Varieties of Patio Paving Stones

Interlocking paving stones create one uniform look.wavy brick walkway. See more in my portfolio image by astoria from Fotolia.com

When deciding on the paving material for your patio, there are a large variety of natural and man-made stone options. Natural paving stones come in many colors, shapes, sizes and textures but the difficult process of transforming them into paving pieces results in a more expensive product than other stones. The natural irregularities require a lot of fitting work though some are cut into uniform sizes to simplify installation. A popular alternative is a concrete stone paver which is cast into many uniform shapes and sizes. The pavers can be installed quickly and easily by most homeowners. Though the color choices can't match natural stone, the lower cost is often an acceptable trade-off. With the large variety of paving stone options, there is something suitable for all landscapes and price ranges.

Flagstone

Large, flat, natural stones which measure 1 to 4 inches thick all fall under the term flagstone. Some popular examples frequently used for patios are slate, sandstone and bluestone. The warm colors and interesting textures will suit almost any landscape and complement most plants. Smooth flagstones like slate are more suitable for patios where seating will be used, since it won't hinder the movement of chairs. Due to the irregularities, it's important to lay a dry run of the stones to ensure proper fits before final installation. Some flagstones are very porous and stain easily; avoid this type for high traffic patios or prepare for frequent cleaning.

This imitation stone is one of the most cost-effective and popular paving options, especially for large patios. The precast pavers come in a variety of styles and shapes and fall under one of two types, regular or interlocking. Popular shapes for the regular type are rectangles, squares and hexagons. Interlocking pavers are available in many styles and shapes which fit tightly together like puzzle pieces to easily create one uniform look. The basic colors for both paver types are gray, tan, brown and red and some are treated and tumbled to resemble aged stone. Concrete stones are more suited for casual settings and perform well on frequently used patios. Easy to install on a bed of packed sand, most homeowners can complete a durable and attractive patio in a weekend or two.

Natural stone is often cut into square or rectangular pieces to form standard tiles. Slate is a popular stone tile due to it' fairly flat surface which makes it suitable for patio furniture and frequent traffic. Some tiles are thick enough to be laid onto a bed of sand like pavers. Thinner pieces are installed in mortar to prevent cracking and are positioned with evenly spaced grout joints. Stone tiles are suitable for both casual and formal settings but require a sealer to prevent staining. The standard sizes and straight edges make installation straight-forward and the prices vary widely depending on the stone.