Modern landscape design gives you choices, but sometimes, the number of choices in front of you may feel overwhelming. Landscaping companies will often recommend specific products to help you make the right aesthetic and practical decisions. What criteria do they use? Here’s how landscaping companies pick the right brick pavers for projects in Sterling Heights, MI.
1. Application
Not all pavers are created equal. You can use driveway pavers on patios, walkways, and pool decks, but you’ll need heavy-duty pavers on driveways to withstand vehicular loads. The good news is that if you want a cohesive look throughout your hardscapes, there are plenty of brick paver lines that offer the same look in patio and driveway pavers.
Another consideration is whether the pavers are sealed or not. In an outdoor kitchen and at the poolside, you may want to use pavers that are sealed, so that accidental food spills, pool chemicals, and other spills don’t ruin their appearance.
Your landscaping company will help you find brick pavers that are right for the job.
2. Style
After practicality, the next consideration is style. The combination of style factors gives your outdoor living space a particular feel. The first question to ask yourself when working with your landscaping company is “How do I want to feel in my outdoor spaces?”
Style choices include colors, textures, shapes, sizes, and finishes. This is where the choices often become overwhelming. A good starting point is to take cues from the home’s architectural style, any existing hardscape features you want to keep, and the surrounding landscape.
Color choices could include observing paver samples in all lighting conditions as well as when dry or wet, since colors can appear dramatically different in various situations. The most satisfactory results often come by complementing the home and the surrounding landscape, rather than going for contrast. Mid-tone earthy tones or mid-tone greys are the most popular. Neutral tones will not turn out to look awkward if you decide to change the color of your home.
Color choices will determine whether your patio will stand out as a bold statement, or blend in with the surroundings. A landscaping company will keep in mind that while light colors make a space feel larger, they could create a bold contrast between the patio and a surrounding dark green wooded landscape. This can be desired, or not. If you prefer darker pavers, consider sun exposure and whether you’ll be there in bare feet (consider your pets’ paws, too, since dark pavers can become hot). For that reason, your landscaping contractor will likely steer you away from dark colors for pool or hot tub areas.
Texture choices also affect the look and feel of your outdoor space. You could opt for a textured patio alongside a smooth-textured home, or smooth pavers alongside a brick- or stone-sided home—but these are not rules, only suggestions. A bit of contrast can create a more interesting space, but you don’t want to overdo it.
Modern outdoor living spaces tend to favor smooth, sleek materials, but to prevent the space from looking boring, your landscaping company may suggest adding texture for visual interest.
In general, landscaping companies recommend choosing no more than two to three colors and two to three textures to yield the most pleasing and enduring results.
When it comes to shapes and sizes, your landscaping company could take a modern approach and choose large format square or rectangular pavers to create a spacious feel. Large pavers are extremely versatile, and pair well with any home siding or existing hardscape materials.
However, smaller pavers such as those that resemble classic bricks could give your outdoor spaces a more intimate, timeless, and lived-in feel. Always remember the feeling you want to achieve. Your landscaping company can suggest modern brick pavers that feature a broader range of colors and finishes.
