When it comes to the driveway and walkway, the best designs are those that work together and build an integrated masonry landscape. Many people prefer the look of matching materials. As you work with your landscape designers, here is how attaching a matching walkway to your paver driveway creates the ultimate welcome in the Wescosville, PA area. Here’s what you need to know.
Not All Pavers Are Created Equal
If you find a paver that matches existing pavers, be sure it has the right rating. The driveway needs to support the weight of multiple vehicles, which necessitates the use of specialized pavers that are generally smaller in size, but much thicker than pedestrian-rated pavers. There is no minimum weight limit when it comes to pavers, however, so you can always use the same driveway-rated pavers on your walkway!
Can You Match the Old and the New?
The only surefire way to match a paver driveway to other paver surfaces is to build them both at the same time, from a manufacturer that offers paver lines in both driveway- and pedestrian-rated thicknesses (you can’t use pedestrian-rated pavers on driveways).
If a paver manufacturer has been around for a long time, and your old paver surface features one of their most popular paver lines, chances are that you may be able to match old pavers to a new installation.
However, don’t count on it. Many paver lines go the way of the dodo after just a few years as design trends change. Unless you purchased a large quantity of pavers during your first renovation phase (and assuming that you purchased the types of pavers suitable for the project) you may be out of luck when it comes to matching the old and the new.
With that said, here’s what you can do to create an amazing result.
Use Borders
A contrasting border can be used to visually separate two spaces. This allows for the opportunity to use very slightly different materials in each space. At the same time, use a different laying pattern or texture to make the transition look deliberate.
Use Laying Patterns
Materials that are “close but not quite” can be integrated by changing up the laying pattern. For example, let’s say that your patio features an ashlar pattern which uses random bundles of three square/rectangular pavers in three different sizes. The look is “random” although precise layout templates are provided.
To match this, you could use the same pattern at a 45 degree angle (then, people will be less focused on the differences between the pavers and more focused on the patterns themselves). Or, you could use an entirely different pattern, for example opting for an edge-to-edge or a edge-to-middle arrangement of same-sized square pavers. Again, the eye will be drawn to the different patterns and not the slight deviations in color or pattern.
Use Textures
If your existing paver surface is smooth, consider using a similar paver in a more textured version to make the design look deliberate and not like an add-on where you ran out of materials. This works particularly well with flagstone-inspired pavers. Different textures naturally make colors appear different, so you won’t have to worry about a mismatched look.
Final Tip: When you’re choosing new pavers, be sure to take home samples and observe the new pavers in all lighting and weather conditions alongside their original neighbors - especially when they’re wet. This will give you a better idea of whether they actually match or whether they’re obviously different.
Related: 5 Landscape Tips for Your Paver Walkway and Paver Driveway in Wescosville, PA
