Elevated decks don’t need to be just wood or composite wood. You can refurbish or build new elevated decks with exactly the same surface as a paved ground level patio – natural stone, clay pavers, cobblestones or porcelain pavers. In most cases it’s very simple, no structural changes, no complicated components to install, no particular expertise required. If you still prefer the look of a classic wood deck, but don’t want the ongoing maintenance issues, or have a problem with increasingly restrictive fire codes, that’s really no problem either. These days, there’s an ever increasing range of wood look, plank style porcelain pavers available in 8″, 12″ and 16″ wide planks.
Elevated stone decks
On rooftop decks, simply lay the stone, clay or porcelain pavers over Archatrak’s structural fiberglass grating panels, supported by adjustable pedestals. On decks with wood or metal joists, just place the fiberglass panels over the joists, secured by stainless steel fastenings and lay the pavers on top. No need for cement based mortars, grouts or adhesives – pavers are loose laid with conventional spacers, just like a sand set, on-grade installation.
And with these large (8′ x 4′), exceptionally strong support panels, you can easily lay irregular sized pavers, other pavers not strong enough to be supported by pedestals alone or on surfaces where it’s not permitted to lay pavers directly or permanently.
What’s better, a deck or a paver patio?
It’s a question we get from many prospective clients. You’d be hard-pressed not to favor a deck, especially when folks see how cedar and redwood decks lend rich beauty, design, and value to an underutilized, boring backyard. Plus, once we take the time to describe how Jun’s Pro Services expertly blends the natural wood beauty of our decks with your home and landscaping, you’ll see that you can never go wrong with a deck in New Jersey.
However, some are surprised to learn that we have an exceptional team of specialists dedicated to offering Jun’s Pro Services clients the distinctive beauty of a paver patio. In fact, Jun’s Pro Services has done more deck-paver combinations than any other company in New Jersey. Paver patios are fantastic for ground-level outdoor living areas. They can offer all of the features that a Jun’s Pro Services deck could – with fewer complexities associated with permits and building off the ground.
It can be tough to switch, but there are a lot of advantages to choosing a paver patio that many homeowners may prefer. First, the cost comparison between a deck and patio can be significant. Sometimes, a paver patio is 40 percent less than a comparable-sized deck. That’s because pavers are categorized as landscaping installations requiring no permit, which translates to faster scheduling. Not to mention, with more cost-effective material pricing and quicker installations, the price is lower.
Another advantage to adding a paver patio is the genuine lack of annual upkeep. Maintenance can be a nagging factor for clients who want their outdoor living to look great and be available 365 days a year.
What are Paver Patio Stones?
Once pavers become an option, many may ask what exactly they are. For example, how do pavers differ from concrete or even the other hardscape materials that homeowners can purchase at the large box stores? No, use commercial-grade concrete pavers.
Traditional concrete is a monolithic surface, poured in place. Pavers are particularly suited to New Jersey’s expansive soil because they are a modular individual product which performs very well over expansive soil. New Jersey’s soil is high in clay. It heaves and contracts with temperature swings, playing havoc on everything from walkways to foundations.
Anyone who has a concrete driveway knows about cracking. Pavers move with the soil. So, any shifting is easily remedied. In many cases, releveling, if needed, can be done in a day.
Not so with concrete. A shift in the soil can easily become a catastrophic loss if fixed correctly with new concrete. Just because pavers are designed to move doesn’t mean they’re wimpy. Concrete pavers are better than flagstone. By setting foundation block, road base, and compaction – compaction – COMPACTION, Jun’s Pro Services ensures that our patios always have a firm perimeter and structural integrity.
Jun’s Pro Services favors brands like Belgard, Borgert, Basalite, and Keystone/ Pavestone, any commercial grade pavers that aren’t likely to be available at Lowes or Home Depot, but we can source anything locally.
What makes paver patios an excellent fit for our clients?
Clients with 18 inches or less ground-level projects are perfect candidates for paver patios. These outdoor living environments are ground-up installations, so you’ll never worry about rabbits or other burrowing animals under your feet.
Whether helping you create a paver driveway or patio, we always develop a firm perimeter. The perimeter establishes the shape and allows for the outside blocks to be securely glued in for structural stability. Since permitting is not involved with pavers, the lead time can be up to 25 percent faster than decking.
Ultimately for the greatest outdoor living appeal, you want balance. Wood and stone are the perfect compliments to each other. Think about it. Wood provides warmth, whereas stone offers a sort of coolness. Decks add a different dimension to the space with elevation. Patios provide an entertaining area that seamlessly transitions to the yard’s turf. Where decks expand the living area, patios expand the usable space outside. They’re very complimentary when artfully designed.
Combining a deck and paver patio is an attractive and cost-effective way of expanding your outdoor living environment. Suddenly, your backyard makeover is more than a deck or patio; it’s a multi-dimensional, multi-use environment, perfect for cocktails on the deck at sunset and pizza on the patio under the stars. The combination is far more valuable because you had the choice between a deck OR patio.
Contact us
Our masonry and paving experts serve all central and northern New Jersey including Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Passaic, and Union Counties. Address 55 Terrill Road, Plainfield, NJ 07062. https://junsproservices.com Contact us at 908-322-1533.