Paver Installation – Transform Your Front Yard

Have you been thinking about upscaling your front yard? Perhaps it’s outdated or doesn’t have the look you want. And sometimes, adding a new garden or hanging flower pots just isn’t enough. So, we’ll let you in on a little secret: front yard pavers are a key advantage in landscaping. But, before we dive into ideas for creating your perfect front yard, we need to learn more about pavers.

What are pavers?

Pavers are flat construction pieces made of concrete, clay brick, or natural stone (like limestone or granite). You might have heard them referred to as paving stones. These secret landscaping weapons come in different textures, colors, and shapes

What are they used for?

They’re most commonly used for exterior flooring. Examples include walkways, steps, and driveways– basically any outdoor landscaping you walk on. In addition to exterior flooring, they’re also used to make outdoor benches and walls. Most homeowners use pavers in their front yard to maximize curb appeal. This is because there are many advantages to using these stylish construction pieces.

Benefits of using pavers for landscaping

Pavers are best for outdoor layouts for many reasons. First and foremost, they’re extremely durable. Plus, they’re also weather-tolerant, low maintenance, and provide creative potential. This is why landscape designs made with pavers are increasingly becoming more popular. Let’s dig into each of the benefits of using these stones for your exterior decorating.

Durable

Paving pieces interlock with each other, which prevents them from breaking or cracking. As a result, they create a strong and flexible pavement system. Most paving materials are 75% stronger than a concrete foundation of a house! Because of their strength and flexibility, paving stones can tolerate the most brutal weather.

Climate tolerant

Winter weather can be a threat to your landscaping. The moisture in the ground freezes in the winter and then thaws in the spring. This cycle causes the ground to expand and contract. Thus, it can result in breakages in the weaker spots of your hardscape. So, if you want an entryway that won’t crack in the winter, front yard pavers are your best bet. Paving stones flex when the ground expands during the colder months. Likewise, they settle back into their original position once the ground thaws.

Low maintenance

As opposed to poured concrete, pavers made from pieces of concrete, bricks, or stone are easy to repair. If you have to fix any large cracks in a concrete hardscape, you’ll likely have to replace the entire concrete slab. Contrarily, it requires much less effort to replace an individual paver. Another reason why paving stones require minimal upkeep is that they’re easy to clean. You can sweep any debris off of the paving surface and get rid of stains with soap and water.

Creative freedom

Homeowners love the near-limitless artistic potential that pavers provide. Paving stones come in a wide range of colors, textures, styles, and shapes. For this reason, you can use your front yard paver designs as a focal point. Or, you can blend the pavers in with the rest of your landscape to create a more cohesive appearance.

What materials will I need?

Hardscaping ideas that use pavers require important materials. What you need can vary based on the type of paving stones you use and the type of project you’re doing. But, the following materials are essential for any DIY front yard paver project.

• Hammer or chisel to trim any oddly fitting stones

• Polyurethane construction adhesive to secure the pavers

• Sealer to create a weather barrier and guard against color loss

Front yard paver ideas

Front lawn landscaping serves a different purpose than backyard landscaping. While backyard layouts often provide a place to unwind, front yards are all about curb appeal. Your front yard is the first clue your neighbors see that indicates what the inside of your home is like. So, using front yard pavers is essential to creating an inviting look for your home.

Front porch

Your front porch is like your entry courtyard. It functions as the transition between the street and your doorstep. Using paving stones to spice up your front porch will provide a cleaner, modern touch. If your porch’s foundation is poured concrete, replacing it with paving stones will give it a more unique appearance. Poured concrete results in a monotonous look. It can often make your landscaping seem bland. On the other hand, pavers can be arranged in interesting patterns to transform your porch into an attractive outdoor space. But, before you attempt a DIY porch remodel, make sure your existing concrete isn’t damaged.

Can I renew my old concrete porch with pavers?

It’s no joke that taking out a concrete porch is a backbreaking task. However, renewing your porch with paving stones doesn’t have to be laborious. As long as your poured concrete is in decent condition, adding pavers is pretty easy. You can check the state of your existing concrete by looking for breakages and uneven surfaces. If there aren’t big cracks and the surface is smooth, adding pavers to your front yard porch is a great option.

Driveway

A driveway doesn’t just have to be where you park your car or the transition from the street to your garage. With paving stones, your driveway can become an asset to your landscape. Pavers have variety in their texture, color, and shape. So, it’s easy to match your driveway to your home’s style by using paving stones. If you don’t want your driveway to completely blend in with your home’s aesthetic, you can make it an artistic focal point. Choosing creative paver patterns will make it stand out as its own feature. A great tip is to pick a color scheme for your paving stones that have a slight variation. This is an eye-catching way to boost your curb appeal.

Walkways

If you look online, you’ll find many front yard walkway ideas. It can be exhausting to read through all of them, so we’ve narrowed entryway designs down to our favorite three.

Pavers for wide walkways

A wide walkway allows for extra space to use a mix of stones, bricks, and natural rocks. Mixing up the paving materials will make the entrance of your home pop! Plus, using front yard pavers to create a wide entryway will prevent guests from walking through your lawn or garden.

Curved paths

It won’t always be a straight shot to get from one zone in your yard to another. You may have to walk around garden beds, bushes, or any other landscape feature. This is why a curved path is an effective way to transition from one spot to another. Curving paths also make walkways an experience, as they can take you around the most beautiful parts of your yard.

Creating steps

Steps are great for houses located atop hills, small or large. But, they also provide depth, so it won’t look like your walkway abruptly ends where your porch or front door begins.

Patios

Patios aren’t just for backyard barbecues. A front yard paver patio creates a seamless transition from your driveway to your main entrance. Paver patios are like little contemporary dwellings. They provide a place to relax and drink your coffee while you wave to your neighbors walking by. Pro-tip: Add a water feature or bench using pavers to give your patio a neighborly charm!

Gardens

Concrete paver gardens always give a pleasing look. This is because concrete pavers can be used as a border to create a clean, modern outline around your garden beds. If you want more of a quaint, vintage look, try using stone landscaping in your garden. By using colors like gray, brown, and cream, you can build a stone garden wall that will take you back to yesteryear.

Get the curb appeal you’ve always wanted

Landscape architects have a trained eye for design. So, if a DIY paver project seems overwhelming or too complicated, contact a professional to turn your front yard into a masterpiece.