The Heavy Stones That Hold Themselves

Most exterior stone floors are held in place by their own weight rather than glue or cement. These paving stones stay locked together simply through friction and gravity.

When you walk on a patio made of pavers, you are standing on a structure that uses no adhesives to stay level. Workers fill the tiny gaps between stones with specialized sand that locks them together tightly once it settles. Because they are not cemented to a solid base, they can shift slightly without cracking during freezing winters. This clever, flexible design has been used for centuries to create durable paths that essentially float above the soil.