Thinking of upgrading your outside living areas?

Patios, decks, driveways, sidewalks and all those other flat hard surfaces around your house.

With all the ground movement here is north Texas, due to our expansive clay soil, our flat surfaces tend to crack over time. There are options with regard to new flat work and/replacement:

Concrete: Concrete will hold up to the movement of our expansive clay reasonably well if it has been installed correctly. Sometimes the cost to install it correctly will be higher than other options. When the concrete does crack, there are minimal ways to repair it that don’t make the repair more visible than the crack. You can also have a top coat applied which will make it look great. But, once that top coat cracks or separates you have a bigger problem. Overall, concrete is one of the least expensive hard surfaces and can last a lifetime or longer.

Pave Stone: 1st, no they don’t all look like red bricks. There are lots of great styles and colors which look fantastic. The great thing about pave stone, you can repair it. If there is a separation, sink or heave, the area in question can be “re-zipped” (big industry technical term). And, most reputable installers will give a 10 year warranty. If you are into sweeping and cleaning your flat surfaces, pave stone is not as easy to sweep since it is individual stones. Again, a good installer will make a big difference when it comes to how “flat” the stones are installed. Pave stone can run 10 to 20% more than concrete. And, like concrete, can last a lifetime.

Natural Stone (flag stone): Natural stone has all the same positive characteristics of pave stone. It is easy to repair, has a warranty (if you use a good company). It also has the same cleaning issues. Natural stone is the most expensive of the options discussed. But, it is truly a beautiful surface.

Wood: Wood can be a great alternative to some flat surfaces. It is natural and can be stained to match any landscape decor. It usually only requires “home owner” maintenance. But, it does require regular maintenance. If wood is left untreated and minor issues; raised boards, loose screws, etc. are not taken care of in a timely manner, it can cause a significant reduction in the life of the surface. The cost for wood will usually run at or just below concrete. Most installations, if cared for properly, can last 15 to 20 years.

If you have any questions or need help with your flat surfaces, contact us, we would be happy to discuss options for your specific needs.