Why Eco-Conscious Homeowners Are Choosing Pavers Over Concrete

Many Floridian homeowners have grown weary of repairing their old, flood prone driveways and sidewalks. Cracks, sinking, and uneven surfaces cause injuries every year because driveways, sidewalks, and walkways become a trip hazard. However, replacing them regularly can be costly, and bad for the environment. When old concrete or tile installations require repairs or replacement, they create debris that inevitably ends up in a landfill. As a result many eco-conscious builders avoid these materials and use eco-friendly materials instead, such as pavers.

Pavers, also known as paving stones, are more adaptable, reusable, and recyclable than other masonry materials used on driveways and sidewalks. If you’re looking for low impact paving ideas, pavers should be your first choice.

Why Choose Eco-Friendly Paving Materials?

Environmentally responsible builders often choose eco-conscious hardscaping to avoid the inevitable cracking of concrete. Hardscaping designs often center around a pool deck or patio. Pavers offer the ideal combination of energy-efficient outdoor design, without the hassles and environmental impact of concrete.

Regarding visual appearance, paving stones are generally manmade, so they can be designed to maximize their usefulness and attractiveness. In Florida, many homeowners choose earth tones that both accent the landscape design, yet stay relatively cool in the summer sun.

Pavers can be made from a variety of materials, including permeable masonry, stone, and even plastic. Permeable pavers can absorb, reflect, and emit heat very well, but since they aren’t permanently attached to anything, they can move and flex, instead of cracking

Interesting paver designs also tend to add value to the home. Unlike some home upgrades, pavers are as standard in Florida as a tile roof. Many paver designs are very natural looking, adding to the curb appeal when it comes time to sell.

Best Sustainable Options for Florida Homes

According to FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency), interlocking pavers are in the top three suggested paving options. To prevent flooding and erosion, pavers are ideally designed, and certainly the least expensive option.

Recycled driveway materials are gaining popularity in Florida, and other areas of high development. Buyers often insist on a home having a small carbon footprint, so builders use eco-conscious materials, such as pavers, everywhere they can.

Many Floridians have experienced cracked concrete pads, and the resulting structure damage. Materials that are designed to remain rigid tend to crack and chip with changes in temperature. Pavers sit atop a bed of sand, not cement, so the pavers can move slightly when needed.

Green landscape design in Florida is more popular than ever, as eco-conscious buyers insist on sustainable driveway solutions. Many have experienced major driveway repairs in the past, and have no interest in experiencing them again

Here’s a quick list of the most common paver materials, and how they compare:

Pavers

Pavers are the industry standard, as they are very durable, available in many shapes and colors, and easy to replace. Pavers also offer the most design options, since they are the standard.

Paver installation should only be performed by those with the proper experience, training, and tools. Because these installations can both resolve, or create a drainage problem, it is crucial to find an installation company with a good online reputation.

Recycled Materials (plastic, asphalt)

In recent years some manufacturers have offered pavers made from materials other than masonry, such as vinyl and asphalt. These materials are flexible, so cracking is virtually eliminated. However, neither will last as long, or be as durable, as permeable pavers.

Natural Stone 

Natural stone pavers are another excellent choice, as they are very unique and durable. Natural stone pavers have limited color options of course, but if elegance and a classy look are the goal, you can’t beat natural stone.

Flexi-Pave 

A new material known as Flexi-Pave (also made by other companies) forms the paver from recycled rubber materials, including old tires. Similar to playground padding made from recycled tire rubber, these pavers are very crack resistant. However, being made from rubber they will also fade and degrade from UV exposure.

Which Paver Design Is Best For Floridians?

Florida homeowners are tired of repairing concrete driveways and sidewalks, knowing the material will crack no matter how well it is installed. Pavers eliminate cracking because they move with the ground, instead of against it.

Here’s a quick chart comparing each material’s cost, durability, recyclability, and friendliness to the environment:

	Permeable	Recycled	Natural	Flexi-Pave
Cost	High	Medium to High	High	Medium to High
Maintenance	Very Low	Low	Low	Low
Durability	Very High	High	Very High	High
Eco-Friendly	Very Friendly	Very Friendly	Friendly	Friendly

Design Ideas That Combine Beauty and Sustainability

In modern landscaping, there has never been more creative shapes and colors available, and design options are plentiful. Especially in the sunny south, landscape lighting, connecting walkways with driveways, and quality mulch are a magic combination

Patterns, Colors, Integration with Landscaping

Herringbone, basketweaves, pinwheels, and fans are just a few of the possible design patterns. Creative homeowners even combine complementary colors, to provide the perfect backdrop on a beautiful sunset.

Driveways and Walkways in a Unified Style

Sidewalks and walkways that connect to a driveway in an elegant way will always be more impressive than broken chinks of concrete between the driveway and front door. Well designed (and installed) paver patterns offer the most curb appeal, without high costs and maintenance requirements.

Lighting, Borders, and Mulch 

Whether solar powered or electric, landscape lighting provides better safety, elegance, and control than any other accessory. Used correctly, lighting, borders, and hardwood mulch will almost guarantee a compliment from the neighbors.

Why Professional Installation Matters

We should note that although installing pavers may seem like a good DIY project, it’s not as easy as the pros make it look. Just the weight of the materials is enormous, so pros use machinery to move the pavers to their destination. 

If the wrong subbase is used with the incorrect paver the system will likely fail. The aggregate (the sand the pavers rest on), is not playground sand, or sand used to make cement. It isn’t inexpensive either, so you need to ensure it doesn’t just sink into the ground with the next rain.

Here’s a few common problems DIYers experience when trying to install pavers: 

Mistakes in DIY Installation

Cutting pavers should only be performed with the correct tools and PPE, or Personal Protective Equipment. Using the wrong safety gear, choosing the wrong blade, or failing to wear a respirator can all cause avoidable injuries.

How to Properly Prepare the Base

The base pavers rest on isn’t just dumped out and raked smooth. Each paver is placed very deliberately to ensure it stays in place, and works well with its neighbor. Landscaping fabric and other materials are often combined to ensure the right support, while providing proper drainage.

Benefits of Working with Perfect Pavers of South Florida

Perfect Pavers Of South Florida employs the best installers in the region, and invests heavily in training, tools, and continuing education.

We have over 35 years of paver installation experience, and have a loyal customer base.

We are completely licensed and insured

All jobs are supervised

We use only the best materials

We offer design services as well, including hardscape and softscape designs.

Where Can I Find Professional Paver Installers?

Generally, the best paver installation companies will have a great online reputation and awesome customer service. A great example is Perfect Pavers of South Florida, which offers free driveway and sidewalk inspections, and free estimates to repair.

You can actually schedule a free on-site estimate as early as today, but don’t wait. Spring is the busiest season for paver installations, so speak to these paver experts as soon as possible. They are excited to help you discover the best solution for your home, and help you make the best investment.