The Benefits and Drawbacks of Paver Patios


Paver Patios
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We’ve heard a lot of myths regarding paved patios throughout the years. The internet is a useful tool that provides access to a vast amount of information. However, we’ve discovered that not all of the data is correct or presents a comprehensive picture. When it comes to paver patios, it appears that data is slanted against them. We’ve seen personally how they’re a great solution for many folks who want to improve their landscape or outdoor living space. We’d want to compile a lot of information so you can make an informed decision.

Continue reading to discover the true benefits and drawbacks of paver patios.

Pavers are strong and long-lasting.

The term “paver” is most usually used to describe concrete stones. Pavers composed of clay, brick, or natural stone are also available. They’re usually little bits of varying sizes that are installed in a variety of colours, textures, and patterns. The parts connect to provide a flexible and robust paving structure when correctly fitted. Because an interlocking concrete pavement has so many joints, the pavers are extremely robust and resistant to cracking and breaking. The majority of pavers are 3 to 4 times stronger than the home’s concrete foundation. Many of the paving stone producers give a lifetime warranty on their products.

Most pavers are also made with colours and particles that run the length of the paver, so if a little chip occurs, it will be less obvious. Color may be added to poured concrete, but it fades fast and will need to be repainted every year or two. A protective sealant might be placed to both pavements to help them last longer.

Paver patios take longer to construct than concrete patios.

An average-sized paver patio takes an experienced workforce 3-5 days to install from start to finish due to the procedure. Concrete patios may be poured in a matter of hours, but cure time is one to three days. You may walk on a paver patio right away once it’s been put.

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Building pavers is a more involved operation than installing other types of patios. Small equipment will, in most situations, make the job easier and less taxing on the back. Here’s how to go about doing it:

  • Clean the installation area of any dirt or grass: It’s critical to lay the patio on a level surface, so either you or a professional landscaper should dig down to the right depth (in Connecticut that would be 12-18 inches depending on the soil type).
  • Level the freshly exposed earth and the subsoil in the region. Compacting the subsoil is usually a good idea to keep it from settling later. A geotextile stabilisation cloth can be used to line the trench area for added strength.
  • Pour the gravel and level the area: After adding the gravel to the whole patio area (in four-inch lifts at a time), level the surface with a steel hand tamper or vibrating compactor. Depending on the soil type and usage of the pavement, some places may require a deeper base; in Connecticut, for example, we need roughly 8″ of crushed gravel (that’s 12″ compressed down to 8″) for a patio basis on ordinary soils.
  • Install bedding sand: To place the pavers on, lay down an even 1″ of sand. This sand interacts with the pavers, allowing them to interlock as they are compressed into the setting bed.
  • Install the pavers: Using the plan that you’ve drawn out, start putting the pavers in position by clicking and dragging them into place as needed.
  • Layout and secure the edging: Use PVC or metal edging along the patio’s perimeter, then secure the edging with spikes every 12 inches or so.
  • Fill up the spaces between the pavers with sand using a brush to cover the whole patio surface. Polymer Sand is a great sand for paver joints; nevertheless, read the installation instructions completely before using it. It should be vibrated into the joints to ensure that the sand reaches the paver’s bottom.
  • After you’ve finished installing your patio, preserve it by spraying it with a paver sealant to make it more weather-resistant.
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A Paver Patio might be more expensive than other solutions.

Although paver installation costs more up front than other solutions, you’ll save money in the long term thanks to easier and less expensive maintenance techniques. For example, the cost of a simple paver patio is initially 30% more than the cost of a stamped concrete patio of the same size. Stamped concrete, on the other hand, will eventually cost more to maintain than a paver patio (recoloring and sealing every 4–6 years).

Another cost consideration is the construction materials and equipment required to establish a paver patio versus another concrete product that may or may not require them. Gravel base, stabilisation fabric, bedding sand, edging and spikes, compactors, and excavators are examples of these materials. These costs are in addition to the cost of the paving stones, making a paver patio’s initial investment costlier.

Paver Patios are Ideal for Seasonal Changes and Variable Climates.

It’s vital to keep in mind that the winter weather might have an impact on your patio. The earth expands and shrinks throughout the winter months as the moisture in the ground freezes and thaws. This can happen 90 to 100 times every year in Connecticut. There may be less than 10 cycles each year in warmer areas. Regardless, the patio moves with the earth as it grows and compresses. This may readily lead to cracks in solid surfaces such as concrete’s weakest places. There are more seams throughout the pavement surface with a paver patio because of the way it is placed (piece by piece and fitted together), enabling the pavers to individually stretch each time, but then, ideally, settle back into their original position as the expansion subsides. If the appropriate building procedures are applied, a professionally designed paver patio will move very little.

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Weeds grow on paver patios over time.

Paver patios are made up of several little pieces. When they are originally placed, many of the joints are filled with sand. The sand can wash away over time and must be supplied and maintained. Other trash and weed seeds will make their way into the joints if they are not topped up with sand. Weeds might take over the pavers over time.

Polymer sand, which became accessible around ten years ago, revolutionised the paver industry. When laid correctly, poly sand hardens in the paver joints, preventing weeds from taking root. It isn’t totally fail-safe, but it prevents 95-98 percent of them.

A weedy paver patio may be entirely transformed. The joints can then be cleaned and replaced with fresh poly sand. Professional cleaning and restoration services are available for older paver projects.

Paver patios are easy to maintain.

Repairs on or beneath a paver patio are more easier and more seamless than those surrounding a concrete patio, where you may wind up having to replace the entire concrete slab. Paver patios require relatively little maintenance. As needed, sweep or blow any debris off the patio surface. The majority of stains may be readily removed with soap and water. There are numerous cleansers that are intended for the type of stain – food, oil, grease, or rust – that may be used if necessary.

To make maintenance and cleaning even easier, protective sealers can be applied. Sealers also preserve pavers from wear and tear from the elements. Some sealers may need to be reapplied from time to time, depending on the type of sealer used. They come in a variety of finishes, ranging from nearly undetectable to a film-forming sealer with a wet appearance.

Conclusion

There is no one-size-fits-all solution to whether or not a paver patio is ideal for you. However, as you can see from the numerous benefits listed above, it is a wonderful choice for many homeowners, particularly those in Connecticut. Before making any selections, consult an expert, such as a member of the Eco Landscapes team, and conduct research to determine what sort of patio would best suit your design and durability requirements.

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Michelle Gram Smith
Michelle Gram Smith is an owner of www.parentsmaster.com and loves to create informational content masterpieces to spread awareness among the people related to different topics. Also provide creating premium backlinks on different sites such as Heatcaster.com, Sthint.com, Techbigis.com, Filmdaily.co and many more. To avail all sites mail us at [email protected].