Thinner, lighter, stronger: the residential pavers designed with landscaper’s needs — and backs — in mind

With over 30 years of experience making products for the civil construction industry, the founders of Feinwerk Pavers saw an opportunity to use the same technology to revolutionise the residential paving industry.

“We had a group of landscapers who were aging and they wanted a product that was easier to lay; by the time a landscaper is in their forties, they’ve done some pretty hard work! We took the technology used to make fibre-reinforced concrete for the civil industry and applied it to paving manufacturing and went from there,” says Jonas Paterson of Feinwerk Pavers. 

Manufactured in Christchurch using an automated European process for consistent quality and finish, Feinwerk’s pavers appear similar to other pavers at first glance. However, thanks to fibre reinforcement, they’re thinner, lighter, and stronger, making them easier to lay.

A time-honoured tradition

Fibre-reinforced concrete is made by adding fibrous material to the concrete mixture to increase the structural integrity. The short, discrete fibres are distributed uniformly throughout with random orientation to ensure consistency. The type of fibre used depends on the manufacturer’s recipe but can range from steel to natural fibres. 

“The fibre we use is positively charged, which essentially means it doesn’t like itself, so when we add it to the mix it distributes almost immediately. It’s pretty cool stuff!”

Adding fibre to concrete is not a new phenomenon. In ancient times, horse hair was used in mortar and straw in mud brick to strengthen the material. Now, with modern additions like steel, glass, synthetic, or natural fibres, the texture and aesthetic of the concrete paver can remain smooth and uniform while benefiting from the structural integrity that fibre reinforcement provides.

Quality pavers available with same-day dispatch

Feinwerk Pavers are 25% lighter, which has allowed them to create large format pavers that would otherwise be too difficult for one person to manage on their own. 

“Our manufacturing process makes it easy for us to have a high output, which means we always have stock available and can offer same-day dispatch,” Jonas explains. “We’ve got a machine from Europe that is almost fully automated, allowing us to achieve a highly consistent product.”

With same-day dispatch, orders can be delivered to most areas across the country within four working days. And, for landscapers who need pavers right away, Feinwerk is also stocked at Mitre10 and more than forty Landscape Supply Yard Partners.  

Feinwerk Pavers range is available in a selection of colours — from cream to charcoal — and several standard sizes and profiles to suit any residential project. 

“All of our pavers meet New Zealand’s slip resistance requirements and are suitable for wet areas like pool surrounds. They are nice to walk on for both people and animals, and are strong enough to withstand the weight and wheels of ride-on mowers, wheely bins, and other types of household utility equipment.”

Landscaping often requires tight turnarounds, which is why Feinwerk is proud to provide a product that is easy to install and available when you need it. 

Learn more about Feinwerk Pavers.