Products and demand grow for landscapers.
Hardscaping is a profitable service for landscapers to offer with significant growth potential. Among the most popular trends are weathered products or those with a distressed or aged look, including interlocking pavers as well as retaining walls.
“Owners are looking for functional and low-maintenance product, and products that mimic natural materials,” says Robert Bowers, director of engineering for the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI). Though produced with a standard manufacturing process, products with these architectural finishes are in high demand, which allows suppliers and installers to charge higher prices.
In addition to educating and training paver contractors, ICPI produces the Hardscape North America trade show, which Bowers helps coordinate. The 2011 trade show coincides with GIE+EXPO Oct. 27-29 in Louisville, Kentucky. Bowers encourages professionals to check out the outdoor demonstration area where they can view installation demos of many of these popular products and design trends.
Classic Look
The Belden Brick Company has added a new look to its Crestline Pavers line: the Dutch Chamfered Edge. The molded clay pavers create an old-world look and are available in three sizes, two 4×8 with different thicknesses and 8×8. Crestline Pavers are available in nine colors.
Thinner Profile
Belgard Hardscapes Lafitt Patio Slab premium concrete interlocking pavers resemble natural cut stone with a slate-like texture. Similar to the Mega Lafitt paver line, Lafitt Patio Slab provides a thinner profile for greater overlay opportunities and more economical usage. It’s easy to install with a three-piece modular system.
Handles Mid-sized Projects
The Bobcat MT52 is efficient for hardscaping installs that require more power than manual tools but need a smaller machine. The mini-track loader measures 3-feet wide by 6-feet long. An optional ride-on platform can be installed or removed in minutes and features ride-on or walk-behind capabilities.
Natural Appearance with Durability
Keystone Country Manor combines the character of natural stone with the structure, performance and eco-friendly advantages of concrete. Application uses include retaining walls, free standing border walls, planters, stairs and entrance monuments. The installation uses pin-connected technology.
Outstanding Oven
Stone Age Manufacturing’s Mezzo wood-fired pizza oven offers 810 square inches of cooking area, an arched roof design similar to traditional ovens and efficient thermal mass for optimal cooking performance. The Mezzo is constructed of refractory concrete.
https://stoneagemanufacturing.com/
Pro Grade Edging Restraints
Oly-Ola paver restraints are made of 100-percent recycled vinyl and feature thick wall construction and specially designed “key-hole” cuts for strength, durability and flexibility. No cutting or snipping is necessary with installation. Paver restraints are available in a variety of sizes, keyhole placements and backside configuration styles.
Hardscape Protection
NuLook from Techniseal Protectors is a tinted sealant made from acrylic, urethane and nanocrystal pigments. The semi-transparent coating is used to change the color of pavers and poured concrete, ideal for reviving older pavers. NuLock offers protection against weathering and staining.
Permeable Pavers
Pine Hall Brick’s StormPave allows rainwater to filter through a specially constructed paving system and dissipate in the soil, helping manage storm-water runoff. Similar to traditional English Edge pavers but with larger spacer nibs, StormPave works well for institutional and commercial projects where impervious surface restrictions apply.
