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Stowe Contracting, Inc. Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What can you tell me about load capacity?
A: "Because pavers are an attractive product, people don’t expect them to be able to take a lot of abuse—but they can. We have the same pavers in our Marina warehouse and yard that we install at customers’ homes. And we have 80,000-pound semi-trucks driving on them all the time."
Q: How much do pavers cost?
A: "Again, because pavers are so attractive, people don’t recognize their economy or value. They’re about double the cost of asphalt, but you have to seal asphalt in three to five years, and in 10 to 12 years you’ll probably have to replace it. Long-term, you’re going to see the same price with pavers. Pavers are probably 20 to 30 percent more expensive than concrete. But if you start looking at any type of improvement in the concrete—exposed aggregate, stamped, colored—the prices are about the same."
Q: Can pavers be repaired?
A: "Indeed. That’s probably the biggest benefit to paving stones. They’re essentially flexible because they’re made of individual little pieces. If you have to fix them, you can pick them up and repair whatever’s underneath."
Q: Are pavers set in concrete?
A: "No, pavers are a dry-laid product. But they’re really just the veneer on the outside. Underneath, they have the same road base used under concrete and asphalt."
Q: I’m worried that pavers aren’t as smooth as a regular driveway. Can my kids ride their bikes or play on it?
A: "The type of paver you choose makes all the difference. There are some pavers I don’t necessarily recommend—they’re so irregular that they’re difficult to even walk on. Assuming you don’t get aggressive with the look, normal pavers are fine for everyday activity."
Q: How Green are pavers?
A: "They’re the Greenest of all paving products because they’re made locally. It’s hard to ship concrete a long distance. We have seven different plants in our area from which we can choose, and they use recycled concrete in their pavers. Once you install a paving stone driveway or patio, you’re done unless you want to remodel it. Also, most paving stone projects are built with a 50-year lifespan in mind. Asphalt has a maximum of 20 years, and most concrete is figured on a 30-year cycle."
