Not being visible in the end allows it to be placed and “roughed-in.”  After the concrete as set up, a veneer of stone, brick, concrete paver, or tile is used for the decorative finish. 

An alternate method of paving would be to use an decreasingly less course layer of aggregate which is compacted on top of existing soil (after excavation to obtain proper elevations) which is compacted into place.  The decorative finish is then vibrated into place with a motorized tamper. 

The latter method is cheaper but more vulnerable to moisture, shifting, and damage by vehicular traffic.  It also requires proper locked banding to prevent edges from giving way and loosening the remainder of the paving structure.  This method also does not allow for mortared joints in the decorative veneer due to that same shifting potential. 

Stone veneers can be categorized into broken which is a usually a more loose, natural look.  Or they can be saw-cut giving each edge a crisp, clean, finished look.  Patterned stone is a saw-cut stone that is dimensioned in 6” increments and laid in a predictable but slightly noticeable pattern. 

Brick is a familiar material that is laid in sometimes less familiar patterns.  These patterns are called the “bond.”  A running bond is the most familiar followed by a basketweave, herringbone, Flemish bond, half-basket, ladder weave and others. 

Interlocking concrete pavers are becoming more useful due to their more readily affordable cost and their ability to be laid on subgrade.  Probably more appropriate for driveways and pool decks on a residential scale, more finely detailed pieces are being developed every few years. 

Stamped concrete has a much more affordable cost than brick and stone but can give the user many different patterns, colors, and textures from which to choose.  The casual observer can often not tell the difference between real stone and stamped concrete at first glance.   

The downside of this product is tied into cost and scale.  Smaller projects are not really cost effective as an alternate to brick and stone.  It takes increased square footages such as driveways, pool decks, and larger patios to take advantage of the cost savings between to the opposing media. 

Exposed aggregate is a type of concrete finishing where a decorative aggregate such as pea gravel is used in the concrete, seeded on the surface, and then washed during finishing to expose the aggregate protruding through the top of the concrete.  This finishing technique takes someone experienced and adept to produce a lasting result of true beauty.  When well done it appears easy but is a job that is very much a product of proper timing and should be left to those with years of experience. 

Few of us are unfamiliar with the ubiquitous broom-finished concrete slab.  However, more of us are unfamiliar with some of the “flavorings” that can be used to set apart this very affordable paving medium.

 When budget dictates we will often border concrete slabs with coordinating stone, brick, or granite slabs to tie it back into an existing architectural element.  Similar effects can be achieved with inlays of panels or medallions.   

We also saw cut decorative joints into a concrete slab to give it both a texture and a visual grid.  With a little creativity and thought, concrete can be used to stretch the budget of many garden projects. 

Sometimes in very natural garden settings, pathways and walks can be achieved by simply carving out the spaces and topping off with aggregate of differing textures or colors or even using different types of mulch such as pinestraw, bark, or shredded cypress.  The maintenance on these spaces are increased severely since the aggregate is free to wash, blow, and track.  None-the-less, some very pleasing and functional spaces can be created when money savings is a must.