As mentioned in our Introduction to Stone Pavers Page there are three main types of pavers. Stone pavers, concrete pavers and brick pavers. Let’s explore their differences so you can understand them and be in a better position to select the most suitable paving material for your next pavement project.

Stone Pavers
Stone pavers are made from a variety of minerals by mother nature over thousands of years of natural forming. They are not made at the manufacturing plant. They look very natural and appealing. Stone pavers have a higher acquisition cost since they have to be dug out of the earth at stone quarries and thus will be higher priced than brick and concrete pavers.

Stone pavers have limited applications due to their hardness, strength and density issues. Example, granite stone pavers are strong enough for driveway paving, whereas marble stone pavers would not be strong enough for driveway paving. 

Light foot traffic is more suited to stone pavers. Consumers need to be extra careful and undertake thorough research when selecting stone pavers for their landscaping projects.

Here is a sample of the different types of stone pavers that areare available: Granite, Limestone, Marble, Porphyry, Flagstone, Sandstone, Bluestone and Slate.

Concrete Pavers 
Concrete pavers are similar to brick pavers in that they are made of a mixture of raw materials, set in a mold and fired at the manufacturing plant. The element that distinguishes concrete pavers from brick pavers is the fact that the raw materials are vastly different to brick pavers. Brick pavers are made of clay and shale material. 

Concrete pavers are made of cement, aggregate, pigments and dyes. The color selection of concrete pavers is very broad and depending on the manufacturing process can hold up for a very long time. Color sealants may also be used to prevent concrete pavers from losing their color. Concrete pavers do cost less than brick and natural stone pavers because their raw materials cost less to produce. They are also very strong and will work for driveways and even roads.

Brick Pavers 
The main characteristic of brick pavers is that they are made of a mixture of raw materials called Clay and Shale. They are also called Clay pavers because they contain the raw material of clay. These raw materials are then set and fired at up to two thousand degrees at the manufacturer’s plant. These raw materials have their own natural properties that make them ideal for producing hard wearing and extra strong brick paver products. 

Brick paver colors have a deepness and warmness about them because they contain the natural color of the clay and shale materials that means they will maintain their true color for a very long time. Brick color offerings are many and varied, from light, moderate and darker earthy tones. They are mostly in the red and darker tones and do not have the extensive color variety offered by concrete pavers.