Paving Stones Industry Trends

Interlocking concrete pave stones in general continue to increase as a popular paving trend. They provide flexibility that other paving methods do not. They perform well in cold weather, as freeze/thaw conditions do not affect their structural integrity when designed properly.

According to the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI), the North American paver industry grew from 80 million-square-feet in 1980 to over 300 million-square-feet in 1998. Growth has skyrocketed in other parts of the world as well. Globally, there is now at least one square foot produced for every person living on planet Earth. During every second of the day, 1,000 pavers are made throughout the world!

Trends: Commercial Developments

?EUR??,,????'??For years, the ?EUR??,,????'??show me?EUR??,,????'??? state was very conservative in the use of paving stones,?EUR??,,????'?? said Tracy Manges of Pavestone Company, referring to Missouri. ?EUR??,,????'??Getting architects and engineers to make changes with pave stone applications has been a long time coming. ?????EUR??,,?EUR For years, the trend observed was paving stones specified for pedestrian walkways and median applications. Now more than ever, before, vehicular applications are being specified. We are pleased the confidence specifiers are showing in segmental paving stones?EUR??,,????'??? ability to perform. They now understand the pave stone?EUR??,,????'???s durability, flexibility and the ease of installation. Consider the added benefit of the efficiencies of stone removal and replacement for underground utility repairs, and it?EUR??,,????'???s easy to understand the increasing demand for concrete paving stones.

Permeable paving stones aid in storm water management concerns. Inset: Detectable warning pavers must meet ADA compliance for the truncated dome design.

?EUR??,,????'??The ADA compliant detectable warning pave stones literally serve as a warning detection for the visually impaired. When pavement specifications require detectable warnings, it can be confusing when no specific material or method is required. Specifiers are pleased to find a local source to provide the concrete answer to a government mandate in the form of the ADA compliant paver.?EUR??,,????'??

Blair Baker of Texas Access, a firm that provides plan reviews and inspections of building and facilities in order to verify compliance with the Texas Accessibility Standards, encourages the use of ADA compliant detectable warning pavers.

?EUR??,,????'??Even today, nine years after the effective date of our state law (Texas Accessibility Standards), contractors still just don?EUR??,,????'???t get it,?EUR??,,????'?? explains Baker. ?EUR??,,????'??They are scoring curb ramp surfaces with control or V notched concrete trowels that provide absolutely no foot detectability and thus require demo and replacement. There are additional costs resulting from a failed inspection, not to mention project delays due to violations. Specifying and installing ADA compliant detectable warning pavers increases installation efficiencies while decreasing potential for inspection failure.?EUR??,,????'??

Trends: Residential Developments

New home communities are adding concrete pave stones as part of the landscaping package. Entire communities specify paving stones for driveways, walkways and patios. Communities with pave stone driveways allow the homes to reflect a personality different from communities with poured concrete or exposed aggregate. Homeowners work with the builders to select their choice of color, shape and texture, similar to how they choose brick or shingle options. This allows the custom homes to present an individual show place. In fact, it is the individuality of homes that deliver an important component of creating the neighborhood ambience. The use of pave stones for driveways and streets in a community enhances the feeling of a private and upscale community.

Stone shapes and colors are more vibrant in Florida. A recent trend has seen stone colors reflecting the geographic region in which they are being used.

However, the trend to use concrete pave stones for residential paving transcends economical lines. Even homeowners in more modest communities seek to enhance the beauty and value of their homes with the addition of decorative concrete pavers and retaining walls. Some homeowners will purchase and install the product themselves, but many will turn to the installation pro due to limited available time.

Tumbled stones providing an old-world or antique look continue to lead the pave stone trend in terms of product choice. They deliver a casual elegance that is desired by many homeowners. The pavers are placed in machines that tumble the stones, allowing them to smash against one another to create an aged or weathered look. As in other home furnishing d????(C)cor, the tumbled, aged look in pave stones continues to be a top selling stone choice.

Pave stones such as Plaza stone circle, which when installed create a circle or fan pattern, are very popular in New England. Circles are designed in driveways, patios and walkways delivering an unexpected design or are set apart as a project centerpiece. Circle packs are installed in both commercial and residential developments.

Pave stone color trends are driven by the region. Earth tones are popular in the Colorado mountain communities. Colors reflective of the desert mountains populate landscapes in Arizona and Nevada. Bright colorful pave stone designs and pigments pave much of Florida.

Segmental retaining walls are also being added to landscapes as a complement to the pave stones. ?EUR??,,????'??Retaining walls are used as a leveling pad in many areas where homes are built on elevation changes,?EUR??,,????'?? Matt Mulford of Pavestone Company explained. ?EUR??,,????'??It?EUR??,,????'???s easy to create a harmonious landscaping with the availability of coordinating wall and paver colors.?EUR??,,????'??

And as the trend in using pave stones increases, so has the contractor?EUR??,,????'???s desire to improve his craft through a professional certification program. The Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI) has established a certification program providing the minimum knowledge required to build pavements with concrete pave stones. The program teaches industry standards needed for company owners, job supervisors and foremen in this growing business.

The ICPI Certified Paver Installers program communicates minimum industry standards on estimating costing, planning, and executing residential projects. The certification program educates individuals in construction practices and provides recognition of their careers. Concrete paver manufacturers, like Pavestone Company, host ICPI certification courses throughout the year. Pavestone, in association with Anchor Wall and NCMA, are hosting 18 segmental wall training classes through February 2004. ICPI certification courses will also be offered in early 2004.

Matt Mulford, who coordinates certification classes in the Colorado region, emphasizes the importance and growing trend of installation contractors becoming certified.

?EUR??,,????'??There are so many benefits for the contractor who becomes certified,?EUR??,,????'?? he said. ?EUR??,,????'??Consumers are becoming educated to expect that installers are certified. It could be the decision a homeowner makes?EUR??,,????'??+over price?EUR??,,????'??+in contractor selection. Being a certified installer also helps you justify your price. You learn from the pros. Highly-skilled and experienced instructors lead the courses. You?EUR??,,????'???ll learn how to get the most dollars for your work, while learning ways to improve efficiencies and reduce costs.?EUR??,,????'??

Certification equates with consumer confidence in the quality and service they will receive.