When it comes to adding to your property’s landscaping design, the most common choices people go with are pavers, concrete and flagstones. By and large, most residential homeowners prefer pavers because this building material offers the most versatility. Lets move to the way to a beautiful landscape with pavers with this blog.
Because of its versatility,they can be used for most types of outdoor living spaces, like gazebos or outdoor barbecue pits. Theexterior flooring materialcan also be used for driveways, although thicker pavers with appropriate aspect ratios will be needed, as these specific paving stones will have to withstand the weight of most types of vehicles.
Once you’ve decided on the type of project for your pavers, you’ll need to find the right kind of design. Often, adesign will be informed by its texture. Most traditional stonescome with a finish that makes it look like processed concrete. However, some typescould have artificially-worn edges, which is accomplished by putting the paving stonein a tumbler, for a more rustic, European feel. Meanwhile, those with a slate texture are often used to mimic natural stone.
Although most people with a bit of D.I.Y. experience can install it themselves, but be warned: you get what you pay for. Other than the actual paving stones themselves, you’ll also have to consider the type of soil you’re installing them on, the type of traffic andeven the weather. AÂ landscape paving company in Minneapolis may have products with different properties from what landscape paversuse in, say, California.
Here are more reasons to consider using paving stones for your next landscaping projects:
Durable, Easy to Maintain, and Affordable
Most paving stones are installed using an interlocking system, so they stay in place while allowing them a certain amount of flexibility to expand and contract as the weather changes. This makes them a superior choice to concrete slabs which are prone to breaks and cracks. Cracked concrete is problematic not just because it’s unsightly, but because the spaces that the cracks create can become overgrown with weeds. It also allows water to seep into the concrete itself, damaging it further and leading to complete breakage.
Meanwhile, interlocked brick pavers allow for excess moisture to evaporate faster, which helps decrease the chance of water damage and discourages the growth of weeds. So it’s easier to maintain, much more durable, and ultimately, a more affordable choice than poured concrete.
Allows for More Creativity
Paving stones come in such a wide variety of options that, really, the sky’s the limit when it comes to creative designs. Most suppliers will provide customers with a wide array of pavers in different textures, shapes, patterns and colors.
Concrete can, theoretically, be shaped into whatever you need to, this is an expensive and time-consuming process. Meanwhile, paving stones are ready to be installed, and they come in any kind of form you need it to be. The most common types of design people choose are the rectangular pavers, which give landscapes a “cobblestone” feel.
What to Expect During Installation
Paver installation is a relatively simple process which may include the following steps:
- Digging
- Creating barriers
- Creating a base
- Providing Drainage
- Edging
- Filling
- Installation of filler pavers
Installers will first have to dig an appropriate depth for your paver. Once this has been set, they’ll create a barrier using landscaping cloth. This is to discourage the growth of weeds and other types of vegetation in the soil where the paver will be set.
Once the barrier has been completed, installers will then create a base, which is a flat and level surface where the pavers will actually sit. Next to the base, installers will create slopes and grades, forming a drainage system that will help the soil dry out as fast as possible.
To help keep the paving stones intact during installation, installers will create edges around your landscaping area using vinyl edging or, in some cases, more pavers. Once the edges have been installed, it’s time to fill up the space with your pavers. In case of uneven shapes, extra pavers will be shaped and cut to fill out any excess space.
The right kind of paver can create a beautiful aesthetic for any kind of landscaping project and is a great option for homeowners looking to provide their house with a relaxing and gorgeous outdoor setting.
