26 Jul 2024
Cobblestones: From Design and Installation to Laying a Mesh
Aren’t you thinking about doing a walkway or a driveway this summer? Well, if you are, you have reached the right place. Consider Cobblestones for your next driveway job, tell you what, these can be used for creating beautiful walkways in your backyard too.
Cobblestones are a timeless and practical choice for outdoor paving. They add texture, character and elegance to any outdoor space. They can be a great addition whether you're looking to create a conventional pathway, a tough driveway or an innovative modern-day patio design.
In this blog article, we'll explore the design possibilities, their installation process and discuss on how to lay Cobblestone pavers.
Let's begin!
What are Cobblestones?
Cobblestones are building materials suited for high-use and high-traffic areas. They are cobble-sized generally square shaped stones with exfoliated or natural split finish. They come in rectangular and square shapes with a rustic appearance and are suitable for pathways, walkways, driveways and public streets. Full of character and strength, Cobblestones offer a unique texture and impressive aesthetics to outdoor spaces.
In the past, cobbles were used as streets and paths as an upgrade to dirt roads. But now they are a practical and aesthetical choice for outdoor landscaping.
Earlier, it from made only from concrete. But, the modern version of cobbles is available in many natural stone materials as well, mostly in a small square format with a standard thickness.
Cobblestones come in stunning colours such as grey, earthy brown, black and multi-chromatic shades. They add depth to outdoor areas and pair well with any architectural style.
Why choose Cobblestone Paving?
When it comes to selecting a heavy-duty building material for outdoor paving and landscaping, Cobblestones pavers are a preferred choice. Due to their long list of benefits, they are popular among architects, builders, designers and homeowners.
- Cobblestones spark endless design possibilities
Cobblestones are aesthetically appealing and versatile building materials. They are available in a variety of colours and are well-suited for numerous project applications. They can effortlessly enhance the look and curb appeal of the space they are installed in. Along with proving a sturdy surface to your outdoors, they also add a distinctive look that makes your space stand out from the rest. Add a Cobblestone walkway to your suburban home or create a pathway for your garden and be sure to grab compliments. What’s more? They will also add value to your property in the long time because they age beautifully.
- Cobblestones can withstand the test of time
They are naturally dense and heavy-duty building materials. Due to their inherent durability, they can easily endure all weather elements and heavy wear and tear. Widely used across high streets, parks and other public spaces, they are resistant to chipping, scratching and staining. Natural stone Cobblestones are known to be highly durable. They are available in many materials such as Granite, Limestone, Bluestone, Marble, Travertine and Sandstone. Durability-wise, nothing can beat Granite Cobblestones, they can easily last a hundred years.
- Cobblestones are easy to install
Installing Cobblestones is a no-fuss project especially when they come pre-sawn with a mesh backing. A set of 20, 12 and 9 Cobblestones come pasted on a silicone mesh. They are well-suited for large areas and reduce the installation time by half. This saves man hours and makes the technique cost-effective as well.
- Cobblestones can work well with minimum upkeep
A quick wash now and then is all that’s needed to keep them looking good. This comes as a blessing for busy homeowners. As an additional measure, you should reseal them every few years to keep them in the best condition. If you want to go for Granite Cobblestones for your pathway or driveway, consider Raven Black Cobblestone or Sesame Grey Cobblestone. Both will retain their stunning appearance and colour with little work on your part.
- Cobblestones are slip-resistant
Cobblestone streets prevent water stagnation and rust build-up. Moreover, their uneven and rugged texture gives them a good grip on wet or steep surfaces. This makes the surface safe to walk on even in wet conditions-like after heavy rainfall. Granite Cobblestones are perfectly suitable for driveways and roads as they offer friction to vehicles and prevent accidents.
Types of Cobblestones
Cobblestone pavers are available in two ways-loose and on a mesh. The mesh option with the back side sawn is convenient and laying Cobblestone pavers on a mesh is easy.
Loose Cobblestones
These come as loose pieces and can be used for various project applications such as driveways, walkways, patio paving, exterior walls, and garden borders. Installing loose cobbles is a laborious process, they are suitable when you have a small project space to design. In this technique, individual cobbles are arranged and put together to achieve the desired look. Moreover, considering the man hours that will go into this job, it’s not a viable option.
Cobblestones laid on a mesh
In this method, 20 , 12 or 9 Cobblestones are attached to a mesh with a strong adhesive backing. The installation process becomes far simpler and more time-efficient with mesh backing. So instead of placing individual stones, 20, 12 or 9 stones can be placed in one go. This is a smart and cost-effective option for large outdoor spaces. It ensures the Cobblestones are level and uniform, making them perfect for heavily trafficked driveways and walkways.
How to lay Cobblestone pavers?
Laying Cobblestone pavers on a mesh is simple and quick. Additionally, they have a relatively smooth surface and provide a uniform finish.
Let’s have a look at the installation steps:
- The first step is to prepare the surface. For that, dig a base that is at least 6 inches deep, then add 4 inches of gravel or stone dust on top and level it. Normally, stone dust is a dense and preferred choice as it turns hard like concrete when wet. Ensure to maintain half an inch of space between the depth of the bed from the height of the Cobblestones.
- Spread crushed and levelled sand and use a compactor to even out the surface.
- Line up rows of Cobblestone mesh side to side. Next, interlock the stones by cutting them as required from the edge of the mesh.
- To ensure accurate cutting of the stone, sledge or pound the chisel at an angle. For cobbles that don't fit along the edges, make a mark on the paving stone and use a chisel to adjust them.
- As the next step, use a yard hose to soak the Cobblestone. Move the cobble carpet into the levelling sand by running the leveller over it, subsequently.
- Evenly spread grout along the entire mesh area and into the joints. Let it dry but before it hardens, use a push broom to remove any extra grout.
- Finally, allow the grout to dry completely for the next 24 hours. Don’t drive on the surface for at least 72 hours. The path is all set now!
Design Applications for Cobblestones
Patios
Cobblestones can give your patio area a stunning and robust appearance. They add texture and style to your design space and give it long-lasting strength. You can pair them with other natural stone outdoor pavers such as Travertine, Marble, Limestone or Sandstone and create a stunning ambience for your space. Cobblestone patios are long-lasting and aesthetically appealing, with little to no maintenance requirements.
Water Features
Cobblestones around water features offer a striking and refined look to the space around them. Being moisture and water-resistant, they are an ideal paving material for around the water feature.
Garden Edge Paving
Cobblestones not only elevate the appearance of your garden area but are also used to give it a well-defined boundary. They also separate your lawn from the garden bed, allowing you to create a unique look for both areas of your yard. A border made of Cobblestones is sturdy and strong and allows easy mowing of grass without having to worry about the flora and flowerbeds.
Walkways
Thanks to Cobbles, you can give a rustic and robust appearance to the entryway from your front door. They not only give a stunning look to your home but also add to the worth of your property. Cobbles are not just for residential spaces; they also make for a beautiful walkway for parks and other areas. The textured surface of our Summit Cobblestones offers a countryside appearance to outdoor space. It comes in a natural split finish with split edges and is ideal for paving sidewalks, pool decks, driveways and parks.
Driveway
The best application for Cobblestones is for driveways. Cobblestones in Granite are sturdy, durable, slip-resistant and weather-resistant, and offer a textured finish, which comes from their exfoliated surface finish that provides great traction for cars. Our Raven Black Cobblestones is a dark and dazzling natural stone that’s popular for paving solid and stable surfaces. Its deep exfoliated finish elevates the style quotient of your outdoor space, especially driveways.
Conclusion
Cobblestones offer unique and aesthetically pleasing design possibilities for every outdoor space. With so many options available including Granite, Sandstone and Limestone, Cobblestones can be used to create a wide range of designs and patterns. With proper installation and maintenance, Cobblestones can withstand the test of time and continue to be a beautiful addition to your home.
Connect with our expert team today to pave your way with Cobblestones.
FAQs
Are Cobblestones pavers good for paving?
If you are thinking a walkway or driveway even a patio, Cobblestones are the perfect choice of paving and complements well to Australian weather due to their resilience and durability. They are easy to clean, maintain and lasts for ages to come.
What are the different types of Cobblestones available in Australia?
Cobblestones comes in Loose and on Mesh. If you are doing a driveway or walkway, you should consider Cobblestones on mesh for your home or commercial property.
What are the different materials available in Cobblestones?
Cobblestones comes in almost all the natural stone materials, if your area has heavy traffic, you should consider Granite cobblestones, for light traffic areas you can chose from Travertine, Marble, Limestone and Sandstone Cobblestones.
Is it hard to lay Cobblestone pavers?
In the case of loose Cobblestones, the time of installation would be more, with mesh Cobblestones the process of laying them is easy.
*Disclaimer: All information and advice given above in the blog are to the best of our knowledge. Please reconfirm at your end before execution.
