pavement types
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Appearance
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Initial Cost & installation
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maintenance
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winter durability
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snow removal
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A wide range of surface finishes - smooth to textured. Many available colors, shapes, and laying patterns can compliment the architectural style of your home.
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Moderate - tightly fitted, uniform units are palces over a sand bed and a compacted aggregate base. Immediatley ready for use. Can be installed by homeowner. Factory-made pavers last for decades.
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Low - stained or broken pavers can be easily replaced without patches. Dark colored pavers can help hide stains. Ants and weeds in joints can be prevented with sealer or herbicides.
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High - Small, high density units resist cracking as well as damage from freeze-thaw and salts. Pavers are stronger than ordinary or stamped concrete.
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Smooth surface allows for easy snow removal. Pavers can be colored dark to help melt snow faster. Snow-melt systems can be installed to eliminate snow and ice removal.
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Gives elegant, permanent, yet informal "Old World" feel.
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Very High - Each unit must be fitted together by hand.
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Low - High quality stone lasts for decades. Wide joints may encourage weeds and ants. Rough surface makes walking and driving difficult.
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High - High density stone resists cracking and salts.
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Rough surface makes plowing difficult.
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Surface is usually colored. Patterns look good from a distance, but close up surface looks artificial.
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High - Difficult for homeowner to install. Requires special equipment to stamp stone or paver patterns into surface. Surface sealer often used.
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Moderate - Cracking will likely develop. Difficult to match original color to pattern in repaired areas. Repairs leave unattractive patch.
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Low - Subject to deterioration from de-icing salts. Surface sealer may provide some protection from salt attack.
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Uneven surface of some patterns and textures can make plowing difficult.
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Mostly shades of red and red-brown. Limited number of shapes available.
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High - Concrete base often required which increases cost. Inconsistent dimensions make units slow to install and difficult to maintain straight pattern lines.
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Low - Irregularities in surface make them prone to damage, especially edge chipping.
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Moderate-Salts can attack and deteriorate some clay pavers.
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Rough surface can make snow removal difficult.
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Grey or light brown. Can be colored throughout or on surface only.
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Moderate - Difficult for homeowner to install. Must wait 5 to 7 days for hardning before use. Surface quality depends on weather at time of pour and expertise of installers.
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Moderate - Cracking will likely develop. Repairs and replaced sections leave unsightly patches. Oil stains difficult to remove.
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Low - Cracks from freeze-thaw, settlement and deteriorates from salt
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Smooth surface allows for easy removal. Light colored surface may not melt snow rapidly.
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Limited color options. Difficult to get neat looking edges. Cracks will likely develop. Stamped and colored asphalt looks fake.
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Initial Cost & installation
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High - Wear and weather will break down surface. Black seal coat required every 2-3 years. Ruts or pothole repairs make ugly patches. Subject to erosion from oil drippings.
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Low - Cracks from freeze-thaw, settlement and deteriorates from de-icing salts.
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Smooth surface allows for easy removal. Dark surface accelerates snow melting.
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Typically a rustic look. Apperance varirs with color and shape of stones
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Low - Dumped and spread over soil (no base required).
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High - Scattered stone must be replaced and releveled regularly. Ruts from tires will likely develop.
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High - Stones resist freeze-thaw cycles and salts.
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Stones will scatter when plowing snow.
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