Question by Eliz: Old patio pavement: can it be updated with color?
We have a large covered patio. The pavement is in cement tiles about 10"x20" each laid on sand like "pavers" but they are a bit more porous and from around 1968. The design is red and white checkerboard (although with rectangular squares.) Could we pressure wash it and stain it with concrete stain in a terracotta color? It would be ok if the color is not even and some checker effect remains. Is the stain really permanent?

Best answer:

Answer by ♥ Shortstuff ♥
They have concrete paint that comes in many colors.

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Installation video of Megalithe Concrete Pavers. Very easy to install. The slab grabber makes it even easier. If you are interested in this product please contact www.interlock-concrete.com
Video Rating: 5 / 5

Benefits of Sealing Concrete Pavers

Sealing a paver surface is beneficial for many reasons.  First and foremost, the pavers will be protected from grease, spills, oil stains, etc.  In addition to preventing stains, many sealers can dramatically improve the appearance of a home or business.  A "wet" look or high-gloss sealer brings out the colors of each paver. For those individuals and companies desiring less of a visual impact there are "satin" and "natural" finishes that provide the same great protection while minimizing the changes in appearance.

Here is a quick summary of both the aesthetic and functional benefits you can expect from sealing your pavers:

APPEARANCE - Enhance the appearance of your hardscape with a sealer that is able to bring out and intensify the natural paver colors. In many cases, the change can be quite a dramatic improvement.
MAINTENANCE - Sealing pavers creates a surface that improves maintenance efforts by making it faster and easier to clean.  Sealed surfaces can be wiped down with a mild detergent or pressure washed to remove any spills, dirt and debris.
PROTECTION - Sealed surfaces are more resistant to undesired stains such as oil, food and drink spills, etc. Some sealers also may protect against salts, acids, and other corrosive substances.
PRESERVATION - A UV-rated sealer will not yellow as it protects the paver colors from fading under a constant barrage of harmful sunlight.
STABILIZATION - Many sealers can reinforce pavement integrity by stabilizing joint sand which also deters weed growth and insect activity such as ant hills.
VERSATILITY - The same sealer used on your pavers can also be used on other areas in your hardscape including concrete, exposed aggregate, stone,  etc.

Once your pavers are installed, sealing them is the logical next step.  It protects your investment and gives them that added visual punch to really make your property stand out. Consider hiring a professional paver sealing company to complete your project.  Search the Internet and visit a local professional's website to see some photos of the results they are capable of achieving. 

To learn more about paver sealing and see some before and after photos, please visit http://www.phoenixpaversealing.com.

Brick Pavers And Concrete Paver: 5 Common Questions

Sealing a paver surface is beneficial for many reasons.  First and foremost, the pavers will be protected from grease, spills, oil stains, etc.  In addition to preventing stains, many sealers can dramatically improve the appearance of a home or business.  A "wet" look or high-gloss sealer brings out the colors of each paver. For those individuals and companies desiring less of a visual impact there are "satin" and "natural" finishes that provide the same great protection while minimizing the changes in appearance.

Here is a quick summary of both the aesthetic and functional benefits you can expect from sealing your pavers:

APPEARANCE - Enhance the appearance of your hardscape with a sealer that is able to bring out and intensify the natural paver colors. In many cases, the change can be quite a dramatic improvement.
MAINTENANCE - Sealing pavers creates a surface that improves maintenance efforts by making it faster and easier to clean.  Sealed surfaces can be wiped down with a mild detergent or pressure washed to remove any spills, dirt and debris.
PROTECTION - Sealed surfaces are more resistant to undesired stains such as oil, food and drink spills, etc. Some sealers also may protect against salts, acids, and other corrosive substances.
PRESERVATION - A UV-rated sealer will not yellow as it protects the paver colors from fading under a constant barrage of harmful sunlight.
STABILIZATION - Many sealers can reinforce pavement integrity by stabilizing joint sand which also deters weed growth and insect activity such as ant hills.
VERSATILITY - The same sealer used on your pavers can also be used on other areas in your hardscape including concrete, exposed aggregate, stone,  etc.

Once your pavers are installed, sealing them is the logical next step.  It protects your investment and gives them that added visual punch to really make your property stand out. Consider hiring a professional paver sealing company to complete your project.  Search the Internet and visit a local professional's website to see some photos of the results they are capable of achieving. 

To learn more about paver sealing and see some before and after photos, please visit http://www.phoenixpaversealing.com.

1. How are paving stones made?

Briefly, paving stones are made by combining cement, stones, sand, color and minimal amount of water. These materials are combined by predetermined recipes in a steel mold of the shape desired. Under high vibration and hydraulic pressure the materials are compacted in the mold to create the paving stone you selected. The product is then set aside to air dry, subsequently packaged and shipped to the jobsite.

2. What about colors?

A2. The paving stone color desired is achieved by conditioning various pigments in specific recipes. The color is included in the manufacturing process and your paving stone will have your selected color through the entire stone not just on top and not just a tinting of color in the base. You may also notice slight color variations within your project.

Color variations are most noticeable when a project utilizes one solid color throughout the project

3. What is a color blend?

A color blend is a combination of two (2) or more colors to achieve a random color effect. It is IMPORTANT to note that selecting a color blend is NOT like selecting ceramic tile. With ceramic tile you choose a pattern and a color and all tiles are identical. With paving stones, a color blend simply put, means the colors comprising the blend. You will see paving stones that are completely solid in color, paving stones that have more of one color than the other and vice versa. To achieve an even blend throughout the installation, your installer will select various stones from a variety of bundles and lay them in a random manner to achieve a pleasant visual effect. (Imagine making a marble cake. You start with a completely yellow batter; slowly you add some chocolate and stir.

While adding the chocolate the appearance of the batter changes. If you would add a lot of chocolate and continue to stir you would have a completely chocolate batter. This applies in theory to paving stones and color blends. Your materials will range in color like the marble cake from solid yellow, to a lot of yellow and a little chocolate, to more chocolate and a little yellow, to completely chocolate.)

o    It is important to understand that unless you are seeing a complete project, the sample patterns from which you are making your color selection, are hand selected solely to show the colors comprising the specific blend. Your materials may vary from samples you see. This is nothing to be concerned about. (see #4)

4. Are there minimum amounts of brick I have to order if I choose a color blend?
YES. Due to manufacturing and packaging process it is recommended that the following minimums be adhered to in order to obtain the complete color blend.
"Pavers
-Two color Blends – 1 full pallet (220-245 sq ft depending on shape)
-Three Color Blends – 3 full pallets (660-735 sq ft depending on shape)
3/8" Pavers
-Two Color Blends – 2 full pallets (quantity varies depending on shape)
-Three color Blends – 3 full pallets (quantity varies depending on shape)
Although smaller quantities can be ordered, It is NOT advisable especially if your project combines both 1" and 2 3/8" pavers. You may notice a slight color variation between thick and thin bricks. This is partially due to the change in vibration while manufacturing the 2 varying sizes as well as the weather conditions during manufacturing. Also, if you do opt to order less than the recommended amounts, you may receive different ends of color run. (i.e. Thick brick run received is a first part with more red than black, thin set or mortar tends to absorb the water from the water from the thin set or mortar and appear even darker.

5. What if the difference between 1" pavers and 2 /38" pavers?
Simply put 1" pavers or "Thin bricks" are used solely for pedestrian applications, the most common usage being resurfacing existing area (i.e., over existing Chattahoochee, existing concrete) Conversely, 2 3/8" pavers or "Thick Brick" are designed for almost any use from roadways to pool decks and walkways.
There are many instances where both size pavers are utilized.

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