Landscaping projects offer a wide range of options for homeowners, whether they are looking to spruce up their overall aesthetic or make significant renovations to massively impact the overall value of their home, from firepits to retaining walls to walkways. Whatever your plans may be, landscaping can be a frustrating and isolating process, especially if you aren’t sure what materials are necessary to get the job done right.
To avoid problems, homeowners often hire someone else to take care of everything for them. While that is certainly easier, it can be significantly more expensive. Cut out the middleman by learning the ins and outs of landscaping yourself. Understand what landscape pavers are and how they work so you can make an informed decision about how to move forward with your project.
What are Pavers?
Landscape pavers are outdoor flooring materials typically made from stone, brick, clay, porcelain, or concrete that can be used to make patio surfaces, walkways, driveways, and more. Pavers come in various shapes, sizes, and colors, so you’ll find extensive avenues for customizing your paver project. Note that while landscape pavers are used as part of the landscape of any homeowner’s outdoor space, they are technically considered hardscaping materials. Hardscaping is any kind of renovation that involves hard materials like pavers, while landscaping is work like gardens and flower beds.
What Are the Different Types of Pavers?
Brick Pavers
Brick pavers are made by firing clay at very high temperatures. These pavers offer a few different advantages. Their brown or reddish color tends to last over the years, and they are offered in a wide range of shapes and sizes. However, the downside is that brick tends to be more expensive than some cost-effective options, like concrete pavers.
Clay Pavers
Clay pavers offer more variety than those that are strictly considered to be brick pavers. The color options are far more diverse, with beige and tan colors available, and their malleability allows them to be placed in virtually any pattern.
Concrete Pavers
Concrete pavers are ideal for homeowners who are looking for a budget-friendly solution for their next hardscaping project. These pavers are more durable than poured concrete and are available in various shapes, sizes, and colors. However, it’s essential to keep in mind that any sealing efforts on concrete pavers will likely need to be repeated every three to five years.
Porcelain Pavers
Porcelain pavers are made from ceramic materials, yet they offer the aesthetic appeal of natural stone. The primary difference between porcelain and stone is that porcelain is much more resistant to weather conditions and staining over time. Since they don’t need to be sealed, they also require less maintenance. Remember that they can be easily damaged during the installation process and are noticeably more slippery when wet, so they’re less than ideal for pool decks and patio pavers unless the patio is protected from the rain.
How to Install Brick Pavers
Installing brick pavers is a straightforward process without too many steps. Even so, it is crucial to follow each step carefully to avoid any installation problems that could compromise the longevity and functionality of your hardscaping project and outdoor living space overall. Our handy guide for installation can help you get the job done right after we get the suitable materials to you.
What is the Typical Cost for Pavers?
- Brick pavers: $6 to $20 per square foot
- Clay pavers: $6 to $8 per square foot
- Concrete pavers: $5 to $8 per square foot
- Porcelain pavers: $10 to $35 per square foot
Other Factors that Affect the Cost of Pavers
Paver costs can be impacted by a wide range of different factors that you should keep in mind during the planning process, including the following:
- Labor rates
- How level the installation is
- How complex the paver pattern is
- How accessible the work area is
- How large the project is
Beautiful Landscape Paver Ideas for Hampton Roads Residents
Landscape pavers give homeowners many options when it comes to outdoor area designs and implementation. At Batchelder & Collins, our experience has allowed us to see a wide range of incredible designs for pavers, so we have some exciting ideas to offer. Look at some of our favorite projects that were put together using our high-quality materials.
How to Maintain Pavers
One of the best aspects of using pavers is that it is simple to maintain them properly. In many cases, all you need to do is give them a good pressure washing now and then. Even so, the exact kind of maintenance required depends on the material you use.
Concrete pavers are best sealed when installed and then resealed about every two years. This may need to be even more frequent if the pavers are in an area that receives high traffic levels. Clay pavers, on the other hand, typically only need to be sealed if they are likely to come into contact with oily materials like what you may find around a barbecue grill. Brick pavers can be cleaned with water and small levels of detergent just to get the grime away.
Why Our Customers Choose Batchelder & Collins
At Batchelder & Collins, we have supplied high-quality hardscaping materials to the Hampton Roads, Virginia area for over a century. Our extensive experience can be used in your next project by helping you determine the best materials for the job and supplying those materials with a focus on quality performance. Look at what some of our previous customers had to say about our bricks and services.
Testimonials
“Great experience, great customer service, very friendly and quick to help.” — Byron W.
“This place is the best place for brick in Hampton roads.” — Francesco B.
Build the Backyard of Your Dreams
While pavers can be a significant investment, they are a helpful tool for getting closer to the backyard of your dreams that sports iconic landscape design features. At Batchelder & Collins, we want our customers to make informed decisions and only do what is best for their home and unique needs. Contact our team to help find the best strategy for moving forward and getting the high-quality pavers and materials you need.
