Cobblestone pavements were an upgrade from dirt roads in ancient times. They were functional and lasted for ages. Cobblestone is derived from the word “cob” which means round and lumpy and refers to riverside cobbles that were first used to pave roads.
The modern version of cobbles is available in natural stone materials, mainly in a small square format with standard thicknesses.
The first cobblestones were taken from streambeds, not quarried and shaped like the ones we see today. The name “cobblestone” now refers to any natural stone paver, particularly the square shaped Belgian blocks. These are more uniform in size and shape and are simpler to install.
The durability of a granite cobblestone paved surface is superior to that of nearly any other material, and the distinctive “old world” appeal it provides may add a lot of beauty and value to the home.
Why Cobblestone Paving?
Because cobblestones were easy to source, affordable, and easy to install, they gained popularity in Europe. These rounded stones were sourced from riverbeds and were very useful for roads. They were great for traction and decreasing muck and sludge on the roads because they were created by years of erosion through swift-moving rivers.
Cobblestones are a popular option in the community of builders, architects, designers, and even with homeowners who prefer doing a DIY project.
Cobblestones are durable
First, they are sturdy, long-lasting stones that can withstand the test of time, as shown by the cobblestone streets throughout Europe. They are prone to extreme weathering processes, environmental changes, or high traffic. They are a naturally sturdy and robust building material that withstands wear and strain without chipping, scratching, or staining.
Cobblestone suits a variety of project spaces
Cobblestones are versatile and come in various colour options, which makes them suitable for an array of project requirements such as driveway, pathway, and other high traffic areas. Cobblestones enhance the look of your home and even raise its curb appeal. This will not only make your home more appealing and pleasurable, but it will also help it stand out from the rest of the houses in the neighbourhood, which adds to its overall value and makes it easier to sell.
Cobblestones are easy to install
Cobblestones are easy to install since they are generally supplied in mesh form. A set of cobblestones pasted on a silicone mesh. This mesh is easy to install and covers a larger surface area, saving men hours of installation time.
Cobblestones require low maintenance
These cobblestone pavers are not only tough, but they are also quite simple to maintain. A quick wash every so often will keep them looking just as stunning as the day they were set. As additional maintenance, you may only need to reseal these pavers every now and then to keep them in good condition. For ages, these granite stones will retain their stunning appearance and colour with little work on your part.
Cobblestones are slip resistant
The fact that granite cobblestone pavers are a naturally slip-resistant surface is a huge benefit. This is due to the stone’s rough, durable surface, which prevents slipping and makes it safe to walk on even in wet conditions. Because there is little to no concern for the safety of this surface when wet, it is especially well-suited for driveways that provide a lot of friction to the cars.
Uses for Cobblestone Pavers
Since the 19th century, cobblestones have been used as a common building material and road surface in cities and towns. We still employ this adaptable building material for our homes because of its lengthy history, classic appeal, durability, and traction it offers. The resilience to freeze-thaw conditions, natural strength, and longevity of granite cobblestones make them an ideal building material in addition to providing for smoother rides. They are safe to walk on in bad weather because of their rugged, long-lasting surface, which also makes them slip-resistant.
Driveway Paving
The most common and ideal use of granite cobblestones is for driveways. Granite cobblestones are sturdy, durable, slip-resistant, weather-resistant, and offer a textured finish, which comes from their exfoliated surface finish that provides traction for cars. They are frequently used for road edging, driveway aprons, and planting beds in the middle of the driveway.
Walkways
Granite cobblestones improve the appearance of your property while keeping grass out and creating a clean lawn border for pathways. The entryways have a rustic yet exquisite appearance thanks to the use of granite cobblestones. Not only at homes, but park walkways are also commonly done with cobblestones.
Garden Edge Paving
Granite cobblestones not only have sharp, long-lasting edges that give your landscape a manicured appearance, but they also separate your lawn from your garden bed, allowing you to properly maintain both areas of your yard. A border made of cobblestones is sturdy and substantial enough so that you may mow your grass without worrying about harming the plants and flowerbeds.
Patios
Granite cobblestones can be used to build a nice, modest patio. To give texture and flair to the design, you can incorporate them into your patio along with other natural stones as borders. Cobblestone patios are long-lasting and appealing, requiring little to no maintenance.
Home Exteriors
Cobblestone is the only material that gives the exterior of your property a more traditional appearance. By placing cobblestones around your doorway or window archway, you may add a touch of old-world charm.
Water Features
It is common to use cobblestones for water feature paving projects as they offer a distinct and elegant look. Since cobblestones are water-resistant, they are an ideal paving material for around the water feature, where the chances of water splashing are high.
Types of Cobblestones
There are two types of cobblestones that Stone Depot offers: loose pieces and cobblestones on a mesh.
Loose Cobblestones
As the name suggests, these cobblestones come in loose pieces that can be put in a variety of project spaces such as a driveway, walkway, patio paving, exterior walls, and water features. This type of cobblestone is suggested for project designs and spaces that have a low area covering, and you need to put these cobblestone pieces together individually for the desired look.
Since cobblestones are smaller in size, installing loose cobblestone pieces is a time-consuming process and not a pocket-friendly option if you are on a budget.
Cobblestones on a Mesh
Like the name suggests, in this type, the cobblestones are attached to or glued to a mesh rather than being used separately. The installation process is made simpler and more effective by the mesh backing. So, rather than fussing and going through the time-consuming job of putting the cobblestones one piece at a time, you can get the natural cobblestone appearance for half the cost of installation.
Mesh cobblestones are the best option if you want to build an outdoor floor with an uneven style that closely resembles the cobblestone flooring prevalent in older European cities since they are produced from offcuts of various stones. Their variety of colours and shades adds character and texture to any space.
On the other hand, we advise granite cobblestone pavers if you desire a cobblestone surface that has a more consistent shape, size, and color. These pavers are offered with either an exfoliated or flamed finish on mesh backing. The mineral inclusions in the granite were fractured and spalled at high temperatures to give the granite a high non-slip grade of P5. As a result, the cobblestones are level and uniform, making them perfect for heavily trafficked driveways and walkways.
Method of Installing Mesh Cobblestones
The cobblestones are fixed to a mesh that resembles a large carpet. The term “cobblestone apron” also applies to this mesh. Since you don’t have to lay the cobblestones one at a time, this method of installation is simple and quick. Additionally, the mesh-mounted stones have homogeneous, smooth surfaces.
Let’s have a look at the installation method of mesh cobblestones:
- Dig a base that is at least 6 inches deep, then add 4 inches of gravel or stone dust on top of that. Typically, stone dust is preferred because it becomes hard like concrete when wet. A minimum of half an inch should separate the depth of the bed from the height of the cobblestones.
- Spread levelling sand over it. This must be crushed and levelled. Once the sand is perfectly level and even, run the compactor over it.
- Rows of the cobblestone mesh should be laid out from one side to the other. To make it possible to interlock the next stone with it, cut a stone from the mesh at the edge.
- Some cobblestones wouldn’t fit along the sides or edges. Make a mark on the paving stone and use a chisel to fit it for this. To cut the stone, sledge or pound the chisel at an angle.
- The next step is to use a yard hose to soak the cobblestone. After that, move the cobble carpet into the levelling sand by running the leveller over it.
- In the final stage, uniformly distribute grout along the entire course and into the joints. But before it hardens, use a push broom to remove any extra grout.
- Allow the route to dry for the next 24 hours. Drive on it once at least 72 hours have passed. The cobblestone path is now complete.
In Conclusion
Cobblestones are an ideal choice for driveways, walkways, and other high-traffic areas. The most recommended material is granite cobblestones, which are not even sturdy or durable but add a timeless charm to your project spaces.
Stone Depot offers granite cobblestones on a mesh, which are easy to install and help you keep the cost of the installation under budget. There are a variety of options that you can explore for your next driveway paving job.
Connect with our team today to help you pave a solid driveway.
*Disclaimer: All information and advice given above in the blog are to the best of our knowledge. Please reconfirm at your end before execution.
