Choosing Between Smooth and Textured Cambridge Pavers: Your 2024 Guide to Safety, Style, and Long-Term Value
When planning your outdoor hardscape project, one of the most critical decisions you’ll face is selecting the right paver texture. Cambridge Pavers offers both textured and smooth options, with textured pavers currently being “the in thing” and Cambridge Design Kits providing contractors the right products to achieve great results in a cost-efficient manner. Understanding the differences between smooth and textured surfaces can help you make an informed choice that balances safety, aesthetics, and functionality for your specific needs.
The Safety Factor: Slip Resistance Matters
Safety should be your top priority when selecting pavers, especially for high-traffic areas like pool decks, walkways, and outdoor kitchens. Safety is paramount, especially in areas like outdoor kitchens, pool decks, walkways, and the like. Pavers in these spaces should ideally be non-slip, even when wet. However, the relationship between texture and safety isn’t always straightforward.
Textured surfaces ensure a safe and slip-resistant footing, making them ideal for pedestrians of all ages. The natural grip provided by textured pavers comes from their surface irregularities, which increase friction underfoot. These pavers have textured surfaces to increase friction, making them particularly valuable in wet conditions.
Interestingly, this doesn’t necessarily mean that your selected patio materials must be textured. Some smooth pavers come with a slight pebbled texture that provides surprising grip. Consult with your landscaping contractor to find brands that offer smooth yet non-slip options. Cambridge Pavingstones are produced with ArmorTec, providing a smooth, dense and skid-resistant surface with rich color that will maintain its true integrity.
Cambridge’s 2024 Texture Options
Cambridge continues to expand their texture offerings in 2024, providing homeowners with diverse options to suit various design preferences and functional requirements. The XL Smooth 3-Pc. Design Kit is the counterpart to our very well-received textured paver version. The convenience of their modular configuration allows the three larger-scale pavers to create exciting architectural designs with their stunningly smooth surface.
For those seeking natural appeal, Cambridge’s larger-scale pavers feature a textured look that resembles that of natural stone. The popular Ledgestone series exemplifies this approach, with three specially designed, modular shapes each possessing a premium level, architectural finish with prominent bluestone-like clefts on the surfaces.
Cambridge offers both textured and smooth options, including a Ledgestone smooth 3-piece design kit, giving homeowners flexibility to choose based on their specific aesthetic and functional preferences.
Aesthetic Considerations: Modern vs. Natural Appeal
Your choice between smooth and textured surfaces significantly impacts your outdoor space’s overall aesthetic. Depending on your style, you can choose between textured or smooth pavers. If a natural look, earth tones and organic feel and style are your top priorities, textured ledgestone is a great choice. If you’re looking for a more modern and sleek look, smooth stone is definitely the way to go.
The modern design aesthetic often leans toward sleek, smooth textures underfoot, particularly in contrast to more textured vertical surfaces like retaining walls and outdoor kitchens. This creates visual balance and prevents overwhelming the space with competing textures.
However, if you’re drawn to the rustic charm of flagstone or bluestone, with their uneven textures, you can still achieve a modern look. Pairing textured pavers with minimally textured or smooth vertical elements can create a balanced, natural feel.
Visual Impact and Scale Considerations
Visual texture plays a significant role in the overall feel of your patio. For instance, a patio made of small bricks—even if they’re smooth—creates a lot of visual texture due to the scale of the pavers. Smooth surfaces can make small areas feel larger with their sleek design, and this paver style is perfect for the whole job or to delineate different areas within your outdoor space.
It’s generally advisable to avoid pairing highly textured pavers with similarly textured walls, as this can lead to an excessively rustic look. Similarly, completely smooth surfaces might risk looking too sterile. The key is to expertly combine material, scale, and landscape to achieve the exact visual texture you desire.
Why Choose Valley Supply for Your Cambridge Paver Project
When selecting cambridge pavers for your project, working with an experienced, knowledgeable supplier makes all the difference. Valley Supply Corp. has been providing the Nassau County community with the largest selection of masonry supplies, including a full-line of Cambridge Pavingstones since 1956. As one of the region’s first Premier Cambridge Pavers Distributor, when you shop with us, you’ll have access to all of the incredible Cambridge ArmorTec products in every color, style, and system the manufacturer offers.
Valley Supply has been a family owned and operated mason & building supply since 1956, located at the same location for over 50 years. Valley Supply is not a contractor so there’s no commitment and no pressure – just local friendly advice and ideas for your Cambridge project. They never put profits before people, which means that you’ll never be hassled with high-pressure sales tactics, be pushed into making a decision, or have to worry about feeling trapped into making a commitment. When you shop with us, you never need to make a commitment.
Making Your Final Decision
The choice between smooth and textured Cambridge pavers ultimately depends on your specific needs, aesthetic preferences, and safety requirements. Consider factors such as:
- The intended use of your paved area (high-traffic walkways vs. decorative patios)
- Your home’s architectural style and existing landscape elements
- Local climate conditions and exposure to moisture
- Maintenance preferences and long-term durability expectations
Valley Supply has various “Hands On” wall and paver displays of Cambridge’s most popular styles and colors. Stop by to view and study the coloration and quality that goes into every Cambridge product. Valley Supply is recognized as a Premier Dealer and Long Island’s One-Stop Source for the complete line of quality Cambridge Pavingstones.
Whether you choose the natural appeal of textured surfaces or the contemporary elegance of smooth pavers, Cambridge’s 2024 offerings provide exceptional quality and durability. The 100% natural and sustainable Cambridge ArmorTec® paving and wall systems make you feel confident in your choice for their quality, durability and environmentally responsible footprint. By carefully considering safety, aesthetics, and your specific project requirements, you can select the perfect Cambridge paver texture to create an outdoor space that’s both beautiful and functional for years to come.