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FLOORS FOR YOUR OUTDOORS

A Brief History

Decorative concrete paving stones (pavers or segmental pavement) first appeared in Europe following the World War II as a fast and economical way of repairing the destruction of war. Pavers have a long history of successful applications on residential and commercial projects worldwide. They also have steadily gained popularity in North America.

The most common applications include patios, driveways, walkways and pool decks. Pavers are an attractive alternative to poured concrete or asphalt. They are versatile, and can be arranged in many different patterns, are available in many different colors, shapes and textures enhancing the architectural style of new and existing homes.

Did you know?

• Pavers are several times stronger than concrete (Pavers – 8,000 psi vs. Concrete – 2,000 psi).

• A properly installed paver application will outlast properly installed concrete.

• Concrete cannot be patched without leaving evidence of the repair.

• Pavers can be easily replaced if damaged, leaving no evidence of the repair.

• All pavement failures are normally caused by improper base preparation/compaction.

• Most paver manufacturers offer water permeable pavers, reducing storm water run-off.

• Most importantly, pavers add beauty and flavor as well as value to your home or business.

Application and Installation

To insure a long lasting, trouble-free installation, it is a good idea to hire a landscape professional to do the work for you. Although pavers are available at most home centers and block/brick distributors, most homeowners do not have the tools and equipment needed to insure a proper installation. Additionally, you can rent the right tools and equipment, but no rental counter can give you the experience and peace-of-mind like a professional landscape company, such as Totalscape.

Typically, pavers are priced by the square foot of finished product. One of the variables in paver projects affecting the final price is the actual application itself; whether it is a driveway versus a patio, raised patio, etc. Most hardscape contractors will offer to do a design for your project if it is more involved and includes features such as a fire-pit, seat-walls, steps or an outdoor kitchen, bar/buffet as well as lighting or electrical incorporated into the project. For more information on how pavers are installed, you can visit www.belgard.biz to view an installation video.

Your home is your most valuable investment and it is our goal at Totalscape to help you enhance the value while providing you with an environment you will love to come home to.

Properly Installed Applications

Pavers are subject to failure as is any other pavement. Properly installed pavers will have a minimum of 4-6” of compacted class 5 aggregate as a base, compacted in layers or lifts. Pavers should be installed on a bedding of coarse sand no more than 1” in thickness. This sand should meet ASTM C-33 standards (the bags of sand from the local hardware store do not meet this requirement). Drainage is always a concern and proper planning should include how to handle additional water run-off or diversion of the existing drainage flow to new areas. This may also require part or all of the paved area to be raised or supported by retaining wall block.

True or False?

“Our climate is too severe for pavers.” FALSE - Although base thickness is pretty standardized throughout North America, there are factors such as soils and climate that can affect the overall long term project. A well trained and experienced installer will allow for these factors when installing your project. Properly installed pavers will flex with expansion and contraction of soils in severe climates without causing any problems at all.

“Pavers are far too expensive to install and require upkeep.” FALSE - Although they are generally more expensive than traditional concrete initially, the benefits of aesthetics and longevity make them very price competitive and they do not require annual upkeep. Pavers look good year after year and it must be a commonly held myth that somehow they must require maintaining.

“Pavers are very slippery, especially when wet.” FALSE – Pavers are more dense than poured concrete, and therefore have the appearance of being slick, especially when wet. In northern climates such as ours, a paver surface will melt off and dry much quicker than standard concrete.

The Environment

The demands on the resources of this planet continue to increase and it is Totalscape’s goal to be environmentally responsible in our work. As demand increases on our resources and more land is being developed, the soils capacity to absorb and filter storm water run-off diminishes. Pavers are available in a variety of styles that offer an environmentally-friendly solution, thereby reducing storm water run-off while using many recycled products in the process to allow filtration of contaminated run-off before it reaches lakes, streams or rivers.

Totalscape has been trained in the installation of permeable pavers and already uses many recycled products in our installation of all segmented pavement. Traditional concrete only contributes to storm water run-off carrying with it any contaminants.

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