Time for a driveway refresh with pavers: Tips from EP Henry

When "Welcome home!" doesn't feel very welcoming because of a tired-looking driveway, many homeowners think about simply sealcoating or replacing the asphalt or concrete. But in today's world when everyone is home a lot more, generating a completely fresh first impression can go a long way toward raising spirits.

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EP Henry

Oct 13, 2020, 03:30 ET

WOODBURY, N.J., Oct. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- When "Welcome home!" doesn't feel very welcoming because of a tired-looking driveway, many homeowners think about simply sealcoating or replacing the asphalt or concrete. But in today's world when everyone is home a lot more, generating a completely fresh first impression can go a long way toward raising spirits. And one of the best ways to get a new look is to create an elegant paver driveway.

Pavers offer many advantages over asphalt or poured concrete driveways. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors and, since they are a flexible system, units can be lifted and replaced if there's a need to access underground utilities or run piping or wires. Paver driveways require less maintenance than asphalt and poured concrete, which need to be patched, re-leveled and replaced more often, negating much of their initial lower price point.

"Pavers are better able to distribute vehicle weight and deal with a variety of loads and strains from tires turning," says landscape designer Pete Donahue, owner of GreenPete LLC. "And they're inherently stronger than poured concrete or asphalt and able to handle freeze/thaw cycles."

He adds that paver driveways are better for the environment - especially when the pavers themselves are eco-friendly.
"As a New Jersey shore town resident, I see firsthand the negative impact of surface runoff on our natural waterways," notes Donahue. "With permeable pavers, rainwater is captured and dispersed where it falls instead of transporting debris and pollutants to storm drain systems that lead to our waterways."

When it comes to creating and maintaining the perfect paver driveway, the experts at EP Henry recommend that homeowners:

  • Use an experienced contractor to help with the design and installation, because paver driveways do require a properly prepared gravel and sand base that's graded for water runoff
  • Purchase and store some extra pavers to have on hand should any of them need replacing years in the future (most contractors will furnish a few upon job completion)
  • Talk with their installer about the best products to use for de-icing and stain removal

Because a properly installed paver driveway will last decades, its value extends long beyond the initial outlay of costs.

"I recently designed a paver driveway and matching front walkway for a customer who planned on selling her home within five years," recalls Donahue. "She told me she wanted to enjoy the look that the pavers added to her home while knowing that a new paver driveway would increase the home's resale value. Pavers are a solid property investment."

About EP Henry
EP Henry is the oldest American family-owned and operated manufacturer of unit concrete products in North America. Based in Woodbury, New Jersey, EP Henry manufactures a wide range of Hardscaping paving stone and retaining wall products, including ECO pavers and their new line of ColorTech™ integrally sealed paving stones offering advanced protection and enhanced color. EP Henry also offers outdoor kitchen kits, garden wall solutions, design ideas and more to homeowners throughout the Mid-Atlantic states. For more information, visit EPHenry.com or call 800-44-HENRY (800-444-3679).

SOURCE EP Henry