "old-world" appeal to my home that made it stand out from the rest of the stock-standard houses on the street. Friends and family who visited immediately commented on my great new driveway, and occasionally passers-by even stopped to talk to me about my cobbles. The value of my home went up. Best idea ever!

Fun facts about cobblestone

• The name ‘cobblestone’ finds its history in the old English word "cob", which referred to a large, round lump. Around the 15th century, the word ‘cobble’ showed up to refer to small stones found in stream beds. These stones formed the first cobblestone streets.
• Cobblestones were replaced as the primary means of road-laying in the 19th century, but many cities in Europe, South America and North America still make use of cobbles. One advantage cobbled streets have is that it’s easy to hear traffic coming, acting as a warning to pedestrians.

The Paris-Roubaix cycling race takes place on long stretches of cobble, providing a notoriously difficult surface for riding. The race winner is even given a cobblestone as part of the prize.

Go Back in Time With Cobblestone Pavers is a post from: Bellstone

Interlocking bricks that have concrete or other materials as their basic composition are generally known as outdoor pavers. They are also called paving stones, concrete pavers, or pavers.  These concrete pavers are generally used in the beautification of homes, shops and offices to great effect.

But beautification is just one advantage of pavers; there are many more advantages that are attached to concrete pavers. For example, unlike asphalt, concrete pavers require less maintenance and they are also much stronger – they will stand the test of time in terms of environmental degradation.

But all of these advantages are thrown away if you don’t lay the paver correctly. So in order to avoid this conundrum, here are the five most common mistakes made when laying pavers:

1. Watch Your Soil

One of the most common mistakes made when laying pavers is failing to take into account the type of soil the paver is being laid upon.

The first thing that you have to do is to get the ground ready for laying pavers. Do not even think about laying pavers on clay grounds. Though it may feel hard then and there, clay ground is almost certain to shift as time goes on.

Also, take into account the weight that is expected to be exerted on the pavers. One type of soil will hold firm for a walkway, but not for a driveway.

2. Make it Compact

The next mistake to avoid is failing to make your chosen sand compact. When compressing sand, the stability of the substrate or base is critical; it should be mechanically compacted. This can be done inexpensively by hiring a compactor.

By watering your sand and hiring the correct equipment, you can help avoid this problem. It only takes a few minutes, but it can save of hours of frustration and thousands of dollars in a few years time.

3. Drainage

Many people fail to design a good drainage system for their newly installed pavers. This tiny oversight leads to huge problems down the road.

In construction, every structure should have a very good water direction. If the water flowing across the construction is not well channeled, then the construction will soon become waterlogged.

Make sure you avoid this mistake by installing a functional and effective (quality) drainage system.

4. Keep it Together

Another problem that many people face is not keeping your paver edges together. This leads to a second-rate walkway, driveway or patio that is ugly to look at, so make sure you use spacers when installing your pavers. Pavers laid closely together with corners meeting support each other and provide a stronger more stable surface

5. Settle Down

Do not make the mistake of stepping or driving over your pavers before they’ve had the adequate time to settle. As a last precautionary step, you should make sure that all the gaps between all your tiles are adequately filled. Once you are satisfied that this is the case, wait a day. Better safe than sorry.

These five common mistakes are easy to avoid if you have the right information. As a final tip, if you are thinking of using asphalt for your walkways, try sandstone pavers instead. They are much easier to install and look great!

Five Common Mistakes Made When Laying Pavers is a post from: Bellstone

When you think of a great looking driveway, then you must think of outdoor pavers. Nowadays, people prefer to use pavers to construct their driveways, and those people who used asphalt initially will more often than not change the asphalt to pavers because of the way pavers beautify driveways, as well as offices, homes and patios.

But before you start tearing up your driveway recklessly with a jackhammer, you need to have a plan in place. So here is our plan to build a driveway with pavers in six easy steps.

Step 1 – Measure, Measure, Measure

Before you buy a single paver, you need grab a tape measure and some graph paper. Step outside and measure the length and breadth of your driveway, as well as your garage.

To add some style to your driveway, you could include an extra parking space, just in case you decide to have guests over in the future.

Step 2 – Choose the Best Design

The next step is very important, because now you’ll be choosing your preferred design. There are numerous design options that you can choose from. You can browse through the available patterns on the internet or you could get a catalog of the patterns offline.

Grey quartzite or grey bluestone pavers and cobbles are excellent for driveways. The show less tyre marks and have greater flexural strength than other materials.

Step 3 – Pick a Colour

After picking a pattern, the next step is to choose your preferred paver color. When you are choosing a colour, make sure that you take into consideration the colour of your house, so that the two will match. The colour for a  driveway also needs to be practical, i.e. not show the dirt. Lighter colours look great but they stain and mark more easily. Keep style and practicality in mind when selecting your colour scheme.

Step 4 – Find a Shape

Now that you have the pattern and the colour out of the way, it is time to decide on your preferred paver shape. You can go online and browse through the available shapes or you can have a look at the catalog that you have with you when you chose the best design in Step 2.

An important point to remember is that small formats have the greatest flexural strength with lower risk of breaking. That is why cobbles with dimensions of 90x90mm are sometimes preferred. Additionally, the surface of the stone is critical as driveways are often steep. Stone with a natural split or flamed surface are preferred so vehicles are able to achieve good traction without the risk of spinning the wheels (and leaving unsightly rubber marks!).

Although the prices of pavers vary with their shapes, you can still get a fantastic looking paver at a reasonable price.

Step 5 – Draw a Picture

The fifth step is to draw a picture of your proposed driveway. It doesn’t have to be a work of art, just good enough to give you a vague idea of how you want your new driveway to look.

If you fail to sketch it, you may get confused and end up with a driveway that looks totally different to what you wanted. This is especially true if it is your first time building a driveway.

Step 6 – Install

The last step is to install your pavers. If you do not feel confident enough to build the driveway yourself, then hire a contractor. Make sure that you show him the drawing you made in Step 5 before he starts, that way he will have a better chance of building your dream driveway.

Drainage is critical at the installation stage – there must be run-off points and drains. The run-off should be directed off the apron of the drive and not allowed to pool on the paved areas.

After successful installation, you are now the proud owner of a fantastic looking driveway built with pavers.

Build Your Driveway with Pavers in Six Easy Steps is a post from: Bellstone

Browse through any house and garden design magazine and you are bound to see that outdoor paving has become an integral feature in most modern home designs.

These days outdoor paving is so much more than a couple of square or rectangular stone slabs laid in a linear pattern. Your choice of pavers can reflect your style and personality and add interest to a simply designed garden.

Without doubt, the exterior flooring of choice is pavers, so let’s have a look at how outdoor pavers can be used to enhance your home and garden.

• The most popular outdoor pavers are made using natural stone like slate, bluestone, travertine, sandstone or quartzite. By its very nature, natural stone paving blends effortlessly with its surroundings — shrubs, small trees or a water feature are all enhanced by the natural qualities of outdoor pavers.
• A natural transition from indoors to outdoors is easily achieved by using the same tiles. For example, natural stone tiles like sandstone or slate can be used equally effectively inside or outside, so it’s possible to integrate both rooms with no visual break, creating the feeling of an expansive space.
• Depending on the size of your garden, areas of interest can be created with the use of stone pavers. In large gardens, creating one or more paved zones using large outdoor paving tiles for different purposes converts an ordinary yard into something extraordinary.
• Another way to add interest is to create different layers. This often comes about as a natural result of an uneven substrate, so use these variations to include a raised garden bed or a series of small steps up to the dining table.
• Use outdoor pavers to create a meandering path between raised garden beds. Clever designing can create a magical pathway that leads to who knows where?
• Large outdoor pavers laid in a formal pattern look wonderful when interspersed with small plantings like mondo grass or a display of river pebbles. This gives the illusion of more space and adds impact to a small space.
• In a small garden, pavers can be used to create a mini outdoor paradise with a little creativity and imagination. Quirky patterns add interest, particularly if the lines are curved. Pale coloured pavers in a natural stone like sandstone add visual dimension to a small space. Colourful mosaics are not difficult to create and these can be used as a wall feature or included in the paving design.
• If the idea of doing garden maintenance makes your skin crawl, then outdoor paving is the ideal choice. Once the pavers are laid over weed-resistant matting, all you need do is add a couple of terracotta pots with a variety of colourful succulents and some comfortable chairs and you have the ideal area where you can enjoy the outdoors without any of the work!

When planning an exciting and useful outdoor environment, outdoor pavers make the perfect choice for flooring because they are non-slip, easy to clean and easy to maintain. What’s more, pavers reduce the need for regular mowing and weeding.

Consider what functions your outdoor room is being designed for before purchasing outdoor paving tiles. For example, if you are planning an entertaining area, ensure the pavers you choose are stain and water resistant. While the majority of outdoor pavers already have these qualities, the various types of stone used to create pavers have unique characteristics that make them better suited for specific purposes.

Another important consideration if you are planning an entertainment area is the substrate, which will need to be perfectly level if you are going to include furnishings.

The sepia toned images of desolate back yards with nothing to break the monotony of the browning lawn but the old Hills Hoist are long gone; replaced with modern, cutting edge features and colourful outdoor pavers that express your individuality and your desire for a serene environment where you can relax and enjoy the great outdoors.

Outdoor Paving – Turning Your Outdoors Into Something Beautiful is a post from: Bellstone