Glossary of Common Paving Terms

• Aggregate: A mix of crushed stone, gravel, and sand. Aggregates form the base layer for paver installations or are mixed into concrete for strength.
• Asphalt: A black, tar-based paving material used mainly for roads and some driveways. Asphalt surfaces are poured hot and harden into a smooth, continuous pavement.

• Base (Base Material): A compacted layer of aggregate (crushed stone or gravel) that forms the foundation for pavers diamondcertified.org. A proper base supports the pavers and helps prevent settling or shifting.
• Basket Weave Pattern: A classic paver laying pattern that pairs two rectangular pavers horizontally next to two vertically, creating a checkerboard “woven” look belgard.com. This pattern adds a decorative, nostalgic touch to patios or walkways.
• Bedding Sand: A layer of coarse sand spread and leveled over the base. Pavers are laid on this sand bed, which helps them settle evenly. The sand bedding is carefully screeded (leveled) to create a smooth, even surface for paving paversearch.com.
• Bluestone: A natural stone (often a type of dense sandstone) that appears blue-gray, especially when wet. Bluestone is commonly used for upscale patios or walkways, valued for its rich color and durability.
• Brick Paver: A paving unit made of clay that’s molded and kiln-fired (similar to a brick used for walls) Brick pavers are typically rectangular, come in earthy reds/browns, and are known for their strength and classic appearance.

• Cobblestone: Small natural stones (or concrete molded to resemble them) historically used to pave streets. Cobblestones are usually rounded or irregular and create a charming, Old-World look for driveways or paths. Today, concrete “cobble” pavers mimic this style for easier installation.
• Compaction: The process of packing down soil, gravel, or sand to make it dense and firm. Compaction is usually done with a heavy vibrating plate compactor, ensuring the base and bedding are stable so pavers won’t shift. Proper compaction prevents settling and gives the paved surface a solid feel.
• Concrete: A man-made material made from cement, sand, aggregate, and water that hardens into stone-like solidity. Concrete Pavers are precast (manufactured) blocks of concrete in various shapes, colors, and sizes used for paving. They are very durable and versatile for driveways, patios, and more.
• Coping: A finishing cap or top layer on a wall or the edge of a pool or step. Coping pieces are often rounded or smooth for comfort and aesthetics. For example, the stones lining the rim of a pool or the top of a retaining wall are coping. They protect the edge and give a completed look.
• Concrete Sand: A coarse sand often used in the base or bedding for pavers. Its gritty particles help with drainage and compaction compared to fine sand. (Often the same as bedding sand.)

• Drainage: The system by which water is moved off or away from your paving. Good drainage prevents puddles on your patio or driveway. It’s achieved by sloping the surface (see Grading) and sometimes using drains or permeable materials so water doesn’t collect on the pavers.
• Driveway: A private road or path for vehicles, connecting the street to a garage or house. In paving terms, a paver driveway is built with extra-strong base and paver stones or bricks that can handle the weight of cars. Paver driveways are both functional and add curb appeal to a home.
• Dry-Laid (Dry Installation): A method of installing pavers or stones without mortar. Pavers are placed on a prepared gravel and sand base, and the joints are filled with sand. This “floating” installation stays in place due to the base preparation and interlocking of the pavers. (Most residential paver patios and walkways are dry-laid.)

• Edging (Edge Restraint): A rigid border that holds pavers in place along the edges. compaversearch.com. Edging can be plastic strips, metal strips, concrete curbs, or even a row of “soldier course” pavers. It prevents the pavers at the borders from spreading or loosening over time.
• Efflorescence: A white, chalky haze that can sometimes appear on the surface of concrete or brick pavers. It’s caused by natural salts in the material coming to the surface and crystallizing. Efflorescence is common (especially shortly after installation), harmless, and often washes or wears away over time.
• Excavation: The process of digging out and removing soil in an area to prepare for construction. For a paver project, excavation means digging down to the required depth for the base. This creates space for the layers of gravel (base) and sand so the finished patio/driveway will be flush with the surrounding ground.

• Flagstone: Flat natural stones used for paving walkways, patios, and garden paths. Flagstone pieces are irregular or cut into shapes and create a rustic, natural-looking surface. Common flagstones include slate, sandstone, or bluestone. They are often laid in sand or mortar with joints between them.
• French Pattern (Versailles Pattern): A popular modular layout for pavers or tiles that uses four different sizes of stones in a fixed repeating arrangement. This pattern creates an elegant, Old-World look with a seemingly random design that actually repeats. Travertine pavers are often sold in French pattern sets for patios and pool decks.

• Geotextile Fabric: A tough, permeable landscape fabric placed beneath or between layers in a paving project. It’s used to separate different materials (for example, keeping soil from mixing into the gravel base) and to add stability. Geotextile under the base can also help prevent weeds and improve drainage under the pavers.
• Grading: Shaping and leveling the ground (or base) to the desired slope. Proper grading ensures the paved surface isn’t perfectly flat but has a slight pitch (angle) so water drains off. Contractors will “grade” the area (often a 1–2% slope) to direct rainwater away from your house and prevent pooling on the pavers.
• Granite: A very hard natural igneous rock often used as a building stone. Granite pavers or cobbles are extremely durable and have an elegant speckled appearance. They’re common in high-end or heavy-use areas. Because granite is dense and strong, it resists wear and weather. (Many historic city streets were paved with granite blocks.)

• Hardscape: The non-living, built features of a landscape (as opposed to plants, which are “softscape”). Hardscape includes structures like patios, walkways, driveways, retaining walls, and other permanent features westerninterlock.com. For example, a brick patio and stone firepit are hardscape elements that complement the surrounding garden.
• Herringbone Pattern: A zigzag paver pattern resembling the bones of a fish (herring). Rectangular pavers are laid in alternating 90° or 45° angles to form a “V” shape weave. This pattern creates a very strong interlock that can handle heavy traffic without shifting. Herringbone is popular for driveways and courtyards because of its classic look and structural stability.

• Interlocking Pavers: Paving stones designed to fit together so that they lock in place, creating a unified, flexible surface. Each paver has straight, uniform edges (or even small tabs/spacers) that allow tight placement and even joint spacing. When installed on a proper base and sand, the pavers interlock via friction and the confining borders, preventing individual stones from moving out of place. (Most concrete and brick pavers are interlocking by design.)

• Joint: The gap or space between pavers. Joints are typically about 1/8 to 1/4 inch wide (depending on the paver style) and are filled with sand. Proper joint spacing and filling helps pavers stay in place and keeps the surface stable.
• Joint Sand (Joint Sanding): Special sand spread over the pavers and swept into the joints (gaps) to lock the pieces together. Polymeric sand (see P) is often used – it has additives that harden after watering, keeping joints packed and preventing weed growth. Re-sanding may be needed over the years to refill joints and maintain interlock.

• Limestone: A sedimentary natural stone commonly used in paver projects. Limestone varies in color (often light creams or grays) and has a fine, smooth texture. It’s used as stone pavers for patios or pool decks, especially in warm climates. Travertine is actually a form of limestone. Limestone pavers give a high-end look and stay relatively cool underfoot in sun.

• Mortar: A mixture of cement, sand, and water (often with lime) that forms a paste used to bond masonry units. In paving, mortar is used for wet-laid installations – for example, attaching stones or bricks to a concrete slab or when building a bonded patio or wall. (By contrast, interlocking pavers are usually laid without mortar, on sand.) Mortar dries hard, creating a fixed, non-flexible bond between pieces.

• Natural Stone Pavers: Paving stones cut from real rock, rather than manufactured. Examples include travertine, granite, slate, sandstone, and limestone pavers. They often have unique colors and textures for a beautiful natural look. Natural stone pavers are typically more expensive than concrete pavers, but offer a one-of-a-kind aesthetic and strong durability.

• Patio: An outdoor living area, usually an open, flat space adjacent to a house, surfaced with pavers, concrete, or stone. A patio made with pavers offers an attractive, slip-resistant area for dining or entertaining. Because it’s on ground level (unlike a raised deck), a patio needs good base preparation and drainage to last.
• Paver (Paving Stone): A flat, brick- or stone-like unit used to create paved surfaces like walkways, patios, and driveways. Pavers can be made of concrete, brick (clay), natural stone, or even porcelain. They come in many shapes, sizes, and colors. Unlike poured concrete, pavers are placed individually on a bed of sand and fit tightly together to form a continuous surface.
• Permeable Pavers: Pavers (and an installation method) designed to allow rainwater to drain through the surface rather than run off. The pavers often have wider joints or porous structures, and they’re installed over layers of stone that temporarily store water. This way, water seeps between or through the pavers and into the ground below, reducing stormwater runoff extension.umd.edu. Permeable paver systems are eco-friendly and can help with local flooding or drainage issues.
• Polymeric Sand: A fine sand blended with special polymer additives that acts as a binding agent westerninterlock.com. It’s swept dry into paver joints, then misted with water. The water activates the polymers, which harden and lock the sand in place (like a weak glue). Polymeric sand helps prevent weeds, resists washing out, and keeps paver joints stable and sealed. It’s commonly used for finishing modern paver installations.
• Pool Deck: The area surrounding a swimming pool, typically finished with slip-resistant, cool-to-the-touch paving material. Pool decks often use travertine pavers or textured concrete pavers, because they don’t get as hot under sun and are less slippery when wet. The pool deck provides a safe walking space around the pool and is usually installed with a slight slope to shed water. (Coping stones are used at the pool’s edge as the border between the pool and the deck.)
• Porcelain Pavers: Manufactured pavers made from porcelain tile material (a type of ceramic). They are relatively thin but very strong and dense, often used for patios or rooftops. Porcelain pavers mimic natural stone or wood looks, resist staining, and don’t need sealing. (They typically must be installed on a firm base or pedestal system due to their thinness.) – Note: Porcelain is less common than concrete or stone for ground installations but growing in popularity for its modern appearance. (Optional term for completeness.)
• Paver Pattern (Laying Pattern): The geometric arrangement in which pavers are laid. Common patterns include herringbone, running bond, basket weave, and modular designs like French/Versailles pattern. The pattern can be chosen for visual appeal and sometimes for interlock strength. For example, herringbone offers excellent locking strength for drivewaysbelgard.com, whereas a running bond (rows of offset pavers) gives a simple, clean look.

• Retaining Wall: A sturdy wall built to hold back soil on a sloped area. Retaining walls allow you to create level areas in a yard by terracing a hill. In hardscaping, retaining walls are often made of interlocking concrete blocks or stone and include drainage features to relieve soil pressure. They not only serve a functional purpose (preventing soil from sliding) merriam-webster.com but can also be an attractive landscaping feature (e.g., with built-in planters or seating).
• Running Bond Pattern: A simple, classic paving pattern where rectangular pavers are laid in straight lines, and each new row is offset (staggered) by half a paver length from the row before (like a traditional brick wall or subway tile look). Running bond is common for walkways and patios and provides a balanced, linear appearance. It’s not as interlock-strong as herringbone, but still quite stable for most uses.

• Sand (Joint & Bedding): See Bedding Sand and Joint Sand. In general, sand is used under and between pavers. Coarse bedding sand provides a level base for pavers, and finer joint sand (often polymeric) fills the gaps on top to lock pavers in place. Using the right sand is crucial for paver stability and longevity.
• Sealing (Paver Sealing): Applying a protective sealer coat to the surface of pavers. A sealer is a liquid (often acrylic or silane/siloxane based) that soaks into or coats the paver surface. Sealing pavers can enhance their color, protect against stains (like oil or wine), reduce mold, and slow down color fading. Some sealers also harden the sand in the joints. Not all paver projects require sealing, but it’s a common maintenance step for long-term care.
• Screeding: The process of leveling out the bedding sand layer before laying pavers. Installers spread the sand and then drag a straight edge (screed board) across it to create a flat, even surface. Proper screeding ensures that each paver will sit at the correct level and that the final surface will be flat (with the appropriate slope for drainage).
• Soldier Course: A border of pavers laid side by side in a single row, usually with their long edge facing the same direction, perpendicular to the main field of pavers rostlandscaping.com. This technique is used as a frame or edging around a patio, walkway, or driveway. A soldier course not only gives a finished look but also helps lock the outermost pavers in place (acting as an edge restraint). For example, you might see a soldier course of brick pavers outlining a herringbone patio.
• Stamped Concrete: A poured concrete slab that is imprinted with patterns and textures to resemble pavers, bricks, or stone. While not made of individual units like pavers, stamped concrete is often mentioned as an alternative. The concrete is colored and stamped with large pattern molds while wet, then hardens into a continuous surface that looks like, say, a slate patio or cobblestone drive. Stamped concrete can mimic many paver patterns but will crack as one piece over time (whereas pavers have individual joints that can shift slightly).
• Subgrade: The native soil or ground beneath a paving project. Preparation of the subgrade involves compacting the soil and sometimes stabilizing it (with gravel or fabric) to create a solid base. The subgrade must be graded (leveled and sloped) properly because it ultimately supports all the layers above. If the subgrade is too soft or unstable, the pavers can settle or shift. Good installers will excavate unsuitable soil and compact the subgrade before adding base material.
• Sub-base: In some projects, an additional layer of coarser stone placed on the subgrade beneath the regular base material. The sub-base often uses larger rocks or recycled concrete chunks, which are then capped with finer gravel as the base. This is done for deep installations or poor soils, to add extra strength. In residential jobs, people often refer to any gravel layer as “the base,” so you may not hear sub-base except in bigger commercial jobs. (Essentially, the sub-base is a first layer of base material with bigger aggregate, providing foundational support.)

• Travertine: A type of natural stone prized for high-end outdoor paving. Travertine is a form of limestone that forms around mineral springs thespruce.com. It has a distinctive porous texture with small holes and comes in warm colors like ivory, tan, and coral. Travertine pavers stay cool underfoot and have a non-slip surface, making them especially popular for pool decks and luxury patios. They give an elegant, Mediterranean look and are quite durable (the Roman Colosseum was built with travertine!).
• Tumbled Pavers: Pavers (usually concrete or travertine) that have been gently tumbled in a machine to distress them. Tumbling softens edges and gives the pavers a weathered, antiqued look, as if they’ve been in place for decades. Many homeowners choose tumbled pavers for a rustic or Old-World charm. Despite the rougher appearance, tumbled pavers install the same way as regular pavers.

• Versailles Pattern: See French Pattern. Another name for the French pattern layout of pavers using four different sizes. “Versailles” references the classic style seen in European chateaus. It creates a mosaic-like, repeating design that adds visual interest and a high-end feel to large patio areas.

• Walkway: A path or sidewalk, usually for foot traffic, leading through a yard or connecting areas on a property. Walkways built with pavers are attractive and durable. They often use brick or concrete pavers in simple patterns (like running bond or basket weave). A well-built paver walkway has a compacted gravel base and slight slope for drainage, just like a patio or driveway, but may be narrower in width.
• Wall Caps: Flat stones or manufactured blocks that form the top layer of a wall. On a retaining wall or free-standing wall, the cap units provide a finished look and can serve as a small seating ledge. In paver projects, matching wall caps or coping are used on features like seat walls, pillars, or the edging around raised patios to complete the design. (Related to Coping.)