Know More About Landscape Pavers
Whether its for a driveway, a patio sitting area, a walkway
or pool decking, concrete pavers should be considered as an alternative
material choice in every landscape design. There are numerous reasons why they
have captured such a huge part of the landscape flooring market and here we
discuss what those benefits are that make them so popular. Concrete pavers have
evolved over the years from being used in many commercial applications to
simulate the look of bricks to now simulating the look of real stone. They
color blends and textures have now allowed designers to use concrete pavers in
applications that call for an economical alternative to using real stone
materials.
1) Flexibility in Design
Pavers come in a variety of patterns, textures and colors
from contemporary patterns to combinations of units that mimic European
cobblestone. Because they are molded, texture can be created to not only
resemble a brick but a rounded stone or even a piece of cut flagstone. Pavers
are generally smaller units and can be laid to follow the terrain. They can be
installed directly on the contours of the land.Landscape Lighting is one of the authority sites on this topic.
2) Very Low Maintenance
Unlike wood or real stone, concrete pavers do not crack or
react to absorption of water. Wood will rot if not sealed to resist the
penetration of water. Real stone will also become vulnerable to constant
moisture. Pavers do absorb water, but do not change their inherent structure.
They do not flake or become weakened by the presence of water or moisture.
Debris that accumulates naturally simply needs to be swept or hosed off.
Application of a sealer is optional and not required. Sealers are often used
where someone wants the pavers to take on an enhanced tone. Sealers will also
help to resist the absorption of stains as concrete pavers are porous just like
natural stone.
3) Pavers Will Not Crack
Compared to regular concrete, pavers are crack free. Their
inherent design allows them to flex and move because of their many dry joints
between the individual pavers. No poured concrete is used in the installation,
only a compacted aggregate base and sand. Edge restraints can be packed
concrete along the outer perimeter or special plastic edge restraints designed
specifically for pavers. Tile, stone, flagstone or any other material that must
be installed over a concrete slab is subject to cracking of the underlying
slab. Poured concrete without stone on top will also crack because it's the
nature of concrete to crack. Expansion joints are intentionally placed in
poured concrete applications to allow for this natural cracking. Unfortunately,
concrete does not always crack along the expansion joints. And when it doesn't
the whole appearance can be ruined.
A cost comparison of alternative flooring surfaces will show
that pavers are in the mid range of
available options. Materials such as higher end travertine or flagstone are at
the top along with premium wood or composite wood. At the low end of landscape flooring
options, we have basic gravel, then loose flagstone pieces set in sand and then
basic natural gray poured concrete which is why so many of our driveways and
sidewalks use basic natural gray concrete. But if you want to stretch your
budget a bit and get something that has a completely more exciting look and
feel compared to basic concrete, using pavers is a great option. When you
embellish basic concrete by adding color or perhaps adding aggregate for
texture, you are adding to the overall cost, but remember, you still have the
risk of cracking.
5) Innovation is Improving with Paver Technology
The styles and shapes now available in the market give the
designer a lot of flexibility to emulate the appearance of natural stone.
Travertine quarries have even created cut travertine stones that are typically
6" x 12" and thick enough to be used in lieu of concrete type pavers.
Other natural stone is not conducive to being cut in this fashion. But
travertine pavers are also popular for the application where a natural stone is
preferred and the budget is a bit higher than for concrete pavers.
