When it comes to choosing the type of paver installation for your home, you have several options. You can go with Install-It-Direct, Polymeric sand, crushed stone, or a synthetic base. Getting an estimate from three to five companies is recommended. Make sure to ask each one questions about the job, design, and experience.
Install-It-Direct
Whether you’re remodeling your deck or adding a patio to your backyard, you’re probably asking yourself whether Install-It-Direct Paver Installation can be right for your home. Install-It-Direct focuses on outdoor living and was founded on a revolutionary business model. They hire the best crews and use efficient processes to reduce paver installation cost Birmingham MI and pass the savings onto their customers. The company is an outdoor living specialist and has a team of experts that can make your project a success.
The first step in a quality paver installation is preparing the site. This process involves digging a base to expose the area for the pavers to nestle into. It also removes loose dirt that could create an uneven surface for the pavers. Granular soils make a strong subgrade, while clay soils are weak. The Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute recommends a subgrade thickness of seven inches for granular soils and nine inches for clay soils. In either case, the soil thickness should match the depth of the excavation.
Before paver installation, the base must be level and sloped. A slope of about 1/4 inch per foot is ideal for the best paver installation. This will help keep water from collecting on the pavers and away from the house. The best base for pavers is made of a mix of crushed stone and washed concrete sand.
Crushed stone
The traditional base for paver installation is 3/4″ angular crushed stone with a bedding layer of concrete sand. This type of base is recommended by the ICPI. The crushed stone must be compacted before the base panel is installed. Then, the bedding layer is laid at about an inch below the base panel. This layer will help prevent water from leaking through the joints.
Crushed stone is the ideal base material for paver installation because it provides a firm base while allowing water to drain. In addition, it is relatively easy to work with. Crushed stone is available in a variety of sizes and types. However, quarry processed dense grade aggregate is the most durable. It is a mixture of 3/4-inch crushed stone dust, and provides maximum strength and cohesion.
Gravel is a very inexpensive alternative to crushed stone. Because of its cost-effective nature, it is mostly used for driveways and parking lots, but it can also be used on patios, pathways, dog runs, and play areas. It is easy to move gravel, so it’s important to edge it with landscape trim and concrete blocks.
Synthetic base
When you’re installing pavers, you’ll want to start with a good base. This will make the stones stand firm and prevent them from moving around too much. There are three different types of paver bases: sand-set, open-graded, and synthetic. Sand-set paver bases are the traditional way to install pavers. Sand is usually 3/4″‘ deep and contains small particles that interlock to support the weight of the pavers.
A polypropylene paver base is an excellent choice because it is resistant to mold and decay, although it is only recently on the market. It is important to note that while polypropylene is a strong material, there are still questions about its long-term performance. Both types of paver base require careful site preparation and understanding of their differences in order to ensure a successful installation.
Synthetic paver bases are made of recycled plastic bottles. These are typically five or six square-foot panels. These panels are made of high-density polypropylene. This material is resistant to acids and bases and is an excellent choice for outdoor applications.
Polymeric sand
Polymeric sand is an alternative to conventional jointing materials used for paver installation . This type of sand does not crumble or decompose, which allows for greater stability during paver installation. It also inhibits weeds and parasites from growing and keeps the joints from prematurely aging.
When using polymeric sand, it is important to follow specific steps when installing your pavers. First, you must make sure the sand is thoroughly wet. Water will activate the binding agent in the sand. Once the sand is wet, it will adhere to the paver’s joints. Otherwise, the joints may settle and crack.
Polymeric sand is a mixture of fine sand and specific additive particles that act as an ultra-powerful bonding agent. This type of sand is especially popular with paver installers, as it minimizes the chance of weed growth and ant infestation. Polymeric sand is so beneficial that several manufacturers have copied this technology.