Surfacing around the house is a general term encompassing various traffic routes that not only facilitate the movement of cars, but also promote walking and aesthetically complement the surroundings. It is worthwhile to design them in such a way that they will serve for years – or even decades! This is why both the technical parameters of the chosen material and the functionality of the routed paths are important. What else must count?
The basis of everything, or design
Field work on the property is best to start with a well-prepared project. Thanks to it you will optimally use the available space, lay paths so that no “shortcuts” are created, and estimate the amount of necessary materials, and thus precisely recalculate the size of the investment. This is an advantageous move both from a financial and practical point of view, because the risk of mistakes, errors and not very good ideas is then reduced almost to zero!
The design of the paving around the house must correlate with the building; its style and finish. Such a connection very often already dictates a certain design of materials or layouts. However, simply choosing the color of the paving blocks or the size of the slabs is definitely not enough. The width of the paths, properly planned and executed gradients for rainwater, the course of the paths or the type of plantings, among other things, are important.
Three areas of a successful project
In designing the paving around the house, it is best to separate three main areas. These include driveways, terraces and paths. There should be harmony and consistency between these zones in terms of aesthetics, but it is worth bearing in mind that each of these areas is different from a practical point of view; it involves different impacts, and this translates into different material requirements. What do you need to know?
The driveway is the area that is subjected to the most stress. Passenger cars and sometimes even trucks move on it. Therefore, it is worth taking care not only of the thickness of the slabs or pavers, but also of the proper width of these zones. This will make any maneuvering by wheeled vehicles easier, and the plants will not suffer. It is recommended that the width of the vehicle should be a minimum of 3 m, and the length should be 5 m.
The terrace is a space that should be an extension of the home’s relaxation zone. It is worth locating it on the side of the living room or dining room, as well as in a place with good sunlight; preferably from the south or southwest. The size of this area will also be no less important. This parameter should depend on the needs of the householders and the area of the plot. Before implementation, it is best to carefully plan the layout of furniture and decorations, as well as estimate the average number of people using this rest area.
Garden paths are a more extensive topic, as they cover a variety of zones. Mandatory pathways include those that connect the gate to the front door, lead to the garage or provide a transition between the terrace and the trash can, barbecue, relaxation area with the pool or key landscaping areas; composting, vegetable garden or pond. What are the required widths of these areas? The path leading to the front door should be a minimum of 120 cm. Garden paths can be considerably narrower. Specialists recommend 60 to 80 cm.
Material; durable, sturdy and indestructible
In addition to the visual fit with the surroundings, it is essential to reach for materials with specific performance parameters. On the driveway, load resistance will be key, on the terrace – ease of cleaning, and in other parts of the property (such as sidewalks and garden paths) – resistance to weathering.
Paved surfaces around a building are made of gravel, sand, concrete, boards or paving stones or slabs. Not all of them will cope well with the changing effects of the weather or the weight of cars. The best in this ranking are the last two suggestions, namely paving blocks or slabs. They have different thicknesses to perfectly match their intended use, show anti-slip properties and do not deteriorate due to rain, snow, UV rays or moisture. Solutions from the Bruk-Bet range are additionally protected with a special surface protection Perlon® Lamino®, Imprex Perlon® or Hydrostop®, which prevents lime efflorescence, facilitates cleaning and reduces dirt absorption.
What will be better: paving stones or slabs? It all depends on the concept and the purpose of the area. Other solutions will work well on the terrace, and others within the driveway or parking lot in front of the house. In this case, an important criterion for selection is the thickness of the material. In an area where cars will travel, paving blocks with a thickness of at least 6 cm will pass the test. However, such a parameter will be insufficient when the surface is subjected to the pressure of cars weighing more than 3.5 tons. Then it is definitely better to go for paving with a minimum thickness of 8 cm.
For pedestrian thoroughfares, including sidewalks, garden paths and bands around the building, thinner alternatives will suffice; cubes and slabs about 4 cm thick. With their participation you can also arrange a functional terrace and stairs. If these areas are to be distinguished by a reduced design, it is worth reaching for raw Maestro Bruk-Bet or Novator® Solo slabs. These are rectangular and square elements with even edges, which will emphasize the simplicity and minimalism of a modern garden. When, on the other hand, paved surfaces are to have more organic shapes, it is better to bet on small Logo® or Creativ® pavers. Such solutions allow paving even in hard-to-reach areas without cutting the material.
Designing paving around the house is not an easy art. It requires knowledge, proper preparation, knowledge of materials and spatial imagination. However, the game is worth the candle, because a skillfully planned driveway, paths or terrace will become the business card of the householders and make the use of the property comfortable and pleasant.
