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Brick
pavers have been used for hundreds of years
– it is a time-tested technology. There are
several manufacturers of brick pavers. The
two largest groups consist of clay and concrete paving systems. Brick paving contains hundred
and sometimes thousands of joints that allow
for a great flexibility. In our Northern climate,
this flexibility results in a durable paving
system that outlasts other surfaces. Concrete
pavers and clay pavers both outperform concrete
and asphalt paving applications.
Why Choose
Concrete Paving?
- Most manufacturers provide
a lifetime warranty. Poured concrete usually
has no warranty at all.
- Concrete paving
creates a longer lasting and warmer surface
on the property when compared to poured concrete
and asphalt.
- Over time with normal usage,
concrete pavers usually do not crack or form
easily visible pockmarks like poured concrete
and asphalt do.
- Concrete pavers can withstand
the temperature fluctuations better that
concrete and asphalt.
- Conctete pavers can
withstand commercial and residential pedestrian
traffic better than concrete and asphalt.
- Concrete pavers can easily
withstand plowing and snow-blowing.
- Damage
to concrete paving systems can easily be
repaired (utility work, curb and street repair).
- The compressive strength
of concrete pavers exceeds that of poured
concrete.
- Concrete pavers can be easily
matched to face brick.
- The colors and surface
texture of concrrte pavers have reduced fading
over time.
- Over the long-term, concrete
paving is less expensive and it will not
need to be replaced like concrete and asphalt.
Why Choose Clay Paving?
- Clay
paving is the very best paving system for
long-term aesthetics and heavy traffic.
- Clay
paving creates a longer lasting and warmer
surfaces when compared to poured concrete
and asphalt.
- Clay pavers do not crack
or form pock marks as concrete and asphalt
do
- Clay pavers can be matched
to face brick of adjacent buildings better
than concrete pavers.
- Clay paver installations
looks like part of the original installation
and don’t look like an addition.
- Color
and surface textures have minimal fading
over time.
- Clay pavers resist cracking
or pock marking in the long term unlike poured
concrete and asphalt.
- Clay pavers can withstand
signficant temperature fluctuations better
that concrete and asphalt.
- Clay pavers
can withstand commercial and residential
pedestrian traffic.
- Clay pavers easily
withstands plowing and snow-blowers.
- Damage
to the clay paving systems can easily be
repaired.
- The average compressive
strength of clay pavers exceeds that of poured
concrete.
- Over the long-term, clay
paving is less expensive because it will
not need to be replaced like concrete and
asphalt.
Why Choose Natural Stone
Paving (flagstone, bluestone and cut stone)?
- Unmatched
by any other surface, natural stone tends
to look original to the house and matches
the natural stone veneers on buildings (doesn’t
look like an addition).
- Most applications
can withstand snow-blowing and shoveling.
- Can easily be repaired (utility
work, curb and street repair).
Systems Comparisons
and Precautionary Recommendations
- More
varieties of size and shape are available
in concrete pavers, as compared to clay pavers
- The coloring of natural
stone is more varied when compared to concrete
and clay pavers.
- The somewhat higher initial
cost of brick and natural stone paving systems
(material hauling and increased labor compared to poured
concrete and asphalt) is offset by their
longevity and aesthetic value.
- Paving systems
may require some maintenance to prevent weeds
from growing between joints and moss from
growing on the surfaces. These issues can
be addressed with weed killers, sealers,
polymeric sand and/or detergents.
- Sealers
and/or polymeric sand can be applied to limit
the effects of erosion of sand from the joints.
- While fading of concrete
pavers does not affect the strength of the
surface, small amounts of fading of color
in concrete pavers and natural stone does
occur over time. Clay pavers do not typically
fade to any significant extent.
Facts About Sealers
- Sealers
are not a necessity for hardscape applications.
- Sealers hold joint sand
in place, protect the natural clean look
of certain surfaces, making the surface less
prone to water absorption and stains such
as grease (good near barbeques and on driveways).
- Sealing the pavers acts
as an added barrier of protection from snow
melting materials, such as salt.
- Most manufacturers
of the sealers recommend that the customer
wait at least 60 days after installation
before applying a sealer.
- Water based (breathable
sealers) can be used to seal right away but
such sealers do not last as long as other
sealers.
- Sealers can be put on any
hardscape system including retaining walls.
- Different sealers have varying
life spans, and more or less frequent reapplications
will be required.
- Some sealers don’t have
any effect on the appearance of the hardscape,
while others may create a darker appearance
or a wet look.
- Prior to sealing, the surface
must be completely clean and dry, which usually
makes sealing two day job.
- The temperature
must be above 40 degrees F.
- Some deep stains
cannot be removed and the sealer will not
cover them.
Certification
Please visit the ICPI (Interlocking
Concrete Paver Institutes) website to for
any technical information and verification
of our certification.
ICPI Web Site:
http://www.icpi.org
ICPI Certification Verification:
http://www.icpi.org/homeowners/find_installer.cfm
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