Kingdom Landscaping Announces New Trend in Hardscapes - Mosaics

A New Trend in Paver Fashion!

For the past several years, we have watched paver styles fluctuate almost as frequently as clothing styles.  Let's take a brief walk back in history starting about two decades ago.

In the 1990s, when we first started installing interlocking concrete pavers, the most common pavers were the 4x8 Holland brick-style paver laid in either a running bond or herringbone pattern.  You saw these everywhere, and that's what everyone wanted:  walkways, patios, driveways...you name it.  Another common trend during that era was the "cobble-key" interlocking paver, which was very popular in commercial applications including fast-food restaurants and hotels.  We installed the cobble-key paver at a Hilton Garden Inn in Allentown, Pennsylvania; that's what architects were specifying in commercial applications at that time.

During the new millennium, the 6x6/6x9 paver along with smaller multipiece random kits (3x6, 4x6, 6x6, 6x9) gained in popularity.  The most common patterns for 6x6/6x9 pavers were the "I" pattern or the modified herringbone pattern.  We have installed more "I" pattern paver jobs than anything else.

Soon after, manufacturer's began introducing many more new colors and premium color blends.  Instead of the traditional red/gray or gray/charcoal blends, new two-color blends consisting of brown/gray, brown/tan, mauve/tan, and green/gray started to appear in catalogs.  Then they expanded even more and started offering three-and-four-color blends in the mid-to-late 2000's.

Natural stone has always competed against the traditional paver look.   Consumers like the slate-stone-slab look.  Oftentimes, we would have customers ask us to quote the job with pavers and with natural flagstone.  Manufactured concrete products are almost always less expensive than natural stone; therefore, customers would end up choosing pavers over the natural stone.  However, that didn't change the fact that they would have prefered the natural stone finish and look.  Well, the manufacturer's took notice of this dilemma, and created a new product.

So, sometime around 2007, Cambridge Pavingstones introduced their Ledgestone product, which was a three-piece random pattern with a larger slab and a natural rock-cleft finish.  Techo-Bloc followed suit with their Blu 60, EP Henry with their Bristol Stone, NicoLock with their StoneRidge collection, and CST with Ridgestone.  They have since increased their slab sizes and instead of 3-piece systems, they now offer 6-piece systems with some slabs as large as 24" x 24."   Right now, according to all five of those manufacturers, the new stone slab style is their top-selling paver product.  As a matter of fact, Cambridge Pavingstones purchased a new plant in New Jersey in 2013, which will be  dedicated solely to the manufacturing of their Ledgestone product, because they could not keep up with the demand during 2013 and fell behind in order fullfillment.

Okay, I've said all of that to introduce you to the latest, upcoming style trend, and that is mosaics and decorative borders.  During January and February 2014, we attended multiple contractor showcases and workshops held by Techo-Bloc, Cambridge, Eagle Bay Hardscapes, CST, and NicoLock.  In addition, we also attended MANTS (Mid-Atlantic Nurseryman's Trade Show) in Baltimore, which is a premiere trade show for manufacturer's to display their products.  Unfortunately, we were unable to attend two of EP Henry's contractor events:  MAHTS (Mid-Atlantic Hardscape Trade Show) event in Atlantic City and a two-day Contractor Training Seminar in Harrisburg due to two different snowstorms.   At any rate, the one common theme they all had was some form of stylish paver border or in-laid mosaic.  I'll share a few examples with you.

CST pavers had the most unique offering in my opinion.  It's a beautiful artistic border collection that features an in-laid leaf design.  You can see a close-up of this paver at the top of this article.  Unfortunately, it does have one downfall, and that is that we cannot run a plate compactor over the design or it could crack.  Otherwise, I think it's pretty stellar.  In addition, they have the same design as an inlay piece in their wall block.

Techo-Bloc's catalog has always inspired my creative mind.  Their designers definitely think "out-of-the-box," and that is why I have always loved their ideas.  Not surprising that Techo-Bloc pavers--although a little more expensive than the other manufacturers--are gaining in popularity in this Mid-Atlantic market.  I love the idea of incorporating the Antika paver within a hardscape pattern for a texture shift.

I was pleasantly surprised at Cambridge Pavingstones design ideas, too.  Although, I will admit that they didn't focus on decorative borders and mosaics as much as the other manufacturers', but they are definitely a leader in packaging and selling complete kits for outdoor kitchens, fireplaces, firepits, mailboxes, etc.  That seems to be their current focus and marketshare for 2014.

Nicolock has taken a simplistic approach to dressing up borders and field patterns, but it is one that is easily incorporated in just about any hardscape.  Take a look at a couple of these photos.  I think you will like their ideas.

As I stated before, we were not able to attend EP Henry's trade show, so I really am not able to comment on their new product line just yet.  Ironically, we install more EP Henry products than any other manufacturer that I have listed here.  As a matter of fact, one of our local Hagerstown jobs (Bristol Stone slabs) is featured in the new EP Henry 2014 catalog....but, sshhhh...we haven't made that official announcement yet.  LOL

So, as you plan your 2014 outdoor living space, please be sure to consider adding a decorative border design or mosaic within your field pattern.  It will definitely set your patio apart from all of the others.  No longer business as usual--creativity and design are a necessary ingredient.

(This article was written by Jodi L. Tyler, President/Partner/Designer of Kingdom Landscaping.)