Home Renovations Interlock Paving - It Was Good Enough For The Roma | Page 3

What are Interlocking Pavers?
Interlocking pavers have been used by engineers for hundreds of years to build the roads
and pathways in our towns and cities. The old cobbled streets and courtyards that are
preserved in the old quarters of many European cities are a testimony to the durability and
the elegance of natural stone interlocking pavers. But they have a history that extends way
back beyond even then to Roman times. For Cobbles or natural stone was often used in the
past to build roads or ornate courtyards with the cobbles placed in intricate patterns on a bed
of sand. The secret to the durability and strength of this method was that instead of using
mortar to lock the stones together the gap between the stones was filled with sand. This
allowed the stones to lock but still move and flex under pressure making the completed
structure very strong and resistant to ground movement such as freezing in winter. But
importantly it also allowed designers to create wonderful designs by placing the stones or
bricks in intricate patterns. This feature made using interlocking paving essential in the
ornate designs required in the courtyards and gardens of the palaces and stately homes of
the period. Today interlocking pavers come in many materials, shapes and colours and the
patterns available to a designer are limited only by imagination. Also, the variety of material
means that they are no longer used in just roads, driveways and heavy duty constructions
but makes them suitable for a vast range of possible uses such in patios, pool decking,
ornate internal flooring, or garden landscape features .