Outdoor Pavers Add Pizzazz

March 1st, 2012 Posted in Pavers
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So you’re thinking of paving an outdoor area and you’re wondering which type of surfacing system is right for your needs. Outdoor pavers are the definitive option for external spaces because they literally lay the groundwork for beautiful and versatile landscape designs. Pavers are durable, easy to install and offer great safety value. They add decorative charm to any landscape and also serve functional purposes, such as edging a garden or framing spaces.

Stone pavers are naturally occurring flagstones mined from bluestone, limestone, granite, sandstone, travertine or slate quarries. They are more expensive than manufactured pavers but remain popular because of their durability, low maintenance and fade-resistant colors. They come in an endless array of colors and cuts and can be used to achieve either an ‘old world’ effect or a modern look.

Concrete pavers are manufactured by pouring mixed concrete into patterned moulds. You can choose from any number of elegant designs and shapes. Most concrete pavers are a light gray color, providing a pleasing contrast in darker landscapes; however, these pavers come in a wide variety of colors. Concrete pavers stand up extremely well in all weather conditions and require only periodic pressure-washing to retain newness. They are a very cost-effective solution for external paving needs.

Brick pavers are another attractive paving option. These pavers are manufactured by firing a mixture of sand, cement and water in a kiln. Brick pavers are commonly a classic red color, but you can choose from a variety of striking tints and finishes. Shapes range from simple rectangular pavers to more complex wedged shapes. Curved and rounded brick pavers are ideal for edging projects. Brick pavers are known for their durability but they are not very fade-resistant and will lose some of their luster with time.

Whether you are planning to line a swimming pool deck, resurface a patio, or give your old asphalt driveway a much-needed makeover, outdoor pavers are perfect for adding pizzazz to your landscape.

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Stone Pavers – A Beautiful Addition to Your Home

January 4th, 2012 Posted in Pavers
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There are almost an unlimited number of ways to add beauty, value, and enhance your enjoyment of your home using natural stone pavers or manufactured pavers.  Pavers is a generic term for natural stone, brick, or cast concrete blocks that are used to create all types of durable, attractive outdoor surfaces such as patios, walkways, pool decks and driveways.  Pavers are usually square or rectangular shaped although some manufactured pavers are made in a variety of interlocking shapes.

Your local landscape supply center will carry many different types and styles of pavers to fit your design and budget.  Natural stone pavers are cut from quarries or rock formations and can be almost any type of stone such as granite, travertine, slate or marble.  As the name suggests, natural stone pavers are not manufactured but are natural stone cut to the desired size and shape.  Natural stone pavers are typically not uniform in color and add a rustic beauty that is hard to beat.

Manufactured pavers include brick pavers and concrete pavers.  Brick pavers are similar to traditional bricks and are made from clay and kiln fired for hardness.  They are normally rectangular, red or tan colored and can be uniform in color or have subtle color variations.

Concrete pavers are manufactured in various shapes and sizes using colored concrete.  Because of the way concrete pavers are manufactured, they can create a tightly fitted, uniformly colored surface.  Various colors and shapes can be combined to create almost any pattern desired.

Whether using natural stone, brick or concrete, pavers are an attractive alternative to traditional concrete or asphalt surfaces.

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Installing Pavers

January 11th, 2011 Posted in Pavers
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Brick, natural stone, and concrete pavers are very popular for creating attractive, durable outdoor surfaces such as patios, walkways and driveways.  Pavers come in wide range of colors, styles and sizes and they make a wonderful addition to any landscape.

Another reason pavers are so popular is because they are easy to install.  Installation requires some planning, getting your hands dirty, and some moderately heavy lifting, but most do it yourselfers can install pavers with great results.

Pavers can be installed on bare ground, on gravel, or on concrete, but the most common way for the do it yourselfer is to install them on a bed of sand. The first step is to plan your project by preparing a sketch of the design.  This will help visualize how the final project will look and help in ordering materials.

Next, measure the area and mark around the edges.  The area will need to be excavated deep enough to allow for the height of the pavers and an additional 2 inches for the sand base.  Excavate the area so that the top of the pavers will be slightly higher than the surrounding are to prevent water from pooling on top of your project.

Fill the excavated area with a two inch layer of sand, then compact the sand with a plate compacter from your local equipment rental shop.  Now you are ready to start laying your pavers.  Start from one corner and work your way out toward the other side.  Set the pavers by rapping them gently with a wooden mallet or compacting them lightly with the plate compactor.

Fill in the gaps between the pavers with sand by spreading sand over the top of your project and sweeping the sand into the cracks and enjoy your new patio or walkway.

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Types of Pavers

January 11th, 2011 Posted in Pavers
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Paver is a generic term for hard blocks used to create flat outdoor surfaces such as walkways, patios, and driveways.   Pavers come in a wide variety of types and styles and are very popular with do-it-yourselfers because they are easy to work with, very forgiving, and can be used to create attractive outdoor surfaces in almost any size or style imaginable.  If you don’t want to install them yourself, your local landscaping company will be happy to help.

Although almost any hard material can be used as a paver, the most commonly used pavers are natural stone, brick, and concrete.  Natural stone pavers are available in an unlimited variety and sizes.  They make very beautiful, rustic patios and walkways.  Almost any type of natural stone is available as stone pavers including granite, marble, travertine, limestone, bluestone, and many others.

Brick pavers are made from a mixture of cement, sand and other materials and then fired in a kiln to create a durable, hard product in uniform sizes.  Brick pavers are made in various colors with reddish and tan colors being most common.  Brick pavers have excellent wear characteristics and an almost indefinite lifespan.

Concrete pavers are made in an endless variety of shapes, colors and sizes.  They are also very long lasting and offer a more finished surface.  Because they are manufactured, they can be made more uniform than other types of pavers resulting in a tighter fit between pavers.  Some concrete pavers are made to interlock with each other and are very easy to install.

Pavers of all types are available at your local landscape supply company.

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