How to Choose the Right Pavers for Your Patio or Walkway

Choosing the right pavers for your patio or walkway is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when designing your outdoor space. With so many materials, colors, textures, and patterns available, the process can feel overwhelming. At Double A Landscaping, we help homeowners in Marengo, Ohio, and surrounding areas find the perfect solution to match their style, budget, and long-term needs. This guide will help you understand what to consider when selecting the right pavers for your project.

Why the Right Pavers Matter

When it comes to patios and walkways, pavers aren’t just a surface to walk on—they’re the foundation of your entire outdoor living experience. The style, shape, color, and quality of the pavers you choose can dramatically influence the look, function, and value of your home.

Whether you’re building a new paver patio in Marengo, updating your front walkway in Delaware, or connecting garden beds with a winding path in Johnstown, the right pavers help tie your outdoor features together while offering practical, everyday benefits.

Here’s why it’s worth choosing your pavers carefully:

• • Enhance curb appeal and increase property value
    Professionally installed pavers create a clean, upscale look that adds immediate visual appeal. When paired with features like retaining walls, garden beds, or landscape lighting, they elevate the whole property and help set your home apart in competitive markets like Sunbury and Galena.
  • Create a safe, slip-resistant surface
    Many homeowners in Central Ohio deal with rain, snow, and freezing conditions. Pavers offer a textured surface that improves traction and reduces slip hazards—especially important for walkways and steps near entrances.
  • Withstand Ohio’s changing weather
    From hot summers to icy winters, Ohio’s climate can be tough on outdoor surfaces. High-quality pavers installed with a proper base and drainage system (which we include in every paver patio or walkway project) are built to handle the freeze-thaw cycle without cracking, shifting, or sinking.
  • Match your home’s architecture and landscape
    Pavers come in a wide range of materials, colors, and styles—from rustic cobblestone to sleek modern designs. Whether you have a farmhouse in Mount Gilead or a newer build in Sunbury, our team can help you choose a paver design that complements your home’s style and blends beautifully with your landscaping.
  • Enjoy low-maintenance performance for years to come
    Unlike poured concrete or gravel, pavers are easy to clean, replace, and maintain. When combined with proper edging, drainage solutions, and optional sealing services, your patio or walkway will look great for decades with minimal upkeep.

The pavers you choose can do more than create a path or patio—they can become the foundation of your entire outdoor living space. And when combined with our retaining wall construction, landscape design, or mulch installation, they can help create a landscape that’s both functional and stunning across every season.

Key Factors to Consider When Choosing Pavers

There’s more to selecting pavers than picking a color you like. The right choice depends on how you plan to use the space, your home’s existing features, your budget, and even how much maintenance you’re comfortable with over time. At Double A Landscaping, we help homeowners in Marengo, Delaware, and throughout Central Ohio make confident choices based on function and long-term value.

1. Intended Use and Functionality

Not all pavers are built the same—and not all outdoor spaces serve the same purpose. It’s important to match the type of paver to the role it will play in your landscape:

• • • Patios: If you're planning an outdoor dining or entertainment area, comfort underfoot and visual appeal are key. Smooth, large-format pavers are popular for seating areas and grilling stations.
    • Walkways: These should provide safe, stable footing. Textured pavers with defined edges help reduce slipping, especially in shaded or high-traffic areas.
    • Driveways: These areas need the most support. Choose interlocking pavers with high load-bearing capacity that won’t crack or shift under vehicle weight.

We take into account not only the intended use but also how each feature connects with others—like when a retaining wall is needed to support elevation changes or when proper drainage must be incorporated to keep surfaces dry and safe.

2. Material Options

The material you choose will impact the look, feel, durability, and maintenance requirements of your paver project. The most common options include:

• • • Concrete pavers: Durable and cost-effective, concrete is available in a variety of shapes, colors, and finishes. It’s a great option for homeowners in Sunbury or Galena who want a clean, consistent look for a patio or walkway without breaking the budget.
    • Clay brick pavers: Known for their classic, warm appearance and long-lasting color, clay pavers suit traditional or historic homes beautifully—especially when paired with natural stone features or formal garden bed installations.
    • Natural stone pavers: These offer a premium finish with unique textures and color variation. While more expensive, stone is a smart choice for high-end patios, pool surrounds, or as an accent in custom-designed outdoor kitchens.

We’ll help you balance aesthetics and function while staying within your budget.

3. Color and Style

Pavers can dramatically enhance your landscape’s personality. Choosing the right color and layout depends on your home’s style, the surrounding landscape, and how you want the space to feel.

• • • Lighter tones (such as beige or light gray) help reflect heat, making them ideal for sunny patios in open yards.
    • Earth tones like brown, charcoal, or mossy green blend naturally with wooded or rustic surroundings.
    • Mixing paver sizes and shapes can add a modern or creative flair, while traditional patterns (like herringbone or basketweave) suit more formal spaces.

Our design team works with homeowners throughout Mount Gilead, Johnstown, and beyond to create cohesive outdoor environments that tie into other hardscape features such as walkways, fire pits, and retaining walls.

4. Maintenance and Longevity

All pavers offer some level of durability, but the amount of upkeep you’re willing to commit to should help guide your decision:

• • • Concrete pavers are low-maintenance, especially when sealed to protect against stains and fading. They’re easy to clean and individual units can be replaced if damaged.
    • Natural stone requires more care to preserve its color and texture but offers unmatched elegance and authenticity.
    • Clay brick resists wear well but may require occasional re-leveling due to natural shifting over time.

At Double A Landscaping, we install every patio and walkway with long-term performance in mind—using proper base preparation, edge restraints, and thoughtful layouts to prevent shifting, reduce weed growth, and simplify future maintenance. We also offer seasonal landscape clean-ups, mulch installation, and bush trimming to help you keep your entire yard looking its best.

Why Hire a Professional Paver Contractor?

When it comes to patios and walkways, expert installation isn’t just a bonus—it’s essential. Even the highest-quality pavers can fail if the base isn’t properly prepared, the grading isn’t accurate, or the layout isn’t precise. That’s why it pays to work with a trusted, experienced contractor like Double A Landscaping.

We bring years of hands-on experience to every job and have completed successful projects in Marengo, Delaware, Sunbury, Johnstown, and surrounding areas. Our work combines technical precision with an eye for design, so your outdoor space is not only structurally sound but also visually striking.

Here’s what we specialize in:

• • Paver patio construction
    Whether you’re dreaming of a cozy backyard retreat or a large entertaining area with an outdoor kitchen, we tailor every patio design to your space, needs, and lifestyle. Our patios can be enhanced with built-in seating, fire pits, or integrated retaining walls for added dimension.
  • Walkway installation
    From front entry paths to winding garden walkways, we build safe, attractive walkways that connect your outdoor spaces and guide guests through your landscape. We pay special attention to slope, drainage, and how the path flows with your existing features.
  • Retaining wall construction
    Many paver patios or walkways require a structural element to manage elevation changes. We construct functional retaining walls that blend seamlessly into your landscape, offering both erosion control and an appealing visual boundary.

Our process includes:

• • Detailed site evaluation and grading
  • Proper base and edge restraint installation
  • Thoughtful paver layout and joint spacing
  • Final compaction, sanding, and optional sealing

This level of detail ensures long-term performance and minimizes issues like settling, weed growth, or shifting. We don’t cut corners—our goal is to give you a patio or walkway that continues to perform and impress for years.

When you hire Double A Landscaping, you're not just getting a crew with tools. You’re getting a dedicated partner who understands the soil, weather conditions, and property styles across Central Ohio—and how to build outdoor spaces that stand up to all three.

Mini Case Study: A Walkway Upgrade in Marengo

A homeowner in Marengo recently contacted us to replace their cracked and uneven concrete path. We installed a new curved paver walkway using earth-toned concrete pavers that matched the surrounding landscaping. The result was a safer, more attractive entrance—and the project was completed in less than a week.

Proudly Serving Central Ohio

Double A Landscaping proudly serves clients throughout Central Ohio, including:

• • Marengo
  • Johnstown
  • Galena
  • Sunbury
  • Delaware
  • Mount Gilead
  • Surrounding areas in:
    • Knox County
    • Morrow County
    • Delaware County
    • Licking County

Ready to Build Your Dream Patio or Walkway?

Let’s bring your outdoor vision to life. Whether you’re replacing an outdated patio or installing a brand-new walkway, Double A Landscaping is here to help. Our experienced team will guide you through design, materials, and expert installation.

Call today or request a free estimate to get started. Discover why homeowners in Marengo and across Central Ohio trust us for beautiful, long-lasting patios, walkways, and retaining walls.