Are Larger or Smaller Pavers Better?
Choosing between large vs. small pavers without proper knowledge can lead to costly mistakes in your hardscaping project, potentially resulting in uneven surfaces or poor water drainage. Discover whether you should use large or small pavers for your outdoor project to avoid compromising aesthetic appeal and functionality.
Large vs Small Pavers: Which Paver Size Is Better?
Generally, a small paver size is better than a larger size. Aside from being more flexible, smaller paving is better for intricate patterns, curved designs, and tighter spaces. On the other hand, larger pavers provide a more dramatic and impressive look, although they typically cost more per square foot.
Aviara Pavers is your go-to source for your paving needs. We have professionals on hand who are experienced in every aspect of paver maintenance and repair. We also follow the strictest ICPI safety standards to make sure your installation lasts for years to come.
Purpose and Functionality
Both large and small paver sizes have strong purposes and functionality. However, they differ in what will benefit you depending on the condition of your outdoor living space.
Ground movement resistance: A large paving is more susceptible to damage from ground movement. Meanwhile, small paving has a more flexible surface, providing better resistance to frost heaving and soil movement.
Load-bearing capacity: Large paving has excellent load-bearing capacity, although you may consider putting in additional support like geogrid systems for driveway use. Small paving has a higher natural load-bearing capacity.
Surface stability: Large-format pavers provide smoother, more stable surfaces for outdoor furniture and kitchen areas. Smaller ones are less stable for furniture placement.
Slip-resistance: Bigger pavers offer fewer grout lines and potentially more slippery surfaces, especially when wet. Small sizes typically provide better slip resistance due to more frequent joint lines creating additional grip, especially for a pool deck area.
Traffic tolerance: Large pavers generally handle heavy traffic better since they have fewer joints that could potentially shift or settle. Smaller ones may require more frequent maintenance in high-traffic areas due to their numerous joint lines.
Style and Spatial Impact
Large-format pavers generally have a clean, uncomplicated appearance. In contrast, smaller pavers deliver create intimate and tranquil settings. These are often caused by their visual styles.
Visual style: You'll often see large paving with modern, bold, and elegant, classic styles. On the other hand, small paving is more common in classic and understated designs.
Spatial impact: Large paving can make spaces feel more enclosed due to a heavier footprint. Meanwhile, small paving can make outdoor spaces feel more spacious because they add textural interest.
Design considerations: The simplistic and sleek design of a large paving better suits contemporary projects that won't get the attention away from outdoor features or furniture. Smaller ones offer greater design flexibility, especially in prominent jointing lines, like when using a herringbone pattern.
Working and Maintenance Considerations
When planning a paver project, whether it's a small patio or an outdoor kitchen, selecting between large or small paving can impact the complexity of installation and maintenance.
Installation: In outdoor living spaces, large pavers require less jointing sand and fewer placement adjustments than small sizes, though both sizes need careful leveling during installation.
Laying pattern: While a large paver size is limited to simple arrangements like a stack bond laying pattern, a small paver size offers more creative flexibility with intricate pattern crossways and designs.
Repair: Large pavers require more extensive work when problems occur due to fewer jointing lines. On the other hand, small sizes are ideal for curved garden paths and deliver easier spot repairs since damaged units can be individually replaced.
Long-term cleaning and maintenance: Large pavers require less frequent joint cleaning yet are more prone to cracking underground movement. Smaller ones create a more flexible surface that better handles shifting in a pool deck area and loamy or silty soil conditions.
What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of a Larger Paving?
Consider both the strong points and drawbacks of a large paver size before you use it for your outdoor project.
Pros
Less maintenance and repair: Larger paving requires less maintenance than smaller ones, they can be an excellent choice for busy households.
Aesthetic design: Larger paver stones create a more contemporary, upscale look that complements most outdoor furniture styles, especially modern dining chairs.
Comfort: A wider paving provides a smoother walking surface for bare feet with fewer joint lines to step on.
Cons
Heavier and bigger footprint: A large paver has a heavier footprint, requiring specialized equipment and more workers to install properly in an outdoor living space.
Safety risks: Non-slip surfaces are harder to achieve with larger formats since there are fewer grout lines, particularly around outdoor kitchen areas.
Bigger cost: A bigger paving generally costs more per square foot due to its specialized manufacturing process.
What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of a Smaller Paving?
Weighing both the benefits and downsides of a smaller paver size will allow you to make an informed decision about whether this is the right size for your paver project.
Pros
Less base material: Since there's a smaller surface area, they don’t require as much base material to be laid down before installation. This helps to reduce the total cost of construction.
Easier to replace: Just as they are easier to install, replacing individual pavers in case of damage is much simpler when dealing with smaller stones. You don't need to lift large and heavy pieces to replace them.
Larger load capacity: Smaller pavers deliver a larger load due to their strength-to-weight ratio. This is important for areas that need to support the weight of furniture or vehicles.
Cons
Longer installation time: Smaller paver stones require more time to install due to the higher number of pieces per square foot.
Design limitations: Limited pattern options exist since intricate layouts become impractical at very small scales.
Transportation considerations: A smaller paver size tends to have more breakage during shipping and handling despite similar packaging volume.
When Should I Use Large Pavers?
When you need to cover a large area, larger pavers will help do this quickly and cost-effectively, as fewer pieces are needed to cover the same area. These bigger sizes are a great choice if you have a perfectly flat area since they can be installed quickly and easily.
When looking for a grand and impressive look, large pavers can create a dramatic effect in any outdoor space, giving it an elegant and classy feel while making it comfortable to walk on, even bare feet.
When Should I Use Small Pavers?
A small paver size is ideal when you want to create intricate design possibilities in spaces like outdoor kitchens or winding paths through patios with country gardens. They're particularly effective when you need to work around obstacles or create gentle slopes for drainage.
The smaller size allows for more creative patio paver patterns and curves, making them the perfect paver size for areas where you want to achieve a more detailed, traditional, or rustic aesthetic.
Related Questions
What Is the Best Size for Pavers?
The best size for pavers is a 6 x 12 x 3 1/8-inch paver. This size is large enough to cover a residential area while still being small enough to fit in smaller spaces.
Are Thicker Pavers Better?
Thicker pavers are generally better for high-traffic areas and vehicular applications as they provide superior load-bearing capacity and resistance to shifting. They're beneficial for driveways and commercial spaces where durability is paramount.
Which Pavers Last the Longest?
Natural stone pavers and high-quality concrete pavers typically last the longest, often maintaining their integrity for several years with proper installation and maintenance. Porcelain paving also demonstrates exceptional longevity due to its dense composition and resistance to weathering.
Why Are There Different Thicknesses in Pavers?
Different paver thicknesses exist to accommodate varying load requirements and application types, from lightweight pedestrian paths to heavy-duty commercial driveways. The variety in thickness promotes cost-effectiveness while meeting specific project requirements and local building codes.
Conclusion
Now that you know the differences, pros, and cons between large and small pavers, you can make the right choice for your paver project and create stunning, durable outdoor spaces that perfectly balance visual appeal with practical functionality. If you need help, our professional paver installers can create a long-lasting hardscape to enhance your property value.