STONE DRIVEWAYS + COBBLES
Stone Driveways: 4 Reasons You Should Choose Cobbles
1. Beauty: Nothing compares to cobblestones
Whether you call them cobblestones—the Old English term for “small, round stones”—or sampietrini, as the locals in Rome do, their elegance is unmatched. Warm tones. Worn surfaces. Textured, tasteful, timeless.
Cobblestone driveways serve as the gateway to your overall landscape design. Are your clients debating a color palette of grays and blues, tans and beiges, browns and rusts? Stone Curators has you covered. The beauty of cobblestone is equaled only by its versatility, with species like granite, limestone, and sandstone—plus limitless shape and design patterns so you can create a truly stunning first impression.
If you’ve ever walked Rome’s beautiful, bustling streets at sunset, where perhaps a recent rainfall set the cobblestones gleaming, you’ll know why Stone Curators has become the region’s leading provider of cobbles. Simply put, we love these old stones whose story spans millennia. Stones that last that long and look that good tend to make an impression. It’s why we recommend bringing that remarkable cobblestone story—whether reclaimed or manufactured, European or North American—into your modern-day designs for stone driveways and motor courts. After all, a driveway is the first impression visitors get, and you only get one chance to make it.
Here are 4 reasons to use cobblestones for your next stone driveway design:
2. Durability: Cobblestones last forever
Considering the amount of pounding driveways take day after day and year after year, they demand the most durable material possible. Asphalt is destined to crack. Concrete pavers are essentially disposable. Comparing cobblestones to other options like these, well, there really is no comparison. Just ask the Roman Empire, whose cobble paths can still be walked today.
One key element to keep in mind: Physics. The way cobblestones fit together forges a sturdy surface that can handle a heavy burden without breaking down. And when prepared and installed correctly, a cobblestone driveway stays strong and
3. Permeability: A rainwater-friendly surface
Another strength of how cobblestone driveways are arranged? The space between. Setting cobbles in sand allows rainwater and ice-melt to run through the joints and back into the earth, rather than pooling up and causing damage.
The surface texture of cobblestones can also keep a driveway from being slippery, but it’s important to remember that different textures can alter the stone’s appearance, in some cases dramatically. That’s why we recommend viewing material samples in the desired surface texture—whether naturally gritty or through an applied technique—before making a final selection.
4. Optionality: A breadth of reclaimed and modern styles
Each reclaimed cobble from Stone Curators is unique to its origin, from New England to Europe and beyond. Sourcing from so many globe-spanning locations ensures your client has the widest range of textures, tones, and colors to choose from for their driveway.
If your project calls for a more modern style, manufactured cobbles may be the way to go. We can produce custom sizes, configurations, and even surfaces. For example, while sandstone has a naturally gritty surface, sawn granites might best be flamed to raise the crystal structure or grain. You can lean on our expertise and craftsmanship to design just the right look.
Your partner in stone
If you dream it, we can make it. Stone Curators discovers the world’s most extraordinary stones—reclaimed or manufactured, they’re ready for your next driveway project. Let’s work together and turn your bold vision into a lasting legacy in stone.
