(NAPSA)—Increasingly, home- owners looking for an inexpensive way to make their home morelivable and increase curb appeal with an eye toward resale are embracing the nationwide trend of creating outdoor living spaces. These areas usually feature spaces for entertaining friends and family while grilling, dining, eating and relaxing. That often means room for a patio, a grill, a sink or a fireplace. Some think of it as adding a family room withouttheroof. For many, the building technique of choice when creating these spaces calls for using segmental concrete paving. This technique employs interlocking units— called concrete pavers—that are strong, durable and are growing in popularity worldwide. In Germany, for instance, there are 15 square feet of pavers installed per person annually. In the Netherlands, most of the streets and sidewalks are madeofpavers. Often used in walkways, patios, plazas and historic restoration projects, pavers are manufac- tured in a variety of shapes, textures and colors and can be easily removed andreinstalled. One kind of home-improvement project where pavers are increasingly being used is a raised patio. These patios are known for their durability and can create a new sense of space in a yard, particularly when extended to meet an existing deck. Such spaces can be used as an outdoor entertainment area, complete with hot tub or barbequepit. There are a numberof reasons why pavers have become popular in projects such as these: Their uniform size and quality allow them to fit tightly A growing number of homeowners are adding valueto their property by creating an outdoor space for entertaining and relaxing. together for a strong, interlocking surface. Paver joints allow for a small amount of movement without cracking. That means they won’t crack like asphalt or poured-inplace concrete. Their design makes them easy to install and repair They’re available in a wide variety of shapes, colors and textures. e And they can beinstalled by either a professional or a skilled do-it-yourselfer. One of the newest styles offers the high-end look of stone for a more modest price. Called “tumbled” or “antiqued” pavers, they can be used to add a stately look to a walkway, patio or driveway. To learn more about retaining walls for raised patios, visit the National Concrete Masonry Association at www.ncma.org. To learn more about pavers and their uses and select an ICPI-certified concrete paver installer, visit the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute Web site at www.icpl.org.
