Types, shapes and textures of paving slabs: color solutions and installation examples.

Types of paving slabs

The most popular options are:

• Plastic. It is made using a sand mixture and polymer compounds. These polymer-sand products have good strength properties and anti-slip properties.
• Based on natural stone. It is made by crushing various types of stone, such as quartzite, granite, slate, shungite, etc. The most expensive solution is marble-based tile finishing.
• Rubber. It contains rubber crumb, has high moisture and frost resistance, and noise-absorbing properties.
• Clinker. It is made using special clay that is fired at high temperatures. Clinker paving slabs have natural shades, are fire-resistant, and non-slip.
• Concrete. Reinforced concrete tile finishing is performed by vibration pressing and vibration casting. These cement products are highly durable and are ideal for decorating surfaces that are subject to heavy pedestrian traffic or vehicular traffic.

When choosing a product, you should consider the abrasion rate, maximum temperature fluctuations, expected load, and budget.

Pros and Cons

This pavement finishing has several advantages and disadvantages.

It has a huge range of shapes, colors and textures.

Prevents the formation of puddles, as excess moisture flows through the seams.

It is quite wear-resistant, resistant to ultraviolet radiation, precipitation and temperature changes.

It has a long service life of 15 to 20 years.

It is easy to install. If one module is damaged, it can be easily replaced.

Recommendations for selection

Basic tips:

• When selecting products, it is important to pay attention to their color, it should be uniform and not have white or dark stripes.
• You should not give preference to too bright materials with a large number of pigments, as they are less durable.
• When choosing the color of paving slabs, take into account the decorative features and illumination of the area. The coverings that match the tone of the architectural details or match the color of the house will look more harmonious.
• In order to protect the tile covering from damage, it is recommended to use a border frame.

Tile shapes

The tile material can have a variety of bar shapes.

Clover

It can be embossed and represent squares with corners cut to a circle or smooth, characterized by a complex structure and a variety of shapes, tiles.

Coil

Due to its original outlines, it is possible to achieve locking connections that provide a strong adhesion of the modules to each other.

Rhombus

Allows you to decorate the surface with an original three-dimensional pattern in the form of a multi-pointed star or cube, perfectly complementing the surrounding exterior.

The photo shows a path with two-color diamond-shaped paving slab.

Brick

Brick imitation can be used to create a smooth and correct surface that has a neat appearance.

Wave (zigzag or snake)

It is an elongated element with curves reminiscent of a wave or lightning, which can enliven the surrounding space and make it much more interesting.

Square

It is the most traditional version of paving slabs. Square models, despite their simplicity, give the surface a special elegance.

Corner

It has a unique appearance and quite an interesting design.

Mosaic

Due to its small size, you can create a wide variety of artistic designs when paving paths with the help of mosaics.

Hexagon (honeycomb)

This shape always looks very stylish and can have almost any layout option.

The photo shows diamond-shaped pavement tiles on the exterior.

Octagon

It is distinguished by a slightly strict, but at the same time exquisite pattern, reminiscent of oriental canvas. Octagon-shaped products can be combined with square-shaped elements or a hexagon in combination with a square.

Round

Due to the rounded edges, it looks very aesthetically pleasing and original. Round tile cladding is especially in harmony with garden lawns.

Chamomile

It has a beautiful, whimsical configuration, which allows you to implement various creative ideas and achieve unique compositions.

Scales

Creates an unobtrusive, but at the same time, an effective design, and due to various color solutions, provides the opportunity to lay out original patterns.

The photo shows the landscape of a private house with a path decorated with gray paving tiles in the form of scales.

Maple

It has smooth lines that perfectly repeat the outlines of a maple leaf. By using the effect of combining shades, you can achieve a very attractive decor that will be associated with autumn leaves.

Lizard

It has a unique appearance and a rather complex shape, allowing you to lay tile modules with virtually no gaps.

Trapezoid

Allows you to create really interesting combinations. Trapezoidal elements can be arranged in parallel lines, triangles or hexagons. By using modules of different colors, it is possible to achieve an unlimited number of patterns.

Types of tile texture

There are also several texture options.

Cloud

The surface of this product is distinguished by a sinuous pattern, an unusual volumetric texture that gives the cladding roughness and a matte effect.

Grid

Has a clear ribbed structure that provides anti-slip properties. Mesh tiles are often used in the design of sidewalks, steps, pools, decorative ponds or fountains.

Planks

Thanks to the natural wood texture, such a finish will give the exterior a special eco-friendliness and is perfect for decorating paths, steps or flower beds.

Wood

This pavement tile with imitation of the texture of natural material, thanks to special molding and coloring techniques, accurately repeats the cut of a tree with all its irregularities and grooves.

Stone

Elite marble cladding gives the design a special charm and sophistication, models with imitation of sea pebbles look no less original, have regular geometric shapes and a non-slip rough surface.

Checkers

Will certainly decorate and enliven the surrounding exterior. This paving stone can also have a multi-colored paving option.

Carpet

It is an incredibly elegant and at the same time durable covering that provides comfortable use, stable movement and a non-slip surface.

Colors of paving slabs

With the help of a correctly selected shade of the product, it is possible to achieve not only the transformation of paths and landscape, but also to advantageously emphasize the design of buildings on the site. Colored paving slabs can be made in gray, black, yellow, red, white, beige, green, brown tones, have a two-color or three-color design.

White coverings look very impressive and, due to their brightness, are clearly visible in the dark. Quite often, materials of a pleasant dark orange, brown, brick or cherry shade are chosen for finishing, which are the most practical in use.

The photo shows a path leading to a private house with brown sidewalk tile cladding.

A universal solution is a gray-colored facing, which adds sophistication to the design, harmonizes with a wide variety of colors and favorably emphasizes the architectural advantages.

The photo shows rectangular black pavement tiles in the design of a path near the house.

Examples of street tile design

A rather unusual design move is luminescent, transparent or matte glass luminous pavement tiles tiles with built-in LEDs, this solution allows you to achieve a truly fabulous and unique atmosphere. Also no less interesting in the exterior looks cladding with decor in the form of small colored inserts.

Tile “Gothic” cladding is distinguished by a special ornament in the form of zigzag lines located between parallel stripes and has an individual, emphasized style. The Gzhel finishing allows you to assemble a pavement from figured elements of different sizes and shapes, thereby achieving an extraordinary covering.

Variations of designs and patterns of paving slabs

Paths paved with tiled finishing with various patterns and ornaments will undoubtedly give the surrounding space a special fairy-tale atmosphere.

The photo shows the landscape of the courtyard of a private house with a pattern of sidewalk tile finishing.

At the expense of various geometric shapes in the form of large squares, diamonds, rectangles, in the form of a circle or semicircle, it is possible to give the sidewalk design dynamism or, on the contrary, soften it.

The photo shows a path in front of the house, decorated with sidewalk street tiles in the form of ornaments.

Layout of paving tiles

There are many laying options that can be used to create a harmonious and aesthetic composition.

Patterns for rectangular tiles

Main types:

• Checkerboard pattern. It involves using two elements of different colors, most often black and white. Despite its simplicity, the checkerboard layout allows you to achieve very effective surface decoration.
• Herringbone pattern. In this case, the modules are located at an angle of 45° or 90° to each other, creating a fairly dynamic pattern.
• Staggered. It is a standard design type resembling brickwork.
• Braiding. It has a weaving form formed by arranging rectangular elements perpendicular to each other.
• Zigzag. It is a rather complex scheme that involves laying out a zigzag pattern.
• Arbitrary order. It has no specific placement. Chaotic order looks especially advantageous when using multi-colored products.

The photo shows multi-colored rectangular paving slabs laid out in a staggered pattern.

For figured tiles

These products are distinguished by a rather complex layout, in which it is necessary to take into account the color scheme and direction of an individual module. Unusually laid out figured elements in the form of stars, leaves, flowers and other figures will add a special zest to the landscape.

Photos of paving slabs application

Popular options for use.

Photos of paths in the country

Such design will be an excellent replacement for simple concrete paths in the country. Due to the original compositions, variety of shapes and colors of paving finishing, it is possible to complement any landscape. For small garden plots, a great solution would be ornate paths with smooth lines, and for large areas, clear straight paths.

The photo shows a path on a dacha plot, decorated with sidewalk tile facing of different colors.

Photo in the courtyard of a private house

A path paved with paving tiles not only helps connect different objects, but also highlights certain buildings. This covering can be placed around the house, in front of the house, in a gazebo, on an open veranda or frame flower beds, thereby allowing you to keep the adjacent territory clean.

On the site of a private house, with the help of street cladding, it is also supposed to design a parking lot for a car. For this, reinforced concrete products are used that can withstand the load from the movement of the car.

Porch made of paving slabs

The porch can be decorated with plain or multi-colored tile material of almost any shape, or even use mosaics for decoration, which allows you to create a truly elegant design.

The photo shows a street threshold with sand-colored clinker paving slabs.

A porch lined with paving slabs that match the paths and blind area looks very impressive.

Stair Step Finishing Ideas

Stair steps are subject to a lot of stress, so they require the most durable, wear-resistant and non-slip finish possible.