Walkways, which are one of the most integral parts of a landscape, aren’t necessarily the most exciting features—but they are important. Walkways help your landscape function properly by creating easy transitions between spaces. In general, using a lesser material such as poured concrete or asphalt for your walkways won’t do your landscape and home justice and could in fact detract from its appearance. Landscape experts know that there is a much better masonry material out there. Here’s why concrete pavers make for a lasting walkway in Sterling Heights, MI.
Countless Design Options
No matter the design style of your home and landscape and the natural environment, there are many choices available when you focus on concrete pavers. Most concrete pavers are inspired by natural stone. However, there are greater choices in colors. You can even find styles that are purely modern—styles that embrace their material. Pavers can also be laid in many different patterns, ensuring that there are truly countless options when it comes to designing a walkway that will be a functional work of art.
Design Continuity
Homeowners who want to use pavers on their driveways are often surprised that pedestrian-rated pavers aren’t suitable for vehicular use. However, paver lines that are rated for driveway use often feature more lightweight cousins rated for pedestrian applications. This means you can have exactly the same appearance on the surface of your driveway and walkway—below the surface, one type of paver can handle vehicle weights while the other is just right for pedestrian areas.
Best Value
Pavers offer tremendous value to homeowners. While poured concrete and asphalt are often less expensive in the short term, the real payoff to pavers is in the future. Concrete pavers will last far longer than any solid surface walkway (poured concrete or asphalt). Your walkway will not crack or crumble. A well-constructed paver walkway will not fall victim to the freeze-thaw cycle, since individual pavers are designed to fit snugly together yet give a little to account for the natural expansion and contraction of soil. Should an individual paver be damaged, it can be replaced without disturbing the rest of the walkway.
Faster Installation
There are certain tasks involved in every paved surface project whether it’s a solid surface or pavers. Grading and installing the proper base and bedding are necessary for all walkway projects. But once it comes to the final step—installing the surface material—pavers win, hands down. They can be put in place fairly quickly, and can be used immediately afterward, unlike poured concrete and asphalt which need time to cure.
Minimal Maintenance
Many styles of concrete pavers don’t need to be sealed. While sealing is an option to enhance the pavers’ colors, it’s not always necessary. Once they are sealed, sealing will need to reoccur every three to five years. Aside from regular cleaning, these pavers don’t require maintenance.
Consistent Strength
During their manufacture, concrete pavers are molded and stress tested to be strong and last for many years. In fact, premium concrete pavers are generally expected to last a lifetime. They will also be much less susceptible to wear and tear. Some concrete pavers are designed to withstand at least four times the pressure that would crack poured concrete.
Of course, walkways won’t see the traffic that your driveway would. But it’s still nice to be able to install a concrete paver walkway and have it be a functional and attractive part of your landscape for decades.
Related: How Landscaping Companies Can Help with Your Idea for a Backyard Masonry Project in Macomb, MI
