Month: August 2016

Remarkable Ashburn VA Driveways

Designing a driveway requires careful planning. The driveway is one of the first things that people see and it is a major element of your landscape and the curb appeal of your Ashburn VA home.

The driveway will need to fit into the style of your landscaping and your home. A gravel driveway leading to a large mansion will look out of place, but beautiful stone pavers will ‘fit’ better with the home and landscaping.

The driveway for a house with a brick facade can be constructed of brick pavers for a classic look.

Some of the popular paving types for driveways are:

Concrete
This is the most popular material for driveways. Concrete can be poured or stamped. Stamped concrete can recreate the look of many other materials like natural stone, cobblestone, slate or brick – for a lower cost than the ‘real’ material. Stamped concrete can be colored, it’s easy to maintain and quite tough and long-lasting. One disadvantage is that concrete can crack.

Asphalt
Asphalt offers high durability and low cost. There are some color options for asphalt available now.

Gravel
Gravel is one of the lowest cost driveways available. If installed properly, gravel driveways will serve you well for may years. A few disadvantages of gravel are: a heavy rain can wash the gravel away (if not properly maintained), and gravel can sink into the ground over time.

Pavers
Driveway pavers offer durability and lots of styling options. Initial cost is slightly higher, but repairs can be made easily if needed.

If you have any questions or concerns about what material you should use for your driveway, give us a call. We will be glad to help you decide what is the best driveway for your home.

Fairfax VA Paver Patios: Paver Patterns

Fairfax, VA paver patios come in many different paver patterns. Sometimes, homeowners choose a single pattern; others use different patterns to define special areas on their patio. The patterns selected are a personal design choice; however since they greatly impact the appearance of your home, they should be in keeping with the overall style of your home and landscaping.

Here are some patterns to consider:

Circular Pattern – paver rows are laid in a circular formation. The small spaces in between will be filled with mortar or sand. This pattern can be used to create full, half, or quarter circles. The circular pattern is a popular choice for patios and driveways. It’s useful for adding drama and interest, as well as breaking up large spaces. The circular pattern is usually paired with herringbone, basket weave, or running bond patterns.

Herringbone Pattern – pavers are laid at 45 or 90 degrees, going alternate directions to create a “V” shape. Known for its strength and durability, the herringbone pattern is highly recommended in medium to large sized entertainment areas with heavy traffic or furniture. You’ll often see paver driveways, patios, and walkways laid in this pattern.

Basket Weave Pattern – pavers are laid alternating between vertical and horizontal pairs, creating rows and columns. This is a very old pattern; new life and excitement can be added to this pattern with contrasting or complimentary colors. The basket weave is a very durable pattern, and works very well for nearly every hardscape.

Running Bond Pattern – pavers are laid side by side creating illusions with its strong linear lines. This is the most popular pattern today for many reasons: it’s easy and costs less to install, doesn’t create a large amount of wasted pavers, and can be used to make Fairfax, VA paver patios appear bigger than they are.

Paver Shapes

The most common paver shapes are square, round, rectangular, and hexagonal. When creating patterns, the different shapes of pavers may be used to create beautiful designs.

For more information on Fairfax VA paver patios, please contact Premier Paving & Planting, Inc. Established in 1987, Premier Paving & Planting, Inc. provides free estimates, and delivers a full compliment of high quality landscape services, including concrete work and lawn and garden services, along with installation of permeable and non-porous paver and hardscape surfaces and structures. NCMA and ICPI certified, Premier Paving & Planting is licensed and insured, and carries an A+ rating from Angie’s List.