We installed our first paver patio in 1996(ish). We learned so much. The aggregate base consists of Stone dust. There are (2) layers of filter fabric, one between the soil and aggregate, and one between the aggregate and bedding sand.
This job was for one of my friend's parents. A few weeks ago we had a get together there with old friends and our children.
It's Belgard Paver's. Looks like she has held up pretty good. Yep - and they're faded. Don't ever tell your clients Paver's do not fade; anything exposed to ultra violet rays fades.
A perfect example of why I always push clients towards a natural product- the installation was obviously good and all things considered it held up well- but one look and you know exactly what period that was installed. Real red brick, bluestone, or other natural product? Completely timeless. The unilock rep stopped by the other day and asked why we don't use more of their products...well, it's because your concrete products are more expensive than real, natural stone and brick.
Boulder or limestone/armor stone/whatever you want to call it wall? 20 years from now take it out, rebuild it, repurpose it, etc. Brick or flagstone patio- same thing. SRW block wall, paver patio, and so forth.... scrape it out and haul it to the dump. Those products have their place....but they are really only as popular as they are because of strong marketing.
A perfect example of why I always push clients towards a natural product- the installation was obviously good and all things considered it held up well- but one look and you know exactly what period that was installed. Real red brick, bluestone, or other natural product? Completely timeless. The unilock rep stopped by the other day and asked why we don't use more of their products...well, it's because your concrete products are more expensive than real, natural stone and brick.
Boulder or limestone/armor stone/whatever you want to call it wall? 20 years from now take it out, rebuild it, repurpose it, etc. Brick or flagstone patio- same thing. SRW block wall, paver patio, and so forth.... scrape it out and haul it to the dump. Those products have their place....but they are really only as popular as they are because of strong marketing.
My childhood was in the 70's and 80's. And in the 70's everyone had that hideous fake brick inside their homes. And that's exactly what I equate pavers and modular wall block to. Deep in the archives of this forum, are statements from me exclaiming this! LOL
We recently did a small grading job. The people have what I believe to be Belgard's Celtik wall in their back yard. The reason I say "I believe" is that the block is so washed out, that its hard to say for certain what it is. It's more or less turned WHITE.
When we did the job in the picture in my opening post - there were 3 or 4 styles of pavers to choose from. And there were like (4) colors to choose from. I could carry all the samples in the back of my Ford Ranger!
Has held up very nicely !!
But I disagree with your last statement.
The more UV rays I get, the darker I get.
I just don't fade, even after almost 55 yrs.
This job we did in 1988, I go back every couple of years to work for this lady, I remember her asking for 45deg angle cuts and we weren't to sure about it.She still loves her walkways
View attachment 340083
This job we did in 1988, I go back every couple of years to work for this lady, I remember her asking for 45deg angle cuts and we weren't to sure about it.She still loves her walkways View attachment 340082
I met with a new client tonight. Doing some grading in the backyard. A lot of grading. there is about 500 SF of old clay pavers on the ground there. No fading! The man says "I want these bricks gone from here". I was instantly thinking to myself "whoa, these are too nice to trash, I'm taking these home for my own place". As previously mentioned - timeless beauty.
Her home is in a really old part of town, lovely old lady. I've actually stopped by a few times to chat when I'm close to her. Her yard is her life and I'm proud to of been part of that.
I haven't sealed them since those pics were taken. The flagstone isn't sealed
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