Materials. The most common paver materials are asphalt, pressed concrete (available in standard or custom colors), brick, and natural stone (such as marble, granite, or flagstone).
by Exteriorscapes llc
Pavers are often thought of as pre-fabricated materials, but today's pavers are often made of stone such as this travertine in more permanent settings.
by Travertine Warehouse
"A cast concrete paver is usually going to be the biggest bang for your buck," says Sivgalls. "It's strong, easily customizable, and comes in great colors and textures."
Whether you opt for a cast concrete paver, or a more natural stone, you'll want to make sure that the paver you choose is thick enough and heavy enough that it can be walked on without getting damaged. But, you also want to make sure it's not too heavy, so you can lift it up and place it where it needs to go.
by Rossington Architecture
Whether you opt for a cast concrete paver, or a more natural stone, you'll want to make sure that the paver you choose is thick enough and heavy enough that it can be walked on without getting damaged. But, you also want to make sure it's not too heavy, so you can lift it up and place it where it needs to go.
Installation. "When using pavers, you want to make sure you set them up for long term use," Sivgals says. "We try and use a full concrete sub-base, and then apply the pavers to that. But if you're not ready for that amount of work or financial investment, then there are other ways to install pavers too."
by Huettl Landscape Architecture
Completely clear the area you want the pavers to go in, and compact the ground as much as possible. Christina Bradley recommends starting with 95 percent compaction of the sub soil. Add a sand base of about 2 inches for drainage and movement, and compact the pavers on top of the sand.
With a thinner paver, a thicker bed of concrete is usually necessary to keep the paver from cracking.
by Exteriors By Chad Robert
With a thinner paver, a thicker bed of concrete is usually necessary to keep the paver from cracking.
If your pavers are going in a high-traffic area, place them in a way that's comfortable to walk on. It's important that people don't have to watch their feet too much when on a walkway. "You want to take the natural stride of an average person into account," says Sivgals.
by Slater Associates Landscape Architects
"If the pavers are spaced too far apart, the walking becomes self-conscious and stretched," says Joseph Huettl. "If they're too close together, plants or lawn won't grow properly." Huettl recommends using 1.5-inch to 3-inch gaps for gravel, 2- to 4-inch gaps for fine ground covers, and 3- to 6-inch gaps for lawn to grow.
by Narofsky Architecture + ways2design
Cost. The price of pavers depends on what kind of material you're using, how that material has been treated, if it's colored, and how thick it is. Below is a very general price range of pavers, divided by the more common material choices:
Concrete pavers: $5 to $10 per square feet
Brick pavers: $5 to $15 per square feet
Natural stone: $10 to $30 per square feet
by Jeffrey Gordon Smith Landscape Architecture
Concrete pavers: $5 to $10 per square feet
Brick pavers: $5 to $15 per square feet
Natural stone: $10 to $30 per square feet
Huettl uses bluestone, which comes in a variety of colors, textures, and shapes, for most of his pavers. The price for this natural stone tends to range between $5 and $25 per square foot. The exact price is going to vary depending on size, thickness, and treatments for color and texture.
by Huettl Landscape Architecture
When shopping for pavers, keep in mind that the color of concrete pavers can change over time. Pavers dyed at the surface will wear, while those with color all the way through will last longer. Also, pay attention to the finish of the pavers. How rough is it? Is there friction? How much texture is visible? Brick pavers, for example, have a smooth surface, but can be slippery in wet and shady areas.
by AMS Landscape Design Studios, Inc. 
Both Huettl and Bradley recommend avoiding stamped concrete in lieu of pavers. Stamped concrete can chip, and it's hard to hide the chips or replace the concrete. "Pavers usually cost 1/2 to 1/3 times more, but typically last longer," says Bradley. "If a repair is necessary, you can just replace a few of the pavers as needed."
More ideas:
Plants for Your Pathway
Your Yard: Are You Ready to Lose the Lawn?
8 Great Way sto Use Landscape Pavers
by Exteriorscapes llc
More ideas:
Plants for Your Pathway
Your Yard: Are You Ready to Lose the Lawn?
8 Great Way sto Use Landscape Pavers
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Bluestone, which is a sandstone, soaks up a lot of water and so do concrete pavers.
Also, when compacting around established trees, be sure to have an arborist aerate around it when you are finished. Compacting tree roots can kill a tree, but it can take a few years before it starts to show the decline. So, when interviewing contractors make sure they have accounted for this!
Stone is a wonderful material that takes on the life of the site much more than concrete products and has a much smaller carbon footprint, so find a beautiful local stone to work with!