You likely know that you can use pavers to create a patio, flower planters, and many other things, but there’s more to these stones than just what you can create. There are some interesting facts about pavers that you may not know. Understanding more about this unique building material may help you think up new and unique projects you can build with them.
You Don’t Have to Stick to One Size or Shape
Pavers can be mixed and matched to create unique patterns or shapes. You don’t have to pick just one paver for your project. You can use different sizes, connect different shaped pavers together, and mix in different colors. With a little ingenuity, you’ll find that almost all pavers can be used together in whatever way you want.
They’re Old
Pavers aren’t a new idea. In fact, pavers have been around for centuries. They can be found in Europe, China, South America, and just about every part of the world with (most likely) the exception of Antarctica and the North Pole. The Roman Empire was the first to widely use pavers in roads. They created miles of roads across Europe using pavers, some of which are still there today. Today, areas that make use of the Mediterranean style of architecture often include sidewalks and other paths made out of pavers.
Pavers Last Longer than Concrete
In the long run, your patio made from pavers is going to last longer than a patio made out of concrete. It chips and cracks, leaving noticeable damage. If a paver gets a crack or chip in it, it’s easy enough to simply remove that stone and replace it. In some styles, the chips and weathered look actually adds to the character of the patio.
You Can Create Artwork
Portuguese Pavement is the term used to describe the paver pathways and patios found in Portugal and other parts of the world. These patios are pure artwork—the artists used different colored and sized pavers to create portraits, scenes, and other images. In Lisbon’s Rossio Square, pavers were used to create the optical illusion of motion. If you look at how the light and dark pavers were laid, it looks like the ground is actually rising and dipping. Portugal’s University of Coimbra has a giant paver patio that features the university’s seal. While you might not want to go quite into that much detail, you can still create some pretty amazing images out of pavers.
Need help deciding which pavers to use or what tools you’ll need? The experts at Island Block & Masonry Supply can assist you. Contact us today with your questions!
