A walkway is used to move from one place to another. This in itself can take on a number of different functions. Walkways can be built from the driveway to the front door, can transport foot traffic from the front to the back of a house, or they can be used for a casual stroll in the garden. A patio, however, is typically found in the backyard and is mainly used as a place for people to congregate and relax.

The number of different uses for paths and patios leads to a number of different building methods and materials. The first major distinction in building materials is the use of a prefabricated concrete material or natural stone. As with any choice, there are pros and cons to each material.

Prefabricated concrete comes in an almost endless number of shapes, sizes, and colors. These are generally referred to as concrete pavers. They are similar to brick pavers and are sometimes grouped together, but are much stronger and longer lasting than a typical brick paver. These products offer an incredible amount of freedom in style and design. Individual paver shapes include, circles, triangles, squares, and rectangles, and can be arranged in an array of patterns to suite your needs. Miller Nursery primarily uses a product called Interlock for installation of these types of patios and walkways. The pieces are built strong enough to be used for driveways as well as everyday foot traffic. A properly built paver patio or walkway will never crack like your typical poured concrete walkways and patios.

The freezing and thawing cycle of an Iowa winter is the natural enemy to any path or patio. To ensure a path or patio will last, proper construction is essential. The first step is to prepare the area on which the pavers will sit. During this step, it is also necessary to create the proper elevation and slope to prevent standing water. Crushed rock is typically used for the base of any patio or walkway which is compacted tightly. Then a thin layer of sand is placed over the top for the pavers to rest upon. The second step is to install an edge to keep the pavers tight against one another. The edging material is typically plastic, steel, or timbers depending on the look you want to achieve. Once the edge is installed, the pavers are ready to be placed. This is where patterns and designs can be created. The pavers can be cut with a concrete saw enabling the use of many patterns and designs, as well as filling any gaps to create a more complete look. Following the installation of all the pavers, silica sand is swept into every gap to "lock" the pavers into place ensuring the pavers do not move.

Limestone or flagstone are two of the most popular products for a natural path or patio. They are available in fewer colors but can provide a more natural look to your walkway or patio. The lure of natural stone is in the shapes of the stones; no two pieces are the same. Every shape is different, thus there are an endless number of patterns and designs. Natural stone does not have the strength of concrete pavers and is generally more porous in nature. Natural stone may also break more easily if not installed properly, and can be more susceptible to freezing and thawing problems. An edge is not always necessary when installing a natural stone walkway or patio, as opposed to a concrete paver. They also do not always require a compacted stone base, but they must always have a sand base. Natural stone will also typically have large gaps between each piece due to the unnatural shapes of each stone. In some cases, the gaps can be many inches wide and are filled with sand, pea gravel, mulch, or grass.

Installation of a patio or walkway is very time consuming. However, if it is done right the first time, a patio can last for many years.

Cost can also be an issue when building a patio or walkway. There are obviously a number of different options, but a high quality natural product can have a material cost double that of a high quality concrete paver. Installation costs are almost impossible to estimate without seeing the work sight. Soil conditions, access, and product selection are major variables that change at each job site. As a general rule, natural stone costs more than prefabricated concrete.

Durability is also an important factor to consider. Concrete pavers are clearly stronger, but depending on the specific use of your new patio or walkway, either option can be utilized.

Finally, there is the all-important aesthetic appeal. This is a category where natural stone is often a big winner, but with all the designs and patterns available in the concrete pavers, it is really a matter of personal choice.

So which product is better, concrete pavers or natural stone? There is no clear-cut better product. Natural stone and concrete pavers can both be used to create useful and beautiful patios and walkways. If durability is your main concern, however, we will typically recommend concrete pavers.