If you are having pavers installed, you will need something to fill the spaces where the pavers meet. We will educate you on the options and expectations for filling and maintaining the joints of your patio pavers.
Flexible Pavement System
First of all, it is important to understand that concrete pavers, in general, are designed to be installed as a flexible pavement system that will move with the ground as it moves. Most movement of the ground will come through freeze and thaw cycles where the ground can expand and contract depending on many variables such as moisture content, temperature, wind, and sun exposure. Most concrete paver systems are designed to be installed in a flexible way to allow for this movement of the ground in areas of extremely high and low temperatures.
Types of Fills for Between Pavers
There are two major types of fillers used between pavers.
Definitely Not Grout
Grout is not one of the two choices. Our clients often refer to the joint filler as grout, and this is inaccurate. Grout is typically designed to be used indoors between tiles, and it is always part of a rigid pavement system. Gout is NOT designed to be flexible, and if it moves, it will crack because of its rigidity. In some cases, an exterior grout can be used if the base is constructed in a rigid technique with footings below the frost line to prevent movement. This is not the typical standard of residential paver installation today, mainly due to being cost-prohibitive in most cases.
Sand
Regular builder’s sand or brick sand was often used for filling pavers up until the turn of the century. The problem with regular builders’ sand is that it quickly blows or is washed out from between the pavers. While this is an esthetic problem, it can and does look bad, and no one wants their nice paver patio to have gaps between the stones. If sand is used as a bedding layer, it can also become a structural problem if the bedding layer begins to wash away.
Polymeric Sand
In 1999 Techniseal introduced Polymeric sand to the market. This is sand that is mixed with a polymer that binds the sand particles together. This makes it last longer. It is not permanent, however. Over time, the polymer will break down, and the sand can wash or blow out, so it does require some maintenance. It typically will last at least three to five years before that is necessary to touch up or re-sand any areas.
Applying Polymeric sand
When applying polymeric sand, it is important to wear a dust mask as it can be harmful if inhaled. First, pour Polymeric sand onto the pavers and sweep it into the joints. Compact the pavers to settle the sand with a rolling plate compactor or a hand tamper. Then fill and tamp again until the sand is 1/8th inch from the paver level and doesn’t consolidate any further.
Prepare for Watering
Blow sand residue from the top of the pavers. It is important to get all the sand off the top of the pavers, or you will have a haze on them. Use a leaf blower set on low and held about waist high to help.
Watering
You want to add enough water to activate the polymer but not so much that you float the polymer right out of the sand. Use a water nozzle turned to the shower setting. Water the joint until the sand just stops absorbing water. Pause and let the water soak in. Water again until no more water soaks in, but you do not see a milky white substance on top of the joint. Do 10 feet by 10 feet sections at a time. Once the polymer sets, you won’t be able to add more water.
Curing
The polymer will cure in 24-72 hours, depending on the temperature and dryness of the area. Polymeric sand in shade can be a bit more spongy than Polymeric sand in the sun, even after it cures. Do not let the sand get rained on hard until it is set. You may need to cover the sand with a tarp to protect it from rain. You should avoid excess foot traffic for 24 hours and any vehicle traffic for 72 hours.
Common Mistakes When Using Polymeric Sand
We see these mistakes over and over when clients use Polymeric sand.
Damp Pavers or Joints
If the joints and pavers are wet, the polymer will start to set up prematurely. This causes a haze on the pavers and leads to poor joints. The pavers and joints must be bone dry before you start. The sand will also stick to the top of the pavers and become a difficult mess to clean up.
Over or Under Watering
If you do not water the Polymeric sand enough, it does not activate the polymer. When this happens, a crust forms on the surface but the sand below this crust is not bound together. The unbound sand moves out from under the crust, which then collapses.
If you apply too much water, the polymer floats out of the sand and drains away. It can leave a haze behind on the pavers as it runs across them. You are left with sand between the pavers and a haze on them.
Leaving Excess Sand Behind
Sand that is left on the pavers will bind to the pavers and leave a haze on them, detracting from the beauty of the pavers.
Poor Drainage
The drainage under the pavers and joints must be good, or the water will back up and not filter through the Polymeric sand, allowing the sand grains to bind to each other. A very slight slope will aid drainage and help prevent problems. We have also shifted from a sand bedding layer to an open aggregate base that helps with drainage below the pavers, especially in dark and damp Northern exposures.
Overfilling the Joints
Too much sand can cause problems. It is important to keep the level of the sand in the joint 1/8th inch below the surface of the paver. If the sand is level with the paver, the water will back up over the paver, and the polymer will cause the paver to be hazy.
Too Narrow or Too Wide Joints
Joints should be at least 1/8th inch and no more than four inches. The joint depth should be at least one inch. If the joints are too narrow, the water cannot flow down and properly activate the polymer. If the joints are too wide, the sand will wash out before the polymer sets up.
Polymeric Sand Maintenance
As mentioned, polymeric sand does require some maintenance. Regular cleaning with a blower and/or a hose will help keep the pavers and joints in good condition. You can power wash your paver patio if you are careful not to blow out the sand. Keep the power washer moving and never aimed directly at the joints. Periodically, you will need to chemically clean and re-seal the pavers and joints. You may then need to sweep new Polymeric sand into the joints to fill any low spots. Just make sure it is completely dry first.
Customer Expectations
When it comes to paver joints, polymeric sand is often seen as the gold standard. And it is the best solution we have for filling joints in a flexible pavement system, and it does a great job. However, like any construction material, it is far from perfect and is definitely not maintenance-free. The ground will move and over time the sand will move, crack, wash or settle and will need some maintenance. It is critically important that consumers understand the history, design, and intent of this product to ultimately have a successful paver project for both the client and the contractor.
Our Paver Maintenance Program
Royal Creations Architectural Landscaping has a paver maintenance program. We have options that include Spring clean-ups, as well as regular cleanings (blowing, power washing, and chemical cleaning), along with regular re-sealing of pavers to enhance the color and sheen. To sign up for our paver maintenance program, schedule a consultation now before the spring rush hits.
We use 3D design whenever possible to design outdoor living spaces. Here are some reasons why designing with 3D design models provides much more value compared to simple 2D plan drawings. Figure 1 – 3D Deck & Patio Layout
Elevation Changes and Heights of Plant Material
We do all of our designing to scale with your property. When we do the drawings, we can make sure that each element of the design will fit precisely into the space you have. This helps prevent getting a plant that is too big for the space or missing areas where retaining walls may be necessary for the design.
Figure 2 – Plan View Design Drawing
Designs Are Clearer
In larger-scale hardscape projects, there are often a lot of details that can not be easily communicated in a plan view drawing. Line drawings may be hard for our clients to understand and visualize how the finished product will look. With a 3D design, you can see exactly what each view of the landscape will look like. Seeing a realistic view of the design helps our design team figure out the details and show our clients how everything will look in much greater detail and help them to see the vision we have for their spaces.
Figure 3 – 3D image of Same Design
Saves Time with Improved Communication
A clear 3D design gives both the clients and the Blue Crew a good idea of how details are intended to look. Our team can see what plants, stones, and pavers will work best in the design, and we can choose the most appropriate materials to fit the project. The installers can see every elevation, paver color, and future plant size, to help make the construction phase much more efficient for the customer. This helps avoid questions and changes mid-stream during the construction process, which can really put a strain on the production process. When installers have to switch materials and re-order, there can be significant delays in the process. There will also be change orders that add to the cost of the project and sometimes even tear out work that has already been completed because the vision was not clarified enough in the design phase.
Keeps Track of Versions
Have you ever made a list, then revised it several times, only to be confused as to which of the revisions is the latest one? 3D designs automatically keep track of which version a particular design is, so that never happens to us. We know which version you have approved and will not accidentally use an older version. In addition, each time the design is updated, the list of materials needed is automatically updated, so we don’t order anything you don’t need or fail to order needed materials. This keeps the installation process running smoothly.
Figure 4 – 3D Curb Appeal Design
Easy Add-Ons & Outdoor Lighting
Once we have a 3D model of your landscape, we can easily go back to that model and add on new projects. We have a record of the exact stones, cement, pavers, and other materials used, so it is easy to match materials in new additions. There is no guessing about matches or problems with the older components not matching the newer ones. The most common add-on to our designs is outdoor lighting. If we invest in the time to build the 3D Model, then we can quickly add lights into the plan to help both the client and installers see the intent of the project. This is a very powerful tool to portray the vision, as it virtually impossible to show what the lights will look like at night without actually installing a demo which can be costly and time-consuming.
Figure 5 – 3D Curb Appeal with Lights
Permitting and HOA Reviews
Often times we work in neighborhoods that will have a design review committee that must approve your design before work can begin. There are also certain types of projects that will require a city permit for building as well as inspections during the project. When 3D images are included with the plan, these committees can easily see exactly what is planned for the project. This can eliminate a lot of back-and-forth questions as well as speed up the approval process.
Figure 6 – Swimming Pool Memorial Design
Let Us Help You Visualize your Space with a 3D Design
Royal Creations Architectural Landscaping can create a 3D design of your landscape. Right now, we are busy designing landscapes and scheduling installations for this spring. We are beginning to fill up our Spring install calendar. Schedule a consultation with us today to get your landscape design in the queue and begin the process of envisioning a space for your family to spend time together outdoors.
December is the time of the year that many people decorate their houses and outdoor living spaces for the holidays. We love decorating for the holidays and have some suggestions for what you can do.
Lights
Lights really brighten up the outdoors this season. There are two ways you can go with holiday lights: temporary lights and changing your permanent lights to suit the season.
Temporary lights can be very energy efficient if they use low-voltage LED lights. These can be plugged into a photovoltaic cell that automatically turns them on at dusk and off at dawn. You can also use a timer to turn the lights on and off, but you will have to adjust the timer as the season progresses, and it gets dark earlier and light later. Of course, temporary lights have to be installed and removed, which means someone gets to climb on a ladder.
If you have a low-voltage LED light system to light your yard, you can probably change the colors of the lights to be more seasonal. You simply adjust the color on your smartphone, and voila, you have holiday lights. You can read more about automatic low-voltage LED light systems in our previous post on them.
Christmas Planter Pots
Christmas plants can if chosen carefully, brighten up the outdoor living area. Putting pots on wheels makes it easier to move them around for your holiday parties. If you have heating, your poinsettias can make a statement in a large pot. You can also use Christmas cacti, which bloom starting a few weeks before Christmas for about six weeks. Neither of these plants are cold hardy. They need to be in a warm environment.
Holly is relatively hardy and has bright red berries. Place holly shrubs near your doorway to greet your guests. These can be inground permanent shrubs or container shrubs brought in just for the holidays. If you plant them in a container, it helps to have the container on wheels so you can move it after the holidays.
We also like to include items like white birch branches, pinecones, and large ornaments to “spruce” up our winter arrangements for our clients.
Wreaths
Another use for holly is to make a seasonal wreath. Many people also use grape vines or willow branches. You can weave the green foliage into a wreath shape and tie it to keep the wreath together. Adding holiday decorations such as Christmas tree balls and lights will make the wreath stand out. Using evergreen boughs can add a nice smell to your wreath. Many people decorate with mistletoe but be careful because the berries are poisonous and may pose a hazard to children and pets.
Christmas Figures
There are a wide variety of Christmas nativity scenes, from tabletop versions to life-size versions for the yard. These can be placed in the backyard for private viewing or in the front yard for everyone to see. Of course, you will want to install temporary low-voltage LED lights to light the nativity scene in the yard. More details on such a system are mentioned above.
Winter Seasonal Figures
Driving around Kansas City, I see lots of inflatable Santas, reindeer, snowmen, and other winter figures. If you want to use these, be sure to anchor them well, so winter storms don’t send them bounding down the road. You will also want to light these figures so everyone can enjoy them. There are a wide variety of these figures available from big box stores.
Happy Holidays
We at Royal Creations Architectural Landscaping want to wish you Happy Holidays. We hope you get to enjoy some time with your family decorating and making your winter wonderland a special place together. If you need help with any projects, please don’t hesitate to reach out, We do installations of hardscapes, patios, and lights during the winter, and design many other projects for implementation in the spring. Schedule a consultation today, so we can help you design a landscape that meets your needs.
Recently, some clients have inquired about why Royal Creations Architectural Landscaping quotes for landscape design and installation are higher than our competitors. Here are some reasons why we provide more value.
Experienced Team
Our company’s founder Andrew L. Wright (Andy), has 25 years of experience in designing and building residential landscapes of all shapes and sizes. He has a degree in Landscape Architecture and is a Certified Landscape Professional and Licensed General Contractor while also certified for paver and wall installation from the ICPI and NCMA. Andy not only has the education but also has spent half of his career in the field, gaining first-hand real-world experience of what works best for installation techniques and design considerations.
Our field construction manager, Henry Thompson, has 30 years of experience in construction, specializing in residential landscape projects. Henry leads the field operations and is responsible for quality control. He helps train our staff and manage the projects. Henry is continually communicating with the customers and checking on details of the installations while supporting our field staff.
We also have a full-time office manager, Tammy Panarisi, who is responsible for all the behind-the-scenes action keeping track of the details of accounting, human resources, fleet management, material procurement, customer service, and a whole lot more.
In addition, our firm has completed over 1,000 successful landscape projects in the last 10 years. Ask yourself this question, “Do I want someone to learn what to do while working on my landscape project, or do I want someone who has done this 1,000 times before?”
Good Business Practices
We follow good business practices. We are a licensed general contractor, and we work with specialized subcontractors such as carpenters, plumbers, and electricians who are also licensed in their fields. If we are not licensed to do something, our employees will not do it. We will contact the proper professional to take care of the task. Not every company is as scrupulous as we are.
We are fully insured. This means that if someone gets hurt on the job, materials are defective, any property is damaged, or anything else happens while we are working on your job, we have the insurance to cover it. Not every landscape company can say that because such insurance can be expensive, and they are competing on price and not value. We care enough to invest in the proper insurance to protect our clients, our workers, and our company.
Taking Care of Our Employees
Our employees speak English and are legally allowed to work in the United States. We pay top-of-the-market wages to attract the top talent and create a strong team that embodies our C.R.O.W.N. values of Communication priority, Respectful attitude, Ownership mentality, Willingness to serve, and Never-ending pursuit of our potential. In return, we give our employees a clear career path and pay for continuing education, health insurance, retirement benefits, a first-time home buyers program, and profit sharing. We don’t exploit people because we don’t want to be exploited.
Quality Materials and Professional Construction Techniques
Many times, clients compare our proposals to those of competitors without realizing they are different in scope. Because of our experience, our proposals are often much more comprehensive than our competition. We consider the details upfront and minimize extra work to be completed after we leave or unexpected change orders to come up in the middle of the project. We often use better materials and construction techniques to provide a higher quality product to last longer and lower maintenance. Sometimes, those construction methods can be fairly complicated to achieve the desired results. We strive to present a final product that includes all the details to make your new outdoor space livable and ready to use. Not every company offers a full-service landscape design/ build concierge service as a general contractor who can handle any outdoor design/build project from start to finish.
Relationships
Our commitment to our customers is to provide an excellent customer experience throughout the process of your design/build project. We will have your best interest in mind and act as a steward of your resources throughout the project. Oftentimes we have to consider alternative solutions and work through value engineering of the master plan to get to the appropriate solution for our clients and their budgets. We work through the design/build process, and we develop an enduring relationship with our customers that lasts far beyond the design and building phase of the project.
Throughout the design process, we provide value to our clients by not only creating design plans for their property but also helping them through the material selection process. We often even hand-pick materials with our customers at the stone yard or plant nursery.
We keep our clients informed throughout the stages of the project with estimated timelines and e-mail updates as we work through the process of design, construction, and maintenance. If the timeline changes, we will promptly send updates. We are always here and happy to answer questions not only during the design and build but also any time after it is finished. We help many of our clients with continual specialized maintenance and implementing additional phases of the master plan over time.
Compare Apples to Apples
Our experience, business practices, employee care, better materials, and better construction techniques all go into our proposals. Sometimes that means they look more expensive than our competitors. However, if you break them down, you will see we give you much more for the price. As a homeowner, there can be a lot of risk in hiring the least expensive service provider. Our passion, expertise, and core values of our team are worth the investment.
Fall is here, and the sun sets lower each night. While there are many ways to light your outdoor living space to maximize the time you can play outside; we like automated low-voltage LED lighting systems.
What Are Automated Low Voltage LED Lighting Systems?
These systems use low-voltage wires that are thin and less visible to power LED lights with 12 or 24 volts. This low voltage really saves on electricity costs. The lights are controlled by a smart controller that can talk to your smartphone. You can set the lights up to come on and off automatically when you want them to. Further, you can control the warmth and even the color of the lights, so you can turn them red for Chiefs games or other colors for other celebrations.
What Are the Advantages of Low Voltage versus Line Voltage Systems?
Line voltage is the voltage that comes out of the wall socket, typically 120 volts here in the United States and Canada. Low voltage is typically 12 or 24 volts. Here are some of the differences.
Line Voltage
Low Voltage
Use with most out-of-the-box lamps and lights
It needs a transformer and LED lights to use
Cheaper initially
Saves money on electricity costs
It uses thick copper wire
It uses thin speaker wires
Electricity costs are expensive
Light warmth and color can be easily altered with the controller
It can be automated with smart plugs for each light.
It can be controlled with a smart controller
Light is defused and less sharp
It can be automated and scheduled easily
Lights can be dimmed to 30 percent or on full based on occupancy or need, or turned off
Like looks sharper and more natural
Bulbs can last 6,000 hours before needing to be replaced
Components of Automated Low Voltage LED Lighting Systems
Here are the components you will need to install an automated low-voltage LED lighting system in your outdoor living area.
Transformer
The transformer steps the line voltage of 120 volts down to 12 volts. This is the voltage most low-voltage LED lights use. Transformers are rated for different loads. Choose a transformer that is larger than the sum of the wattage of the lights you will hook to it. For example, if you have ten 12-watt lights, choose a 150-watt transformer. Avoid the temptation to buy a transformer with a much bigger rating than the load you will put on it.
Wiring
The wiring for a low-voltage LED lighting system is much smaller and safer than using 120 volts. If your system will use more than 200 watts, you should use a 12 gauge wire. If your system uses less than 200 watts, you can use a 14-gauge wire. You can often use speaker wire for this application.
Light Fixtures and Bulbs
There is a wide range of low-voltage LED light fixtures to choose from. The key is placing each light fixture at least ten feet from the transformer and ten feet from each other. Don’t overload your transformer, or your lights will be very dim or not work at all.
You can choose lights and bulbs that allow you to change the warmth and color of the light. For example, you could turn your lights red for a Chiefs-watching party.
Timers and Photocells
Timers allow you to set the times you want your lights to come on. Photocells will trigger the lights when the sun goes down and turn them off when it gets light. Many timers can be used with a smartphone. Depending on the configuration of the system, you may be able to schedule individual lights to come on at different times. Our favorite timer is the astronomical type that will automatically reset with daylight savings time based on your zip code.
Our Favorite Brands
Making sure you use a reputable brand when buying your components is important. Here are our three favorite brands.
Pro Trade
Pro Trade lighting is a good choice if you are on a tight budget. The fixtures are durable and tough but don’t have the bells and whistles some other brands have. Pro Trade has a wide variety of fixtures available, so you should be able to find the lighting you want. However, it may not have the range of choices on lighting warmth and individual control some systems have.
Unique Lighting
Unique Lighting fixtures are a step up from Pro Trade. Unique Lighting has fixtures that you can turn into different colors. In addition to a range of fixtures and transformers, Unique Lighting has the SMRT LOGIC® Cloud-Based Landscape Control System. This lets you control your lighting system on your smartphone. You can even turn fountains and other landscape features on and off with this system.
Coastal Source
If you are looking for the best home system, Coastal Source is your brand. Coastal Source includes their own proprietary brand of smart controller that can control not only the color but the shape and intensity of your outdoor lights. These lights are durable and look nice anywhere. You can also get lights that are low profile, so they are invisible but light a specimen tree or other feature without the fixture taking away from the scene.
We Design and Install Automatic Low Voltage LED Lighting Systems
Designing and installing your automatic low-voltage LED lighting system can be a chore. Royal Creations Architectural Landscaping can design the perfect lighting system. Our Blue Crew can install the system and make sure it works just the way you want it to. We can even set up the automation program on your smartphone and show you how to work it. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and discuss your outdoor living lighting system needs.
