All About Belgard Paver Patios: A Guide for Homeowners
Belgard Catalog
If you're a homeowner looking to enhance your outdoor space with a beautiful and durable patio, Belgard pavers are an excellent choice. Known for their quality, service, expertise, innovation, and design, Belgard offers a range of products that can transform your outdoor area into a stunning and functional space. In this guide, we'll explore the features that make Belgard pavers a top choice for your landscaping project, including their innovative permeable paver options.
Why Choose Belgard?
Quality
Belgard pavers are designed to keep pace with your active lifestyle while maintaining their aesthetic appeal. Each product is backed by a lifetime transferable limited warranty, reflecting Belgard's confidence in the durability and quality of their offerings. This commitment ensures that your investment is protected for years to come.
Service
With the support of the Oldcastle APG family of brands, Belgard offers international reach combined with a regionalized infrastructure of over 150 operating locations. This means you get the benefits of localized service, ensuring that every town is treated like home. Whether you're in a bustling city or a quiet suburb of Colorado, Belgard's service network is there to support you (and us!) with your project.
Expertise
For more than 25 years, Belgard has set the standard for hardscapes. Their network of Belgard Authorized Contractors are CMHA Certified Concrete Paver Installers, trained to deliver superior craftsmanship. Belgard supports both contractors and homeowners with resources for every step of the process, from inspiration to installation and beyond. This expertise ensures that your project is handled with the utmost care and professionalism.
Innovation
Belgard dedicates over 20,000 hours each year to research and development, ensuring their products provide the highest level of craftsmanship. This commitment to innovation not only sets the industry standard for quality but also guides industry trends. With Belgard, you can be confident that you're choosing a product that is at the forefront of design and technology.
Design
Choosing a quality paver product is what really brings your outdoor vision to life. With a wealth of planning tools and design inspiration, Belgard helps turn your outdoor dreams into an enduringly beautiful reality. Be sure to check out their design tool!
Belgard Design Tool
One of the most common questions we get about pavers in general at Aspenwood Landscape is if weeks will grow through the pavers. This comes down to the type of pavers you choose. When it comes to preventing weed growth, both permeable and traditional pavers have their own advantages, but the effectiveness largely depends on the installation process and maintenance practices.
When deciding between permeable and traditional pavers for your outdoor project, it's important to weigh the pros and cons of each option. Both have their unique benefits and potential drawbacks, depending on your specific needs and environmental considerations.
Pros and Cons of Permeable Pavers
Permeable pavers are a type of paving system designed to allow water to pass through the surface and into the ground below. This helps manage stormwater runoff, reduce erosion, and replenish groundwater supplies. Unlike traditional pavers, which are often impermeable and can contribute to water pooling and runoff, permeable pavers have gaps between them filled with small stones or specially designed joints that facilitate water infiltration.
Pros:
Stormwater Management: Permeable pavers allow water to infiltrate the ground, reducing runoff and the risk of flooding. This is particularly beneficial in areas prone to heavy rainfall.
Environmental Benefits: They help filter pollutants from rainwater, improving water quality and replenishing groundwater supplies. Designing a permeable paver system also allows you to harvest and recycle rainwater, reducing the water demand for landscaping. This sustainable approach not only conserves water but also supports eco-friendly gardening practices.
Erosion Control: By managing water flow, permeable pavers help prevent soil erosion, which can be a significant issue in certain landscapes.
Heat Reduction: These pavers can help mitigate the urban heat island effect by allowing water to cool the surface as it evaporates.
Regulatory Compliance: In some areas, permeable pavers may help meet local regulations for stormwater management and environmental impact.
Floor Prevention: With the ability to absorb rainwater at a rate of over 500 inches per hour, permeable pavers effectively eliminate runoff. This feature is crucial for flood prevention, protecting your property and surrounding areas from water damage.
Cons:
Higher Initial Cost: Permeable pavers can be more expensive to install than traditional pavers due to the need for specialized materials and installation techniques.
Maintenance Requirements: They may require more frequent maintenance to prevent clogging of the joints or gaps with debris and sediment.
Limited Load-Bearing Capacity: In some cases, permeable pavers may not be suitable for areas with heavy vehicle traffic unless specifically designed for such use.
Installation Complexity: Proper installation is crucial for permeable pavers to function effectively, which may require professional expertise.
Pros and Cons of Traditional Pavers
Traditional pavers are a type of paving system designed to create a solid, durable surface for outdoor areas such as patios, walkways, and driveways. These pavers are typically made from materials like concrete, brick, or stone and are laid closely together to form a tight, interlocking pattern. Unlike permeable pavers, traditional pavers are generally impermeable, meaning they do not allow water to pass through the surface. This can lead to water pooling and runoff during heavy rain, which may require additional drainage solutions to manage stormwater effectively. However, their solid construction provides excellent durability and load-bearing capacity, making them ideal for high-traffic areas.
Pros:
Cost-Effective: Traditional pavers are often less expensive to install than permeable options, making them a popular choice for budget-conscious projects.
Durability: They are typically very durable and can handle heavy loads, making them suitable for driveways and high-traffic areas.
Wide Range of Styles: Traditional pavers come in a variety of colors, shapes, and patterns, offering more design flexibility.
Low Maintenance: Generally, traditional pavers require less maintenance than permeable pavers, as there are no gaps to clog.
Cons:
Runoff Issues: Traditional pavers do not allow water to pass through, which can lead to increased runoff and potential flooding in heavy rain.
Environmental Impact: They do not filter pollutants from rainwater, which can contribute to water quality issues.
Heat Retention: Traditional pavers can contribute to the urban heat island effect by retaining heat from the sun.
Potential for Erosion: Without proper drainage, traditional pavers can contribute to soil erosion in surrounding areas.
The choice between permeable and traditional pavers depends on your specific needs, budget, and environmental considerations. If stormwater management and environmental impact are top priorities, permeable pavers may be the better choice. However, if cost, durability, and design flexibility are more important, traditional pavers might be more suitable. We tend to install more traditional pavers due to their low maintenance and weed prevention capabilities.
Top Features of Belgard Paver Patios
Durability and Aesthetic Appeal
Belgard pavers are known for their durability and attractive appearance, making them perfect for patios, walkways, and driveways. The company's philosophy is inspired by the Romans, who built roads to last for centuries. Belgard pavers are designed to withstand the test of time, offering homeowners a reliable and attractive solution for their outdoor spaces.
Variety of Patterns and Colors
One of the exciting aspects of designing your patio is selecting the pattern. Belgard offers numerous options, including the popular three-piece pattern that combines a small rectangle, a square, and a larger rectangle. This creates a natural, random look that enhances the beauty of your outdoor space. With a wide range of colors and textures, Belgard pavers can complement any home style.
While it can be fun to explore the various colors, textures and patterns of pavers, we also know how overwhelming this can feel when options are endless. Fortunately, our 3D design service can really help you visualize your space and we are happy to create patterns for you!
Belgard Patterns
Low Maintenance
Paver patios are relatively low-maintenance. Occasionally, you may need to reapply polymeric sand to fill any gaps that might appear over time. Regular sweeping will keep your patio looking its best. With Belgard's quality materials, you can enjoy a beautiful outdoor space with minimal upkeep.
The Installation Process
Here's a simplified overview of the installation process for a Belgard paver patio:
Site Preparation: The ground is leveled and compacted to create a stable base, preventing settling and ensuring longevity.
Base Installation: A Class 6 road base is laid and compacted, forming the foundation for the pavers.
Paver Placement: Pavers are laid out according to your chosen pattern with precision.
Compaction: The pavers are compacted to ensure they are firmly seated and level.
Joint Filling: Polymeric sand is swept into the joints and vibrated to settle it, then water is added to harden the sand.
Final Cleanup: Excess sand is removed, leaving a beautiful, finished patio.
Belgard pavers are one of our top material choices due to the exceptional blend of quality, durability, and aesthetic appeal. Whether you're looking to create a stunning patio, a functional driveway, or a beautiful walkway, Belgard pavers provide the perfect solution with their superior craftsmanship and timeless elegance. With Aspenwood, you can transform your outdoor space into a lasting masterpiece that enhances both the beauty and functionality of your home. Contact us today for your free consultation!