By Michelle Brown, consultant to Pavestone Company

Many styles of tumbled pavers are made from a ?EUR??,,????'??no slump?EUR??,,????'?? concrete mix. Made under extreme pressure and high frequency vibrations, they have a compressive strength greater than 8000psi, a water absorption maximum of 5 percent and will meet or exceed ASTM C-936 and freeze-thaw testing per Section 8 of ASTM C-67.
Photos Courtesy of Pavestone, Inc.

The popularity of interlocking concrete pavers continues to skyrocket. According to the latest data from the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI), in 2006 alone approximately 800 million square feet of concrete pavers were sold in North America.

Since 1998, the North American concrete paver industry has grown 162 percent with an average annual growth of 12.9 percent. More and more landscape architects and consumers are foregoing the plain concrete of yesterday in exchange for the aesthetic appeal and value that concrete pavers provide.

 

Using four distinct shapes modulated together creates a random variety of design possibilities. The embossed surface textures of tumbled pavers are increasingly more popular in architectural paving materials.

While the industry as a whole continues to expand, one segment has seen increasing popularity in the United States in recent years. Tumbled pavers?EUR??,,????'??+with their rustic, aged appearance?EUR??,,????'??+are one of the hottest trends in paving today. Tumbled pavers bring the distressed look that is so popular in home d????(C)cor today to outdoor living areas. The result is an old-world look of casual elegance for both residential and commercial projects.

Tumbled paving stones combine the natural look of aged stone with the durability of concrete. Like non-tumbled pavers, they are made from a ?EUR??,,????'??no slump?EUR??,,????'??? concrete mix and are manufactured under extreme pressure and high-frequency vibration, which provides for their strength and durability.

To achieve the weathered look, pavers are distressed using different methods. Most commonly, the pave stones are placed in a machine that tumbles them around. The stones smash against each other resulting in unique textures and uneven edges. No two stones look the same, providing for a very natural and rustic look. The result is a product that realistically resembles stone that has been in place for generations.

Tumbled pavers combine a roughhewn texture, shape and size creating a pavement that complements a range of landscape designs from traditional to modern. The rough texture assures an appearance of strength and time.

?EUR??,,????'??Tumbled pavers are a huge and growing business,?EUR??,,????'?? says Keith Eskow, a Boston, Mass.-based regional sales manager for the Pavestone Company, a leading manufacturer of segmental concrete systems. ?EUR??,,????'??If you put a traditional paver next to a tumbled paver and ask people to choose which look they prefer, nine out of 10 will pick the tumbled paver,?EUR??,,????'?? Eskow adds.

One reason for this huge increase in the use of tumbled pavers is the sheer versatility of the product. The possible applications for tumbled pavers are only limited by the imagination. There are many stone shapes, textures and colors to choose from, making the possibilities endless. Different sizes and textures can be installed alone or in combination to add interest and style. Colors can be mixed and matched to create a project that is a unique architectural work of art. Whether you are working on a patio, pool deck or driveway, tumbled pavers can provide character to your project that is unmatched in the marketplace today.

While you may think tumbled pavers are more suited for rustic, older properties and restorations rather than new construction, Eskow says this is simply not so. The antique look of tumbled pavers harmonizes with both new and old applications. He says he sees tumbled stones used just as often in contemporary designs as in the old-world style. ?EUR??,,????'??Tumbled pavers work very well in both applications,?EUR??,,????'?? Eskow explains. ?EUR??,,????'??The product is very adaptable. It fits in with any look you are trying to achieve.?EUR??,,????'??

Because they are designed to withstand freeze-thaw conditions, tumbled pavers are a good choice for cool as well as warm climates. With high-product density and low-product absorption, the product is resilient even under the most adverse environmental conditions.

Tumbled pavers, like traditional pavers, also add value to projects. For example, a builder had decided to use concrete for a new residential development to save costs. The builder reconsidered and several of the projects were switched back to tumbled stone. In anticipation of a possible downturn in the local housing market, the thought was that pavers definitely differentiate a property and buyers would choose a home in a community with pavers over another that did not have them.

Besides the obvious aesthetic reasons for using tumbled pavers, contractors like them so much because they can go into a new development and install the pavers in the street early in the construction process?EUR??,,????'??+ even before the houses are started. Large trucks and machinery travel over the completed roadway as the homes are being constructed with little if any damage resulting to the pavers. Un-tumbled pavers would show the wear and tear of heavy construction traffic if put down so early in the building of a new project.

Tumbled pavers offer all the same advantages as traditional pavers. For instance, tumbled pavers are easy to install. They are natural for smaller projects as well as for complicated large jobs. Construction activities can be carried out with semi-skilled labor and minimal equipment requirements even on medium to small projects. With a ?EUR??,,????'??zero cure time,?EUR??,,????'?? they are a great option for fast-track projects. They are also easy to repair. In the event of damage or cracks, individual pavers can be inexpensively replaced, eliminating the need of wide-scale repairs.

If you are looking for a durable product choice, you can not beat tumbled pavers. They are strong enough to stand up to the extreme forces of weather, water and traffic. Because they are designed to withstand freeze-thaw conditions, tumbled pavers are a good choice for cool as well as warm climates. With high-product density and low-product absorption, the product is resilient even under the most adverse environmental conditions. Even under adverse conditions, pavers are designed to last for at least 30 years.

One of the biggest advantages of paving stone is that if a repair ever becomes necessary, stained or broken pavers can be replaced easily, without leaving ugly patches or scars.

When you need a product choice that delivers character and personality, consider tumbled pavers. Whether your project demands the stately look of old yesterday or the contemporary flair that is so popular in home d????(C)cor today, tumbled pavers can provide a new dimension to both residential and commercial landscape architecture for years to come. The old saying may be ?EUR??,,????'??everything old is new again.?EUR??,,????'?? But, with tumbled pavers everything new can be old again.