Have the Best Looking Porch on the Block with Pavers
A beautifully designed front porch can completely transform the look and feel of your home. It creates an inviting entryway and provides extra outdoor living space to relax and entertain. While wood has traditionally been the most popular porch building material, concrete pavers offer many advantages that make them a superior choice for achieving porch perfection.
Pavers are a versatile and durable paving material that can be used to create a stylish, distinctive, and long-lasting porch. Read on to learn why pavers should be your top choice for constructing the best looking porch on the block.
Choosing the Right Pavers
With such a wide variety of paver styles, colors, textures, and shapes available, you're sure to find options that suit your home's exterior aesthetic. Consider the following types:
- Concrete pavers - Offered by leading brands like Unilock and Belgard, these come in traditional and modern styles and colors like grey, red and brown.
- Brick pavers - Clay brick pavers have an inherently classic look and feel and are available in shapes like herringbone.
- Natural stone - Materials like bluestone, travertine and granite provide an organic, textured appearance.
- Porcelain - Made to emulate the look of natural stone but with added durability.
- Thin veneer - Lightweight, making them perfect for raised porch floors.
You'll also want to decide on the shape and size of your pavers. Popular options include large rectangular or square pavers and smaller bricks. Pavers can be installed in geometric patterns or a freestyle design.
Be sure to choose pavers in colors and textures that complement your home's exterior facade. You can match them exactly or go for a stylish contrast.
Design and Layout Recommendations
Now for the fun part - playing with different design options! Consider incorporating borders or accents in a contrasting color or material. Geometric patterns like herringbone and basketweave add visual interest. You can also have a local paver company create custom patterns exclusively for your porch.
Don't forget to factor in other elements like railings, walls, planter boxes, lighting fixtures and front yard landscaping. These features should blend cohesively with the overall design for a polished, complete look.
Proper grading and drainage are also important for ensuring water flows away from the porch and preventing hazardous conditions like slippery surfaces.
Installation Process
Installing pavers on your porch is a big project that's best left to professionals, unless you have significant DIY experience. The main steps include:
- Excavating and preparing the base
- Adding and leveling a layer of gravel
- Installing an evenly graded layer of sand
- Carefully laying the pavers in the chosen pattern
- Spreading sand over the surface and vibrating it between the pavers
- Sealing and finishing the pavers
Hiring a professional paver installation company will ensure your porch is structurally sound and visually stunning. Be sure to get multiple quotes before selecting a contractor.
Maintenance and Care
The beauty of pavers is that they require very little long-term maintenance compared to wood. Follow these simple care tips:
- Routinely clean by sweeping or using a hose and mild detergent
- Re-apply sealant every 1-2 years
- Quickly clean any oil or grease spills to prevent staining
- Inspect for cracks and make repairs as needed
- Add non-slip tape on stairs or other areas as a safety precaution
Investing in a high-quality paver porch is sure to boost your home's resale value by increasing its curb appeal. Pavers add aesthetic interest and give your home exterior a polished, upscale look. They also provide functional benefits that today's homebuyers want, like durability and low maintenance.
With a variety of design options and a long lifespan, pavers are the ideal material for a porch that will impress the neighbors and raise your home's value. Take your porch from drab to fab by choosing pavers and make your home the talk of the block.