Landscaping with Pavers

Using pavers as part of your landscaping scheme can serve several functions. Paved areas provide more distinct boundaries between individual sections of the landscape. The addition of paving means a reduction in the amount of maintenance that must be done. The ideal addition of paving to a landscape plan is one that chooses a paving material that is in harmony with the colors and style of the home and garden that surrounds it.

Soft and Hard Paths
Pavers can be used to create paths along the yard and these paths are divided into two categories. Soft paths use paver materials that are loose, inexpensive and require maintenance than hard paths. While some hardcore landscape types deny that soft paths actually use pavers, you can go ahead and scoff at such a tight grip around a definition and look for soft paver materials like wood chips and gravel. Hard paths are those finished with materials like brick, stone or concrete. While more expensive than soft paths, the final result lasts longer and requires little upkeep.

Identify the Purpose
Landscaping with pavers is most efficiently accomplished by identifying the purpose of the path. Some pathways are constructed to lead you from one area to another or to the entrance of your home. Another path identifies the outline of a part of your landscape such as along a stretch of lawn or around a garden area. Paving purposes also include creating a shortcut so that heavy traffic doesn't impact the yard.

Paver Materials
The materials that are available for paving should be chosen with style, affordability and ease of construction in mind. Poured concrete is versatile because it can take on any shape as well as be finished so that it is either rough or smooth. Bricks allow options for colors and textures and can be arranged in patterns ranging from simple to complex. Stone is a very durable paver material, but should only be used in small DIY projects unless you are both strong and flush with money.

Proportion and Style
Using pavers to build a walkway should be approached with an appropriate sense of proportion and style. A path to the door that accommodates heavy traffic should be simple in design and wide enough so that two people can walk side by side. A more casual strolling path through a backyard garden area can afford a design in which the paver materials curves or is placed farther apart or away from each other.

Edgings
Pavers are used as edgings to create a defined border, prevent grass from spreading and contain loose material from dirt to gravel. Edging pavers can range from pieces of lumber buried into the ground so that the top is flush with the surface to bricks set on end. Permanent edges are more easily created using concrete that can be installed above the grade to your specifications.