1. In what percentage of your projects do you design/specify interlocking concrete pavers?

HORTON: Our design team specifies according to a homeowner?EUR??,,????'???s/architect?EUR??,,????'???s wishes. Due to the enhancement of a landscape design and availability of colors, patterns and textures, our design team specifies about 75 percent of its designs with pavers. Then we leave it up to the homeowner/landscape architect to make the final decision from there. Usually once they see what they get from pavers it is an easy sell.

BRICKMAN: They are cost effective, they offer a variety of color choices, and minimal down time during construction and repairs.

BURKHART: They are easy to install, durable, good in snow and ice conditions, snowplow-able, and cost effective relative to other upscale pavements.

TATARTKA: Interlocking pavers offer many different options for landscape architects in their designs. Having various style types, colors and patterns at our disposal, we can achieve a higher design quality and intent for many of our projects.

HATH: Attractive in appearance, high psi, adaptability, invisible repair after installation of utilities and more.

HORTON: Traditional pavements do not offer the colors, different patterns and textures that pavers do. The cost of pave stones is comparable with traditional concrete and less than asphalt. Pavers are also more permeable than concrete.

3. What are the ecological benefits of using interlocking concrete pavers?

SMITH: Not as much fossil fuel consumption as clay, brick or asphalt. They can also be crushed and recycled.

HATH: They allow some water infiltration, if used in lieu of asphalt, they are friendlier to the environment and do not use valuable petroleum.

TATARKA: Using permeable interlocking concrete pavers allows water to reenter the soil, recharging the vital groundwater supply. By allowing water to permeate into the soil, it invigorates root growth of surrounding vegetation and gives plants the nutrients they need for healthy, sustainable growth.

BRICKMAN: Concrete pavers do not use petroleum products, or valuable non-renewable resources to produce. Their strength holds up to many years of service without the need to repair/replace regularly?EUR??,,????'????EUR??,,????'??? unlike asphalt pavements.

4. How do concrete pavers aid in the design process? Do they enhance creativity?

BLIND: They allow us to intermix texture and color in a creative manner that is not easily accomplished with other materials.

BRICKMAN: The colors, shapes and patterns that pave stones come in make it a good product of choice for the landscape architect. Since the products can be used in pedestrian and vehicular areas, it makes for a seamless look to the site design.

HATH: They allow for an extremely wide variety of designs?EUR??,,????'????EUR??,,????'???from small, intimate environments to large-scale plazas.

HORTON: The numerous patterns, textures, and color stir creativity and allow the architect or designer to enhance the homeowner?EUR??,,????'???s outdoor living space.

SMITH: The versatility of colors and shapes allow them to fit into practically every design.

BRICKMAN: We typically specify pave stones in vehicular drop off and entrance plaza areas for traffic calming and directional/way-finding to a building?EUR??,,????'???s entrance. We work with architects in selecting colors and patterns that will complement the structure.

TATARKA: I typically specify concrete pavers to make a design statement in places such as parks, pedestrian areas, model homes, patios and walkways, and street medians.

BLIND: We use them a lot for pedestrian crosswalks, passenger loading areas, entry drives where additional texture and color can set a mood or tone, and in pedestrian use areas, such as plazas, walks, and dining terraces. They have a much warmer feel than some other materials.

HORTON: Pavers are specified in residential applications for driveways, patios and walkways. They allow the homeowner flexibility in future landscape plans. Additionally, they are specified in commercial applications such as crosswalks, intersections and entryways. The many colors available allow the designer to incorporate the surrounding colors into the plan. The benefits of pavers far outweigh the colored and stamped concrete.

6. What are the emerging trends for concrete pavers?

SMITH: Permeable paving stones. Larger sized stones.

BLIND: I would like to see pavers made out of recycled concrete mixes for better LEED accreditation.

BRICKMAN: Permeable pave stones are becoming more popular as strict regulations increase on impervious pavement thresholds in watershed areas. These products also improve stormwater quality?EUR??,,????'????EUR??,,????'???a requirement for many local, state and LEED certified projects.

7. How do permeable pavers impact stormwater runoff?

BURKHART: Permeable pavers would dramatically lessen the amount of stormwater runoff if they were utilized more often. Engineers should be leery of the impact of large quantities of water on Colorado?EUR??,,????'???s expansive soils.

TATARKA: Permeable pave stones allow water to return to the soil and recharge the groundwater supply and reduce the amount storm drainage materials needed. By having permeable pave stones the landscape architect increases the selection of plant species to choose from.

HATH: Obviously, the reduction of runoff and the infiltration of stormwater is highly desirable, as long as the water can be cleaned to the standards required. Permeable pavers may help reduce site costs as runoff increases. This means that less water will have to be stored either in a detention basin or underground closed joint pipe retention system (a very costly piece of construction).

8. How would you describe the life cycle costs and overall cost-effectiveness of interlocking concrete pavers compared to other paving materials?

TATARKA: Concrete interlocking pavers are cost effective for many of our clients. If concrete pavers are broken, only the damaged pavers need to be replaced. With concrete, the entire area has to be replaced with new concrete. The colors often don?EUR??,,????'???t match and the repaired area is much more noticeable.

BLIND: The flexibility to pull and reset, I think they are a great material for long-term, cost effectiveness.

BURKHART: Mechanical installation for entire streets can actually be less money than some city streets. For example, one street in Boulder, Co. has two miles of 10-inch thick concrete, which is much more expensive than mechanically installed concrete pavers.