A Primer on Pavers

Installing pavers onto your property is a simple way to add a walkway, improve a driveway or simply make the appearance of your property a little nicer. You have a lot of options when it comes to pavers, and this article hopes to explain what patio pavers are and what kinds of pavers you can use to get the results you want.

Patio Pavers

The term patio paver refers to any masonry paving unit such as brick, stone and concrete that is meant for light traffic. These substances work well in creating paved surfaces for a relatively inexpensive cost. You can also install patio pavers yourself if you are inclined to do so.

How to Build a Patio with Pavers

The process of building a patio with pavers isn’t too complicated, but it does take some work to do it right. It’s simple enough where you can do it at home and save money from having to hire professionals to do it for you. Here are some basic steps to guide you through the process of building your own paver patio.

• Determine the size and shape of your paver patio. If you want to have your patio next to your house, you need to make sure it has a slight decline so you can keep water draining away from your house. This decline will be about an inch for every 8 feet of patio.
• Using wood stakes and Mason’s cord, make an outline of where your patio is going to go. You’ll have the easiest time making a square or rectangle shaped patio. Patios in this shape are also very easy to estimate how many pavers you’ll need to finish the job. Make sure to order a few more pavers just in case some break.
• Remove the grass or sod at the site where your patio is going to be placed. Make sure you dig at least 4 inches into the ground. When you’ve dug out enough dirt, make sure you level the surface so it is as smooth as possible. Compact the dirt when you’re finished.
• Check to make sure your ground is going to have the proper decline to irrigate water away from your house.
• Spread sand over the dirt. You need to have at least 2 inches of sand over the dirt so you’ll be able to easily make the pavers even for your patio. Compact the sand.
• Place your pavers in place and make sure each one is properly positioned. Use a soft rubber mallet to gently adjust the placement of the pavers. If you need to adjust the height of the paver, add or remove sand underneath the paver.
• When you’re done, pour sand over the pavers and then sweep the sand into the cracks between pavers. Over time, you’ll need to add more sand as rain and water will wash it away.

That’s it! It will be hard work, and it’ll take you more than a day if you do it yourself, but it’s not a project that’s so hard you need to hire a professional.
Now that you know how to install your pavers, you should try to decide what kind of pavers you want to install. There are two types we’ll discuss in this article: concrete pavers and brick pavers.

Concrete Pavers

Using concrete pavers has many benefits and advantages over other paving options.

First, concrete pavers offer a wide variety of designs available to choose from. Concrete comes in many colors and shapes, so you can choose the exact pavers you want for your backyard or patio. Some concrete pavers attempt to mimic the appearance of stone or brick and do so at a fraction of the cost. Concrete pavers can be used in many different areas, including patios, walkways, pool areas, sidewalks, garden areas and more.

Concrete pavers are also very low maintenance, which makes them a good option for anyone who doesn’t have a lot of time to spend maintaining the yard. All you really have to do to maintain concrete pavers is sweep them and hose them down periodically. If you need to repair concrete pavers, you’ll find it’s easy because you can replace the individual broken paver and then simply insert a new one.

Concrete pavers are very strong and durable, too. They can withstand extreme temperatures and carry heavy loads. Concrete pavers can actually carry heavier loads than poured concrete slabs.

Finally, concrete pavers work well in climates with extreme weather because they resist the changes in extreme cold or hot. They don’t decay when salt is poured on them, making them ideal for winter months when salt is often used to clear walkways. Concrete pavers also work well with snow shovels.

Brick Pavers

Even though concrete pavers have a lot of advantages, brick pavers have their bonuses as well.

Brick pavers are made from natural clay, sand and water. This gives them a slight variation in appearance that works as an advantage when repairs need to be made. Bricks don’t fade in color over time like some materials do, so if a brick breaks after several years, another brick can be used to replace it without it looking like a mismatch. This means they have a long term cost benefit because individual bricks are inexpensive to replace.

Bricks pavers create a flexible surface and can withstand heavy loads. They also stand up well in extreme cold weather, install very quickly, and are low maintenance. There are some cities in the US with brick streets that have lasted for hundreds of years!

Brick isn’t quite as strong as concrete, though, and isn’t meant to withstand heavy loads. If you are thinking about installing a walkway or even a driveway that will be used for lighter vehicles, brick could be a good option.

Whether you choose brick or concrete patio pavers, you are making a good choice in using pavers in general. They’re easy to maintain, last a long time and provide a high level of durability and reliability.

---

---

Write a comment

Name (required)

Mail (will not be published) (required)

Website