There are many ways one can improve the exterior of their home to increase the look and value. When it comes to landscaping, one will often think of green grass and lush plants, but one of the best ways to complement this is the use of paving stones to replace old broken sidewalks, driveways or create a long lasting easy to care for patio. When done properly, this can actually be a cheaper alternative than concrete or asphalt if you live in an area where ground frost is present during the winter months.

When ever I drive by a home with a nice proper driveway or walk way made out of paving bricks, it makes me turn my head to take another look. I believe the rustic, yet professional appeal they bring, is a superior choice over concrete, asphalt or other related surface. Yet, the cost may surprise you in being not as expensive as you once thought.So you do not get the cracks, thus you driveway not only looks better, but lasts much longer too.

If you live in an area where the ground freezes up during the winter, you will notice many concrete driveways in your neighborhood that are cracked. The reason is simple, the frost heaves areas up underneath the slabs and weakens the structure. Over time they leave unsightly cracks that only get bigger over time. With paving stones, the spaces between the bricks allow for some flex during these times and will return to normal once the frost is out of the ground, as long as the base was properly prepared to begin with.

Interlocking Bricks are one of the best ways to create tasteful, durable outside environments that last the test of time and improve the value of your home. Look online for images for what can be done with interlocking bricks. Also, if you yard allows for it, look at what can be created with block retaining walls, they are a great way to complement a paver brick system. It is important however, to ensure a professional installer. Doing things wrong could end up with sinking of the bricks.

Paving stones provide flexibility during extreme seasons like cold winters and paver stones summers. While concrete surfaces can and will crack, these materials are designed to sit close to each other and provide a flat surface but not so close they crack when they shift. When the temperatures change, the stones flex against each other without cracking or breaking. Should a stone happen to crack or break, they are exceptionally easy to replace: simply lift out the broken stone and put in the new stone.

No matter what type of stone is used, they have many other advantages over traditional materials like asphalt and granite. They come in a variety of shapes, allowing for unlimited design possibilities. Rather than being stuck with only one shape to design with, different shapes can be combined to create the desired design.

Another benefit is that these materials are better for the environment. Unlike other materials that force things like rain water and melting snow to flood the sides of the hard surface, water is allowed to seep through and reach the soil underneath them. Not only does this help the soil underneath but it also prevents flooding to the home as the runoff water is not forced in any particular direction.