Anyone planning a driveway edge or courtyard in granite block soon hits a fork in the road: new stone or antique. Both are real granite and both last, yet they give very different results. Here is how to think it through.

New Block: Clean and Consistent

REALGOODS Company says new granite cobblestone and Belgian block come in several colors, including gray, rose, black, yellow, and buff. Sizes run from cubes at about 4 inches to jumbo block at about 10 inches long, plus 2, 3, and 4 inch thicknesses in standard and custom sizes. New stone gives crisp edges and an even look.

Antique Block: Patina and History

Antique stone has already served for a century or more, and it shows delightful patina that gives a true old-world feel. The company describes antique blocks in typical sizes of mini, regulation, and jumbo, plus half-thickness versions. Color is usually a mixed gray, with pink and others from time to time.

The Freight Angle

Half-thickness antique stones offer freight savings, because a truck can carry double the square footage. If you are paying for delivery over a long distance, this detail can matter more than it first appears.

Matching the Style of the House

A new, tidy house with a sharp driveway edge may call for new block. A farmhouse, brick colonial, or historic district property often looks better with antique stone that already seems at home. Look at photos of finished jobs before choosing.

A Side-by-Side Look

• New: even color, crisp edges, wider size choice
• Antique: worn surfaces, mixed tones, character
• Both: durable, repairable, low upkeep
• Either can be set with or without mortar

Where to Look

People searching for belgium blocks for sale can compare both types on the company's cobblestone page and call 888-433-4443 to ask about current stock. The company says it carries a wide selection.

Mixing the Two

Some designers use new stone for the field of a surface and antique stone for borders or accents. A mix can look intentional if the colors are close, so ask for samples of both before ordering.

Upkeep Is Simple

Either type needs little care. Sweep, pull weeds from joints, and reset any stones that shift. Over time the surface settles into itself and looks better, not worse.

Think About Edges and Joints

Antique stones are often less uniform, so joints may vary a little more. That is part of the look. New stones are cut more regularly, so joints stay narrower and straighter. Decide which character you prefer before you order.

See It Before You Commit

Ask for photographs of finished projects in both types of stone. Seeing real driveways and courtyards makes the choice much easier than studying a size chart.