As you decide whether or not to add a patio to your yard, you may land on patio pavers as an excellent material candidate. These heavy-duty slabs offer durability and a pleasant aesthetic, yet paver patio installation entails some critical considerations: what are they made of? How heavy are they? Should you incorporate some stabilizing material between them? Reach out to patio design and construction experts for more information and details about your project.
Vienna, VA, homeowners can turn to the professionals at Groff Landscape Design for all such concerns. Groff is a reputable firm that helps clients design and build diverse outdoor projects with ease. Our dedicated experts can turn your dream yard into a reality. Call (703) 999-8225 and ask how we can help Design and Build your Better Future, on Time, on Budget, Guaranteed.
Below, we outline some pivotal points to consider before installing a paver patio:
What are Paver Patios?
Pavers are a multi-purpose landscaping product used to build walkways, paths, and patios in yards. They come in various shapes and sizes, which homeowners and landscapers can arrange in unique patterns and layouts.
The patios that pavers compose can elevate a landscape’s appearance and aesthetic. Indeed, an entire paver patio contributes collective comfort to outdoor gatherings and provides a durable space for spending time in your yard. These patios allow you to extend your living area to the outdoors.
Considerations for Paver Patios
- Paver composition
Popular paver materials include concrete, clay, porcelain tile, and stone. Homeowners looking for specifically colored pavers can seek products dyed to achieve the desired color scheme. Brick pavers, on the other hand, often come in white, red, or red-brown. Additionally, stone pavers are available in marble, travertine, granite, limestone, and others. Stone offers more options for finishes and designs than concrete.
Manufacturers can shape pavers to resemble distinct surfaces, including cobblestone, brick, flagstone, or slate. Rectangular shapes are common, but hexagons, irregular shapes, and interlocking pieces can work for specific patterns. Finishes can add a unique physical texture to the patio surface.
- Paver specifications and installation
Residential concrete pavers weigh about 11 lbs per square foot, while brick pavers weigh 22 lbs. Manufacturers also offer thinner concrete pavers, only an inch thick, to overlay a concrete surface.
If you do not plan to install pavers over concrete, you must incorporate another base—do not place pavers directly on the ground. Pavers can lay upon gravel bedding, concrete slabs, or mortar, depending on their type. Additionally, workers must excavate, level, and compact the land before installing them. Doing so ensures durability and accounts for drainage and foundation work.
- Can you use pavers for driveways or on cemented surfaces?
Pavers can work for driveways as long as they are thick enough to withstand the weight of a car. That said, a foundation and base layer must be placed beneath the pavers on driveway projects so that vehicles can traverse the surface without creating uneven spots in the landscape.
1-inch pavers can work if your driveway has a solid concrete foundation. In this scenario, workers first cover the concrete with a layer of sand before the overlaying. They must also ensure:
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- The concrete is in good condition
- Proper drainage is available
- Pavers have enough space for installation
- They meet building code requirements
- The size and shape of the concrete surface need no adjustments
- Should you add any material between the pavers?
The flexibility of pavers allows them to remain intact during various temperature cycles. Any grout placed in between pavers will crack. Although you can use mortar to maintain patio integrity, polymeric sand suits residential products better because it hardens and adheres to the pavers upon contact with water.
- Do patio pavers require sealant?
While sealant is not a requirement for paver durability or functionality, some people may consider using it for aesthetic purposes. Sealants can protect the paver surface and give it a glossy finish. It can also intensify the color of the pavers, especially on stone.
Paver Patio Installation Available Now in Vienna, VA
If you are interested in paver patio installation, contact Groff Landscape Design professionals for help creating the ideal patio space with personalized features. Our team offers Vienna, VA, homeowners top-quality solutions because we are committed to comprehensive services, reliable communication & quality craftsmanship. To learn more about how to elevate your yard’s style, call (703) 999-8225.
