Types of Paving
Various types of materials are used for paving throughout the world. In most instances, these materials will last a lifetime. However, paving is installed outside and inevitably takes a pounding from nature and man alike. All paving will therefore deteriorate over time.
View our Types of Paving below, to make an informed decision on what you are buying. This comparison involves the most common paving surfaces used in South Africa.
Dry Cast Concrete
Wet Cast Concrete (SmartStone)
Natural Stone
Clay
Tar
As advertised
What they can create
When things go wrong
Dry Cast Concrete
Wet Cast Concrete
Natural Stone
Clay
Tar
Most suited for:
Residential driveways
Pool surrounds
Internal tiling
Landscaping
Pathways
Commercial parking
Commercial driveways
Public roads
Industrial driveways
IN ONE WORD:
DURABILITY
DESIGN
NATURAL
CLEAN
ROAD
Advantages:
Lowest cost of segmented materiels. Dimensionally accurate and easy to install. Various shapes and sizes for a wide variety of applications. Durable.
Aesthetically a more pleasing alternative to brick. Re-creating the look of natural stone in a practical way. Less damage to environment than natural products. Various shapes, textures and sizes.
There is a positive, fashionable perception regarding the use of “Natural” products in building and construction. Natural stone can be beautiful.
Clay pavers have a natural appearance with good colour fastness. Durable.
Low initial cost of installation. Smooth driving surface.
Be aware of:
Weathering of surface in the long term.
Some shapes of pavers are not modern and exciting.
Obvious weathering of surface in the long term.
Lack of long term consistency. Limited dimensional accuracy.
Limited options in colours, shapes and sizes. Not modern and exciting.
Aesthetically, tar is limited. Not suited to low traffic areas or heavy vehicles turning sharply and slowly.
Most obvious possible post-installation imperfections inherent to a specific paving material.
Fading colour. Long term abrasion. White efflorescence. Black efflorescence.
Fading colour. Long term abrasion. White efflorescence. Black efflorescence.
Flaking or breaking. Staining. Discolouration.
Spalling or chipping of edges. Very susceptible to white efflorescence.
Cracking and potholes. Needs a lot of traffic to assist expansion and contraction.
Most obvious possible manufacturing defects. (Mostly applicable when purchasing from inferior suppliers.)
Dimensionally inaccurate products. Uneven edges. Colour inconsistencies. Not SABS compliant in terms of strength.
Dimensionally inaccurate products. Pin holes on surface. Not natural and sometimes irregular colours. Colour stains especially on larger products. Weak products.
Dimensionally inaccurate products. Soft material. Stone that flakes or breaks. Colour inconsistency.
Weak product, breaking or crumbling. Chipped products. Dimensionally inaccurate products.
Bad engineering or composition of material.
Most obvious possible defects due to bad installation. (Mostly applicable when installed by an unqualified installer.)
Complete site failure or pavers breaking and spalling due to earthworks. Unlevelled or irregular surface. Cement staining when installed with cement grouting.
Complete site failure or pavers breaking and spalling due to earthworks. Unlevelled or irregular surface. Cement staining when installed with cement grouting. Crooked installation lines. Failure of cement grouting.
Complete site failure or pavers breaking and spalling due to earthworks. Cement staining. Installation of chipped and irregular products. Crooked installation lines. Unlevelled or irregular surface. Failure of cement grouting.
Complete site failure or pavers breaking and spalling due to earthworks. Cement staining when installed with cement grouting. Crooked installation lines.
Site failure due to earthworks. As asphalt paving is “installed” in-situ, there are great risks involved when compared to other paving materials produced in controlled factory environments.
Aesthetics
Limited larger options. Limited textures. Many colours available, but limited realistic, natural options.
Many shapes and sizes. Includes large pavers. Available in various combinations which can be installed together. Unlimited textures. Natural colours.
Mostly available in square, rectangular or totally irregular options. Limited textures. Natural colours.
Limited shapes and textures. Mostly available as standard “bricks”. Limited colours.
N/A
For more objective paving advice, please refer to the following information:
