paver tile

Brick paver tile resembles… brick, belongs to the ceramic tile family, but is thinner. Anyway, most pavers are non-ceramic (they can be made from cement, rubber, stone...) and are usually larger in size than brick paver and with a higher thickness (1 inch/25 mm is common).

Types of pavers & Materials

Pavers can be made from a variety of materials: there are concrete pavers, brick pavers, stone pavers (granite, limestone, marble, bluestone, flagstone…), rubber pavers…

Paver applications

Brick pavers can be used in interior floors, but pavers are mainly a solution for outdoors. Pavers are largely used in patios, driveways, sidewalks, around pools or in garden pathways…

When used indoors, brick paves should be sealed, for moisture and stain proofing. Terracotta sealers are in this case good options.

Paver colors

Paver colors are eminently those of the materials from which pavers are made from: stone and clay colors, and several earth tones, including some oranges, pinks, grays and blacks.

Paver patterns

Besides traditional brick pattern, it's easy to find cobblestone, square shapes, hexagon or even circular shapes (patterns may depend on the type of paver).

Paver installation

Paver installation is in most cases a relatively simple multi-step task: 1) planning, 2) excavation and compacting, 3) laying of the base, 4) setting of the pavers and 5) edging.

Planning involves studying the layout, the slope of the area and the amount of pavers, and should be based on some basic drawings.

The excavation depth should take into account the height required for the base, the paver thickness and the sand bedding; excavation should be followed by adequate compacting of the ground (with a compacting machine).

The next step is the laying of crushed stones or other base material, which should be done evenly in two or three layers (that should also be compacted).

The final step involves setting the pavers on the prepared ground – a rather straightforward task – and edging. Edging is essential: edge restraints (made of pre-cast concrete, steel, plastic…) will avoid the pavers to move, separate and ruin.

Concrete pavers

Concrete pavers are very dense, strong and durable materials. They support high traffic levels and extreme heat, frost and snow… Besides they are cheap, with many colors and patterns, easy to repair and install and maintenance-free…

Brick pavers

See: Brick tile.

Stone pavers

Interlocking stone pavers - such as granite, sandstone, bluestone, marble … - is a popular choice for some indoor flooring and exterior applications (patios, gardens, walkways…), though usually more costly than other alternatives.

Rubber pavers

Rubber pavers are a non-slip product, with a reasonable lifespan, available in a variety of patterns, sizes and colors. Rubber pavers can be made from recycled tire rubber -which makes them an acceptable environmental option.

Interior floors

Clay (and other) pavers aren’t glazed, and you must seal them if you want to use them in interior floors. Sealing is essential for moisture and stain proofing.