The Paving Blog

Having discussed interlocking pavers as one option, as well as the size of the driveway, let’s talk about the low-cost option for driveway paving.

Faced with rising prices on just about everything any more, we often face a need to cut back costs on some of the items, that we once had bigger plans for. Things such as patios or the more exotic stuff like elaborate entryways, walkways and sidewalks bear on this, but driveways are the most cumbersome of all, in this case, owing strictly to the area involved. When we face a situation like this, a level head and some creative trimming can arrive at a place that we can still work with. Knowing the costs of any project prior to its installation is the key here. Extrapolating from a known figure allows us to come to some conclusions. I will now list 2 options:

Gravel and Base Material

Gravel does not have to look bad, nor does it need to be gravel, as such. The fact is the same base material we work with providing the sub grade for all paving projects can be utilized quite efficiently as a driveway surface. The virtues of base material are a few fold:

1: It compacts extremely durably and can be re compacted and reshaped at any point. Car tires do not really impact it as much as one would think, as long as a sufficient depth and compaction is reached. It is, after all, the structure upon which we base every single other covering.

2. It is in place when we want to upgrade. The next phase will be adding an overlay of cement or asphalt to an already-groomed, compacted area. The labor saving will be substantial in spades.

3. It is not unattractive. Well-compacted base material is the same material taken almost always from rock native to the area. It is almost always produced locally. Graded correctly, this material can allow water to run off appropriately and wash up revealing some fairly effective rustic color. In terms of “finishing elements”, it is also possible that another layer of different, more picturesque gravel could be added for color and general appearance.

The downside, of course, is in the fact that it is granular, therefore erosive. The granular nature will mean some rocks pop up out of the surface of a strictly ‘base’ driveway and, of course, this tends to increase and not decrease. So there is the maintenance aspect to consider. Attention paid to this will not be onerous at all, however, and takes a small amount of time to rectify and re compact.

Cobblestone paving originally meant paving using found rocks, typically round and requiring little or no chipping, inserted into a lime or sand base. The durability of ancient cobblestone streets and roads is legendary and deservedly so. When originally used, these were simply the most rapid and available resource for making durable roads, suitable for carriages. Naturally, their rough texture and bumpiness caused an amazingly loud journey, complete with uncommonly bumpy rides. As the art of the cobblestone road grew more mature, however, qualities insuring quieter rides and less discomfort soon began popular usage, resulting in a more selective product being placed in the same manner, yet with a flatter side up.

More modern yet, the advent of cement and more studies pertinent to permeable surfaces, allowing rain to drain off and even through, have meant the cobblestones of the ancient past have transformed into a sleeker and more comfortable surface. In other words, far more utile. The other exciting development were the newer and easier methods of cutting stones, which has resulted in a far more reliable product, strictly in terms of function. Diamond blades and. now, plasma cutters, have reduced the cutting to minutes in a rather safe and normalized environment.

The upshot of it all is this: cobblestone paving has lost none of its permanence as a durable product. What is has gained instead, is a glowing patina of ultimate respectability. Functionally, no material tops granite stones as an enduring article of paving. Aesthetically, hardly anything can compare to the sheer primitive beauty of a granite driveway or patio. The workmanship behind the installation of a granite cobblestone paving project leave everyone ultimately satisfied.

Sealers used on pavers are usually sprayed on with a backpack or pump sprayer. Sealants serve in a diverse number of enhancing ways for a paver surface. They lock the loose, dry sand into place inside the joints between the pavers. Thus the sand will stay in place in the event of high pressure pressure-washing and continue its functional and aesthetic reasons for existence. The pavers will have better measure of protection from things such as grease droppings from cars or bar be que’s, making it easier to clean. Sealers also dictate the sheen: a glossy, semi-glossy or flat surface coating.

Paver sealers are typically a chemical mix involving polymers or epoxies or else often water-based mixes of acrylics which cover the surface and perform a variety of functions. They can act as agents to give pavers a “wet look”, as if recently washed. Looking therefore glossy, it has the colors standing out very loudly. This sealer can effect a newer and fresher look and bring the color out very prominently.

The fact is there are 3 grades of sealers. Going backwards from a “sheen” rating, the glossier ones give the look described above. A second sealer gives a less prominent color and a more semi-glossy look. And the flat look is more natural perhaps but still serves its protective function as well as locking the sand into place. All are highly recommended by all installers yet they are not absolutely necessary.

Stamped concrete has hit the construction industry running.  One of those ideas whose “time had come”, stamped concrete offers variations of color and texture previously thought to exist only in the application of native or imported stone.  The absolutely wild themes available currently are even more diverse every year.  New patterns of impressions are discovered every year, resulting in yet more design possibilities. And the color possibilities remain basically endless.  The better the installers get at mixing, dying and experimenting, the better the overall look in general.  For something as relative new to the construction industry as stamped concrete, its technological and design application advances boggle the mind.

Making driveways of stamped concrete costs a bit more than installing your standard grey cement mix, but the effects are truly arresting. What one gets with stamped concrete is the texture of natural stone, a potentially rough surface mirroring that of grainy and pocked natural rock.  But when the color is applied, the work really stands out.  Penetrating charcoal powders thrown down on the already-colored cement from the truck result in a look of depth and shadow as they settle into the lower dips of the impressed finish. Hosed off, you see this shadow effect emerge and the results are a two-colored deep and very artistic look.

Other colors work as well, ranging through the entire color spectrum, now resembling more of an artisan’s project than some slab of cold, gray cement. Matching color to a home works a minor miracle in bringing everything together into some thematic consistency.  It also pleases the eye dramatically, giving a striking curb appeal.

Another tactic often employed is to use bands of stamped concrete to either rim the edge of standard cement or top even bisect it, bringing out the colors of the banding yet more and reducing the glare and offensiveness of an immense gray slab.  Inserting shapes inside the gray look also works -shapes of circles, rectangular effects or shapes of almost any character at all.  These are easily done during the initial pours and can result is a much softer, far more interesting look.

Continuing the stamped concrete theme to the sidewalks, entryways or patios that surround the home simply highlights the entirety of the enterprise even more substantially.  The themed look goes from simply “pretty” to “stunning” and gorgeous to another degree altogether.

These value-added changes and installations can produce value far beyond the norm.  Presenting such a fascinating and thematic face to the world is a rue highlight of adding to curb appeal and yet another way to enjoy one’s living space even more.

These edge restraints represent an achievement in paving technology. Where previously many paver installers formed edges of cement, often on top of yet more cement, meaning a far greater labor and materials expense, these handy plastic items serve the same purpose in a tenth of the time. When 10″-12″ spikes are used as the securing mechanisms, the edge restraint shown here can be applied in minutes upon satisfactorily laying a paver edge. Indeed, owing to some very bizarre asymmetries in design any more, the edge restraints are often put in “prior” to the laying of the pavers.

This is so a perfect edge can be scribed and then cut for a maximum conformity, leaving a perfect congruent line of edging. After all, when all is said and done, this product will be invisibly doing its work: retaining the entire paving edge in a durable and permanent way. Thus, plastic is a perfect product, not only because of its lightness the ease of transport and cutting, but also because it will never break down like metals or cement will.

Plastic and aluminum paver edge restraints represent the latest in restraint technology’ Faster, easy to install, they allow a contractor to leave in a timely manner without the headache of worrying about the after effects of dealing with cement.