So, you want an outdoor entertaining area, maybe a new driveway or perhaps just a path to the clothesline. There is a huge variety of paving forms available today, which could make it difficult for you and others involved in the decision making to be in agreement.
Before you make a choice, let’s get to know some of the issues involved in choosing a paving solution.
Consider the nature of the existing surroundings, for example, your style of house or garden.
A cottage-style garden may be suited to meandering gravel paths and random seating areas. A Mediterranean style garden will lend itself to porphyry cobblestones.
What sort of traffic will the paving endure?
Stiletto clad pedestrians, skateboards or heavy trucks and machinery?
If you have pets, children, muddy boots or rubber tyres on your vehicles, keep in mind that a lighter coloured pavement may look grubby most of the time. You will not be able to simply wipe the surface clean like you can with the tiles in your bathroom.
How much maintenance are you prepared to offer your paved area?
The quality of the product and how well it is constructed will determine the amount of maintenance involved. The aphorism 'you get what you pay for' applies here. If you don't want weed growth, fading colours, subsidence and movement, then be prepared to pay for a quality product and the best tradesman. If you want a long-lasting and good-looking pavement, my opinion on DIY is DON’T. Good paving contractors have had years of experience and will be worth the extra cost, trust me.
What’s your budget?
Budget is usually an unwelcome constraint. What we want and what we are prepared to pay for can often be as unsuitable as warm beer at a bricklayer's convention. Think about how much the new carpet in your home cost, and this didn't even include the foundation it was laid on. If your budget blows out, it is wiser to consider cost-saving ideas such as reducing the area of paving than skimping on the quality of the material and the construction technique. Poorly constructed paving will devalue your property
What’s the availability of the paving product?
Paving products can have up to 8-weeks lead time. Also, be aware that some man-made products may be discontinued in the years to come. Likewise, quarries that supply natural stone material can close down. This means that if you wish to extend your paved area in the future, you may not be able to source the original paving type.
Discover your personal taste
This is a factor that your paving contractor needs to accept and understand. Everyone has different ideas on what looks good. Have a look through magazines or on google to get an idea of what the different products look like when in a completed job.
Pros and cons of different paving types
|
Type |
Pros |
Cons |
|
Gravel |
Inexpensive Easy to install DIY |
Subject to high maintenance Variable surface Subject to weathering, potholes, corrugations etc. |
|
In situ concrete |
Competitively priced Wide choice of colours and finishes |
Is subject to crack, fade and stain Fine weather required during construction |
|
Natural stone |
Hard-wearing (fade and stain resistant) Timeless classic natural style Low maintenance Many sizes available Can be custom made Can use the same product for different applications in the garden |
Variations in colour (this can be a pro) High cost to lay correctly |
|
Brick Paving |
Competitively priced Hard-wearing, (fade and stain resistant) |
Limited sizes Variations in colour within packs In and out of fashion |
|
Concrete pavers |
Wide range Consistent colour, Monotone Can be custom made |
Subject to fading and staining High cost to lay correctly In and out of style |
|
Asphalt |
Competitively priced Consistent colour |
Limited colours and finishes Subject to maintenance Warm weather required for installation |
|
Decking |
Natural Look |
Subject to high maintenance |
Important considerations
Once you have decided on a particular paving product, you will then have other issues to consider, such as the pattern the pavers are to be laid in and levels and falls of the finished surface. Be aware that it is illegal to simply let the run-off water flow towards your fence line and end up in your neighbour’s property. Your paving contractor will be able to offer solutions to these concerns.
Paving construction methods
There are different methods of constructing paving. The most crucial element in the construction process is the base preparation. All paving will only be as durable as the base it is laid on. If there is movement in the base, you can expect movement in the paving surface and repairing poorly constructed paving will be expensive. Don’t necessarily go for the cheapest contractor as there is usually something that they haven’t included or considered in their quotation.
Choosing your paving contractor
If you can't choose a paving contractor on price, how do you choose one? First of all, you need to be aware that if your paving works are over the value of $10,000, legally you must engage a licensed structural landscaper to carry out the works. These people are registered with the building commission, and you will be required to sign a contract.
Contractors who are members of industry groups such as the Landscaping Victoria have been assessed to certify they are competent to complete the task.
Ask your prospective contractor if you can view some of their previous work.
Another tip is to engage in the one contractor to oversee the whole paving project, that way they should be able to offer a guarantee on their work as they will be responsible for the quality of all aspects of the job. Don't, for example, engage in one contractor to pour a concrete foundation around your new swimming pool before talking to the person who will be laying paving on top of the concrete. If the concrete base fails down the track, the paving contractor cannot be held responsible for the subsequent failure of the paving.
Let's now take a glimpse at some specific applications of different types of pavement in the landscape.
Cobblestones
Cobblestones are also known as setts, cubes or cobbles. They refer to blocks of natural stone ranging in size from 50mmx50mm to 250mmx250mm. Cobblestones have been used as a paving material since the days of the Romans, and many examples all over the world are over still in use today. The natural colours of the stones will not fade, and the aging of the stone will only add to its appeal.
Federation Square in Melbourne has over 500,000 hand-laid Kimberly sandstone cobbles in the pavement. Another great display of traditional cobblestone use is at Argyle square in Carlton, Melbourne. Here is an excellent example of piazza paving using genuine Italian porphyry stone. At Argyle Square, you can see how cobblestones can be used to make intriguing patterns within the paving.
One of the most stunning of the patterns is the Bogen. Bogens consist of cobblestones laid in a series of arcs that interlock with one another. Bogen layout is complex and requires the skills of an experienced cobblestone paviour; these skills are different from the skills used to lay regular paving. This form of paving is very strong and especially suitable for driveways as the pattern of the cobblestones dissipate forces over a large area.
Large format segmental paving
Large format pavers consist of slabs of stone or concrete that are on average 500mmx 500mm in size. These pavers are often used to create a minimalist look to modern courtyards. The correct method to lay these pavers involves constructing a reinforced concrete foundation onto which the pavers are laid with a bed of mortar. Adhesion additives should be used in the mortar as well as being applied to the back of each paver.
Granite or bluestone is an excellent choice for large format paving. The surface of the stone is usually textured to create a non-slip surface. As this stone is very dense, it is hard-wearing and stain-resistant. If using a man-made large format paver, it is a good idea to consider sealing the paving with a quality sealer to prevent fading and staining.
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