Paving stones are a popular hardscaping choice among homeowners associations because they’re extremely durable, last a long time and have many different uses around your property. Whether you’re looking to redesign driveways or improve the look of your association’s clubhouse, pavers are an ideal solution.

Our Favorite Paver Manufacturers

As a homeowners association, finding the best pavers for driveways, streets and sidewalks is an important first step in starting your new project. There are dozens of paving manufacturers to choose from, and finding the right one is often a difficult task.

At Pacific Pavingstone, we’ve installed millions of pavers on thousands of properties. Here are the best pavers for driveways, streets and sidewalks for homeowners associations:

Angelus Paving Stones

Since 1946, Angelus has been one of the leading permeable paving manufacturers. Their wide variety of permeable paver colors, textures and styles provides many versatile design solutions.

This manufacturer is a great choice to consider if adding permeable pavers for a new driveway on your Southern California property.

Belgard

Whether you’re looking to add some old world charm or contemporary flare, Belgard offers a variety of concrete pavers perfect for driveways, streets and sidewalks. Their pavers come in a number of different styles, shapes and tones to help you add personality to your property.

Ways to Use Pavers on Your HOA Property

Pavers can be installed to enhance the look and feel of almost any outdoor space. Here are a few ways you can use paving stones to customize the look of the common areas on your HOA property:

• Driveways
• Walkways
• Sidewalks
• Streetscapes
• Pool deck at the clubhouse
• Outdoor steps or walls
• Parking lots (such as in front of a clubhouse)

Additionally, as a homeowners association, you can make recommendations for particular brands and colors that your members can choose from when making upgrades to their home. Mandated guidelines can also help keep the community looking similar and prevents a member from installing a brightly-colored driveway that clashes with the rest of their neighbors’ driveways.

Providing these guidelines to your members ahead of time saves them frustration during the planning process because they won’t have to worry about picking out a paver only for it to be denied. It also helps them narrow down the long list of paving manufacturers and provides them with reputable, high quality solutions in the area.

Choosing A Company To Design And Install Pavers

Installing new pavers for common areas of your HOA property is an important investment. It’s easy to find dozens of paving companies in Los Angeles and the surrounding areas, but choosing the right one is often more difficult. Knowing what to look for in a paving contractor is an important first step in choosing the right company for your HOA’s next project.

At Pacific Pavingstone, our team of landscape designers has decades of experience helping not only individual property owners, but even homeowners associations find the best paving manufacturer for their project.

We know that every project and property is unique, and we have experience handling large projects with a personalized approach. We’ll guide you through the entire process from choosing the best paver to design and installation, and we’ll answer all of your questions along the way.

When you work with Pacific Pavingstone, we encourage you to browse through paving manufacturers catalogs, see physical samples and look through past projects. We’ve installed tens of thousands of projects in Southern California, and we’d love to help you with yours.

Whether you’re looking for traditional paving stones or permeable pavers for your HOAs next project, Pacific Pavingstone is here to help you every step of the way. Contact us today for a free consultation!

The post The Best Pavers for Driveways, Streets and Sidewalks for an HOA appeared first on Pacific Pavingstone.

Enhance Your Home’s Curb Appeal with These 5 Paving Stone Tip

When making a great first impression, your Los Angeles home’s curb appeal plays a significant role. A well-maintained and visually appealing front yard can dramatically enhance your property’s overall appeal and value. Fortunately, you don’t need to undertake a massive, expensive project to refresh your outdoor space. With the expertise of Pacific Pavingstone, the leading paving stone and patio contractor LA, you can elevate your home’s curb appeal and outdoor living space with simple yet impactful changes. In this blog post, we will explore five ways to boost your Southern California property’s curb appeal using the beauty and versatility of paving stones with our hardscape services.

1. Replace Your Concrete Driveway with a Paving Stone Driveway:

Your driveway serves as a welcoming gateway to your home. While concrete may initially seem cost-effective, it often needs to catch up for your outdoor living space in the long run. Concrete driveways require drying and curing time, prolonging the installation process and delaying your project. Moreover, they are prone to cracking due to ground shifts, leading to costly repairs that require an entire remodeling project to repour the entire area. Cracks in concrete can also create tripping hazards, low spots that collect water, issues with your close-by retaining wall, and unsightly stains.

In contrast, a paving stone driveway offers numerous advantages. If a paving stone gets damaged, it can be easily repaired by a professional contractor by simply removing the specific paver and replacing it, a more straightforward and affordable process than repairing concrete. The aesthetic benefits of paving stones are unmatched. With a wide selection of colors and styles available, you can choose pavers that perfectly match your property’s architectural theme. Pavers add vibrancy and appeal that can last for decades with minimal maintenance.

Unlike concrete, which can become dangerously slippery when wet, paving stones are manufactured to resist slipping or skidding, making them a safer option. They can also be designed to self-drain, preventing flooding or water run-off around your property. Discover more about permeable paver driveways and why they have become a popular hardscape project in Southern California. With their durability, style, easy maintenance, and cost efficiency, paving stones surpass concrete in several aspects of driveways and are one of our most popular design and installation services.

2. Add a Paving Stone Walkway Into Your Outdoor Living Space:

For a touch of elegance and functionality, consider adding a paving stone walkway to your outdoor spaces in Los Angeles. Walkways endure heavy foot traffic daily as they transport guests from one area of your property to another. Therefore, it is essential to choose stable, long-lasting, and visually pleasing materials.

Paving stones are renowned for their exceptional durability and strength. They do not shift, contract, crack, or chip quickly, ensuring longevity without constant repairs or replacements. However, if a paver does require replacement, the process is simple and straightforward.

In addition to their durability, paving stones offer a wide variety of colors and designs to choose from, allowing you to create a walkway that seamlessly blends with your landscape. By selecting the right pavers, you can add value to your property and outdoor spaces without the burden of tedious maintenance. Explore our popular paver selections in Los Angeles and find the perfect match for your walkway and subsequent landscaping projects.

3. Install Built-in Step Lighting in Your Outdoor Space:

When renovating your outdoor living spaces, paying attention to the safety and aesthetics of your steps is essential. Poorly lit steps can pose safety hazards, especially during nighttime navigation. That’s why installing built-in step lighting is a worthwhile inclusion in your hardscaping project. Not only does it provide illumination, but it also injects a tranquil mood into the atmosphere and acts as a standout decorative element on your backyard remodel.

When it comes to step lighting for your hardscape projects, it’s essential to consult with an experienced hardscape contractor in Southern California. We can help you select the right lighting options that complement your home’s interior and exterior design and take care of the design and installation services for you. The key is to create a cohesive look throughout your outdoor space, ensuring that the step lighting enhances the overall aesthetic appeal of your property.

Furthermore, choosing lighting fixtures that can withstand exposure to external elements such as heat, dust, moisture, and wind is essential. Expert hardscape contractors can develop an energy-efficient and durable outdoor lighting system for you. You can save money in the long run by using high-quality fixtures that require minimal replacements. Transform your outdoor steps into a captivating feature with the help of professional Southern California driveway installers who can handle your hardscape services and coping projects. Witness how revamping your outdoor steps can truly transform your property’s overall appeal.

4. Create Paving Stone Steps to a Front Entryway:

The steps leading to your front entryway are crucial in connecting your home to the rest of your property. Therefore, it’s essential to choose a comfortable, attractive but also durable, and versatile material.

Paving stone steps provide a fun and unique element to your entryway design. Unlike other materials, paving stones offer exceptional versatility. They can be installed in any setting and shaped to your desired design, whether you prefer placing them around grass, pebbles, or turf. You can create formal and symmetrical steps or opt for a more informal and natural-looking style.

Even though steps may seem like a small part of your yard, they can significantly impact your overall curb appeal. Transform your entryway from bland to breathtaking with our hardscape services and eye-catching paving stone steps. At Pacific Pavingstone, our team of experts can assist you in planning a design that suits your specific requirements, whether you envision a grand entrance or a simple yet charming design.

Get an Estimate Today From The Top Patio Contractor LA

When it comes to you high-quality services for your yard renovation, it’s crucial to partner with the top hardscape installers in Southern California, Los Angeles. At Pacific Pavingstone, we are your go-to project manager for all your hardscaping needs in Los Angeles, CA, and the surrounding areas. Our fully-trained in-house crew utilizes superior-quality materials and advanced installation techniques for every project we undertake. Contact our team today for an estimate and take the first step towards transforming your Los Angeles outdoor space into a visual masterpiece.

The post Curb Appeal appeared first on Pacific Pavingstone.

Why is the Best Way to Edge a Patio So Important?

Paver patios, walkways, and driveways are installed in an interlocking fashion. Before pavers can be laid, ground is excavated, stone and/or sand are carefully added and graded, and the pavers set atop. Joint materials such as polymeric sand are swept into the paver joints to lock them together.

However, when you would walk towards the edges of these surfaces, it would become very easy to displace the pavers on the edge without some means of preventing them to shift horizontally.

A common yet unfortunate sight on a DIY paver project is where the novice installer didn’t realize the best way to edge a patio. We frequently see these edges leaning or sinking, and joints between paving stones separating. These transitional areas add complication to paver installation projects as pavers, irrigation, lawns, and/or planting beds intersect.

Patio Edging Best Practices for Southern California

Unlike many areas in the country that experience significant ground freezing and thawing in winter, Southern California soil doesn’t pose that particular challenge. If you lived in an area where soil froze regularly, you would need to have the stone and sand base under your patio extend 12” underground, past where pavers are seen.

However, in Southern California the ground does not substantially freeze, so the foundation under patio, walkways, and driveway edges are treated differently in most circumstances. After the main surface of the patio is laid out and all the cuts are made, a trench approximately 8” wide and 8” deep is dug around the paver area. Concrete is then poured to provide a sturdy base that will not shift. The pavers used to border the patio are then either laid into wet concrete or attached with construction adhesive.

This edge provides a fixed edge that won’t allow edges to shift easily when weight is applied to them. The patio, walkway, or driveway surface appears the same in all of these areas, but with a different base.

Best Way to Edge a Patio Near a Retaining Wall

Small retaining walls are often a part of landscape designs to provide decorative accents, separate areas, and to address slight grade transitions. The best way to edge paver patio areas in those areas, is to continue the base under the wall.

The vertical wall actually begins below the grade. The heavy weight of wall block can, in most circumstances, provide the horizontal restraint to keep paver patio edges from moving.

Paver Edge Ideas for Distinctive Landscape Design

While making the right decisions for the best way to edge a paver patio or other surface, a great design opportunity arises. These transitions are a great way to incorporate unique and decorative paver edge ideas into your design.

These choices can take the same materials and create a one of a kind look for your property. You and your landscape designer may work together to define your preferences for your project to keep things subtle or make a bold statement.

Subtle Paver Edge Ideas

Patio edge ideas or the areas at transitions of other paver surfaces can be treated the same as the rest of your surface. One, continuous pattern of pavers can be laid right to the edge.

If your project will look better with a texture change, while continuing the same colors, pavers in a similar color blend can be chosen, only with a different size, or arranged in a different fashion.

Subtle paver edge ideas often use border effects such as a random, sailor, or soldier course of similar stones used to frame in the area.

Paver Edge Ideas that Accent Surfaces

In many cases, a couple colors of paving stones are used on projects we complete here in Southern California. Ideas for patio edges may be inspired by pulling in colors of your structure or a unique color you choose for an accent.

Your patio, driveway, or walkway surface may have used 2-3 colors of pavers randomly throughout the design. Unique ideas for patio edges or walkway borders can emerge when picking one of those colors to frame and highlight one specific color.

Even when choosing subtle paver edge ideas, these accent lines can be incorporated further into the patio, with a band of contrasting color being displayed 6” to 12” in from the patio edge.

Materials can even be mixed together for even more design flexibility. Pavers can be mixed with natural stone such as travertine. The possibilities are almost endless!

Getting Unique Paver Edge Ideas AND Using the Best Ways to Edge a Paver Patio

Your project is a substantial investment to enhance your property. You shouldn’t have to choose between getting a gorgeous design or a proper installation. It’s possible to make sure your paving contractor knows the best way to edge a paver patio all while finding unique paver edge ideas.

Your project is a substantial investment to enhance your property. You shouldn’t have to choose between getting a gorgeous design or a proper installation. It’s possible to make sure your paving contractor knows the best way to edge a paver patio all while finding unique paver edge ideas.

Take some time and browse galleries of our work. Pay close attention to the various paver edge ideas we used in projects and take note of which ones are your favorites. When you’re ready to get a free consultation, contact us via our website, or call us at (818) 275-8613.

The post What is the Best Way to Edge a Paver Patio? Our Favorite Ideas appeared first on Pacific Pavingstone.

Are fire pits legal in Southern California?

With air quality concerns and even periodic burn bans in effect in portions of the state, some homeowners ask whether or not fire pits are even legal in Southern California?

The short answer is, yes! Fire pits are legal in most cities, however each city in Southern California has different ordinances for building fire pits, and it’s good to check the laws for your city before building.

While wood burning fire pits provide a great ambiance as well as the pleasant aroma of burning wood, propane and natural gas fire pits are also a good option. In fact propane and natural gas are a more environmental alternative to wood burning fire pits. They burn cleaner and therefore aren’t affected by the burn bans that sometimes impact Southern California.

A knowledgeable designer and a landscape company will research fire pit ordinances Southern California municipalities require. They will be happy to walk you through the process of building a great fire pit at your home that meets all the requirement in your city, without any of the headaches.

Size and Placement of Fire Pits

There are several major considerations that factor into designing a fire pit that will be both versatile and functional. No two fire pits need to be exactly the same, but there are some common questions that can help you decide what sort of fire pit you would like to include in your backyard getaway.

How close can a fire pit be to my house?

When building fire pits in Southern California, remember that most communities require a minimum of at least a 10-foot distance from your house and from the neighbor’s property, but some instances the distance must be 30 feet or more. Each city has different laws about where fire pits can be placed, so checking your local ordinances is an important first step.

What size fire pit do I need?

The size of your fire pit should be determined by the size and scale of your outdoor living space as well as the entertaining needs you have for the space. Fire pit builders in Southern California may choose a smaller pit only three feet in diameter for a simple patio, with large fire features exceeding 6 feet in width or even more in a massive outdoor setting.

How deep should my fire pit be?

Fire pits can be dug into the ground, but more typically modern fire pits are actually built above ground to a height between 12-14 inches. However, if you want to be able to use the edge of the fire pit as additional seating when it’s not in use, a height of 18-20 inches will be more comfortable.

Which is Better? Stone Fire Pits or Brick Fire Pits?

The two most common materials for custom designed fire pits are stone and decorative concrete bricks. Fire pit builders in Southern California can complement the look of your home and your landscape with materials that accent the features of your home.

Concrete bricks come in all shapes and colors, that can often be matched with existing patios or retaining walls. Decorative concrete bricks are often more temperature resistant than stone when building a fire pit, something that is important especially in wood burning fire pits.

Concrete brick fire pits are normally easier and more cost-effective to install, but each landscape design has different needs, and stone masonry fire pits can sometimes be a good option as well.

When You Want a BIG Fire Pit or Feature

The most spectacular fire pits can be the focal point of your whole landscape, and bring it that “wow” factor you’ve been looking for. For homeowners who really want an eye catching fire pit, it’s time to think BIG! Building fire pits in Southern California can often lead to larger fire pits or similar “fire features” can be 6 feet or more, and aren’t limited to a circular shape.

Combining fire pits with water features like pools, fountains, and waterfalls, creates a sizzling contrast with flames reflecting off the surface of the water to create an otherworldly glow that enhances the evening appeal of a water feature. Other options include designing built in seating around the fire pit to accommodate entertaining family and friends.

Creative building materials can be eye catching as well. Granite, Marble, and Slate slabs can heighten the sense of luxury and old world charm of a dazzling fire feature. Inside the fire pit itself, rugged lava rocks or bright glass pebbles can add another layer of visual intrigue.

Trusted Professional Fire Pit Builders in Southern California

Having a trusted landscape company like Pacific Outdoor Living involved in both the design and construction of your fire pit can be a big advantage to you as the homeowner.

Our experienced and knowledgeable designers will ensure that fire pits ordinances in Southern California municipalities are followed to spare you of future problems. A team of in-house installers will follow detailed plans to make sure your fire pit is built for long lasting quality and enjoyment.

Whether it’s a small area or part of a large, encompassing design for a backyard retreat, a fire pit can add that signature touch to your home that provides warmth and relaxation for many years to come.

The post Everything You Need to Know About Building Fire Pits in Your Southern California Backyard appeared first on Pacific Pavingstone.

However, since pavers are exposed to various elements such as rain and wind, the joint sand between pavers may get washed out overtime. Occasional washing can also cause the joint sand to corrode.

This compacted sand plays an important role as it locks the pavers together. It also keeps weeds at bay by preventing water from entering through the cracks.

Replacing Loss Joint Sand

The joint sand is key to maintaining the strength of the paver installation.

The sand prevents the pavers from shifting and sliding against each other. Hence, dislodged sand will have to be replenished to keep the paver system structurally sound.

To replace sand that has been washed out, simply pour joint sand over the pavers. Next, sweep it into and across the joints using a stiff push broom.

Keep the depth of the sand at ¼ inch from the surface of the paver. Afterwards, you can sweep the excess joint sand between pavers and store it again for future use.

Note that this is a special type of sand that is available in most hardwares. You can also ask your paver installer for recommendations where to purchase the joint sand.

Preventing Joint Sand Between Pavers from Washing Out

You can protect the joint sand from washing out by sealing the paver surface. Sealing restores the beauty of your pavers.

The paver sealer also serves as glue between the joint sand particles hence holding them together, and preventing the sand from being washed away when it rains or during pressure washing.

The sealer wears off after a few years so make sure to clean the pavers and seal the surface again. This will keep the pavers looking new, and also boost their resistance against weed and moss.

Sealing also helps stabilize the joint sand – a simple preventive measure you can practice to increase paver longevity.

In addition, paver sealer protects pavers from oil, rust, and other stains. But always remember that when it comes to removing dirt on pavers, the sooner you act, the easier it is.

The post How to Secure Joint Sand Between Pavers appeared first on Pacific Pavingstone.

Base beneath

Pavers aren’t just laid on the ground surface. Installation involves preparing a base and how the base is set up defines the purpose they serve.

The standard interlocking paving stone is not permeable, which means it does not drain water. While regular pavers are designed to be flexible, they are not meant to be permeable. Let’s take a closer look into the base of a regular paver and a permeable paver.

At the base of regular pavers, you’ll see large gravel, medium sized gravel, small gravel and what is called fines (very small particles). This mixture of varying gravel sizes creates a compact well. Add to that the fines that fill the already narrow voids, making the layer even tighter.

This base material is not meant to drain water but rather to prevent water from draining through it.

On the other hand, the base materials for permeable pavers are referred to as open graded. This is because it is made up of larger pieces of gravel. This large gravel pieces leave voids, which then allows water to pass through easily. See this figure below.

The purpose of permeable pavers is to allow the water to drain through the aquifer.

In order to do that, the water must pass through the pavers, the open graded base, and then the subgrade or subsoil until it arrives at aquifer or ground water.

Gaps in between

Take a look at the photos below. See how the gap size between pavers differ? For permeable pavers, the joint size is wider as compared to a standard paver.

Left: Permeable Pavers, Right: Concrete Pavers

Regular pavers should be treated just like any solid surface such as concrete. The surface should slope away from the house and surface drains should be installed as needed to handle the water.

Permeable pavers are designed to allow the water to drain through them and into the open graded base and then into the soil, called the sub soil.

The opened graded base may consist of several different sizes of rocks but we will refer to it as open graded base. The water does not automatically seep into the soil below called subgrade or subsoil, and this open graded base acts as a holding tank.

The design and depth of this holding tank depends on several factors: the subgrade, the area runoff, the amount of rain fall for your region, and the slope of the pavers and extreme slopes.

We’ll cover these factors in our next post so if you want to be sure your permeable paver is designed correctly, then check that out as well.

The post Know Your Paver Well: Permeable vs. Concrete Pavers appeared first on Pacific Pavingstone.

Your driveway is one of the first things that visitors will see upon arriving. It can commonly be one of the most frequently used surfaces outside of your home. Your driveway can not only beautify your property, but even increase its value. With such a great improvement, it’s important to create a driveway that is truly unique.

Choosing Materials for Driveway Brick Paving

Paving stones (or pavers) are hands down, the best driveway paving material. There are a few major manufacturers of paving stones to consider. Each brand has a variety of products to choose from. These materials will vary in their form and style. Similar products will be called by different names depending upon which brand your driveway paving company uses.

Some driveway brick paving materials will resemble cobblestones or old world styles. These materials can vary in textures both on edges and surface. Distressed edges and a time-worn look resembles the hand-laid stones of Mediterranean villas or European courtyards.

Other pavingstones may resemble bricks with smooth, tight geometric shapes. These rectangular stones resemble traditional bricks and allow for many unique driveway brick paving patterns.

Which Driveway Brick Paving Patterns are Right for You?

Designing unique driveway brick paving patterns are just one way to give your surface a unique look. Almost anything is possible with the right pavingstone selection and an expert plan.

Choosing the right driveway brick paving patterns will help complement your home instead of looking out of place.

Driveway brick paving patterns should complement your property’s architecture. If you’re unsure of the options, ask your driveway paving company to show you pictures online or in a manufacturer catalog.

• Contemporary Homes: For homes with crisp, straight lines, geometric paving stones with a simple pattern will look best.
• Colonial Homes: Pavers that resemble the clay bricks from centuries ago are the best choice for a Colonial home. However, manufactured concrete pavers can support more weight and are more durable than clay bricks.
• Old-World Homes: If your home is Victorian, Mediterranean or a style that looks straight out of centuries ago, using a less formal, classic paver will continue the old-world feel.

Our 3 Favorite Driveway Brick Paving Patterns

The best driveway brick paving patterns are chosen primarily by their ability to endure, over mere aesthetics. You could pick a pretty pattern, but if your driveway starts to settle under the shifting weight of moving vehicles, you’ll be facing costly repairs. Choosing the right pattern is crucial.

Driveway brick paving patterns can be further customized by using a closely matching color blend to give additional appeal and also by adding border courses of paving stones to frame in areas. However, these 3 driveway brick paving patterns are the best-performing options:

I-Pattern: If you’re looking for driveway brick paving patterns that give a somewhat random look but want a good solution, choose the I-Pattern. This configuration gets its name from the shape of the capital letter “I” throughout the pattern. By using a few different sizes of paving stones, the I-Pattern will make a durable and unique driveway.

Running Bond: This is a favorite for the classic, old-world style home. The Running Bond mimics the look of European cobblestone streets more than other driveway brick paving patterns. Just be sure your installer runs the bond across the driveway, not along the length. Avoiding long runs will help to mask any small irregularities in the lines.

Herringbone: This is both the most versatile and the most durable of driveway brick paving patterns. Rectangular paving stones are arranged in either a 45 or 90 degree fashion, revealing a beautiful zig-zag pattern. This pattern is extremely durable because of its ability to displace weight of vehicle tires from one stone to the next.

Help with Driveway Brick Paving Patterns

We understand that it can be both an exciting and frustrating process to pick the right paving stone materials, driveway brick paving patterns, and a reputable driveway paving contractor.

Installing a new pavingstone driveway is a great investment for your property so you want to make sure that the company you’re dealing with is providing you with the best solution.

Before the stage of product selection and design, make sure the company you’re dealing with is licensed and carries ample insurance coverage. Ask them to share reviews, testimonials, and pictures of finished projects in your area.

Pacific Pavingstone has designed and installed tens of thousands of uniquely beautiful driveways of all shapes, colors, and styles. If you have a firm opinion or are completely open to suggestions, one of our experienced team would be happy to discuss your options. Please contact us for a free consultation.

The post Our 3 Favorite Driveway Brick Paving Patterns appeared first on Pacific Pavingstone.

Paving stones are extremely durable and low maintenance. However, as with any other landscape project, proper installation is crucial to ensure it delivers as you expected. With that said, be sure to work only with reputable paver installers. But don’t worry. While it’s unlikely to find broken paving stones, it only takes a few steps to remedy this eyesore. You can even do it yourself.

Let’s walk you through the three steps of broken paving stone repair. The tools you’ll be needing for this project are a rubber mallet, screwdrivers, and sand. You could also use a spirit level.

1. LOOSEN UP SAND JOINTS

Your goal is to remove the broken paving stone. In order to do that, you need to saturate the compacted sand that joins it with its neighboring stones. Compacted sand is almost as strong as concrete, but not permanent. This makes repairing and replacing individual stones easy. To loosen up the sand, run water to the stones and into the joints using a garden hose. Watch out though. You don’t want to waste water here. Two minutes should be enough.

2. REMOVE PAVING STONE

Once the sand has loosened up a bit, you can proceed to remove the stone. This part may take longer depending on the paving stone used. This also requires patience and attention to make sure the rest of other stones are not damaged in the process. Lift the stone out using screwdrivers. For a stubborn stone, you can use your rubber mallet to tap and loosen surrounding stones.

3. LAY NEW STONE

After removing the paver, it’s time to put a layer of sand base. Carefully push sand on the surface. You can use a spirit level to ensure even distribution. Once the sand base is ready, you can now put in the new paver. Using the rubber mallet, push it down until it’s leveled with the other paving stones. And then, fill the joints with sand. Afterward, smooth it out with a push broom. Once done, spray it with water. Let it dry for a stronger hold. Once dry, sweep the area again to get rid of debris.

AND THAT’S IT!

Your driveway paving stones are looking as good as new again.

Paving stones should be able to provide you with years of enjoyment. If it fails, it’s likely due to poor workmanship. If you feel that the damage on your driveway is difficult to tackle on your own, don’t hesitate to get in touch with a trusted paver company near you. Working with paving stone installation professionals will help save you from another headache.

The post How to Repair a Broken Driveway Paving Stone in 3 Steps appeared first on Pacific Pavingstone.

Here in Los Angeles and the Southern California area there are several options for driveway paving materials. Understanding which material is best for your property can give your home that touch of class you’re looking for while reducing maintenance and aggravation.

Southern California Options for Driveway Paving Materials

Asphalt Driveway Paving

This is clearly the cheapest choice for driveways for a number of reasons. Approximately 5-10% of Southern California homeowners choose asphalt when installing a new driveway.

The cost is typically around $4/sq. ft. Even with the best installation, asphalt will only last about 10 years, chipping, fading, and cracking along the way.

Asphalt driveways will need to be sealed every few years to keep them looking nice and will definitely be the scorching hot under the summer sun.

You may save some money on the front end, but installing an ugly asphalt driveway isn’t worth the little bit of money you’ll save.

Asphalt Driveway Paving Pros: Cheap

Asphalt Driveway Paving Cons: Ugly, cracks, high maintenance, poor longevity

Brick Driveway Paving

Bricks are not a good choice for driveway paving materials. Only about 5-10% of Southern California homes use this material for new driveways. Brick driveways are laid on top of a 4-inch poured concrete foundation and fastened with mortar.

Mortar and the concrete foundation are both prone to cracking, especially when the weight of a vehicle is on them. Bricks are not the same as paving stones. Pavers are made from concrete and can take more weight than traditional clay bricks.

Bricks are just a bad, all-around choice for driveway paving that end up with a premium cost around $30/sq. ft.

Brick Driveway Paving Pros: Better appearance than concrete or asphalt

Brick Driveway Paving Cons: Easily broken, prone to cracks, high-maintenance, poor longevity, very expensive

Concrete Driveway Paving

Approximately 50% of newly installed driveways in the Los Angeles and surrounding areas are made of poured concrete. This driveway paving method ranges from a standard, poured application or stamped concrete.

Stamped concrete driveways are only cosmetically different than traditional poured concrete driveways to try to imitate paving stone driveways. In some instances, this imitation could even be more costly than pavers.

The cost for most concrete driveway paving applications ranges around $7.50/sq. ft. Concrete driveways will only last for 10-20 years and are extremely likely to develop cracks, even within months of installation.

In fact, the installation of concrete driveways actually plans for this cracking by placing expansion joints to try to direct the crack when it happens along a defined line. Concrete can also chip which cannot be easily repaired without noticing unsightly patches.

Concrete Driveway Paving Pros: Moderate price, moderate maintenance

Concrete Driveway Paving Cons: Very prone to cracking, difficult to repair, ugly expansion joints

Pavingstone Driveway Paving

This material is becoming increasingly more popular as driveway paving material, particularly in Southern California. Approximately 40% of new driveway installations use interlocking paving stones (pavers).

The cost of pavingstone driveways is just slightly higher than most concrete driveways, but pavers offer a number of fantastic features other driveway paving materials do not. For a starting cost of approximately $8.50/sq. ft., paving stone driveways offer the strongest material you can park or drive on.

Colors, sizes, textures, and patterns can create hundreds of unique styles to complement your Los Angeles property. These stones have a classy look and also last for decades. Many paving stone driveways we’ve installed almost 20 years ago, still look amazing!

One distinct advantage of paving stone driveways is their ability to be repaired. It’s rare to have an area settle with an expert installation due to this flexible, interlocking alternative. However, if repair is warranted or an area needs to be temporarily removed to run an underground conduit or a utility line, this type of driveway can easily be repaired with virtually no evidence of disturbance.

Pavingstone Driveway Paving Pros: Most durable, easily repaired, minimal maintenance, longest lifespan, beautiful aesthetic options

Pavingstone Driveway Paving Cons: Slightly higher cost for installation

The Clear Winner for Driveway Paving Materials

Without a doubt, choosing paving stones for your new driveway is the winning option for your Southern California property.

These classy materials will not only save you aggravation, but can increase the value of your home. Many Los Angeles homes have small front yards which can be beautifully designed to unite a gorgeous new driveway with a complementing paverstone walkway and well-thought out plantings.

Who Should Install Your New Pavingstone Driveway?

Pacific Pavingstone has installed thousands beautiful Southern California driveways over the past couple decades. Our designers will work with you to find the perfect driveway that you can’t wait to come home to each day.

Our in-house team of ICPI certified installers will work diligently to make sure your new pavingstone driveway lasts for decades.

We’d love to talk about your driveway paving needs! Give us a call at (818) 275-8613 or contact us online for a FREE, No Obligation Estimate and be on your way to a new driveway!

The post Driveway Paving: Comparing Asphalt vs. Brick vs. Concrete appeared first on Pacific Pavingstone.

Check out these 5 ways to boost your home’s curb appeal.

Setting the first impression of your home when it’s viewed from the street is important. An unkempt lawn can look drab and uninviting; while a well-kept yard can increase the resale value of your property.

Refreshing your front yard doesn’t have to be a huge, costly, project. It’s important to look at your property as a whole to see where you can improve. Considering your needs, lifestyle, and budget is also crucial in identifying necessary changes.

Pacific Pavingstone, a top Los Angeles paving stone contractor, can recommend additions (or omissions) that will make your front yard more attractive, functional, and cost-effective. Our team is dedicated to helping you boost your quality of life, without breaking the bank.

Here are the top five ways to boost curb appeal for your Southern California property.

1. Switching out your concrete driveway with a paving stone driveway

Your driveway welcomes you back home.

Although concrete is cheaper initially per square foot, the initial savings may soon be voided due to various factors. A concrete driveway requires drying and curing time, which can extend the installation period. Concrete is also prone to cracking due to ground shifts. Repairs can be costly because the entire area must be repoured. Cracks in the concrete could also lead to tripping, low areas, flooding, and stained surfaces.

A paver driveway, on the other hand, can be repaired by removing the damaged paver and replacing it. This process is a lot simpler and more affordable than repairing concrete.

The aesthetic benefits of paving stones are also unmatched. With pavers, you’re not limited to a single shade. You can choose paver colors that match your property’s architectural theme. Pavers are livelier and more appealing than concrete. They’ll look good for decades to come without the expensive maintenance.

Keeping them in good condition is a breeze—simply sweep, apply a mild cleaning solution, and pressure wash. They’re also far safer because they’re manufactured to resist slipping or skidding, unlike concrete, which can get very slippery when wet.

Pavers can also be designed to be self-draining to prevent flooding or water run-off around your property. Here’s more information about how permeable paver driveways work and why they’ve become a popular Southern California hardscape project.

Durable, stylish, easy-to-maintain, and cost-efficient, pavers win in several aspects over concrete driveways.

2. Add a paving stone walkway

Pavers are the perfect material for making unique pathways. Whatever design you want, be it winding, straight, or irregularly shaped, nothing beats pavers.

Walkways endure heavy foot traffic daily as they transport guests from one area of your property to another. Materials must be stable and lasting, but pleasant looking as well.

Paving stones are extremely durable and strong. They won’t shift, contract, crack, or chip. They can last for decades without needing repairs or replacement. And if they do, the process is simple.

Since pavers come in various colors, you can pick a style that complements your landscape. Adding value to your property doesn’t have to entail tedious upkeep. Take a look at these popular paver selections in Los Angeles.

Safety is one reason walkways are essential. With pavers, children, older family members, pets, and guests will be sure-footed as they traverse your yard.

Unify different areas in your home with a natural-looking, slip-resistant paving stone walkway.

3. Add built-in step lighting

Poorly lit steps can pose safety hazards. That’s why installing step lighting is a worthwhile inclusion when renovating outdoor living spaces. Illumination during the night is crucial, but simply adding traditional light bulbs in random areas may not work.

Using built-in step lighting makes navigating your yard a more pleasant experience. It injects a tranquil mood into the atmosphere and makes steps safer. It also serves as a standout decorative element on your property.

Your hardscaping contractor in Southern California can mix and match step lighting options to complement your home’s interior and exterior design. This landscape feature ties together the look of your outdoor space, so it must be planned with care.

Not all types of lighting can withstand exposure to external elements. It’s important to ensure that installations can endure the heat, dust, moisture, and wind. An expert crew can develop an energy-efficient and durable outdoor lighting system for you. This includes fixtures that last, don’t require frequent replacements, and help you save money down the road.

Professional Southern California driveway installers can also deliver steps and coping projects. See how revamping your outdoor steps can transform your property.

4. Add led landscape lighting

Proper landscape lighting serves as a warm welcome to guests and an effective deterrent to intruders. But you don’t want to go overboard because too much lighting can be a nuisance. Do you still use traditional lighting composed of halogen and incandescent bulbs? If aesthetics make you think twice about switching to LED lighting, you might be surprised at the wide-ranging options on the market now.

You can make your yard more stunning by installing energy-efficient lighting. Unlike traditional lighting, LED lights don’t heat up. They use electrical current to give off light. At Pacific Pavingstone, we recommend the use of outdoor LED lighting because of the unbeatable benefits that it offers.

The first of which is cost-efficiency. With outdoor lights, quality tramples quantity. The illumination must be focused where necessary. Strategic positioning of LED lights reduces the number of fixtures you need to install. This, in turn, lowers your electricity bill.

The second is eco-friendliness. LED lighting lasts for several years, reducing the need for replacements and helping minimize the amount of waste for disposal. And in case you’re wondering, these bulbs are recyclable.

The third is cutting down on light pollution, an ongoing problem in Los Angeles. Safer and more cost-efficient, low-voltage lighting can take your front yard or any area of outdoor space from empty to glowing.

Our team customizes landscape designs so you can make the most of your property throughout the day and night.

5. Create paving stone steps to a front entryway

Steps leading to your front entryway connect your home to the rest of the property. The material you use for your front walk should be comfortable, attractive, and durable.

Paving stone steps can add a fun and unique element to your entryway design. The advantage of paving stones is that they’re versatile. They can be installed in any setting, and shaped however you desire. They can be placed around grass, pebbles, or turf. Their design can be formal and symmetrical or informal and natural looking.

You and your paving stone contractor can plan a design that works for your specific requirements. Although steps may be a small part of your yard, they can boost your curb appeal from bland to breathtaking. Whether you’re thinking of a grand entrance or a simple but charming design, our team at Pacific Pavingstone can help.

Browse our gallery for paving stone design ideas.

Make your yard renovation worth it with the top hardscape installers in Southern California.

Take your landscape improvement project to the next level. Consult with professional landscape and hardscape designers, gather ideas for your new outdoor living space, or learn more about the potential cost of updates you’re considering.

Pacific Pavingstone is a one-stop shop for all your hardscaping needs in Los Angeles and Southern California. Our fully-trained in-house crew uses superior-quality materials and advanced installation techniques for all our projects.

Contact our team today to request your free paving stone design consultation.

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