Block Paving Guide: Types, Designs & Paver Block Price in India

Concrete pavers were fabricated with extremely high levels of compression forces to produce a concrete block and were manufactured in compliance with IS 15658: 2006 and had a minimum compressive strength of 35 N/mm² to utilise in non-traffic and low-traffic area applications (pedestrian pathways, residential driveways, etc.).

The clay paver block is produced through burning the clay material at a high temperature above 1000°C and 1300°C using a kiln. The clay paver block gives better traction compared to the concrete block. For this reason, the clay block is used in garden pathways and courtyards.

The plastic paver block is fabricated from recycled plastics. The plastic paver block is lightweight and water-resistant. As a result of these two characteristics, plastic paver blocks are usually utilised in terraces and pedestrian walkways that are subjected to low volumes of traffic.

Stone paver blocks are created by saw cutting granite, sandstone, or basalt. Typically, a granite load-bearing capability is greater than 100 N/mm². Therefore, the load-bearing capability of stone paver blocks is substantially higher than the load-bearing capabilities of regular concrete paver blocks, which generally range between 35 – 50 N/mm². Stone paver blocks are ideally suited for premium driveway and entranceway construction.

Rubber paver blocks are made from recycled tyres. These blocks are used to ensure that the surface is shock-resistant and also has traction. They are usually used in children’s play areas, gyms, and also in swimming pools.

Permeable paver blocks allow rainwater to seep through the block and then penetrate the soil. These blocks have the capability to reduce puddles on the surface during heavy rainfall. They can be used in car parking areas, gardens, etc., where there is a concern about the drainage system.

These are paver blocks that have plain vertical sides and lack interlocking edges. Type A paver blocks rely almost entirely on the sand bedding to provide stability and are best suited for low-traffic decorative locations.

These are paver blocks with one straight and curved face and form partial interlocks. Type B paver blocks are recommended for use on a patio or a driveway with low traffic.

These are the paver blocks that are interlocked on both sides and can withstand maximum loads, and can be used for road surfaces.

These are L, T, or X-shaped paver blocks that are both strong and decorative and are often used in entrance plazas and landscape features.

Herringbone paver blocks are placed at 45° or 90° angles to provide strong interlocking and are best suited for driveways and car parks.

The basketweave paver block design is a woven appearance that is formed by alternately placing pairs of horizontal and vertical blocks together. Basket Weave Paver blocks work best in light-traffic areas such as garden paths and courtyards.

Blocks are interlocked, similar to brickwork in a wall. Running Bond Paver blocks are aesthetically pleasing and clean, and are ideal for footpaths and residential walkways.

The design includes a random placement of blocks to form a rustic heritage-style look and is ideal for decorative areas.

The circular paver block design is a dramatic design that is formed by radiating blocks from a central location and is ideal for entrances and open plazas.

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Dig the ground to a minimum of 150 mm below the damp-proof course of your house or whatever the paver blocks are being laid next to. Depending on the rise and fall of the ground, the depth of excavation may vary. Shovels and spades may be used for smaller areas, but for larger areas, the excavation may be done with a mini-excavator or JCB to reduce labor costs.

Install a rigid restraint at all exposed edges to prevent the paver blocks from shifting. Install a 1:6 cement-to-ballast concrete mix to lay 100 mm thick foundation bases. Set a tight string-line at the completed paver-block surface level to act as a reference point for establishing the level of all the edging stones and to establish how the edging stones are positioned. 

Then, install the edging on top of the 25 mm thick layer of concrete, and tap them into position with a mallet. Haunch the edging with concrete on the outside, and fill to the midpoint of the paver block.

The sub-base will be the main support for the road, and hence it has to be a minimum of 100 mm thick to support any traffic. This can be achieved by adding a sub-base of 75 mm, compacting it with a plate compactor, and then adding another 75 mm sub-base, compacting again.

MOT Type 1 hardcore aggregate (granite, limestone, or basalt crushed to max 40mm) should be used as the sub-base. The MOT Type 1 hardcore aggregate will stabilize the paver blocks, prevent settling or sagging, and improve the overall long term durability of the paver block. Run the compactor over the sub-base six or seven times to completely densify the sub-base and to prevent an uneven surface.

After the sub-base has been laid, the amount of sand needed to achieve the final height of the paver block surface and shape the surface according to the slope or angle requirements needs to be added. 50mm of sharp sand, which retains its shape when squeezed together into a ball, needs to be added and compacted using a vibrating plate, then screeded to level using screeding lats.

A string line needs to be set up at the level of the paver block surface, leaving a 3-5mm gap for the final compaction of the paver blocks. Once the screeding lats have been removed, the gaps between the paver blocks need to be filled with sand, and the remaining sand screeded for a smooth finish.

Start installing paver blocks 3-5mm above the desired surface level, beginning from the lower corner of the slope. If this is not feasible, start from a straight edge or border. Each block should be closely fitted to the adjacent block face and lowered straight down into the sand instead of sliding it in to prevent any gap formation.

Use a broom to sweep the kiln-dried sand across the paver blocks. Ensure that sufficient sand fills the spaces between the blocks. Compaction of the blocks should be done, and then more sand should be added. This process should be repeated until all the spaces are filled.

Replacing paver blocks as needed makes maintenance easy. Oil and gasoline spills hardly discolour concrete and clay pavers. Regular sweeping, weeding, and joint sanding keep the pavement looking good.

Paver blocks come in diverse colours, textures, shapes, and styles. This variety allows for tremendous customisation and design flexibility for patios, walkways, borders, accents, and more. Patterns can be changed easily in the future if desired.

Herringbone paver blocks with a width of 80mm would be a good option for a driveway or a parking area. Herringbone paver blocks would ensure a good distribution of the load; they would be able to withstand the load as per IS 15658:2006.

Concrete paver blocks that have an average compressive strength of 35 N/mm² or greater are the most durable materials for high traffic and monsoon seasons. Other options include kiln-fired clay paver blocks, which are heat, water, and colour resistant.

According to IS 15658:2006, the usual thickness of pavers in India is 60mm (pedestrians), 80mm (vehicles), and 100mm (heavy vehicles). Pavers should have a minimum compressive strength of 35 N/mm².

Approximate prices of pavers in India range from $20 per square foot of plastic to $130 per square foot of high-quality stone. Preparation costs usually run between $40 and $80 per square foot.

According to the IS 15658:2006, the recommended paver block thickness for heavy vehicle traffic is 100mm. If placed under too much weight, it may crack and fail.

Concrete pavers are strong and cost-effective. Clay pavers are fired at high temperatures, are resistant to color, and are resistant to moisture and heat. Clay pavers are more expensive than concrete pavers.

Yes, permeable paver blocks allow the water to drain into the surface of the paver blocks. It will also prevent waterlogging and enhance groundwater recharge during heavy monsoon rains in cities across India.

No maintenance is required for the paver blocks. Only cleaning is required. Sealing is also done periodically to prevent stains and weeds.

Concrete pavers of width 80mm are used for driveways. For gardens, clay pavers and stone pavers can be used. For patios, light-weight plastic pavers can be used if they are available.

Yes, the damaged paver block can be replaced with another paver block of the same kind. In this way, there will be no signs of replacement, and the replacement of a single paver block will be cost-effective.