Brick Paving

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