Paver materials compared
Concrete, travertine or porcelain: which paver fits the job.
Three materials cover most outdoor paving. They differ in heat, grip, upkeep and price, and each one is the right answer somewhere.
How the three compare
A quick read before the detail. Cost is relative, from lowest to highest, for the stone and its installation.
| Material | Look | Underfoot in summer | Stains | Relative cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete pavers | Widest range of shapes and colors | Warm; dark colors get hot | Can stain; sealer helps | Lowest |
| Travertine | Natural stone, soft and varied | Tends to stay cooler | Etched by acids; seal it | Middle |
| Porcelain | Clean, modern, one tone | Pale tones stay comfortable | Very resistant | Highest |
The workhorse
Concrete pavers are made by pressing a dense concrete mix into molds, which is why they come in so many shapes, sizes and colors. They are the default for driveways, because thicker units are made to carry cars and a damaged one can be lifted out and swapped.
They cost the least of the three. The trade offs are small: the surface wears slowly, colors can lighten over the years, and a white haze can appear in the first year as natural salts work their way out.
Choose them for driveways, large areas, and any job where the budget matters more than the stone itself.
Natural stone that stays comfortable
Travertine is a natural limestone, cut into pavers and often tumbled to soften the edges. Its pale, varied surface is why it shows up around so many pools, and it tends to stay more comfortable underfoot in summer sun than darker pavers.
It is softer than the other two and reacts with acids, so spilled wine, citrus and some pool chemicals can etch it. A good sealer and quick cleanups deal with most of that.
Choose it for pool decks, patios and walkways where the look and the feel underfoot matter most.
Dense, clean and hard to stain
Outdoor porcelain pavers are fired clay, pressed very dense, so they absorb almost nothing. Oil, wine and sunscreen wipe off. They come in large, thin slabs with tight joints, which gives a crisp, modern look.
They need a careful base and precise cutting, and they cost the most to buy and install. Pick an outdoor grade with a textured finish, because smooth porcelain can be slick when wet.
Choose it for modern houses, outdoor living areas and anywhere stains would be a constant fight.
When water needs somewhere to go
Permeable pavers are laid with wider joints filled with small stone, over a deeper base of open graded gravel. Rain drains down through the surface into that base instead of running off.
They make sense on lots where runoff is a problem or where a big paved area would otherwise shed a lot of water. The deeper base adds cost, and the joints need to be kept clear of silt so the water can get through.
Most paver lines, in concrete especially, have a permeable version. Ask about it if drainage keeps coming up at the site visit.
Choosing a material
Which paver material lasts the longest?
All three last for decades when the base under them is right, and the base fails long before the stone does. Concrete pavers wear a little at the surface over the years, which can soften the color. Travertine and porcelain hold their look longer, but travertine needs more care around acids and pool chemicals.
Which is best for a driveway?
Concrete pavers made for vehicle traffic are the usual choice: thick, tough and easy to replace one at a time. Travertine works on a driveway only in thicker pieces made for it. Porcelain is mostly used for patios and pool decks, and needs a specialist base if cars will cross it.
Do pavers fade in the sun?
Concrete pavers can lighten a little over the years as the surface wears and the sun works on the pigment, which is one reason a sealer is sometimes worth it. Natural travertine and fired porcelain keep their color well.
Which paver is least slippery?
Texture matters more than material. Tumbled travertine and textured concrete pavers give good grip, and porcelain comes in grades made for outdoor and wet areas. Ask to see the exact finish, and choose a rougher one anywhere near a pool.
Can I mix materials?
Yes, and it is a good way to control cost. A common approach is concrete pavers for the main field with a border or a band of something more expensive, or travertine around the pool with concrete pavers on the path that leads to it.
Not sure which stone suits your house?
Send a photo. The design rendering shows the options on your own house before you commit to one.