Improve Your Home and Garden With Decorative Pavers
Pavers are a durable option for your home’s driveway or backyard. Photo: American Ratings Corporation ©2019
Installing pavers in your driveway or patio area is a great way to improve your home’s curb appeal, increase your home’s value and create something that reflects your unique style. In this article, we’ll discuss the advantages of decorative pavers and explore ways to use them creatively.
Why Pavers Are Worth the Investment
Let’s get this out of the way: paving stones are more expensive than poured concrete. The cost of labor is about the same, but the cost of materials is higher. However, over time, homeowners find that pavers have many advantages.
Pavers last longer. Concrete will crack, sometimes even right after it’s poured. Concrete is highly susceptible to temperature variations, and with the Bay Area’s hot summer days and chilly nights, cracking is inevitable. Pavers don’t suffer from this issue and you’ll enjoy their finished look for longer.
Pavers don’t need much maintenance. Other than occasional weeding and sweeping, pavers need minimal upkeep to look their best year after year.
Some paver systems can absorb water. Permeable pavers are installed on a base of coarse, compact rocks with spacers placed between the blocks. This allows water to be absorbed in place rather than run off to local storm drains, which is the case with concrete and asphalt. Some municipalities have strict rules about water runoff, making pavers the better option.
Pavers are easier to repair. If some of your pavers get damaged, you don’t need to completely redo the area. Paving contractors can source the same or equivalent materials to patch up the damaged spots.
Pavers Can Add Style to Your Driveway or Garden
Aside from their durability, paving stones also enable homeowners to be creative and design driveways or patio areas that are one of a kind. Paving stones come in a wide variety of colors, sizes and materials. If you’re looking to build something unique, an experienced paving stone contractor can help make your vision a reality.
Paver Materials
The three main materials used for paving stones are natural stone, brick and concrete. Natural stone and brick offer greater durability and age well, but they’re more costly. Concrete pavers may experience more wear and tear, but they come in a huge range of colors and textures. While keeping in mind your design goals, choose a material that will endure the sun exposure, rain runoff and slope of your property.
Paver Colors
Pavers (particularly concrete pavers) are available in a wide range of colors, enabling homeowners to get creative with exterior design. When selecting paver colors, find shades that will complement the existing landscape (green grass, gravel, bushes) and nearby structures (the front or back of the home, garage, swimming pool). Because the sun can break down pigments found in stained pavers, it may be wiser to choose neutral colors for areas with high sun exposure.
Paver Patterns
With pavers available in so many sizes, colors and materials, homeowners can dream up exciting ways to enhance their homes’ exterior design. By incorporating diverse pavers, homeowners can create unique patterns or even images with the stonework. At the same time, homeowners desiring a simple, elegant look can do so with traditional running or herringbone patterns.
Choose an Experienced Paving Stone Contractor for Success
Pavers can enhance the beauty of your home for decades…if they’re installed correctly. Because of the range of materials used and the variety of soil conditions found in the Bay Area, it’s important to select a contractor with ample experience. Additionally, homeowners should find a contractor who specializes in paving stone installation, rather than a contractor who offers it as a side service. An experienced contractor will have the equipment, knowledge and creativity to ensure your project is a success.
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