Pavers of Tampa Bay are generally used for landscape construction. Pavers are made from asphalt, clay, or stone chips, mixed with water, and then applied to a flat or curved area. The essential components of paver blocks include asphalt or tar backing, a thin rock called the apex piece, and coarse gravel or crushed stone placed in between. The pieces are then colored black but can be mixed to give any other color or pattern desired. The process is repetitive, which explains why paver patios are so popular. The process of laying a patio begins with laying the driveway.
Pavers used for driveways, walkways, and retaining walls are laid on a foundation of gravel or crushed stones, poured into a mold, and then left to dry. At the same time, stamped concrete and paver installations both have weaknesses and strengths that are especially relevant, depending upon where you live, at the time of installation. For example, pavers generally set quickly, which is advantageous for homeowners. In addition, because paver installation is so easy to perform, many homeowners prefer to perform this task themselves rather than hire a contractor.
Pavers are most effective when laid in straight rows, called parallel rows, beginning at the yard’s edge. Asphalt or tar backings are then placed along the rows, each set approximately six inches away from the adjacent row. For significant gaps in the row, bricks or sand are placed to fill in the gaps. To avoid making long cracks, holes are drilled before the bricks or sand are set. Once installed, the contractor will plumb them and level them using steel or wooden stakes to ensure straight.
After the paver installation is complete, the edges are then edged and sealed using highly-advanced drainage materials. These materials are typically applied onto the flat edge, leaving plenty of room for the contractor to make as many holes as necessary. Once the edges are finished, the entire row is re-routed, starting at the edge of the yard. The holes in the previous row are now located at the corners of the newly-routed row. Because the edges are lined up correctly, the newly-installed paver installation will line up perfectly with the edges of the previous row.
Once the new row has been installed, the contractor then begins laying the bricks or sand. To help keep costs down, homeowners may choose to purchase pre-fabricated edge restraints that come flat and are already attached to the paver installation. Edge restraints can also be purchased separately and are available in a variety of sizes. However, purchasing pre-fabricated edge restraints allows homeowners to save money in the long run because it is much cheaper to purchase these separate pieces than buying the pre-fabricated bricks and sand from a bricks-and-mortar retailer.
The pavers are laid on their edge and secured by either built-in edges or ties. If ties are used, workers must make sure they are placed at least one foot below the edge of the paver patio costs. If no ties are used, then paver edging can also be purchased in kit form that contains all the needed tools to complete the job. Kit units are available in various styles and designs and cost from two to ten dollars per square foot.
If paver patios are not desired, another option exists. Homeowners who have maintained their driveways and sidewalks in good condition can use extremely durable concrete or stone to create beautiful, attractive patios. To construct these patios, homeowners must first prepare the area by removing all grass and weeds. Next, they must thoroughly clean the surfaces to prevent them from staining. After this step, paver patio costs can be started by excavating at least four feet for deep holes and a foot for steps.
To find out more about finding the right paver contractor in your area, contact the Better Business Bureau or visit the contractor’s website. When contacting a company, it is helpful to remember to ask if the company offers free estimates, a list of past projects, and how long it has been in business. Also, when contacting a paver contractor, ask for a sample of work they have done for others and request an estimate for the total project.