by Quality Brick Paving | Oct 31, 2017 | Brick Paver Grosse Pointe
Have you always wanted a new brick patio in Grosse Pointe, Michigan or surrounding areas? If so, call the top rated Grosse Pointe Brick Pavers at Quality Brick Paving & Landscaping at (248) 837-9991 today!
Why are patio pavers in Grosse Pointe, Michigan growing in popularity?
There are many good reasons as to why they are becoming a popular building material for constructing outdoor patios and entertainment decks.
Benefits of Patio Pavers
•Affordability
•Easy repair
•Durability
•Aesthetics
•Low maintenance
•Strength
•Easy installation
•Fast serviceability
•Flexibility
Poured Concrete
One can install poured-in-place concrete for patio paving, it costs much less than pavers, but concrete slabs usually crack and split during the short to medium term. The joints between them eliminate cracking normally associated with conventional asphalt and concrete pavements.
Concrete Patio Pavers
These are the next alternative in the patio paving cost spectrum. The cost of these varies greatly because it depends on the quality of the material.
Concrete, Brick or Natural Stone Patio Pavers
Concrete pavers cost less than brick pavers and natural stone pavers because the cost of the raw materials to manufacture concrete is much less than brick or natural stone pavers. If you are on a moderate budget, you should consider concrete patio pavers for value. If you have a higher budget, you should go for brick or natural stone.
The Versatility of Patio Pavers
Due to the availability of various shapes, colors, and sizes of patio pavers, they have become one of the most versatile paving materials available today. Additionally, the combination of slip resistance and attractive finishes has aided their popularity to what they are today.
In choosing the floor material for a patio, one must be careful to properly consider the safety, comfort, style and design issues of the patio surface. Patio pavers address all these factors because they have a non-slip surface, they are comfortable to walk on, and they have a classical appearance and can be designed in a variety of patterns, shapes and colors.
source: paversearch.com
Quality Brick Paving & Landscaping provides top tier service and a wide variety of brick paving services including brick patios, brick walkways, brick driveways, brick pool decks, retainer walls, and more. Call the Grosse Pointe, Michigan Brick Pavers you can trust at (248) 837-9991 now!
by Quality Brick Paving | Mar 31, 2016 | Brick Patio Grosse Pointe, Brick Paver Grosse Pointe
Quality Brick Paving and Landscaping provides top rated Brick Paving in Grosse Pointe MI and surrounding areas. Call (248) 837-9991 to schedule a free estimate today!
Facts About Bricks and Brick Paving:
Texture
The surface texture of brick is very important to its overall appearance. Identically colored brick can look dramatically different simply by adding texture. There are a variety of textures available including wire cut and torn face (rough texture). Texture can also be created by applying coatings, machine made impressions, or other mechanical treatments.
The distressed and uneven textures frequently seen in handmade and wood mold brick can be simulated at a less expensive price by mechanical treatments. Mechanically treated extruded brick sometimes known as “tumbled brick” may have superior structural properties when compared to handmade and wood mold brick.
Tumbled and Rumbled Brick
Tumbled Brick are brick that are tumbled down a ramp prior to the firing process that gives the brick a “no-two-are-the-same” handmade look with the properties and color selection of today. Rumbled Brick are brick that are tumbled down a ramp after the firing process that gives the brick a weathered old world look with the properties and color selection of today.
Color
The color of brick is determined by the raw materials it contains and the method used to fire it. Additives blended into the clay mixture can create color completely through the brick body. Sand coatings, ceramic slurries and other additives can be applied to the face of the brick to create different surface colors. Changing the firing temperature will also produce different shades of color from the same raw materials. Flashing is one method of firing brick which burns some of the brick darker. These flashed brick add color range and highlights to many styles of brick.
Mortar
Mortar represents approximately 20 percent of the total surface of a wall, so picking the right mortar color is very important to the overall look of your home. Different mortar types and specifications are required for various applications and climates. The most common is called type S and is naturally gray in color. Mortar can be tinted to blend or to contrast with the brick color. It is important to keep mortar mixing and tooling practices uniform, especially when using colored mortar. A slight variation in mortar color can have a dramatic effect on the appearance of a finished wall. Also, sand color will affect the finished look of your mortar color. Lighter color sands are generally recommended for lighter colored mortars. Inquire about the common sand colors in your area. ¨The mortar joint is also an important factor in the appearance and functionality of the wall. “Tooling” the joints help seal the wall surface against moisture penetration. The concave, vee, and grapevine joints are best for exterior construction. These joint types compress the mortar at the surface and are the most weatherproof. Other joints are acceptable for interior use.
Matching
Mother Nature did not make soil and clay consistently one color. When manufacturers mine raw materials, the clay and shale composition will change slightly as the mining location shifts. This subtle change creates a color variation each time the clay is fired and helps give brick its warmth and character. So, every run of brick (any color) varies somewhat from the last run and can vary dramatically over a period of years. Plus, brick will weather in the wall and as a result it is impossible to accomplish a perfect match when adding on to an existing building, but we can generally get close.
Brick Cleaning
The Four Basic Steps for Proper Brick Cleaning are:
1. Remove all excess masonry particles with a masonry tool or fiber brush;
2. Use plenty of water and thoroughly soak the wall;
3. Use the recommended cleaning product and carefully follow directions;
4. Rinse the wall thoroughly with water. Some brick cannot be wet cleaned. Check the brick tag or with the brick manufacturer for any special instructions before you begin cleaning.
Common Brick Terms
Allowance – $ Amount per thousand for brick allowed for in house estimate
Bullnose – Brick with one rounded end
Cement – The adhesive ingredient in mortar
Course – Horizontal row of bricks
Cube – Typical brick package; bricks stacked on one another bound by steel or plastic bands
Full Head & Bed Joint – Mortar joints filled from front to back
Joint – Gap between brick in wall, typically 3/8″ wide and filled with mortar
Jointing – Process of sealing mortar joints while the mortar is thumb print hard
Mason Sand – Fine granular sand with round particles used in mortar
Splits – Half high brick used to balance courses in a wall
Soldier Course – Row of bricks stood on end with its long face perpendicular to wall’s length
Stretcher – Brick laid with its long face parallel to a wall’s length
Wall Flashing – Flexible material used to direct water to weep holes
Wall Ties – Metal strips placed into mortar joint and attached to wall
Weep Hole – Open vertical joint between bricks allowing water to drain from behind wall
Pavers
Base Layer
We recommend a base layer of 4” of compacted crusher run gravel (8” for a driveway) and then a setting bed of 1” of concrete sand (not masonry sand). This should provide a long-lasting stable base for your pavers. Laying pavers directly on the ground is not recommended.
Sealers
Clay paver color is permanent. Sealers are not recommended or necessary for long-term durability or color stability. In fact some sealers can actually harm the performance of the system.
Moss & Weeds
The existence of moss is an indication of poor drainage (in a shaded area) as the saturation of water creates an ideal environment for growth. The best solution is to keep the area dry by improving drainage or elevation although these remedies may not be practical. For moss and organic growth removal, a three-to-one solution of water and chlorine bleach is recommended or a one to one dilution in severe cases.
Weed growth in flexible base paving systems is common in lower traffic areas. Contrary to popular belief, growth takes place in the sand joint and not from underneath the pavers. Weed killer such as Round Up will handle existing growth while a pre-emergent weed killer can be used in the spring as a prevention measure.
Joint Sand
Joint sand is the key to providing interlock between pavers and providing cushion between the pavers to prevent paver-to-paver contact and chipping. The sand joint between pavers should be between 1/16” and 3/16”. Concrete sand that has course and angular particles is recommended over mason sand which has rounder finer particles. The joints need to be completely full of sand to function properly and promote interlock in the system. If the sand joints between your pavers are not full then it is important to add more sand to prevent pavement failure. A proper installed base and edge system that drains properly will go a long way towards maintaining full joints.
Joint Sand Stabilization
For the vast majority of applications we do not recommend using joint sand stabilization products. If you do decide to use a joint sand stabilizer, we typically recommend moisture activated joint sand stabilizer and cannot stress enough the importance of the pavers being completely dry and the pavers being sweep and blown completely free on any residual stabilizer prior to activating the product.
We do not recommend a portland cement and sand mixture because the cement tends to get stuck in the small crevices of the pavers and subsequently stain. Efflorescence is also a concern when using a portland cement and sand mixture.
Efflorescence
Efflorescence is a crystalline salt deposit on the surface on the pavers that is caused by the migration of contaminated water through the pavers that result in a white or gray powder on the surface of the pavers. The most common source of efflorescence is the use of deicers like rock salt. If you are going to use a deicer we recommend pure magnesium chloride as it will not cause efflorescence.
The simplest remedy to efflorescence is to allow the efflorescence to run its course provided that the paved area has good drainage. In a flexible base application, after 6 months, 90% of the water will run off the paving surface and away from the pavers versus down through the joints. This change should help carry the salts in solution away from the pavement. In all cases, free salts dissipate eventually and the problem goes away for good, generally within 18 months.
Efflorescence can also be removed quickly by dry brushing and then vacuuming up the powder or with clear water and a stiff brush. The crystals are superficial and do not affect the durability of the pavers, but may reappear.
Cleaning Pavers
Pressure washers are not recommended for use on flexible base applications. The pressure washer tends to remove joint sand which compromises interlock. We suggest using a stiff application brush and a normal pressured garden hose.
Removing Stains From Pavers
For general cleaning, we would recommend EaCo Chem’s NMD 80 or SureKlean 600. Do not use muriatic acid as the acid concentrations can vary from container to container and higher acid content can produce more stains.
The cardinal rules for cleaning brick are to always pre-test a small area first (preferably in a hidden area), pre-wet the area with water and follow directions carefully.
Sand Set vs. Mortar Set Paver Systems
Both systems have their own unique beauty and appeal. Sand set paver systems are cheaper to install than mortar set paver systems and are also much easier to install. Both systems are durable for many years when installed properly, but sand set pavers have better long-term system durability than mortar set pavers because the mortar joints will break down and create weaknesses in the system over time.
source: pinehallbrick.com
Quality Brick Paving and Landscaping provides top rated Brick Paving Service in Grosse Pointe MI and surrounding areas. Please call us at (248) 837-9991 to schedule a free estimate today!
by Quality Brick Paving | Mar 1, 2016 | Brick Paver Grosse Pointe
Quality Brick Paving and Landscaping provides top rated Grosse Pointe MI Brick Paving services. Hire the experienced team you can trust for your brick paving projects in Grosse Pointe MI today by calling (248) 837-9991 today.
Many benefits of installing brick pavers for your home or commercial project
USE OF PAVERS FOR HIGH TRAFFIC AREAS:
If you have a high traffic area such as a walk way or driveway then you should consider using Pavers. Their ability to withstand tremendous pressure and heavy a load makes them a number one choice for homeowners looking for lasting results. The variety of pavers is quite extensive, and the patterns can be quite simple or extremely elaborate. Using Pavers will increase the value of your home or property.
THE DURABILITY OF PAVERS:
Pavers will last longer than poured concrete and hold their color better than decorated concrete. Pavers maintain their interlocking form better than tile. When the underlying earth moves and shifts (as it always does, especially in California) pavers will adapt to the movement in the foundation. The result: -your pavers won’t crack the way concrete will.
THE MAINTENANCE OF PAVERS VS. CONCRETE:
Cost-wise long term, interlocking pavers is the best choice. The maintenance is minimal and the durability is long standing beyond anything else on the market especially poured concrete which has a tendency of cracking. The repair to a paver walk way or paver driveway is a fraction of what replacing an entire driveway would be if you poured concrete. Pavers are also recyclable. If a single paver in the middle of your walkway becomes stained or cracked it’s very simple to just lift out the damaged paver and replace it with a new one. The overall maintenance cost and replacement cost of a paver driveway, walkway or stairs is minimal compared to say, concrete.
NON-SLIP VS. CONCRETE:
Pavers overall have an abrasive texture which reduces sliding which make them idea for driveways, and especially stairs. If you have an outdoor barbeque or fire pit, then you should consider using pavers as an increased safety measure. Brick pavers are also an excellent safety precaution against dangerous wet surfaces such as swimming pools and spa areas. Pavers are quickly installed and ready for use immediately. Ideal if you are planning events at your home for the summer!
HOW PAVERS ARE CREATED:
Using pavers for your driveway, walkway, stairs or pool deck is an environmentally wise choice; pavers are made from natural clay and solidified into hard compact form. Your brick pavers will not lose color over time or bleach out in the sun. They are a very financially sound investment for your driveway or walkway. The color of the brick paver is inherent property of the actual clay itself. There is no color that is added to the paver.
HOW TO CLEAN YOUR PAVERS:
The cleaning process of a paver driveway is much easier than that of a concrete driveway which is prone to stain and irreversible damage. To clean a paver driveway all you need is a little detergent some water and a scrub brush. A good paver driveway will last for generations, think of some of the streets in Boston, they’ve been around for 200+ years, or think about the well trafficked city streets in Europe. You can even power wash them. source: woodyslandscape.com
Quality Brick Paving and Landscaping specializes in brick paving in Grosse Pointe MI and surrounding areas. Let us take care of your Grosse Pointe brick paving as well as landscaping needs. Call (248) 837-9991 for a free estimate!
by Quality Brick Paving | Aug 29, 2015 | Brick Paver Grosse Pointe
Quality Brick Paving & Landscaping specializes in Grosse Pointe MI Brick Paving Services. Call (248) 837-9991 to schedule a free estimate for brick paving in Grosse Pointe MI and surrounding areas.
Benefits of Hiring a Professional Brick Paver for Your Remodeling
Brick pavers are beneficial in increasing the style and elegance of a home or building. Place these decorative items in patios, gardens and walkways. For a softer look, dot the edges with plants and flowers. Put in colors that match or contrast those of the building. If you contact a professional, you can apply any creative idea. Transform the look of your home by hiring a qualified brick paver.
Brick paving is versatile and can be used anywhere. Residential and commercial patios, roads and driveways are surfaced with this material. The pattern is one of the most important qualities. Choose from different colors and styles. The herringbone pattern is a well-known type that involves interlocking the pavers.
Bricks are known for strength and durability. The interlocked blocks are placed together tightly so that the ground resists problems like erosion and ground movements. Additionally, a sealer is applied to retain the new look. A sealer reduces the effects of wear and moisture damage. It is applied to keep the sand within the joints and keep the bricks together. An acrylic-based sealant provides the most effective results.
The paving installation is simple because the paver sizes and shapes are precise. The installation can be finished within hours, depending on the project. The work varies based on the area conditions and the size of the endeavor. Last, choose a glossy finish that is stylish and stain resistant.
Best of all, brick paving designs are endless. Combining a paved path with other features is underestimated. Some brick is combined with other materials like stone and granite. A brick path adds security and stability to any outdoor area.
source: turfmgmt.net
If you are looking for top rated Grosse Pointe MI brick paving, call Quality Brick Paving & Landscaping at (248) 837-9991 to schedule a free estimate today!
by Quality Brick Paving | Apr 29, 2015 | Brick Paver Grosse Pointe
Quality Brick Paving & Landscaping provides top quality brick paving services in Grosse Pointe, Michigan and surrounding areas. Call the brick pavers you can trust at (248) 837-9991 today!
Brick Pavers Add Value to Your Home
Landscaping pavers come in a variety of materials that will add beauty and value to your home. Whether using them for a walkway, patio or the deck around a pool, landscaping pavers will provide a professional, elegant look and add a spark to your outdoor entertaining.
Brick Landscaping Pavers
Brick is also a commonly-used landscaping paver. This man-made paver is easy to install and a bit cheaper than flagstone. However, it does require a bit more maintenance, such as an annual cleanings and sealing but it is well worth the longevity and appearance.
source: enlightenme.com
Are you in need of a Brick Paving Service in Grosse Pointe, MI or surrounding areas? If so, call the top rated Brick Pavers in Grosse Pointe at (248) 837-9991 today!