A Primer On Concrete Pavers

24. September 2012 · Write a comment · Categories: Front Yards, Gardens, Landscaping · Tags: , , ,

A well-defined piece of hardscaping is what you need for making a shaggy or richly planted yard look much more manicured. Paths and patios or an upgraded driveway can provide the type of contrast needed to make a flower bed or lush lawn pop. This is in addition to helping to define the space.

However, pavers should be considered if the traditional surfacing materials do not give the right look. They have many colors than brick, are cheaper than stone, and are more durable than asphalt, making your property to have an attractive look. As they are modular, they can be installed and fixed easily, even if you are not a professional home builder.

Categories of Concrete Pavers

There are two categories of concrete pavers. They are interlocking and architectural slab. The Dutch invented the interlocking pavers after World War II, when their traditional paving material, brick, was very scarce. On the other hand, architectural slab pavers let you have a look that is more aesthetic. Though, unlike the interlocking pavers, they cannot handle auto traffic, they give you the look similar to that of natural or brick stone, and the good thing is that they are not expensive.

The Two Types of Concrete

In all concrete pavers, you will find gravel, sand, water and portland cement, but their texture and durability vary depending on the way they were made.

Architectural Slab

• Molded from wetter concrete to look like brick or stone.
• No edge spacers.
• Thin, and is not ideal for driveways.

Interlocking

• Made with very strong and stiff concrete mix.
• Edge spacers create uniform joints.
• Thick, meaning that it is ideal for all kinds of uses, including driveways.

Vital Information

The Price

In most cases, per square foot, pavers cost between $2 and $10. A pro installation, including materials and base prep, is between $6 and $15 per square foot.

Should you use DIY or hire a professional?

Tackling a path or a small patio is not too difficult even if you are not an expert. For large projects or driveways, you should hire a pro.  Professional companies such as this Utah asphalt paving company (consult your local area for paving experts) should be consulted if you have a complex project, or simply want to make sure it get’s done right the first time around.  You can start by browsing a project gallery for inspiration on how simple or how complex you want your paving project to be.

Do they hold up?

For structural integrity, a lifetime warranty is offered by interlocking pavers, while there are some architectural slabs with warranties.


Where can they go?

All of them are suitable for patios and footpaths; but, in general, if you are working on driveways, you should use only interlocking pavers. When you have a problem with rain runoff, you should use permeable pavers

Are they difficult to take care of?

No. They are concrete, and an occasional weeding and sweeping is what you need. For that just-laid look to be maintained, you should always scrub off the mildew or stains. If you live in an area of snowy climate, non-chloride deicers should be used.

Pros:

  1. Slip resistance – with driveway pavers, you will enjoy better traction than poured concrete, especially when you have steep slopes.
  2. Can be installed easily – their identical sizes, tight-fitting shapes and flat bottoms mean that pavers go down more quickly than when using natural stone.
  3. Resistance to weather – pavers are powerful enough to withstand harsh weather conditions, including freezing, without crumbling or splitting. For minimal water absorbency, you only need to ensure that they meet industry standards.
  4. Resilience – unlike poured concrete or asphalt, pavers move independently. Asphalt or concrete can crack through ­invading tree roots or ice heaves.

Cons:

  1. Color changes – the overall appearance and color can be changed by surface wear.
  2. Stains – stains cane be absorbed by pavers. Oil can be absorbed easily, making it necessary for you to do a thorough cleaning with pressure washer or a degreaser, or do a replacement.
  3. Repeats – concrete slabs have repeating textures and shapes, unlike real stone. A pro may be needed to do an installation which disguises the repeats.
  4. Weeds – you can have weeds sprouting anywhere there is a joint.

The Runoff Issue

Rainwater washing over most paved surfaces can strain municipal sewer systems and cause downstream erosion. Therefore, you should make sure that your pavers have an extra-thick base of crushed stone which has been carefully graded. This gives you optimal drainage, but the installation is more expensive and complicated.

Front Yard Gardens Add Beauty And Value

21. July 2012 · Write a comment · Categories: Front Yards, Gardens, Home Valuation · Tags: , ,

It is unfortunate that most people do not take advantage of the space in front of their homes. However, instead of using it for bins, cars or bikes, it is a place that could be developed to accommodate beautiful flowers and plans to add value to your home.

Why You Should Have Front Gardens

Front gardens give your home a good place for calling birds and buzzing insects. Second, having the gardens will encourage your neighbors to do the same, which means being green conscious. And, third, doing that means you are making a significant improvement to your local environment, which could be helpful as well in preventing flooding.

More People Now Love to Go Green

According to a recent study, more people are now interested in protecting the environment, as tat is believed to be one of the ways of preventing flooding. In addition, a study on parking, discovered that paving can cause an increase in the amount of rainwater running off, while overloading storm can drain and cause floods. On the other hand, plants and soil slow down the runoff, eventually making the water to return to the water table. Plants and trees help in making the atmosphere to be cool, and make the air to be free of pollution. They can as well provide places for wildlife to live and feed.

About 3 years ago, a new law was made, requiring any front garden with a size in excess of 5 sq m to have planning permission before pavement is done. However, even if you have a smaller garden, minimal hard landscaping would still be helpful. In addition, you should be aware that the cheapest and simplest surface is gravel, but there are many products that can be used, ranging from brick pavers with built-in spacers to matrix pavers containing an aggregate like resin-bonded gravel.

How to Properly Care For Your Front Yard Gardens

Soil

With compacted, dry and dusty soil, you should add plenty of organic matter before starting.

Shade

If you have a shady front, you should use plants which thrive in shade and provide an interesting mix of foliage shapes and shades, like box, camellias, hart’s tongue ferns, sarcococca and epimediums. You don’t need to use grass.

Clutter

Screen the bikes and bins, either with wooden screens or boxes, or off-the-peg willow, or slimline sheds. Alternatively, you could construct your own wooden shelter with a living roof. Use a neutral color to paint the wood; if you don’t want that color, you could use a shade matching the front door.

No soil

With tiny urban fronts which are covered all over with concrete, pots can be used to plant up the space. Some climbers should be plated as well, including edibles like climbing nasturtiums and beans.

Focal point

A focal point is necessary for a small front garden. Let the focal point be something like a piece of furniture, water, or simply a terracotta-shaped large pot.

Trees

Trees give screening, a habitat and scale for a variety of wildlife. It is necessary to go for a variety that fits at least two seasons – Amelanchier lamarckii and crab apples both work well in this case. You should not site the trees where they would not be able to block light from ground-floor rooms.

All-year interest

Include clipped plants and evergreens for structure for the months of winter. Put in different scented plants like Daphne odora and winter-flowering sarcococca close to the path, which will be appreciated by you anytime you pass. For the sunny urban front walls, the utterly gorgeous but more tender Trachelospermum jasminoides should be used for summer scent.