Block paving comes in a variety of not only styles but also types. It is available as standard concrete block paving, clay paver, or natural stone product. Understanding the difference can help you decide the paving you would like installed on your driveway or patio at your home.
Standard block paving is made from crushed stone, sand and cement, mixed with added colour dye. They are poured into the moulding and vibrated to remove air bubbles in the mix. Once they have hardened over a period of days, they are de-moulded and stacked in pallets, ready for laying on a driveway.
Available in multiple sizes, they can be laid in various patterns, with Kilsaran and Tobermore being the most significant block paving manufacturers in Ireland from where we source our paving. The Corrib paving range and Tegula paving range are the most popular options.
Clay pavers are made by moulding and firing clay at high temperatures. The clay is first mined and then ground into a fine powder. Water is added to create a clay mixture, which is then shaped into the desired form. The clay pavers are then dried and fired in a kiln at temperatures between 1000 and 1200 degrees Fahrenheit. This process hardens the clay, making it solid and durable. Once cooled, the clay pavers are ready to be laid on a driveway, patio, or hard-standing surface.
They are laid in the same style of standard block paving, with herringbone being the most common pattern. Dimensions are set to the same standard size of block paving as well.
Clay pavers can lose colour due to exposure to the elements and wear and tear. The colour of the pavers is determined by the type of clay used and the firing process, but they are available in a range of colours, such as Terracotta, Charcoal, Red and Buff. Clay pavers are glazed to protect the colour, but even glazed pavers will lose a little colour over a period of time. UV rays from the sun and exposure to water and chemicals can also cause discolouration.
Natural stone blocks are made by extracting large blocks of stone from a quarry. After the stone is extracted, it is shaped using a diamond saw or laser calibration machine. The finished stone is polished and honed, stacked in pallets, and ready to lay on a driveway.
See more examples of our paving installation options with Lismore Paving, Kingspave Cobbles, Mellifont, Newgrange Paving, Slane Paving and more.
The most common type of natural stone is Cobblestones or Cobblelocks.
Proven Local
Jim and his team did a fantastic job on the entrance to our school.
Had Jim and his team in laying a new patio,raised flower beds,new path and to lay a new area with chippings. Did a great job,very efficient, professional and quick.Was a pleasure dealing with them. Would highly recommend the lads.
Fantastic job done on driveway today by Jim and his men.Very quick and clean delighted with it,would highly recommend Select paving
Jim and his team did an outstanding job paving our garden pathway with granite slabs and a cobble-lock border. They also relaid the front lawn. They were professional, efficient, and delivered excellent results - very happy with the quality of their work. Highly recommended!
Excellent work. Great workers 😁 Arrived at 12pm on a Thursday. Finished on a the Friday at 12pm. Delighted with it. Very Fair price too !!
Jim and his team revamped my patio with porcelein tiles, laid grass where the old patio extended into the garden and put in a new gravel driveway with granite paving and path. The team were fantastic. Very professional, respectful and did jobs that I hadn't even asked them to do like cleaning and repaving the side path and weeding the front garden. Would highly recommend!
Jim and his team did a fantastic job of paving our back garden as well as cobble locking a section of our driveway to match existing. Very professional and efficient. Would highly recommend.
Jim and Myles and his team did a superb job laying a porcelain tile patio for us. Very helpful and professional throughout. Delighted with the result.
Excellent service from the lads, would highly recommend. They were in and out but very thorough in their work. Will be going back to them for more back Garden on the future. A+ work. Thanks again
We got our front drive fully covered in resin and got some paving and more resin out the back. Jim was very professional when giving advice on the materials and finishes, and always very quick when responding to queries. The team were brilliant - got stuck into the work every morning, no hanging around! They were no hassle at all and left no mess behind. I'd highly recommend them to anyone, we are really happy with the work.
