Give Your Residence A Fresh Look By Using Garden Paving Slabs

By Craig Johnson

A paver is a brick, concrete block or stone that is used to lay on a flat surface to make a driveway, walkway or patio. Some pavers are laid down and interlock with sand that is placed between them. Others are laid down with concrete. Garden paving slabs are an easy way to enhance the look of an outside garden and walkway. They are not hard to install and a job for any capable do-it-yourselfer.

One type of paver to use in the garden is the brick paver. This type of paver is about four inches by eight inches long. Some companies are making bricks with a spacer built into the side of it. They have started to create more pavers like this due to the success of the interlocking paver. The bricks are layed out and the joints in between each one are filled with sand. By putting the sand in between it locks the brick in but it gives it some room to adjust to the shifting ground. This type of installation is sturdier than just placing bricks side by side.

There are advantages to utilizing a brick paver instead of an interlocking type paver. The bricks are strong, made from clay and kiln dried. They have no cracks and are more economical than the interlocking type. The outer surface is made from real brick. The top section of the brick is beveled to enhance the pattern. This type of bevel assists with less chipping when installation is being completed.

When preparing the surface for installing these pavers, one must take into account for the thickness of the pavers plus remember to add in the bedding sand and up to eight inches of base material. The base used is made for only paving stones. These brick type pavers are most costly than concrete paving stones but they have more advantages than the latter.

Using a traditional brick and mortar gives a person a familiar appearance. However this type of paver can be prone to cracking due to the ground shifting. The no mortar, sand process takes into account the ground shift and can accommodate it. These pavers have become very popular over the years as they are easy to install, durable, strong and easy on the wallet.

People love to entertain now more than ever. Everyone loves to attend a barbecue outside in the summertime. Adding a new patio or walkway to the backyard is an enhancement that cannot be measured. Many people can complete this project independently. There are many home improvement centers that can accommodate the homeowner with all the supplies and advice needed to complete the job. Some offer weekend or nightly workshops on how to correctly complete the paver installation.

If the homeowner does not feel comfortable installing it, there are also many landscape companies who can complete this type of project for the person. Meet with a few companies and get estimates of the cost and time for the project. Estimates will vary. Research references from the company. Ask others if they have had any issues with the contractor and if so were the issues resolved quickly. Finally remember to ask if there are any warranties with their work.

Improving the garden area of a yard is an exciting way to create a wonderful new sanctuary. The visitor can sit and visit for awhile or attend a barbecue with a lot of friends and family. The options are endless. Paving stones are a way to create that wonderful new area. The stones are available in many styles, sizes, colors and price. A homeowner needs to come up with a design and idea of what they would like to accomplish. After that the homeowner can begin the process of completing the job themselves or hiring a contractor. - 33393

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