Paving stones offer a stunning surface for walkways and driveways. The stones are durable and reliable; they also enhance your landscape while creating beautiful paths to seating areas, pools and gardens to make spending time outdoors even more enjoyable.
You can easily arrange interlocking paving stones based on your preferred design and you can even use the stones to create an outdoor living space with amenities like a fireplace or fire bowl. The stones can also serve as a base for the seating in the pool or spa area.
You can take on the project yourself if you’re comfortable with performing home renovations. Or, you can contact a building contractor in your area who can handle the paving stone installation for you. If you want to do most of the job yourself, consulting with a contractor could be more affordable than hiring him or her, and you’ll still receive the guidelines and helpful information you need to install the stones correctly.
If you decide to take on the task, there are some important steps to follow to ensure that you’ll be happy with the finished product. First, you should know why interlocking paving stones are beneficial. The tones gain an impressive compressive strength of 8,000 pounds per square inch. Traditional preset or poured concrete only gains up to 5,000 pounds per square inch.
Paving stones are also ideal for your outdoor space because they don’t absorb much water. If you’re building a walkway around the pool or your water your lawn often, these stones are the best choice. Water can sometimes get under stone, wood or cement in a walkway, which can lead to cracks and mould development. Since you don’t have to worry about water getting in between the stones, the stones would break of crack if there are heavy rains or snow in your area. Interlocking paving stones also hold up well during cold weather; it’s safer to walk on the stones than asphalt in the winter.
Another reason why many people choose to install the stones themselves is because the process doesn’t require expansion joints. A tamping machine is necessary for this job, which compacts the sand that is used as a bed for the stones to keep the pavers in place. The installation time is quick, and you can use the stones as soon as installation is complete.
If you want to customize your interlocking stones design, there are several colors to choose from. You can also select different textures and shapes to pave your walkway or driveway. Your landscape can be completely original, which adds curb appeal and possibly increase property values. You can also incorporate different styles for various areas of your landscape. For instance, geometric designs around the pool are eye-catching, but you may prefer lighter colors or a grainer texture for the driveway. Since the stones can withstand a lot of foot traffic and don’t overheat during spring or summer, you can safely walk on them barefoot while taking in the beauty of your landscape.