High-end driveway pavers serve both function and form in the West Bloomfield Township and Rochester Hills, MI, areas. At the most basic functional level, a paver driveway would provide a necessary safe and convenient place for you and guests to park. But a well-designed and well-appointed paver driveway can also serve as an important aesthetic feature.
A paver driveway can create a sophisticated elegance that complements other aspects of your home as well as your overall landscape design. So, with those functional and aesthetic benefits of a new paver driveway in mind, here’s a look at what you can expect when hiring a masonry contractor to update your driveway.
Design Plan
The first thing you want to do is work with your landscape contractor to come up with a design plan. There are a number of decisions you’ll want to work through but one overriding decision is style. You’ll have an opportunity to align the style of your paver driveway with the overall design scheme of your home and your landscape. The end result could be one where the paver driveway has its own integrity but is part of a larger, cohesive whole, such as a vision (if not literal) connection to your front entrance walkway or a walkway that leads to the backyard.
Site Preparation
Before installing the pavers, your contractor will prepare the site. Site preparation may involve removing any existing pavement or debris, grading the area to ensure proper drainage, and compacting the soil to create a stable base for the pavers.
Choice of Pavers
Your landscape contractor will work with you to align the choice of paver with the style you’ve chosen. Some styles may be limited as the thickness of the pavers must be considered for paver features that will take on considerable weight and traffic. You may find that you want to mix and match styles, such as by giving your driveway a distinct border or adding a monogram.
Laying the Base
Once the site is prepared and the pavers are chosen, it’s time to lay the base. This typically consists of a layer of crushed stone or gravel, followed by a layer of sand. The base should be compacted and leveled to ensure that the pavers are stable and evenly supported.
Laying the Pavers
Next comes laying the pavers. Your masonry contractor will keep the pavers level and evenly spaced, and then use a rubber mallet to tap them into place. Your contractor will then use a paver jointing tool to fill any gaps between the pavers with sand.
Sweep and Lock
Once the pavers are laid, the final step is to sweep sand over the surface to help lock them in place. On the advice of your contractor, you may want to include paver sealing at the end of the project, to seal in the look and color of your driveway pavers.
With careful thought and expert attention to detail, your masonry contractor will help you not only envision a paver driveway that you’ll enjoy for years to come but will ensure that your vision is implemented beautifully.
Related: What Landscaping Companies Suggest To Beautify a Driveway in West Bloomfield Township and Troy, MI
