5 Reasons To Choose Brick Pavers Over Concrete

The pandemic is not coming to a halt, and most of us are still working from home and are trying to find ways to make our homes look better. An excellent place to start can be the outdoors. Many people think about designing their driveway, walkway, or patio. Many suffer experience confusion when it comes to deciding between the two-bricks or concrete.

Brick Pavers Over Concrete Driveways or Patio’s

choosing brick pavers over concrete

For years, the debate has been going on, and we are here to settle it once and for all. Brick pavers are certainly a better choice than concrete pavements; let’s take a look at why this is the case:

1. Longer Life of Pavers

Brick pavers are much stronger than their concrete counterparts, which results in a lesser need for repairs. Brick pavers are built to withstand harsh weather conditions and can offer more longevity than a concrete pavement.

2. Repairing Brick Pavers is Much Easier

Concrete pavements are in fact one single piece, whereas brick pavers are a combination of individual parts, repairing a concrete pavement can prove to be much more expensive and time-consuming.

For example, to repair a few cracks in the concrete pavement, the whole pavement will have to be replaced or a couple of big chunks. However, a brick paver that cracks can be targeted to the specific bricks where the cracks are. You can easily remove and replace the particular bricks.

3. Pavers Are More Stain Resistant

When it comes to stains, concrete is more prone to absorbing a stain than a brick paver. Even if both get stained, the problem remains the same as the one mentioned above. If some parts of the brick paver get stained, you can easily replace them, but that is not the case with concrete pavements.

4. Brick Pavers Offer a Better Grip

If it rains a lot in your city, then a brick paver is the best choice you have. When concrete gets wet, it becomes pretty slippery to walk on, which becomes dangerous in particular situations. The brick pavers offer a more robust grip due to their abrasive texture.

5. Brick will make your Driveway or Patio’s Stand Out

The problem with concrete pavements is that you have to get them colored artificially to get a good lookout of your walkway, driveway, or patio. Since the colors aren’t natural, they quickly fade out, and it ruins the entire look.

You only get specific colors with a brick pavement, but they will last much longer since they are natural colors.

So, What’s Next?

Brick pavers are the better choice, but the most important thing is a proper installation. If your brick paver is not installed correctly, you will be facing a lot of problems.

We recommend hiring professionals when installing brick pavers, and if you are not sure of which company is reliable, you should try out West Coast Pavers. They have over 20 years of experience in brick pavers.

Why Are My Patio Pavers Sinking?

Patios provide curb appeal to your home

If you’re experiencing your patio pavers sinking, there are several possible reasons this is happening.

Not only do pavers on your patio add curb appeal, they are also an excellent addition for people who like spending their evenings outside or hosting gatherings and barbeque parties. Brick and stone paver patios are the most popular as they are strong, graceful, and generally easy to repair.

patio pavers sinking

However, after some time, you’ll notice that your paver patio isn’t right. You might start wondering “why is my patio sinking?” Today, we will explore the reasons why.

1. Unstable Ground

Without a sturdy base, your patio will sink soon after installation or maybe after a bit of time. Any loose soil must be removed to tackle this problem, before you put compressed gravel, followed by a layer of sand. Failure to perform these steps will result in an unstable base.

Not using crucial tools such as level or edger can also lead to moving pavers or gaps.

Lastly, the soil below the foundation can shift overtime because of various natural reasons causing the patio to sink – so keep an eye on that.

2. Erosion

One of the most common reasons patios sink over time is water erosion. Beneath the gravel and sand used to layout the patio paver is the natural soil vulnerable to water erosion. Similarly, the sand used for your pavers can erode overtime, increasing the amount of water flowing between the pavers and leading to the un-leveled surfaces.

3. Tree Roots

Trees and large shrubs can also sink patios if they are planted too close to them. The gravel and sand used in a paver’s baseare great for trees and large plants to spread their roots. Trees’ roots can grow twice as large as their canopy.

Moreover, trees that were once near your patio can lead to a sinking paver patio as well. This is because of the decomposition of tree roots.

4. Earthquakes

An earthquake can also impact your patio as it can shift land. The shift will depend upon the intensity of the earthquake. It can be a slight shift or a massive one. But an earthquake can cause much more harm to you and your home in conjunction with affecting your patio.

If you live in an area with frequent earthquakes, the best thing to do is to relocate.

5. Drainage Problems

If you find a large portion of your patio sinking, the problem might be a drainage issue. Maybe a sewer pipe is leaking water below the surface of your patio,dampening, and weakening the base. In this case, the best thing to do is to take help from an expert. There are many reasons why your patio might be sinking and discovering that issue is the first step to solving the problem.

For professional Brick Paver Installation, Contact West Coast Pavers of SW Florida!

Why Use Paver Edging For a Lawn?

Why use paver edging for a lawn? What benefits does the paver edging confer on your lawn?

Here are paver edging benefits that you need to be aware of…

Pavers Provide Protection for Your Driveway

Paver edging entails bordering your driveway with brick pavers to protect both your driveway and your lawn from damage. Besides enhancing protection, paver edging can be visually appealing. The pavers can constrain your driveway brick pavers rigidly so that they do not shift from their original position. And this will prevent brick pavers on your driveway from lifting and breaking loose.

Brick Paver edging can also protect the vulnerable sides of the driveway from cracking and chipping. This will increase the durability of your driveway and allow it to last longer.

brick paver edging for a lawn

Protection for Your Lawn

Another benefit of brick paver edging is it acts as a barrier that prevents vehicles from driving inadvertently on the grass. Thus your lawn remains protected especially when raised brick pavers are used in the edging. This kind of edging also acts as a demarcation of sorts for pedestrians. It is a visual guide that stops people from stepping on and trampling the grass.

Cost Savings and Maintenance

You would certainly like your driveway to last longer. After all, you have invested top dollar into your beautiful hardscape.

Since paver edging protects your driveway, less maintenance is required. As a result, you will incur fewer costs and your investment will be safeguarded. Instead of calling over experts to fix your driveway over the weekend, you can enjoy quality time with your family.

Edging itself requires little maintenance since it is so durable and if a brick is damaged or broken, experts can extract that brick alone instead of disturbing all other bricks.

Mitigates Soil Erosion

Soil won’t get washed or blown away since it is a kind of physical barrier. With edging, the soil will remain where it should – on the lawn. It can also help to alleviate the disastrous effects that the rainy season has on your lawn.

It Provides a Beautiful Hardscape

Edging can enhance the curb appeal and aesthetics of your property giving your driveway and lawn a prominent boundary that will look splendid. With brick pavers for the edging, you can demarcate areas more clearly and embellish the landscape around your property. Furthermore you can define your lawn and driveway in a more visually appealing manner.

Better Home Value

Anything that improves the looks of your property makes it more valuable. Edging has both aesthetic as well as functional uses. The good news is that this home improvement is relatively inexpensive.

Easier Parking

Is your driveway circular? Does it have twists or bends? If your driveway has undulating contours, then edging can make parking easier. However, for edging that looks good and performs as intended, you will need to get in touch with experienced experts for brick driveways, walkways, edging, patio’s and pool decks.

CALL WEST COAST PAVERS TODAY»

What Are Interlocking Paver Stones?

What are interlocking paver stones?

Interlocking Paver Stones

Interlocking paver stones are just what you need for a robust hardscape be it your driveway, patio or walkway.

Interlocking paver stones are a natural choice for long-lived and sturdy hardscapes.

The beauty of interlocking paving stones is that you can choose the stone pattern and color that will best complement your property décor. Thus, you are free to choose from paver stone shapes and geometrical patterns that will bring out the best in your property.

Interlocking Brick Pavers

Paver Stone Foundation

There is no doubt that interlocking paver stones look very impressive. But it really is the foundation of the interlocking stone pavers that really gives rise to their legendary durability.

Paver stones are held rigidly in place because of the high level of friction that comes from joint sand between pavers.

You just don’t lay out brick pavers on a simple smooth surface. An intricate base exists underneath the interlocking stones that is every bit as important as the paver stones on top.

Below the interlocking stones is an inch thick layer of bedding sand. Underneath the bedding sand is a layer of compacted aggregate base. The thickness of the base layer depends on the application.

Paver Stone Edge Restraints

Edge restraints are crucial for a paving system that is rigid and strong. Made from aluminum, plastic or concrete, edge restraints prevent relative movement in the brick pavers to keep them intact.

After the paver stones are laid on the solid foundation and the edge restraint has been constructed, sand is poured out on the paver stones. The sand settles within the paver gaps to maintain a powerful interlocking force.

Easy to Maintain

Another crucial benefit of interlocking paver stones is that they are so easy to replace. To begin with, they are very sturdy and long lasting. Should even a single paver stone get damaged, it can easily be replaced without a trace. There will be no adverse on other paver stones surrounding the replaced paver stone.

Interlocking Paver Stone Advantages

Here are the major benefits of interlocking stone pavers.

  • Very simple to maintain and repair.
  • Huge variety of colors available to suit your property facade.
  • Wide spectrum of brick shapes and geometrical patterns.
  • Paver stone hardscapes are in high demand and thus enhance property value.
  • Exceptional durability to the elements.
  • Resilient to heavy weights and traffic.
  • Permeable and thus beneficial to the environment.

Biggest Cons of Interlocking Paver Stones.

  • Weeds can start growing in gaps between stones.
  • Costlier than concrete.

Do bear in mind that regular brick paver maintenance can minimize weed growth. Although more expensive than concrete, brick stone pavers are often more durable, longer lasting and aesthetically appealing. This makes brick stone pavers a far better investment.

The most important fact to take note of is that if you are interested in long lasting, beautiful stone pavers that look just right, then you will have to hire the right experts for the job.

Are you interested in a fantastic hardscape that will last long and look great on your property?

CONTACT US»

Benefits of an Outdoor Kitchen

Outdoor kitchens are not a new concept but over the last few years they have started to trend among homeowners. They are becoming a common sight in residential outdoor spaces. Unlike the earlier built-in barbecues of patios, today; outdoor kitchens have become a lot more advanced. Now, you are going to see a lot more of wood-fire pizza ovens, oversized grills, gourmet appliances, and granite countertops. The improvements in electrical and plumbing lines make it convenient to install ceiling fans, lighting, sinks, and kitchen appliances with ease. This is why you need to consider the benefits of an outdoor kitchen, which are listed below.

outdoor kitchen

1. Increase Resale Value

Outdoor kitchens are often seen as a luxury feature. By adding one to your property, you can market and advertise it as a luxury feature once you plan to sell your home. According to real estate brokers, outdoor kitchens provide a higher return on investment (ROI).

2. Reduces Utility Bill Expenses

Once the summer season comes and you begin grilling, your air condition no longer has to toil hard to circulate cool air in your home. Baking, roasting, and broiling foods in your regular kitchen will increase your home’s temperature by several degrees. As a result, your air conditioner works harder to keep your home cool. Thus, cooking outdoors helps with saving on energy consumption.

3. Save Money on Restaurant Bills

Having your own dining and patio cooking area in your background also means that you will be less tempted to dine in a restaurant. One of the biggest factors that eat ups your monthly budget is when you repeatedly eat out at restaurants. Therefore, every time you choose to dine at home, you are saving a lot of money throughout the year.

4. Keeps Smell Outside

Food scents tend to be stronger in summers. During canning, certain foods are placed in the jars pre-cooked. Later, these smells mix up and cause a lot of discomfort in your home, especially when guests visit.

With an outdoor kitchen, you get to keep all forms of stenches outside. In addition, your garden can neutralize these smells.

5. Serves As an Excellent Entertaining Space

Outdoor entertaining spaces are loved by both boomers and millennials alike. According to Rymer Strategies, around 78% of boomers and 68% of millennials don’t have any qualms paying over $5,000 to create an outdoor living space. Boomers prefer grill nights, whereas millennials like to play outdoor games. Hence, both generators like cooking and eating food at an outdoor space.

Now that you know the benefits of an outdoor kitchen, get in touch with us, so that we can set up an outdoor kitchen in your home. It’s not just a kitchen it’s a positive lifestyle change!

Hiring Paver Contractors

Questions To Ask When Hiring a Paver Contractor

Installing Patio Pavers?

Patio pavers can add some much-needed beauty to your outdoor space. Even though installing patio pavers may seem like a good idea, a small mistake during installation can ruin your outdoor space.

Patio pavers can be rather unsightly if they are installed poorly. Moreover, incorrect installation often results in multiple issues such as unevenness, drainage problems, etc. However, you can eliminate all these issues simply by being meticulous and careful when hiring a patio paver contractor.

Here are a few questions you can ask a patio paver contractor to ensure that they are professional and reliable.

Are You Licensed?

This is one of the main questions to ask before hiring any contractor. There are some contractors who don’t hold the correct contracting licenses of the states they are operating in. If your contractor has an active license, it ensures that they are offering the services in the most professional manner. So, before hiring a patio paver contractor, make sure they have a  license.

Do You Offer Guarantee On Your Work?

You need to ask your potential patio paver contractor if they are offering a warranty on their products and guarantee on their work. Most contractors give you a time limit in which you can opt for free repairs, etc. So, make sure that your patio paver contractor offers you that.

Are You Insured?

Every professional patio paver contractor has liability and worker compensation insurance. In the case that they don’t, the client becomes responsible for all the potential damages that may be encountered during the installation. For this reason, you need to ensure that your patio paver contractor has insurance.

Do You Provide An Estimate?

You should definitely be aware of how much your patio paver installation is going to cost before initiating the installation process. This isn’t something that you should leave for the end. So, make sure that your contractor offers you a fixed quotation for the job.

These were just some questions that you must ask a contractor before you hire them. All in all, it is essential for you to ensure that you are hiring a professional patio paver contractor for the job!

Is Travertine Cooler Than Concrete Patios?

When building a patio, one question that you must answer is: “is travertine cooler than concrete for patios?” Travertine has a porous structure that can absorb water easily. The porous nature of travertine is what makes it cooler than other materials even during hot weather.

Cooler

Travertine is cooler than concrete. The low surface temperature of travertine makes it a better choice of material for all kinds of applications, including patio renovation and construction. Travertine can be around 20 to 30 percent cooler than concrete pavers as a result of its porous structure. The porous structure imparts important safety properties to travertine besides being cooler during the hottest days. The porous structure can provide a rougher texture, that is, better traction for areas where this is necessary like the pool. Since travertine has a non-slip texture, it is ideal for the pool area and also a great choice for patios and driveways. You can seal travertine pavers to make them even more resilient and to prevent the buildup of mold, fungus and deterioration.

is travertine cooler than concrete patios

Weather-Resistant

To say that travertine is cooler than concrete is only a small part of the bigger picture. Travertine is also more resilient than concrete against extreme weather conditions. Concrete pavers are not as tenacious and are liable to crack during the winter. The color of concrete pavers may also fade due to the action of sleet, rain and snow. This increases maintenance costs, so you may have to color them again once every two years.

Since travertine has natural colors, you will not have to color them again as they do not fade. As travertine is more capable of withstanding freezing temperatures, it is a suitable choice if you live in an area that is very cold during the winter.

Despite the extra benefits over concrete, travertine does not require longer installation time and effort. Travertine pavers can be installed with the same ease as concrete pavers. Yet travertine is more durable than concrete and can serve you longer without deteriorating.

Aesthetics

From the point of view of aesthetics, travertine once again has several advantages over concrete pavers. Concrete is a synthetic material and is not natural, unlike travertine. While contractors can attempt to impart a more natural look to concrete pavers, they will never achieve the same natural appearance as travertine, which is a completely natural material.

Travertine is more desirable since it is a completely natural material. Since it is found in nature, this material looks more natural and visually appealing than man-made concrete. The result is a more natural and visually stimulating effect for your carefully curated hardscape. Your home property will look better with travertine. Your patios and driveways will also be able to derive other benefits like staying cooler, greater durability and more slip-resistance.

We have years of experience installing travertine pavers and can do all jobs involving travertine, including maintenance, repair and renovation. You should get in touch with the professionals for your next home improvement project with travertine. Contact us today.

Is Travertine Good Pavers for Patios?

If you are thinking about upgrading your patio, you might be wondering: “is travertine good pavers for patios?” Travertine pavers are a popular choice among homeowners due to their numerous benefits. They are similar to travertine tiles, the main difference being that they are substantially thicker and bulkier to withstand outdoor use in patios, driveways and backyards.

Here are the characteristics of travertine pavers that you must know about.

Travertine is Versatile

Travertine pavers are truly versatile since they come in a rich spectrum of hues and shades that can suit just about any landscape and architecture. You can select from a wide variety of finishes and colors to match the exterior of your humble abode. You can select from several exciting shades, including walnut, gold and ivory to complement your outdoor décor brilliantly.

You can also choose from a wide array of paver designs to create an attractive pattern for your hardscape. You can also select from finishing options to suit the areas where you will be installing travertine pavers. Pool areas can make good use of porous surfaces while honed surfaces and chiseled edges give travertine pavers traction for use in driveways.

travertine for patios

Simple to Maintain

One of the biggest concerns about pavers is their durability. There is no fun in installing pavers that will break down far too soon. Travertine pavers can help you to avoid such disappointment since they are durable, resilient and strong. Their surfaces are resistant to debris accumulation and discoloration. You can maintain travertine pavers easily just by washing them with water at regular intervals.

Another important property of travertine pavers is that they are thaw and freeze-resistant. If the temperature in your area changes dramatically throughout the year and you are worried about the consequent damage, then travertine pavers are a good option since they are highly resilient.

Another big benefit is that travertine pavers are easy to replace. If one paver gets damaged, you can replace that paver easily without disturbing the rest.

Travertine for Patios & Pool Areas

Travertine pavers are ideal for the pool area due to their anti-slip property. If you are thinking about a safe pool area for your friends and family, then you should consider installing travertine pavers since they have a slip-resistant surface. Since these stones are porous, they are naturally rough and can provide good traction for bare feet. They remain fairly stable even when wet, making them the right choice for your pool.

Cool

Ordinary brick pavers can become very hot under the sun. As a result, these pavers are not the best choice for pool areas since the high temperature will make them uncomfortable to walk on. However, travertine pavers remain substantially cooler than ordinary pavers even during the hottest summer days.

Travertine pavers are more affordable than you think. So if you are thinking about installing travertine pavers, you should get in touch with professionals who have years of experience installing these pavers. We can do any kind of job related to brick pavers and travertine pavers, including maintenance, repair and cleaning.

Contact West Coast Pavers today.

Polymeric Sand

How Do You Maintain Polymeric Sand?

Here are some tips so that you can maintain the integrity of your brick pavers for a long time to come.

Polymeric Sand Benefits

The best quality polymeric sand can provide strength and stability for your bricks while keeping erosion at bay. Next-generation polymeric sand can provide you several other benefits besides inhibiting the growth of annoying weeds, mold and fungus between your brick paver joints. The right kind of polymeric sand can stop insects and ants from digging into your brick pavers. If you maintain your polymeric sand correctly, you can enjoy these benefits for several years.

Polymeric sand has proven itself to be a superior solution over ordinary brick paver sand. This material is high tech when compared to conventional sand since it is a blend of binder and high- grade colored sand that can set your brick pavers for maximum stability. It allows your brick pavers to resist motion under both wet and dry conditions.

polymeric sand

Storage

To maintain polymeric sand joints, keep a bag of this high-grade sand at hand so that you can use it whenever the need arises. You need to keep the package away from sunlight in a dry place. Do not take the sand out of its package unless you are applying it. If you must keep the bags outside, then cover them with a waterproof tarp to keep out sunshine and rain.

Weather

Before applying the polymeric sand, you must check the weather forecast to make sure that there will be no rain over the next 24 hours. Also check to see the temperature over the next 48 hours that are required for drying the sand. The temperature for this drying period should be over 32 degrees Fahrenheit.

Inspect the brick pavers to be certain that they are completely dry. Any water will start a reaction before the sand has time to settle in the right place. The sand might also end up staining the wet surface.

Check Joints

Check to see failing joints. Wherever you find them, use a screwdriver or a similar sharp tool to scrape it all out. You will be replacing this damaged joint with your fresh new polymeric sand.

Applying Polymeric Sand

After all this, you can sweep the polymeric sand over your brick pavers. Spread the sand uniformly with a push broom. Make sure that all joints are full of the new sand. There should be no cavity in the joints. Sprinkle this sand wherever you find joints that are not full.

Leaf Blower

Using a leaf blower, remove excess polymeric sand lying on brick pavers. Use the leaf blower carefully so that you don’t blow out the sand from the joints. It is the excess sand that you are targeting. If you do not remove this excess sand properly, it will become wet and stick to the surface.

Wetting

Wetting should be done carefully to prevent running water from carrying off the polymeric sand from the joints. Allow 48 hours for the sand to cure.

Polymeric sand maintenance requires skill and expertise to do correctly and safely. You must leave this job to the professionals and save yourself time and effort in the process.

-West Coast Pavers

Paver Maintenance Tips

How Do I Keep My Pavers From Fading?

You can create an attractive hardscape around your property with well-aligned brick pavers. Whether it is the pool deck, walkway, patio or driveway, brick pavers can add visual appeal and charm to your residence.

Equally important is the fact that pavers are durable. If you maintain them well, brick pavers can last for many years. After installing them, you might be asking: “how do I keep my brick pavers from fading?”

You can maintain brick pavers and keep them from fading by using the following tips and tricks.

Fading Pavers

Sweeping

Sweep your pavers regularly with a broom. Regular sweeping can keep dirt and debris away from your brick pavers to preserve their beauty for a longer time period.

If you think that it is going to rain, then it is highly recommended to sweep your brick pavers. The rain may create wet and muddy conditions if there are leaves, dirt and debris lying around. Your brick pavers may get stained. It is better to clean up your hardscape beforehand rather than do extra work to clean your stained pavers.

Use Water

Even after thorough sweeping, there may still be plenty of dirt and debris on the surface of your pavers, particularly in the joints. Use water to wash away the remaining dirt and debris. A hose with an attachment will prove to be most useful for this purpose. Pressure washing is not necessary all the time.

However, if you have moss and mold between your brick pavers, you might want to pressure wash. You need to exercise care since pressure washing the wrong way may be damaging for brick pavers.

Cleaning Solution

If you find stains on your brick pavers even after a thorough sweeping job, you should try cleaning the stained area with a soap solution. You just need to add a little dish soap to a bucket full of water. Catch hold of a sponge or rag, soak it in the soap solution and then apply it over your stained pavers.

Soap solution does not work with oil stains. An oil remover is necessary in this case.

Sealer

A high quality sealer can preserve the charm, texture and color of your brick pavers for a long time. Investing in a good sealer is worth it since it will allow your brick pavers to look as good as new for years.

A sealer can provide a protective coating to safeguard your bricks from the harsh elements, rain, wind, sunshine, dirt, dust, debris and stains. Not only that, your brick pavers will look extra shiny and new. You will be proud to note that your brick pavers are even more beautiful after the sealer is applied.

You need to hire the right experts for applying the sealer. It is also necessary to renew your sealer after a year or two has elapsed. Your brick paving expert will be able to guide you on this.

Take the help of trustworthy and skillful professionals for maintaining your brick pavers. We can help you install, fix, maintain and repair your brick pavers.

West Coast Pavers

What Are The Best Pavers To Use For a Patio?

Be it is a mass transit, walkway, plaza exterior or any other commercial site, it is imperative to invest in good quality paving systems for various sites.

While pavers come in a variety of materials, colors, textures,  shapes, patterns and pricing, you will choose one that best suits the specific needs of your site. Stone, interlocking, permeable, concrete and brick pavers are some of the most popular choices among commercial property owners due to their beauty, strength and durability of their brick patio. They can withstand heavy traffic and harsh weather conditions.

pavers for patios

As one of the best paver contractors in Fort Myers, Florida, let us introduce you to brick pavers and help you to understand how to install these pavers:

Sand Set Pavers

Out of all the brick paving options, sand set pavers incur the lowest investment cost. Their Proctor density is mentioned in ASTM-D 1557 and ASTM D-698.

Sand set pavers have several advantages over other options. For instance, they can form a permeable pavement and provide easy access to underground repair. This system does not give off toxic fumes during installation. It is highly economical since it has a low cost of installation.

Bitumen Set Pavers

In terms of cost, bitumen set pavers rank as an intermediate option.

Bitumen pavers are capable of allowing minor movement. Their initial installation cost is also not too high.

Mortar Set Pavers

This is the most robust paving system out of all three. First off, an aggregate drainage layer needs to be installed on compacted soil and then installed on a concrete base on this structure. After allowing it to cure over 28 days at about 70 degrees Fahrenheit, then the mortar setting structure is set in place. For this particular application, you can use either the bonded or unbounded method.

Mortar set pavers are secure and can be firmly fixed in place. Hence, they need very little maintenance over the long term.  These pavers offer some of the best advantages. Since they need less maintenance, their life-cycle cost is low overall. As this paver system is robust, it is capable of withstanding point loading. Mortar set pavers can also withstand wear and tear and can, therefore, last for a long time.

Need to install brick pavers or find a solution to any paver-related issues, get in touch with one of the best brick paver contractors in Fort Myers, Florida!

West Coast Pavers at 239.590.9834

Paver Patio Pifalls

Pavers Shifting & Misaligning

You’ve installed a beautiful paver patio or walkway, and are ready to love and enjoy it for years to come. Then suddenly, you notice pavers shifting, misaligning, sinking and more, including becoming a harbinger for weed growth. What went wrong? Plenty.

Patio Pitfalls Shifting Pavers

A paver patio can be a relatively easy and inexpensive addition to your home landscaping, but if not installed correctly, can present a myriad of challenges that end up costing you more in the long term. Paver installation requires detailed planning and careful consideration, from the design phase to material purchase down to the installation and maintenance. This is often a process best left to the professionals to handle.

Pre-Installation & Planning

Before pavers are installed around your home, the areas of installation should be carefully examined, including understanding slopes and drainage areas, the type of soil, and other elements that may be surrounding the finished project. These include grills, plant beds, tree roots and existing lawns. Precise measurements should be taken and strictly followed. The depth of the foundation is important, as is the compacted material that will lie beneath your pavers. Any oversites in these areas can cause critical paver problems.

Improper compaction of soil is another reason why pavers will fail. This is because the soil will settle, sometimes dramatically depending on the climate you reside in. Utilizing proper compaction tools are a must in any installation project. The lack of a solid edge around a paver patio can also result in shifting and misaligned pavers. An improper type of sand spread between the pavers during installation can also cause damage.

If you’re looking for a quality, professional and lasting paver patio, consider using licensed professionals with the experience required to navigate the numerous paver patio pitfalls.

Related Article: Brick Paver Maintenance

Benefits of Using Travertine for Flooring

Why Use Travertine Flooring?

Travertine flooring is a natural stone tile which makes one of the best materials for patios and flooring. It has been used for many years as a versatile and durable building material. Even though it is highly durable, the type of finish that you want on your travertine tile also adds or takes from how durable it is. Polished travertine is one of the most durable finishes and is similar to marble with a high-gloss appearance. Honed travertine tile is a matte finish that also gives the tile a smooth texture. With a matte finish it is equally as durable as polished travertine. If you desire a brushed or tumbled finish for your tile it yields more texture though it then becomes less durable.

Travertine Flooring

Travertine is a sedimentary stone which means it is a material that is easier to cut and shape than other materials. Since it can be cut easily it makes the process of installation easy and cost-effective. Another added benefit is that travertine is available in an assortment of colors. These colors vary from ivory, to beige and tan, and gold to reddish brown. Because of this you can use the colors to create a uniformity in color or add some contrast and add a different level to your décor. When it comes to upkeep and maintenance, one of the best benefits is how easy it is to replace individual tiles. The best places to have a travertine floor is either in your kitchen or bathroom.

Related Article: Make Your Neighbors Jealous

See Our Travertine/Marble Gallery

www.wcpavers.com