Paving is an economical and effective way to spruce up an outdoor area, but it needs to be done properly to ensure it maintains its form and appearance. Before laying your pavers, you should ensure you don’t forget to consider these 5 important things. Let’s take a look.
Have a plan
Installing a new hardscaping area is exciting, and you may have the perfect pavers in mind, but before you go and purchase them, first and foremost, you need to have a plan in place. You need to consider the layout of the area, drainage and whether you are going to hire a professional to install your pavers or if you are going to complete the work yourself. If you decide to DIY, make sure you do plenty of research first. Getting it wrong can cause a variety of issues. Take your time to investigate the different styles of pavers, their durability, and gather as much inspiration as you can. This will ensure you end up with a finished product that you are entirely satisfied with.
Choose the right pavers for the job
There are tonnes of paver materials to choose from, and they all vary in stain resistance, weight-bearing capabilities, non-slip benefits, and so much more. The paver you choose must be up to the job. To give you an example, using thin pavers that are designed for paths and walkways for a driveway, are unlikely to withstand constant pressure from heavy vehicles, and they are probably going to crack. The same applies to poolside pavers, they need to be able to withstand exposure to salt or chlorine, as well as have great traction and non-slip properties. To get a long-lasting finish, you will also need to consider whether you want to set the pavers in sand or mortar. Some are better suited than others depending on the intended purpose of the hardscaping project.
Pick the perfect colour for the job
Many pavers are made from natural materials such as stone, and they often feature swirls, marbles and speckles of various hues and colours, in fact, no two natural stone pavers are alike. The paver you choose should work well with the rest of your exterior. This shouldn’t be too hard as most pavers suit various styles of homes. The colour can also affect the functionality of your paved area. For example, dark coloured pavers tend to heat up in the hot summer sun and walking on them barefoot can cause burns. On the other hand, using light coloured pavers such as white can cause glare and reflect the sunlight up and towards your face. Both of these factors are worth considering when choosing your pavers.
The size and layout
The layout of the intended paved area can influence the size of pavers you can use and the pattern. If the area you are paving is relatively small, you can still use large pavers, you will just have to make sure they fit, allowing enough room for gaps between them. Placing them too close together may see them chip and deteriorate sooner than they should. Using bigger pavers in a small area means less time is required to install them, and less sand is needed to fill the paver joints.
Estimate your materials
Over or under ordering materials can be a costly or inconvenient mistake. You should break down each material you need to complete the job and the cost associated with it. Some of these include the subgrade material, paver quantities, sand, or mortar. You can work out how much material you need by measuring out the area you plan on paving. Once you have the width and length measured out, you multiply the two together. This will give the total square metres that you need. To cover breakages, it is always a good idea to add 5% on top of the total number so, you are not left short. If you are doing the work yourself, you will also need to factor in the equipment and tools that you’ll need. The last thing you want is to have your pavers delivered and materials only to have to stop after you’ve just started to run to the shops, especially if you are setting the pavers in mortar. Make sure you have everything you need from the get-go to ensure the installation process runs smoothly and you get a professional-looking result.
To get a high-quality finish on your paving project, it pays to hire a qualified paving contractor. They can offer sound advice on which paver types are best suited to the job and the best pattern and material choices given the style of your home. Not only that, but they’ll make sure the correct drainage solutions are implemented to prevent water from pooling or ending up in your house when it rains. Proper drainage is a common element DIYers fail to get right. Most reputable contractors offer a guarantee on their workmanship, so you’ll be covered if anything unforeseen happens to your newly paved area.
If you’re looking for stunning pavers for your place, or you simply have some questions about a paving project, get in touch with our friendly team here at Bonita Stone. We have a paving background ourselves and have a collection of all Australian made pavers on offer. Contact us today for more information.
