Transform Your Outdoor Living Space
with Natural Stone Pavers
Imagine the unmatched beauty that natural stone pavers can bring to your outdoor space. Unlike artificial materials, natural stone offers authentic charm, unique textures, and durability that lasts for generations.
At Polycor, we quarry premium North American stone from our domestic quarries—including limestone, granite, and marble—to produce a wide range of pavers that bring timeless elegance and lasting performance to patios, walkways, pool surrounds, and more.
The Natural Advantage: Benefits of Stone Pavers
When it comes to creating distinctive outdoor spaces, natural stone pavers stand apart from artificial materials like concrete and porcelain in every way that matters. The authentic beauty of each stone tells its own unique story through natural variations and character that manufactured products simply cannot replicate. This inherent beauty doesn’t just last for years – it endures for generations while adding lasting value to your property. Here are some of the advantages that stone pavers will bring to your project:
Unmatched Durability
Natural stone pavers maintain their structural integrity for generations, while concrete alternatives typically need replacement after 20-25 years. Our granite pavers withstand over 20,000 pounds of pressure per square inch, and they do not lose their color or degrade over time. There are even ancient stone-paved walkways and floors that are still being used from thousands of years ago.
Timeless Aesthetic Value
Natural stone pavers possess a timeless quality that never goes out of style. The unique characteristics, patterns and colors of each stone create visual interest that faux stone products cannot achieve. It ages with grace, bridging styles and trends as they come and go.
Stone Paver Performance Advantages
Environmental Benefits – Quarried locally in North America, these stone products are made by the earth, requiring only minimal processing. Compared to manmade alternatives that rely on a mix of ingredients from various sources, such as portland cement, concrete sand and iron oxide, natural stone pavers only need to be cut down to smaller sizes from larger blocks and then ground to a smooth finish.
Superior Thermal & UV Performance – Not only do stone pavers withstand constant UV exposure without losing their color, but some stones remain especially cooler to the touch than concrete when in direct sunlight. As builder Lou Padula notes, “When it gets hot outside, Indiana Limestone – Full Color Blend™ doesn’t absorb the heat. It’s lighter in color and more walkable.”
Low Maintenance Requirements – These pavers resist staining, fading, and erosion with only minimal preventative care needed. Simple cleaning with a pressure water and mild soap is typically all that’s needed to maintain their beauty.
Design Versatility
Available in numerous colors, textures, sizes, and finishes, natural stone pavers accommodate any design vision from classic to contemporary and everything in between. They complement a home’s aesthetic rather than appearing like an afterthought.
Value Appreciation
Unlike manufactured materials that depreciate over time, natural stone often increases property value. Real estate professionals consistently identify natural stone hardscaping as a feature that positively influences buyer perception.
These benefits demonstrate why natural stone pavers remain the premier choice for discerning homeowners who value authenticity, performance, and lasting beauty in their outdoor living spaces.
Paver Colors & Styles: Find Your Perfect Match
Natural stone pavers offer a depth and richness that faux stone options can’t replicate. Interlocking concrete pavers rely on colorants and dyes that only show at the surface, resulting in a flat appearance that lacks translucence. From the warm earth tones of Indiana Limestone – Full Color Blend™ to the sophisticated greys of Georgia Marble™ – Pearl Grey™ and the bold intensity of Saint Henry Black™ granite, each stone brings its own character to your space.
Combinations of minerals inside the stones are what give them their specific color, whether it be feldspar, mica, garnet or calcium carbonate. How, where, and when these stones formed via geological forces is what resulted in their final appearance as they cooled and solidified.
We knew we wanted contrast, but the design still had to feel cohesive.
– Jaclyn Isaac, Doni Douglas Design
The marble and limestone checkered pattern gave us just that.”
Whether you’re drawn to soft neutrals or striking contrast, our paver colors and styles work seamlessly with a variety of design aesthetics—modern, traditional, or transitional. Each color choice brings a different mood and can be coordinated with landscaping, siding, or any other architectural accent.
Outdoor Stone Patio Designs That Inspire
Patios are more than surfaces—they’re the foundation for outdoor living. Whether you envision a cozy backyard retreat or a spacious entertainment area, natural stone pavers adapt beautifully to your needs. Large patio stones provide visual continuity, while mixed sizes create dynamic flow and break up space organically.
A natural rock patio brings authentic character to your outdoor living space that complements, rather than detracts from, the surrounding landscaping. Each stone’s unique variations in color, texture, and mineral composition create a one-of-a-kind surface that connects your home to the outdoors. While concrete pavers attempt to mimic this natural beauty, only genuine stone delivers the depth, variation, and timeless appeal that elevates your hardscaping.
Design tip: Use natural transitions and lighting to define conversation areas, dining zones, and garden features within your patio. Consider granite fire pits, built-in seating, and planters to add function and beauty.
Layouts That Last: Patio Paver Patterns
The pattern you choose affects both visual appeal and functionality. Pattern in this case means the arrangement of the stone pavers and how they are oriented in relation to each other. The number of pieces used in the pattern repeat is dependent on the sizes of the individual pieces and their increments – whether they be 2”, 4” or 6”, etc. This will dictate how well they fit together while keeping equal joint width spacing and not result in uneven edges.
Some of the most popular patio paver patterns include:
- Running Bond A clean, classic, and great for small spaces. Used with multiple sizes or all one size.
- Herringbone Highly durable and full of movement. A bold geometric effect.
- Checkerboard Dramatic and modern, as featured in Jaclyn Isaac’s farmhouse project
Some stone pavers come pre-packaged in set patterns to make it easier to arrange and install, eliminating the need for excessive calculations and measurements. Our team can help guide you toward a paver pattern that aligns with your layout, aesthetic, and traffic needs. Patterns can also influence drainage, perceived space, and the overall rhythm of your design.
Explore Paver Sizes for Every Application
Your design may begin with measuring and determining the overall area that will be paved, but it’s important to consider the sizes of the individual pavers themselves, much like in tile design. Polycor manufactures a range of paver sizes to suit everything from garden paths to grand terraces:
Some examples of paver sizes to base your design on:
- Standard: 12″x24″, 18″x24″
- Large Format: 24″x36″, 24″x48″
- Extra Large: 36″x36″
- Custom Sizes: Cut-to-spec. Available to meet unique design or project needs – an added benefit of using natural stone.
We went with the 36″x36″ granite pavers.
– John Colaneri
It created a sleek, minimalist base
for everything from furniture to lighting.”
Paver dimensions play a crucial role in both aesthetics and functionality. Larger pavers minimize joints and create a seamless feel, while smaller formats allow for intricate patterns and flexible placement. The paver thickness, typically ranging from 1 1/4″ to 2″, varies by application, with driveways requiring thicker pavers than patios or walkways to withstand the heavy point loads of vehicular traffic.
Stepping Stones with Style: Rectangle Pavers for Walkways
Instead of a fully paved walkway made from uniform, tightly spaced pavers, another option is to use individual pieces that are spaced randomly or further apart from each other. Often referred to as stepping stones, these pavers can be irregularly shaped like random flagstone, or sawn cut with square edges. Whether you’re going for a symmetrical layout or a more natural effect, stepping stones create elegant and functional walkways with rectangular pavers. Polycor pavers work beautifully in:
- Garden paths
- Sideyard walkways
- Entry routes
For a soft, organic look, try large rectangular stepping stones spaced wider apart with groundcover or gravel in between. Add a fun checkerboard effect with alternating pavers and grass squares or use narrow pieces with offest edges for another geometric effect. For more formal paths, consistent spacing and edge restraints create refined lines that enhance curb appeal.
Bold & Sophisticated: Outdoor Black Pavers
Nothing makes a stronger style statement than choosing unconventional color options for outdoor living surfaces. One colorway rapidly gaining attention is black used for pavers to complement other finishes such as black windows, siding and trim, or powder-coated railings. As building material manufacturers produce more black finishes for their products, these black granite pavers become increasingly relevant in the design aesthetic. Saint Henry Black™ granite is a popular choice and offers the following benefits:
- Striking color and mineral structure
- High durability
- Slip-resistant thermal finish
Perfect for high-contrast designs, outdoor kitchens, or contemporary patios, black paving stones add instant drama and lasting beauty. Use them alone or pair them with lighter tones for bold contrast and modern visual impact.
Elegant Neutrals: Grey Patio Paving
Soft and subtle or cool and contemporary, grey pavers work across architectural styles. The grey trend is definitely here to stay, and for good reason. Grey pairs effortlessly with everything and harmonizes with any shade. Polycor Georgia Marble™ – Pearl Grey™ and Indiana Limestone provide:
- Subtle warm and cool grey tones with and without veining
- Complementary colors for outdoor furniture
- Design versatility in any application or location
Grey patio paving anchors your design while allowing other elements—like plants and lighting—to shine. It’s a timeless choice that never goes out of style. You can decide to keep the entire design more monochromatic or let your imagination run wild by introducing bold, saturated pops of color throughout your outdoor living spaces. No matter which way your taste leans, grey pavers will help to unify the finished project.
Make a Statement with Large Patio Pavers
You’ve heard the saying, “Go big or go home!” Now you can go big AT home with extra large stone pavers. Because they are cut from large blocks of stone, they can be remain larger, as opposed to cutting them down into smaller increments. Large-format pavers create bold, contemporary outdoor spaces. Perfect for patios, pool decks, and entryways, they:
- Reduce joint lines for a cleaner look
- Visually expand smaller areas
- Pair well with minimalist or modern aesthetics
“The oversized XL granite pavers made our yard feel twice as large.”
– John Colaneri
These large patio pavers are also ideal for accessible design, providing smooth transitions and fewer tripping hazards because there are less joints. Their substantial dimensions create a sense of permanence and luxury that smaller formats simply can’t match, while offering practical benefits including faster installation and reduced settling over time.
Large outdoor pavers also mean sleeker spaces and a cleaner appearance. More uninterrupted expanses of paved surfaces contribute to a grand effect that small interlocking concrete pavers cannot achieve
Stone Paver Resources
Color Your World With Natural Stone Pavers
Wondering what color pavers to design your outdoor living spaces with? Can’t decide what shades and hues are best for a granite patio or marble terrace? This guide will help you begin styling your space with all the high resolution images and stone details needed to design like a pro.
Endless Possibilities: Pavers for Outside Applications
Natural stone pavers adapt to a wide range of outdoor applications. Their resilience and ability to stand up to heavy use make them a practical choice for:
- Patios Classic gathering spaces with timeless appeal
- Pool Decks Cool under bare feet, slip-resistant, and elegant
- Driveways Durable and high-end curb appeal
- Steps & Transitions Seamless flow across outdoor zones
- Outdoor Kitchens & Fire Pits Beautiful, durable surfaces for high-use areas
Polycor outdoor patio stone is designed to perform—and impress—no matter the setting. Each application brings out different characteristics of the stone, allowing you to play with layout, finishes, and patterns.
Installation Excellence: The Foundation of Lasting Beauty
Every great patio starts with a strong foundation. And when it comes to working with stone, there are no steep learning curves or specific sets of challenges unique to this material type. Contractors who work with concrete or porcelain pavers have already developed the necessary skills and have all the tools to install natural stone. Installation methods vary by soil type, site conditions, and stone format, but the general steps will typically include:
- Excavating 8 inches
- Creating a proper slope (2%) for drainage
- Installing woven geotextile fabric
- Adding and compacting No. 57 crushed stone aggregate
- Applying a 2″ sand or bedding layer of No. 8 crushed stone and leveling
- Laying pavers in desired pattern with 3/8″ joint spacing
- Finishing with proper joint filling and edge restraints
Whether using an open grade base or dense grade base, or a wet set or dry set installation, natural stone is very adaptable to any project. Polycor’s technical stone specialists have developed extensive instructional resources, including installation guides, how-to videos, training courses and technical spec sheets to help you get it right the first time.
Explore our laying patio pavers page for pro tips and downloadable specs to help get you started.
Learn more about how to install pavers at Polycor U, a free natural stone installation training platform developed by seasoned stone masons. Each course covers a different topic related to installation methods, special techniques, and materials so you can do it right the first time.
Resources
Polycor U How-To Videos
How To Install Stone Pavers on an Open Grade Base
Wondering how to best install stone pavers for your project? Using an open-graded base or dense-graded base? Alternative paver base? See how to prepare a sturdy and resilient base for your patio pavers in this full-length Polycor U tutorial that covers every step in the process.
Visit Polycor U to view our full library of stone installation video tutorials.
Featured Projects: Real-World Inspiration
The true versatility of natural stone pavers comes to life through real-world applications. Each of these projects demonstrates unique approaches to common challenges, offering inspiration for your own outdoor transformation.
Careful material selection helps ensure the new installation harmonizes perfectly with the home’s original look, creating an outdoor space that looks like it has always been part of this historic, yet updated, property.
Coastal Elegance: The Padula Builders Showcase
Along the Shrewsbury River in Oceanport, NJ, the Padula residence demonstrates how natural stone thrives in demanding coastal environments. The project faced unique challenges: full-day sun exposure, salt air, and the need for comfortable barefoot surfaces around water features.
Local builder, Lou Padula, chose Indiana Limestone for its superior heat resistance and walkability. “When it gets hot outside, limestone doesn’t absorb the heat. It’s lighter in color and more walkable,” he explains. The team selected a honed finish for optimal slip resistance around the pool, while maintaining a refined aesthetic that complements the coastal architecture. The raised paver patio installation required careful consideration of the flood zone, employing a permeable bonded paving system utilizing a trass bed to ensure stability.
Modern Farmhouse: Designer Jaclyn Isaac’s Bold Vision
Interior designer Jaclyn Isaac’s farmhouse transformation showcases how traditional materials can create thoroughly modern spaces. The project’s centerpiece is a striking checkerboard pattern combining Indiana Limestone – Fossil Beige™ and Georgia Marble – Pearl Grey™, with each 24″x24″ paver laid precisely to ensure perfect alignment.
“Once I saw the image of the checkered pattern, it was game over for us in terms of what we were going to do,” Jaclyn recalls. The installation team faced the technical challenge of curving edges into the pool house area while maintaining pattern integrity. They achieved this through careful measuring and custom cutting using stone-cutting equipment and diamond blades for clean edges.
The installation process took about three weeks, not including the preparation of the yard and settling maintenance. Despite heavy use from children, pets, and frequent furniture movement, the 1¼” thick natural stone maintains its beauty and structural integrity.
Contemporary Living: John Colaneri’s Modern Estate
When HGTV personality John Colaneri approached his backyard renovation, he envisioned a space that would blend modern aesthetics with practical entertainment needs. His choice of 36″x36″ Saint Henry Black™ granite XL natural stone pavers created a dramatic foundation for his 450-square-foot entertainment space.
The large-format pavers serve dual purposes – they create a crisp, cutting-edge style while making the modest space appear larger. The granite’s thermal finish provides essential slip resistance while highlighting the stone’s distinctive crystalline structure, creating subtle plays of light and sparkle throughout the day.
Historic Charm: Queen Anne Victorian Restoration
The renovation of this Queen Anne Victorian property presented a unique challenge: how to introduce modern outdoor living spaces while respecting the home’s centuries-old historic character. The solution utilized Indiana Limestone 3-size pattern slab pavers to modernize the space while maintaining the charm and history of the Naragansett, Rhode Island home. The completely reconcepted backyard area features INDIANA LIMESTONE – FULL COLOR BLEND™ pavers, slabs, steps and treads.
Frequently Asked Questions
A: Natural stone pavers typically outlast concrete alternatives by decades. While concrete pavers may need replacement after 15-20 years due to fading and deterioration, natural stone maintains its integrity for generations. For example, our Indiana Limestone pavers are quarried from the same formations that have been used in iconic American architecture for over 150 years.
A: Unlike manufactured materials, natural stone’s color comes from its mineral composition rather than dyes or pigments. This means the color is inherent to the stone, and is colored throughout instead of just the surface, and as a result, will not fade. While some stones may develop a natural patina over time, this typically enhances rather than detracts from their beauty.
A: Base requirements depend on your specific application and soil conditions. For most residential installations, we recommend:
– Excavation to an appropriate depth of 4-6 inches for patios
– Installation of geotextile fabric to prevent soil migration
– Compacted aggregate base of ¾” clean crushed stone (either dense-graded or open-graded)
– Sand setting bed or ⅜” fine crushed stone for precise leveling
Custom solutions or soil amendments may be needed for special situations like clay soils or coastal environments.
A: Natural stone requires minimal maintenance compared to manufactured materials. Regular maintenance typically involves:
– Occasional sweeping or rinsing to remove debris
– Application of approved natural stone sealer
– Annual inspection of joint sand or compound
– Periodic cleaning with pH-neutral stone cleaner
While sealing is not required for most applications, it’s an option for enhanced protection in high-traffic areas.
A: We recommend:
– Working with Polycor-authorized dealers who have experience with our materials
– Checking contractor references specifically for natural stone installations
– Reviewing past projects similar to your planned installation
– Ensuring the contractor has experience with your chosen pattern and stone type
A: Polycor pavers come in a wide range of sizes and formats:
– Standard sizes: 12”x12”, 12”x18”, 12″x24″, 12”x36”
– Large format: 18”x18”, 18″x24″, 18”x30”, 18”x36”, 24”x24”, 24”x30”, 24″x36″
– Extra large: 36″x36″, 24″x48″
– Custom sizes available for specific project needs
All sizes are available in varying thicknesses to suit different applications, but typically are 1 ¼” thickness. Sizes are nominal to allow for ⅜” joint width
(ex: 12”x24” is actually 11 ⅝”x23 ⅝”, etc.)
Resources and Next Steps
At Polycor, we’re here to support your outdoor transformation from start to finish. Our expert team and network of authorized dealers are ready to help you:
- Choose the perfect natural stone for your project
- Access detailed installation guides and technical specifications
- Connect with trusted, qualified installers
- Obtain material samples to see and feel the quality firsthand
- Calculate material quantities to ensure a perfect fit
Our design support services also offer visualization tools and personalized consultation to help bring your vision to life. Whether you’re dreaming of a cozy patio retreat or an expansive outdoor entertainment space, Polycor has the resources and expertise to make it happen.
Ready to elevate your outdoor space with the timeless beauty of natural stone pavers? Get in touch today and speak with one of our stone experts. Our experienced team is made up of seasoned stone craftsmen with extensive knowledge about stone pavers, installation methods, care and maintenance. Simply fill out the form below, and a member of our team will contact you.
Explore our premium collection of stone paver products to start your journey toward the perfect outdoor sanctuary. Happy paving!
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