Improving Curb Appeal (NAPSA)—The journey to a great looking home can begin with a single step—along a new walk or stairway. Here are somestylish ideas for sprucing up the paths aroundyourplace. If your walkway seems more like an obstacle course or labyrinth it might be time to replaceit. First choose a style that suits both your house and your ownsensitivities. Ownersof older homes may opt for a more traditional and muted design while those in newer developments may desire a more contemporary look. Your walkway should also reflect your personality and creativity so it’s important to select building materials wellsuited to that purpose. ee a Put your bestfoot forward with an upgradefor the path to your door. they’re called can create a refined and stately walkway. When considering walkway materials it’s a good idea to look for those that: Don’t crack. Unlike asphalt One of the most versatile and customizable options is interlocking or poured-in-place concrete, each interlocking paver unit has joints that allow for a small amount of strength, durable concrete, each unit locks together to form a sur- remove and reinstate the same concrete pavers. Made with high- face that’s not only visually attrac- tive but also withstands the ele- ments. Homeowners maybegladto know paversresist deterioration from deicing salts and harsh climatic changes better than other pavement. For many homeowners, how- ever, it’s the vast array of colors, shapes, sizes and textures that make concrete pavers a popular option for any project that movement without cracking. e Are easy to repair. You can pavers with no ugly patches after repairs to the base or under- groundutilities. Asphalt, concrete, and stamped concrete can’t make this claim. Present no problems with snow removal. With pavers, you can plow, shovel or use a snow blower. Come in manyshapes, colors and textures. e Are easy to install. Most con- demands character and personal- crete paver suppliers provide printed step-by-step instructions can provide a cooler surface find the tools for the job. For large projects over 300 square feet, you mayprefer to hire a contractor. ity. You can get rustic stone-like pavers, or others that look like clay brick. Light-colored pavers around patios and pool decks. One of the newest styles offers the high-end look of stone for a surprisingly modest price. These “tumbled” or “antiqued” pavers as as well as help do-it-yourselfers You can learn more about concrete pavers and find a certified installer to install them from the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute Web site, www.icpi.org.
