In 1865, engineers built the world’s first concrete pavement. It’s still in use today.
In 1891, George W. Bartholomew paved an eight-foot-wide strip of Main Street, Bellefontaine, OH. Today, this is America’s oldest street.
These historic events serve as a testament to the durability of concrete paving as a long-lasting solution for your needs, too. So, if you’re looking for suitable solutions for your home or business, keep reading to find out more about concrete paving stones.
What Is Concrete?
Concrete comprises a mixture of coarse and fine sand and gravel, bonded with a fluid cement paste that hardens over time. Portland concrete, hailed for its superior quality, uses Portland cement made from clay and chalk.
This substance hardens when wet and resembles stone when it’s set.
When you add water to the concrete mixture, it becomes a slurry that’s easy to pour and mold into various shapes that harden in place.
It’s a natural, environmentally friendly material that doesn’t emit harmful toxins and chemicals. When you remove your concrete pavers, you can recycle them.
Types of Concrete Paving
Concrete paving companies, Metro Paving Inc., Limitless Paving, and US Pavement Services, stock two main types of concrete paving. These are:
Interlocking Concrete Paving Blocks
These pavers come about by pouring a stiff, strong concrete mixture into molds to create thick blocks suited to a wide range of applications. When laying these pavers, contractors use edge spaces to create uniform joints in between the blocks.
They use concrete pavers for a wide range of applications, including driveways, and you’re bound to find blocks that suit all your concrete paving ideas
Architectural Concrete Paving Slabs
These slabs originate with a wetter mix, and they closely resemble stone or brick when dry. Architectural pavers are thinner than interlocking blocks and unsuitable for load-bearing surfaces like driveways.
The Pros and Cons of Concrete Pavers
It’s easy to install concrete which means you’ll pay less for labor costs when you have your path or driveway installed. If you’re a confident DIYer, you could even try to install them yourself.
Pavers offer better traction than poured concrete, especially on sloped areas, so they’re slip-resistant. They can also stand up to freezing conditions without crumbling or splitting.
They move independently, so they won’t crack if tree roots invade their space or split due to ice heaves. It’s easy to remove damaged pavers and replace them with new ones.
Unfortunately, concrete pavers also have a few downfalls. Surface wear can expose the underlying aggregate and change the overall appearance of your paved area.
They absorb stains, especially from oils. Although sealers can prevent staining, you’ll incur extra costs refreshing them every few years.
Wherever there’s a joint in your paving, opportunistic weeds may raise their heads, so you’ll need to check for this aspect regularly.
Using Concrete in Your Home
You can use concrete paving for patios and footpaths, but you should use permeable concrete if you’re worried about water runoff in any area.
Modern concrete stains and finishes make concrete a suitable alternative for many more expensive materials, like stone, so it’s worth looking into these options if you have a particular design in mind.
Would you like some more home refurbishment inspiration? Browse our blog for more of the best ideas.