Concrete Pavers Guide

When it comes time to install concrete pavers, or any kind of pavers, in a new driveway, there are a few things you should watch out for, especially if a contractor is doing the work for you. I’ve seen too many cases of horrible paver jobs go awry, and if this happens with a driveway, it can be a huge mess. So when you are getting pavers installed – and especially if you are doing the work yourself – watch out for these four things to make sure that you project goes smoothly and stays beautiful for life:

Watch the Pitch or Grade of the Driveway

Even though your driveway with pavers will be somewhat permeable due to the joint system that connects them all, you still want to be careful about where the water is traveling during a rain storm. I’ve seen so many mishaps occur because the grading wasn’t right; simply pitch the driveway towards your house or a garden and you’ll have a horrible mess on your hands. Thus, make sure your driveway is pitched to allow water to flow out the street or towards some other drainage area to ensure that you won’t have issues with flooding.

Make Sure the Paver Base is Deep Enough

Since cars will be driving and parking on the driveway, you’ll want to make sure that the aggregate base below is of adequate thickness. It should be around 6-12″, usually tending towards the latter half of that range, to ensure that the pavers above will be able to withstand the rigors of your vehicles above. During the preparation of the base, the aggregate should be compacted at least two or three times to make sure that the foundation is solid.

This also applies in general to the quality of the paver base or foundation. Driveways with pavers are only as good as their foundation, so if the base is messed up, you can expect some issues with your paving stone project. So make sure you or your contractor, whoever is installing the driveway, spends a lot of time and care on this step!

Paver Driveway Cost Can Creep Up On You

As you know, concrete pavers are already expensive. But add in the expense of using them with a driveway and you would be surprised at how expensive it can get. This is because there is usually a lot of excavation needed to prepare the driveway properly. In addition, a lot of material needs to be used in order to prepare the project, and since vehicular traffic will be present, you’ll need to make sure that the base will be strong and secure enough to handle it. In addition, if cost is an issue with you, make sure you don’t get too fancy with your design. The more curves and twists you add to your driveway, the more money you’ll pay due to the increase in materials and labor needed to cut the brick into the appropriate shapes.

What Else to Add to Your Driveways with Pavers?

If you are getting a new paver driveway installed, it’s usually a good time to consider adding other projects, such as walkways and patios, at the same time. This is because you’ll be able to use the same contractor with the same batch of pavers, ensuring stylistic harmony and uniformity throughout the whole hardscape. Of course, you could wait until later seasons to get other work done, but you run the risk of having each aspect of your yard stand out as having been done separately. In addition, you’ll also save a bunch of money by having these projects done at the same time.

These are just four of the things you should keep an eye on when you are getting a new driveway installed. Cover these bases and you’re project will be beautiful, valuable, and durable.

Tags: advice, DIY, driveways

Masonry retaining walls serve two main purposes. The first is entirely functional – it holds back ground and dirt that would otherwise slope forward, keeping the slope intact and preventing accidents, especially when it rains heavily and water flows down the slope. It thus serves a water management and drainage purpose as well.

The second purpose of the masonry retaining wall is aesthetic. It provides a ‘three-dimensional’ appearance to your landscape and/or hardscape. It creates different levels of elevation that attract the eye and lets you separate different areas of your yard, such as creating elevated terraces, a raised paver patio, and other installations. It also provides you and your guests a place to sit and relax.

However, building a retaining wall is not easy. The project may turn into an engineering problem, especially when the wall height is very high, as the wall needs to be able to withstand the pressures of lateral pressure of soil, water, etc. without falling over or otherwise cracking. This means that the wall must be properly installed with a good foundation, drainage at the bottom of the wall, and sound construction all around. Thus, in most cases, except for the most minor walls, do it yourself projects are not recommended. It’s best if you hire a contractor who can do the job correctly.

Locations for Retaining Wall Installations

Retaining walls should be installed wherever there is a need. If you are having problems with flooding or mudslides, you may know where to install it – but if not, call a contractor who will evaluate your space and inform you of your options.

Of course, some homeowners like installing walls for primarily aesthetic reasons. They go great with patios, pool decks, and garden projects. There are many different designs that you can pursue with your walls – they can curve in and around a patio or garden project, and they can be topped with all manner of caps and extras. Often you can use the same materials for your walls as you do for your flatwork, such as patios and walkways, to ensure that there is unity across all the projects in your yard. For example, you can use concrete pavers across your entire yard design. Another idea is to use multiple retaining walls, especially if you want to keep your walls below the maximum height and thus avoid a visit from an engineer or other official – installing more than one wall may be less expensive and less of a hassle than installing one single large wall.

Retaining Wall Materials

A retaining wall can be built from many different materials. The most simple walls can be poured concrete walls or walls made out of concrete blocks. The large retaining wall blocks are staggered so that the joints don’t line up – this improves the strength and stability of the wall. This method is use for any modular retaining wall system that you use. Fancier and more stylish walls can be created out of retaining wall pavers, while the most fancy walls are created out of brick or natural stone, such as flagstone. If stone doesn’t suit you, other options exist, such as landscape timbers, railroad ties (though this option is environmentally out of fashion), and other non-stone options.

The cost of your retaining wall will depend on a number of factors, most notably the price of the materials you select as well as the labor costs associated with your contractor. In addition, you may have to pay additional costs and fees associated with engineers, surveyors, permits, and so on. In addition, the price of your wall will depend on the length, width, and height of the creation. Most homeowners can expect a price within the four figures.

Other Requirements

Depending on the height, location, composition, and other features of the wall, you may need to get permits and other documentation from your muncipality or local government before having the wall installed. In addition, a contractor may need to bring in (sub-contract) an engineer to make sure that the wall is properly designed and built. An improperly planned or constructed wall can end in disaster and thousands of dollars, or more, of potential damage, so don’t tread lightly here!

Unfortunately, sometimes walls are put in out of necessity. Luckily, even if they are required to be installed due to soil pressure or other factors, they can usually be well-integrated into the style and theme of your hardscaping and landscaping.

Tags: projects, retaining walls

Installing a new outdoor patio is one of the best investments you can make into both the financial state of your home and the satsifaction you can gain out of it. Obviously, a new patio is an important investment, one that cannot be overlooked. I want to help you avoid regret when you finally get that patio installed a realize that you don’t like what you got, whether that’s 10 minutes or 10 years down the line. Thus, here are eight outdoor patio ideas that will hopefully inspire you and educate you about what is truly possible when it comes to an outdoor patio. I cover nearly every facet of your choices, the patio’s design, installation, and extra features that can make your patio even more beautiful.

Location of Your Patio

Obviously, the first decision you need to make is where to install the new patio. The standard location is in your backyard, perhaps just outside the back entrance of your home, but don’t limit yourself to this location. While it’s a classic for sure, there may be other interesting places to install your patio. For instance, think about combining your patio with a pool deck, especially if you have an in-ground pool, as you’ll enjoy a well-integrated backyard. (There could be a whole article on pool patio ideas as well!)

While you are planning out your back patio, don’t forget that you can add other features to the installation, such as a new stoop or garden area – indeed, there are many patio ideas for small gardens that can combine the beauty of your organic garden life with the man-made beauty of your new patios.

One final note – don’t just limit yourself to the back patio! Many people have begun adding patios to their front yard. Obviously, this will depend on the dimensions of your property, but front patio ideas are at least something to consider during this phase.

Choosing Patio Materials

Another decision you need to make about your patio paving is picking the right patio material. There are tons of materials you can choose from, and many different designs and patterns (more on that in a sec), so the major factors for you will probably fall more along the lines of budget than anything else. At the lower end of the price spectrum is gravel, asphalt, and concrete – they are strong and durable, but don’t offer much in the way of design choices. You can spruce up this traditional slab look with stamped and colored concrete patio options.

The next level are concrete paving slabs, large square or rectangular cuts of precast concrete. The next paving level up are pavers – concrete pavers, grass pavers, and brick pavers. Each type of patio pavers has its own qualities – I go over bricks and paving stones in other areas of this site, linked here. Finally, there are the natural stone options, such as flagstone, both in paver and slab form. These are by far the most expensive options.

Other factors that you have to consider are your project plans, the climate (cold areas may crack patio slabs), and possibilities for expansion (i.e. are you considering adding on to your project at another time).

Patio Design Ideas

Next comes the hard part – actually determining the design of your patio. A lot of your design will be determined by the material you select – for instance, pavers may be easier to form into curves and allow you to play around more with colors and patterns, moreso than traditional options like concrete. You’ll need to determine the dimensions of the patio, the pattern (if applicable), color scheme, add-ons (like walkways and steps), and more. Create a picture if you can, or get a contractor or designer to do it for you.

Don’t forget about possibly adding a system of walkways around your new patio as well! The best part of using materials like concrete pavers is that you can use the material for all your backyard projects, even if you decide to add on to the installation years down the line. Still, it makes the most economic and efficiency sense to do as much work as possible at the same time.

One way to get ideas is to be inspired by what other people have done. Look around to your friends’ and family’s patios and see what you like and dislike about their projets. You can also seek out photos to get more patio ideas. Your material manufacturer or contractor may be able to supply you with these pictures as well. (I will be adding some images soon to this page, so check back.)

Hiring a Patio Contractor

This is an important step – all your well-laid plans could go to waste by missing this step. I’ve written extensively on how to hire paver contractors here – much of what I wrote applies to hiring any contractor.

Do It Yourself Patio Ideas

One way to save money is to do it yourself – forgo hiring a contractor and install that patio with your own efforts. This will save you much money that you would have had to pay in labor costs, but you will of course pay with your own time and labor.

If you are considering this option, make sure to think about DIY patio ideas, ones that will fit with your skill level and budget. For instance, certain materials are harder to handle than others, and require more skill and experience. You may also have a difficult area to install your project in (for instance, issues with grades or soil settling/composition) that necessitate the help of an expert. Still, you may be able to do a lot of the work yourself, especially if you’re using easy to install materials like pavers and slabs.

One quick trick here is to try installing a small patio somewhere else in your yard as a ‘practice run.’ It can be a simple design where you can test out different materials, ideas, and so on. Then, when you feel more comfortable, upgrade to a larger application.

Landscaping and Your Patio

Improving the look and feel of your backyard is not just about the hardscape! Consider how adding landscaping can enhance your newly installed patio. Doing so is an easy and cheap way of increasing the beauty of your project, especially when you can’t afford high-priced materials like sandstone paving. For instance, integrating a garden with a backyard patio may be a great way to showcase your hobby while enhancing the beauty of your backyard retreat. This site doesn’t have too much information (yet) on landscaping, but consider these articles on landscaping rocks and garden pavers for some preliminary ideas.

Adding Extras to Your Patio

Once the patio has been installed, you can also add other features to your patio that can increase its beauty and utility. For instance, if you’re looking for more privacy, you can get a screened in or enclosed patio. A covered patio is also good if you want to enjoy your project in any weather – extreme rain or extreme shine. Other ideas include getting a raised paver patio, adding patio furniture, outdoor lighting, barbecue pits, fireplaces, fountains, and much more!

Even if you are not installing a new patio, or you don’t own your patio (like if you live in an apartment), you can still use these ideas to spruce up what you’ve got to make it a more enjoyable and relaxing living space.

Saving Money

Finally, there are plenty of ways to save money on your next patio. Cheap paving doesn’t have to be low quality as long as you make the right shortcuts. First, you can look for inexpensive materials – I discuss some ways to find pavers for sale and paving slabs for sale on this site. As already mentioned, you can make use of patio ideas on a budget by doing the work yourself. For a more in-depth discussion of costs associated to different materials, see the Costs & Saving Money section of this site, including articles on such topics as the cost of pavers and a concrete patio cost guide.

Tags: advice, ideas, patios

Adding a new patio to your yard – or simply redoing an old one – is a major project, one that you should approach with care. If you have no idea what kind of patio you want, or where you want to put it, or anything to do with your patio, you can certainly have a designer or contractor figure it out for you. But it’s also possible for you to come up with your own outdoor patio ideas. To help you out, here are ten outdoor patio ideas that you can either use for your next project or use to stimulate your own creativity when it comes to imagining and designing your patio. More comprehensive discussions of materials related to patios – such as articles on patio pavers and general patio paving information – can be found at those links.

1. While you are coming up with patio design ideas, don’t ignore the other projects you can build with your patio. For instance, you can connect your patio to your home with new patio steps (made out of the same materials as the patio). You can also create walkways, pool decks, driveways, and other installations, all out of the same or other materials. This is a good idea for two reasons. First, you’ll save money if you install all those project at the same time than if you install them separately. Second, you’ll ensure that all your projects have the same design theme, style, and material.
2. Of course, the most common materials – concrete – are tried and true, but don’t forget about the other materials options available. If your budget can handle it, we strongly encourage you to use patio pavers. You can find enough colors, patterns, and styles that you’ll be sure to create a design that will go with your general decor. If your heart is set on concrete, you should look into other decorative concrete options, such as stamped, colored, and stained concrete. You could also cover your concrete patio with thin concrete pavers or outdoor patio tile to provide the facade of a paver installation without the expense.
3. Aside from concrete pavers, don’t forget other paver materials too for your outdoor patio, such as brick pavers and natural stone pavers. These are more expensive than concrete pavers and other materials, but they are beautiful to look at and go well with nearly any decorating taste.
4. If you have no skills or willingness to install your projects, you can find plenty of contractors who can do the job for you. However, consider the possibilities, both aesthetic and financial, of doing it yourself. A DIY patio can save you money and ensure that your application turns out how you like. Use pictures for reference as necessary, and do your research to learn how to install your project. For instance, you can read about paver installation here.
5. As with everything in life, it’s all about location, location, location. Of course, a backyard patio close to your house, or even adjacent to it, is a great option. But think about other places you can put your patio, or consider installing more than one patio, all with different uses. For instance, you can have one patio near your home for entertaining, and another garden patio for relaxation and for work on your landscaping.
6. If you’re installing a new patio, the size of the new project is up to you, of course. This is also true if you’re installing a new patio in place of an old one – consider experimenting with different sized patios. For instance, you can create one large patio, as per normal, or you can create a series of small patios, perhaps connected by walkways and/or landscaping.
7. If you are using your patio for entertaining, consider the ways you can maximize its utility. You can install a barbecue or fire pit; then it’s easy to cook food and have a BBQ without having to pull out the Weber grill. If you will be entertaining guests at night, try outdoor patio lighting to ensure that your guests will be bathed in light.
8. Ultimately, the dimensions and design of your patio will depend on what you want to use it for. Make sure that the patio will fit all the accessories and people you want to put there. Make sure to measure out your gear to make sure that it will all be able to fit on the new patio with enough room.
9. Of course, if you want to be able to use your patio year round, consider enclosing it. You can go as far or as close to an ‘outdoor room’ as you’d like. For instance, you can put a retractable roof on it if you want to get some sun occasionally; or you can enclose your patio with mesh, screen, windows, or even walls. You can then make your patio more of an extension on your home, perhaps adding a kitchen or entertainment area. Click this link for more information on enclosed patios.
10. Once your patio is installed, don’t forget the furniture. You can really go wild here – of course, you’ll need some good patio sets with tables and chairs, but you can also add extras depending on the size of the project, such as a bar or hot tub.

BONUS: Here are some other accessories you can add to your patio: umbrella, hammock, torches and other lamps, benches, walls, planters and other landscaping features, fireplace, fountains, statues, and waterfalls.

Tags: ideas, patios

Among all the outdoor projects that you can build to enhance your own, the patio is among the most fun and valuable. Having a comfortable and beatiful place to entertain friends and family is worth the price of installation, and it will pay itself off many times over the years of use you’ll get out of it.

Best of all, if you have the skills and desire, you can make your own patio without needing to hire a contractor and bear the brunt of that expense. In fact, a DIY patio is a great first project, as it is hidden in your backyard and doesn’t have to deal with vehicular traffic. If you messed up a new DIY driveway, for example, you’d have much more of a headache on your hands.

To help you with your DIY paving project, we are giving you ten DIY patio tips to stimulate your creativity and get you thinking about your next project.

Note: You can also find 10 DIY concrete pavers tips here.

1. The first major decision you have to make is picking your material that will use. Some are more appropriate for homeowner installation than others. Concrete pavers, for example, are highly recommended here, as they are easy to work with and install. The only difficult aspect of a DIY patio pavers project is preparing the base – this is the most important part of the project, so the utmost amount of care should be taken to make sure it’s right. Your other options are brick pavers and natural stone pavers – these are similar to install, but they are more expensive, so are usually not recommended for beginners. Concrete is easy to work with if you know what you are doing, but difficult if you are unskilled.
2. When designing your new patio, don’t be hemmed in by the old shape and size (if you have an old patio that you’re replacing, of course). Be creative and aggressive – expand your DIY patios beyond their original borders and outside of their previous shape.
3. Even if you want to do the entire project yourself, you have a backup plan if things go sour – you can subcontract out pieces of the project that you can’t handle or are having problems with. This way you can still save money while making sure the job is done right. An example of this is with the paver patio – you might want to have someone come in and excavate the old base and install the new one. You can then lay the pavers on the sand bed yourself and complete the finishing touches.
4. Speaking of finishing touches, don’t forget them. Many little tweeks are easy to do yourself and can add much beauty and value to your patio. For example, when laying your pavers, your do it yourself patio can be fashioned into an interesting pattern with a good color scheme. If you are installing a concrete patio, you can use concrete patio paint or outdoor patio tile to help spruce up the appearance of the plain concrete slab.
5. If you want the look of pavers without the expense, go with stamped concrete for your DIY patio. You can find concrete stamps for sale and concrete patio molds to make the shapes and designs you want; simply press them into the surface of the still wet concrete. You should only do this, however, if you live in a mild environment that doesn’t experience regular freezing and thawing in the winter.
6. Don’t forget the accessories. You can also DIY your own enclosed patios, patio doors, awnings, canopies, and other aspects of your patio that will add both form and function. Don’t forget the furniture or barbecue, either.
7. If you are having trouble coming up with a unique and effective design for your patio, you can hire a contractor or designer to create the plans for you. This is often worth the investment, as the designer can give you suggestions as to what works best with your backyard, home style, and landscape theme.
8. Think big. Just because you’re working on a patio doesn’t mean you can’t add other pieces at the same time. Consider building walkways, driveways, and pool decks at the same time as you’re making your patio. It will be easier and more cost effective to create all of it at once than to split up the projects across many months and years.
9. Be free with your design. Don’t stick to straight (perpendicular and parallel) lines if you want something more. For example, if you are using pavers, consider adding circle kits and curves to your design.
10. If you want more information on how to build a patio, consult with resources pertaining to your particular material. This website deals especially with pavers and paving stones of all kinds, so you might have to find other resources on concrete and other materials.

Tags: advice, DIY, ideas, patios

One of the more interesting and elegant projects you can add to your yard, landscape, and hardscape are steps. If you have an area of your yard that is at higher grade, or a path that travels up or down a rather steep slope, you might consider adding steps to the area. And one of the best materials you can use for these new steps is natural stone.

Note that natural stone is actually a broader category that encompasses many kinds of natural stone. They all share the fact that they are quarried from the earth and cut into the shape you need. Thus, how the natural stone will look, how easy it is to work with, and the price you’ll pay for it will all depend on the specific type of stone you get, from cobblestone to flagstone and everything in between.

The Benefits of Natural Stone Steps

Natural stone offers you many benefits that other materials options, like concrete and brick pavers and regular concrete, can’t offer you. Like the other hardscaping options, natural stone is durable and strong. It will resist the weathering effects of wind, sun, and rain, and you won’t be able to crack the stone or chip it. Think about it – it’s a material that’s stood the test of time for eons, just waiting to get to your yard. You can thus be sure that your natural stone steps will have a long life, so you shouldn’t expect to have to reinstall a new set of steps again unless you want to change up your yard.

Another advantage of natural stone over its competitors is its beauty. Sure, concrete pavers can compete with natural stone in terms of the ‘ordered’ and ‘manufactured’ look, but if you want a material that captures the beauty and disorder of nature, you’ll want to go with stone.

Finally, stone can be cut and shaped into whatever forms you need it. Thus, you’ll be able to build your steps according to your own specifications. If you do like regularity, of course, you can by stone pavers that work much like their brick and concrete brethren. However, if you want a more free form and ‘natural’ looking staircase, as if it were already there in the natural world, you can also go with irregular block and slabs of stone.

Designing With Natural Stone

The main variable when it comes to designing a natural stone step, besides the dimensions (i.e. length, width, curves, size of step, thickness, etc.) is the ‘regularity’ of the project. This largely depends on the kind of stone you buy. If you buy stone that is regularly cut, almost slab or paver-like, you’ll get a ‘regular’ looking set of stoops. However, if you buy irregularly shaped stone, stone that seems to have been ripped straight from the ground with little ‘manufacturing,’ you’ll have an irregularly laid step project. There is of course a continuum as well between ‘regular’ and ‘irregular,’ and where your project sits along this continuum depends on your tastes and needs for the project.

While we can’t give you every single stone type that’s out there, we can at least point you in the direction of some popular choices. What may be available to you will depend on what’s available in your local area. Some popular stone types include: sandstone, slate, granite, limestone, chilton, bluestone, cobblestone, flagstone, and much, much more. Certain natural stone suppliers may also have ‘branded’ types of stone that are particular to that company.

Also realize, besides the different kinds of stone out there, that you can also get different kinds of stone colors and textures, even within the same ‘family’ of stones. This is why it’s important to shop around and see sample products in person. Pictures can lie sometimes, despite best efforts, so it’s always good to preview the stone in person to get a better idea of its properties.

Note that you can also get natural stone veneer and tiles that you can use to face old concrete steps and stoops. This is a great way to capture the beauty of natural stone without dealing with the heavy expense that’s usually associated with it.

Natural Stone Steps Cost

The main disadvantage of natural stone, and one that prevents most interested homeowners from pursuing the material, is its cost. Natural stone prices do vary depending on the kind of stone, but you will pay more than other options, regardless of whether you get finely cut natural stone pavers or ‘irregularly shaped’ stone. Even if you get the stone for sale, expect to pay $100 to $200 per step, or more, for materials and installation. The exact number you’ll pay will depend on the contractor you hire as well as other factors in your local environment.

Building Natural Stone Steps

While you can work with natural stone as a DIY paving project if you have the skills, most homeowners will not want to attempt to build natural stone steps themselves. Instead, they should find a contractor who can do this kind of work.

A word of caution. All hardscape projects – patios, driveways, walkways, and the like – have a certain element of ‘artistry’ involved. In other words, a good contractor is not only skilled at doing the work; he also has an eye for the artistic and aesthetic aspects of the project. This is very true when it comes to natural stone steps, as there’s an art to making your steps look ‘natural.’ So when you’re evaluating a contractor for this work, make sure you see samples of previous job’s he’s done to make sure that he will craft something beautiful and according to your expectations. While natural stone can never be boring, it can certainly be laid suboptimally.

If you want to learn more about patio steps, including how to build them yourself, follow this link.

Tags: natural stone, projects, steps and stoops

The first thing visitors and passerbys will see when they look at your house – besides your house, of course – will be the driveway. A well designed and well installed residential driveway, made from quality materials, will accentuate the fine appearance of your home, even taking a modest home and turning it into something more. A pathetic driveway, on the other hand, can have the opposite effect – a crumbling mess can make even the nicest home look less valuable.

So, you’re probably considering a new driveway paving project, either for functional or aesthetic reasons, or perhaps both. Fortunately, and unfortunately, there are plenty of driveway paving materials available for you to choose from. Fortunately, insofar as you’ll be able to pick the perfect driveway for your home, given your budget, but unfortunately because the inexperienced homeowner may feel overwhelmed by choice. Paving a driveway is a complex affair: Which material should you use? Should you install it yourself as a DIY paving project? How do you hire a contractor? These and many other questions might be going through your mind right now. To help you out, this driveway paving guide will help you sort out the various aspects of this process, both to help answer questions you have and to better inform your ongoing research process.

A driveway is a huge investment in your home, both in your time and financial resources, so you’ll want to spend time doing your due diligence. The more research, the better. We hope that this article reveals and guides you in your quest!

BUDGETS AND COSTS

Before going further, you’ll need to sketch out your basic budget. Obviously, you’ll want to have a range, as sometimes costs can add up faster than you expect, especially if your job will require special work.

Which material is the cheapest? This is a different question from “which material is the most valuable?” You may pay more money, in absolute terms, for one material, but end up making more in the long run given the quality of the material and the potential to increase your home’s value. Thus, don’t necessarily think only in terms of sheer prices per square foot, but rather in short and long term costs and value.

If you’d like a general cost estimate to get you started, here is a general scale for price for the most common driveway materials for both materials and labor, all other things being equal: To

Stone < Asphalt < Concrete < Concrete Pavers < Brick Pavers < Natural Stone Pavers

To get a more specific estimate, you can read this article on driveway paving cost or you can find  a cost calculator for these products for a decent guide, but the only true measure will be an estimate from a local contractor.

Let’s talk about the relative merits of each material.

WHAT DO YOU WANT IN A DRIVEWAY?

After budget, the next questions you need to ask yourself are about performance and looks. First, performance – you’re going to be driving and parking on this surface, so you want to make sure it won’t break apart. Most driveway materials will have no problem standing up to this kind of abuse – as long as they’re installed in a proper manner. This is why it’s critical to find a skilled contractor – if you look for a bargain, you may get a disaster instead. Go with quality.

Next, aesthetics. This may be a very small concern of yours after the above two – paving cost and how well and long the driveway holds up – but it’s still important, especially considering you’ll be living with the driveway for many years. In general, go with the materials that have more design options – usually, these are your paving stone materials, as they come in many shapes, sizes, and colors, and thus give you more freedom to create.

Depending on your project and circumstance, you may have other concerns to consider. For example, you may have environmental concerns to balance; in this case, you’d want to avoid materials like asphalt that damage the environment or any driveway material that isn’t permeable in order to allow for proper water drainage. A good material to look into in this case are grass pavers or other permeable alternatives.

DRIVEWAY PAVING MATERIALS

As stated in the cost section above, the most popular materials for your driveway include loose stone (gravel, for example), asphalt, concrete, concrete pavers, brick pavers, and natural stone pavers. The material you choose will depend on a large number of factors, not least of which is your budget. This will probably be the main determinant of your final selection. Truth be told, if you had an unlimited budget, you’d surely go for one of the pavers options, and probably with the most expensive option – one of the natural stone pavers. However, most of us need to settle with more affordable options, which is why concrete and asphalt, in particular, are so popular.

For a long discussion of the relative merits of each material, check out this discussion on the merits of stamped concrete vs pavers and a comparison of all the other materials mentioned above in terms of strength, durability, maintenance, price/value, and more. Note, however, that there also other materials out there, from paving flags and concrete slabs to macadam and block paving and everything in between. Thus, this discussion isn’t exhaustive, but it will at least highlight the most common and popular material types available.

Even if we go with these inexpensive options, we still shouldn’t settle for “cheap” necessarily. There is a big, big difference between high quality and low quality asphalt driveway paving, for example, so keep this in mind when shopping around with potential driveway paving contractors.

MAINTENANCE AND YOUR DRIVEWAY

The sticker price you pay at first installation may not be the only money you lay out over the lifetime of the driveway. Consider what maintenance costs, both in dollars and in your time, may also come with that material. It may be prudent, for example, to invest more now for a low-maintenance material (concrete) than to pay a little bit now for a material that won’t hold up as well over time and will require more maintenance and repair (e.g. asphalt).

Blacktop, for instance, will require periodic maintenance to keep it looking fine. Over time, it will fade and crack, showing the aggregate within the structure, and will thus not look as nice. To keep it looking great, you’ll probably have to get some sealcoating or resurfacing work done; if you don’t, that’s fine, but be ready to deal with a less than optimal driveway. Even paving stones will require occasional concrete paver sealer; usually homeowners will be able to go on sealing pavers themselves, so it usually is not much more of an added expense aside from the time spent working on the project.

TEN DRIVEWAY PAVING IDEAS

To finish this article, we’d like to leave you with ten design ideas and construction tips that you may want to consider when getting your new driveway. Of course, these are just suggestions, but hopefully they’ll spur your own ideas and thoughts when it comes time to craft designs and plan your own outdoor creation.

1. If you’re going with the traditional materials, like concrete or asphalt, don’t limit yourself to the standard iteration of these materials. For instance, you can get stamped concrete to look like paving stones at a fraction of the cost. You can also use stains and finishes to make your concrete look totally different from the typical drab, grey appearance.

2. Consider adding a walkway, patio, or pool deck at the same time as your driveway. You can have an integrated project while also saving more money overall if you get it all done at once.

3. Watch out for scams, especially for companies that will come in, excavate your old driveway, and leave you hanging for weeks or even months while they get other jobs in the area, all just to save them a few bucks. Read reviews, do your research – for instance, here’s some information on how to hire the best paver contractors. These questions can be asked of any contractor, as well.

4. Consider matching your new driveway with new landscaping.

5. Don’t just automatically copy the old design for your new driveway. Consider making the driveway bigger or smaller, depending on your needs, and think about the design flairs you can add, such as curves and sections.

6. You can mix and match options – if you can’t afford driveway pavers, for instance, consider mixing an asphalt or concrete driveway with a paver apron, border, or walkway. Thus, you can capture some of the beauty of this material without the full expense.

7. Don’t balk about hiring professional design services if you need the help. For a small investment up front, you can have a driveway created for your that will go best with your decor and your home’s style and theme.

8. Consider adding other flairs to your driveway, such as fans, circle kits, benches, retaining walls, and more.

9. Pick a color that complements, not necessarily matches, your home’s colors.

10. Finally, if you really need to save money but want to use a brilliant material, consider the driveway a do it yourself project. If you know how to pave a driveway yourself, and have the skills and experience and tools to do the job safely and correctly, you can save money on labor, making a job more affordable, though of course you’ll be paying some of the ‘cost’ of the driveway in your time.

Tags: advice, basics, costs, DIY, driveways, other materials, projects

A walkway is a very useful thing to have around your house, either in your front, side, or backyards. They can also be of use in a garden. Walkways serve both functional and aesthetic purposes, and one of the most popular kind is the cement walkway. This article will describe the basics that you need to know about the concrete walkway – benefits, disadvantages, design ideas, and cost.

NOTE: “Cement walkways” is actually a misnomer – the correct term is “concrete walkways.” Cement is just one component of concrete – the other parts are water, sand, and aggregate. However, sometimes concrete and cement are used interchangeably.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Concrete Paving for Walkways

The main functional benefit of the concrete walkway is its strength. Concrete can stand up to even the fiercest environment and foot/vehicular traffic. It can be easily poured and installed within a day, as it requires very little excavation and preparation compared to other materials like concrete pavers. This ease of installation, coupled with the cheap price of the materials involved, makes concrete a cheap option for the budget-conscious homeowner. This is perhaps its most popular benefit, and it’s why many homeowners opt for this material.

Truth be told, however, homeowners with higher budgets usually opt for other materials options for their walkways, such as concrete pavers, as there are a few drawbacks to concrete. First, unless you get colored or stamped concrete, the plain grey can look quite boring, and often doesn’t go well with other hardscape projects and landscaping. In other words, the material is more functional than aesthetic. In addition, concrete can tend to crack, especially if you live in a cold environment that experiences periodic freeze/thaw cycles. This problem is compounded when the cement isn’t well installed. A concrete walkway, in unfortunate circumstances, can crack and chip within the first cold season, though many take at least a few years to show the first signs of problems.

Despite these disadvantages, overall concrete is a great material to use for outdoor applications around your home.

Design and Walkway Ideas

One of the drawbacks, but also benefits, of concrete is that there are few design options at your disposal. For the creative or aesthetically minded individual, this is a drawback, but for someone who wants a plain walkway with no frills, this is a blessing. Simply lay down the dimensions of your walkway, pour it, let it dry, and voila – no fuss, no maintenance. Other options, like concrete pavers, come with a variety of design options that can make coming up with a new walkway plan a chore and a hassle.

You are also limited in the shape of the concrete. While it’s possible to install a curved concrete walkway, it is not easy, as most contractors will simply want to make rigid, straight wood forms that will hold the concrete.

However, you also have some customization options available if you opt for colored or stamped concrete. Granted, concrete stamping and other aesthetic choices will cost more, but you can make your cement look quite unique with these options. In addition, you can get concrete paint or outdoor tile that you can use to spruce up the surface of your new walkway.

Cement Walkway Cost

Luckily, the price for your new concrete walkway will be quite cheap. To get it installed by a contractor, expect to pay around $2.50 to $4.50 per square foot for excavation, grading, and installation of your walkway. This price could be more if your job requires additional work.

Cement Walkway Installation

For the DIY minded homeowner, concrete is also a viable do-it-yourself project. This will significantly lower the cost of the project, as you’ll save money on labor costs and only have to cover the cost of the material (and your time to install the project, of course).

When installing your own cement walkway, make sure to wait for a clear, cloudless day, or at least one without the threat of rain. Water is the enemy to a freshly poured concrete slab, so make sure to cover it if there is threat of rain during the next few days. After pouring, make sure to separate the slab into three foot squares – this will lower the chances of cracking by allowing for ‘expansion’ between the different slabs.

While the DIYer can make his or her own molds and forms out of plywood planks, you can also purchase concrete molds for sale at a variety of establishments as necessary for the project. Don’t forget to add wire mesh, rebar, and concrete sealer to your list, as you may need this when you install your new walkway.

Tags: concrete, other materials, projects, walkways

One of the more popular options available for paving a driveway is asphalt. These types of residential driveways are ubiquitous throughout the world due to their cheap price, durability, and relative easy of install. This article will describe what you need to know about the asphalt driveway – what it is, its benefits, its drawbacks, its prices, and what to look for when getting a driveway installed.

More information on other driveway materials, such as driveway pavers, can be found at these links.

The Benefits and Drawbacks (Pros and Cons) Of Asphalt

The major benefit of asphalt is its durability and resistance to vehicular traffic. You can park and drive on it with no problems. It is also very easy to install, as long as the company or contractor knows what they are doing, and the material is also cheap. Thus, prices for the installation of asphalt driveways are usually low, especially if you get contractors to bid against one another. The installation can be finished quickly, so you won’t have to wait for days for the project to be completed. (In theory, at least – see the ‘Scams’ section). Another benefit is that you won’t have to worry much about stains, even of oil, because they will usually blend in with the black of the asphalt. Maintenance is usually quite easy, too.

Asphalt also does well in many climates, as it can resist cracking due to cold and be flexible in hot environments due to the composition of the driveway. It is easy to remove snow from, with shovels, plows, and deicing salts, and absorbs the sunlight in the winter, helping to melt snow and ice.

There are some drawbacks to asphalt, however. Though maintenance is easy, you will still have to seal the driveway once a year, or at least get someone else to do it. While it’s not necessarily required, the proper application of asphalt sealer will help keep the driveway looking great and being strong for years to come. A little investment now could spare you the costs of replacing the driveway well before its time.

Another drawback of asphalt is that it doesn’t look as good as other driveway options. It is certainly outclassed by paving stones, and even concrete, especially if it is stamped or colored, can be more interesting to look at than asphalt. Indeed, asphalt is kind of generic, but this may not be a problem for you if you just want the job done and don’t want to invest into the looks of your home. Just know that your design options will be limited – in the patterns, shapes, and colors you’ll have (or rather lack) at your disposal. If you are looking for more flexiblity and creativity in designs, go with concrete, paving stones, natural stone, or brick pavers.

Like concrete, asphalt may crack due to freeze-thaw cycles. This is a common problem in areas with cold and wet climates, but it can happen anywhere. Whether or not this happens depends on a number of factors, including random chance, but the most important factor is the quality of the base on which the asphalt is installed. When looking for a contractor, make sure he or she knows the importance of the base, and is willing and able to put in the time necessary to prepare it properly. You may want to subcontract out that part of the work to someone who is great at preparing bases if you don’t trust your contractor’s ability to deliver on this.

Asphalt may also have issues in hot climates. If it gets too soft and too much weight is put on it, it may form ruts or dips that can be unsightly.

One other disadvantage is that you can track in oil and grime from the driveway into your home and other clean areas if you are not careful about taking off your shoes. For instance, it’s totally possible to track in seal coating into your home, especially if it’s a hot day and the asphalt is soft or just recently sealed.

If you are concerned with the environment, asphalt may not the be best choice, as chemicals and oils will leach into the ground. However, if you use recycled asphalt, you will help save the environment by using fewer fossil fuels. You’ll also save a few bucks, too!

Finally, you will not be able to install asphalt yourself unless you have the tools and experience to do so. Thus, if you are looking for a DIY driveway project, asphalt may not be the choice for you. If you do want to get asphalt done, you’ll have to hire a pavers contractor – and that comes with the obvious drawbacks of that process.

Asphalt Driveway Cost Estimate

Asphalt is usually one of the cheapest options out there, though the price will vary depending on many factors. One of these factors is the price of crude oil. Components of oil are actually important components of blacktop, so as oil increases in price, blacktop increases in price. Other factors include the size of the job, the season, your location, the contractor you hire, and the specifics of the job itself. In general, however, the cost per square foot for most driveways will range from $1 to $6. The exact cost will depend on the estimate you receive from a contractor; you may also be able to find a cost calculator as well to give you a more specific, but still rough, estimate.

If you get an old asphalt driveway resurfacing, you’ll pay much less in the short term than if you got a new driveway. However, realize that many of the flaws, like cracks, may come through the new layer, despite the contractor’s best efforts, so it may pay in many cases to get a totally new installation.

A more in depth look at the asphalt driveway cost can be found at this link.

Asphalt Driveway Maintenance and Repairs

Asphalt benefits from periodic sealing, though it is by no means required. If you want to extend the life of your driveway, or if you want to protect it from water damage, have it sealed every year or two. However, wait at least a year before sealing a new asphalt driveway. You will want to to do this when the surface turns a bit more grey and when you can see the small stones coming to the surface. If you don’t want to hire someone who specializes in sealing asphalt driveways, it is possible for you to do the work yourself as long as you follow the “how to” directions listed on the sealant product you purchase.

If your driveway does get cracked, chipped, or otherwise damage, it is possible to hire someone who does asphalt driveway repair; you can also do the work yourself, if you know how. Simple crack filler or patches might not look great, but they will look better than the unfixed alternative; they are usually relatively easy for you to DIY.

How Do These Driveways Compare to Other Materials?

What about concrete vs. an asphalt driveway? These are two of the most popular options for driveways, not counting concrete pavers and stone.

Asphalt is very similar to concrete, in that they are both a mixture of sand and stones, but asphalt is bound together with asphalt cement instead of Portland cement. Asphalt is, in a sense, “concrete asphalt,” in that it contains similar components to concrete and is bound together in a similar manner. Despite the minor differences, both are strong, and asphalt has the added bonus of being quite flexible.

Whether you pick asphalt or concrete is up to your budget, design ideas, and home style and theme. Concrete is usually slightly more expensive than asphalt, but this may not be true all the time. You’ll have more design options with concrete, even if you do pick special colored or stamped asphalt, but the installation and maintenance of your asphalt will probably be easier.

Note that asphalt and concrete are both different from a crushed asphalt driveway, also known as tar and chip or macadam. Instead of mixing the stone, sand, and binding agent before laying the driveway, the stone and sand are laid on the driveway first and then ‘sprayed’ with the cement.

A more in depth comparison of hardscape materials can be found here.

What About Asphalt Driveway Scams?

Asphalt driveway paving is big business in the home construction niche, so you’ll have no shortage of people willing to do the work for your home. However, many people report having many problems when dealing with contractors, everything from delivering substandard work to excavating an old driveway and then waiting for months to finish the job, leaving the homeowner with a dirty and dusty driveway throughout that time.

One of the main reasons this happens is that certain unscrupulous contractors will wait until they score multiple jobs in one area before laying down the asphalt. This is because asphalt must be hot in order to be laid, and it is more convenient and efficient to lay more than one driveway at a time. Thus, they will often excavate a driveway, wait for more homes, and then finish the job days, weeks, or even months later. This is why it’s so important to get reviews of contractors’ work before you commit to them. You need to make sure you are getting good value, and not getting scammed, so do your homework and ask for referrals from friends and family who’ve had good work done in the past.

When picking a contractor, the most important factor is how much attention they pay to a base. The base of the driveway should be around 8 inches of well compacted gravel or aggregate base. In addition, this base should extend farther than the actual driveway in order to give a little edging around the structure. Don’t let the contractor install the new driveway without assessing the thickness and the strength of the base – if you are getting a new driveway because the old one cracked, you’ll want to make sure you get a full checkup, even if this will cost you more in the short term.

Tags: asphalt, driveways, other materials, projects

If you have a patio area that you’d like to redo – perhaps it’s just dirt, grass, or old concrete or asphalt – or if you want to install a fresh new patio, but don’t know where to start, never fear! Here is some basic advice for the homeowner on the different patio paving options available, from materials and costs to installation and contractors.

Materials

There are three major types of materials you can choose for your patio project:

Patio paving stones: These are what we here at Concrete Pavers Guide most recommend for the various reasons you can read about on this site. These reasons include value, durability, and beauty. Related to this option are patio paving slabs, or paving flags, which are large blocks of concrete that are laid next to each other on a patio. Patio slabs combine some of the virtues of patio pavers (easy to install) with the virtues of concrete (cheap). All of these paver options are great for projects of any types, including garden patio paving. With enough preparation and skills, it is possible to install these concrete patio blocks at home. However, it is probably best to hire a contractor in many cases, especially if your project has any tricky aspects to it.

Pavers can be made out of concrete, stone, or brick. Each has its benefits and drawbacks. Generally, we recommend concrete pavers, as these are the most popular options, balancing the ‘natural’ look of stone pavers without the expense and the inexpensiveness and color, style, and shape variety of brick pavers.

There is plenty of information about this material across the many articles on this site, so please browse for more information.

Concrete: You could simply make your patio a concrete slab. This is usually difficult to do on your own, and you’ll probably have to hire a contractor. Also, even if you get stamped or colored concrete, this final product won’t look as nice as a patio paving stone project. In addition, concrete is well known to crack over time as water underneath it freezes and thaws, putting pressure on the slab and making it fissure in places. These cracks will grow over time with further freezing/thawing cycles, making the whole project look unsightly.

Asphalt: Probably the least aesthetically pleasing choice, asphalt installations also suffer from many of the same problems (such as cracking) as concrete does. We do not recommend asphalt for patios. You will most likely have to hire a contractor to do this, as working with hot asphalt is difficult and dangerous.

A more in depth comparison of these and other materials can be found here. Information about driveway materials can also be found at this listed link.

Installation

Most installations start with a properly prepared base at the appropriate depth, grade, and pitch. For patio paving stones, this includes an aggregate base of the appropriate depth that has been compacted with a plate compactor. Building a paver patio can be quite an easy DIY paving project for most homeowners. See other areas of this website for more information on how to properly install pavers for patios. Since we do not recommend other options, more information on how to install concrete or asphalt will have to be found elsewhere. In general, though, asphalt is not a DIY patio project for most homeowners, while poured concrete can be difficult for those not used to working with the material. Thus, I suggest hiring a contractor to do this work, even though it will cost money and comes with the painful part of actually hiring someone trustworthy and responsible and fairly priced to do the work. More information and tips on hiring a pavers contractor can be found at the link, though this information applies to hiring any kind of contractor.

Costs

Patio paving price or patio paving cost depends on a large number of factors. Most basically, the type of materials you use, the condition of the old area, and the size of the patio will have the largest effect on your price. If you do the project yourself, you will save on labor costs, but you may not save on the aggravation. The factors that go into the cost of your patio paving will depend on many factors, so I’ve listed them out here in this discussion of pavers cost.

Tags: design, garden patio paving, patio paving, patio paving slabs, patio paving stones, patios, projects