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A Raised Paver Patio Boosts Your Home's Appeal

(NAPSI)-If it's time for the deck in your backyard to walk the plank, you may want to look into replacing it with a raised paver patio. It's not surprising that the addition of raised concrete paver patios in the backyard is a growing trend. Raised patios using segmental concrete retaining walls and interlocking concrete pavers give homeowners the beauty of natural stone at surprisingly modest prices. They're also maintenance-free.

There are a number of practical reasons why raised patios have become a favorite family gathering place in so many homes. Patios using concrete pavers are not only beautiful, they can be easily installed and are known for their durability. Also, raised patios with segmental concrete retaining walls create new space in sloped backyards, and can even extend an existing raised deck.

Backyard Creativity
Raised patios not only provide a great entertainment area, they can incorporate an in-ground hot tub, a barbeque or a fire pit and ground-level lighting.

Here are some good ground rules to follow when considering one in your backyard. Look for materials that:

• Don't crack. Unlike asphalt or poured-in-place concrete, each interlocking paver unit has joints that allow for a small amount of movement without cracking.

• Are easy to repair. You can remove and reinstate the same pavers with no ugly patches after repairs to the base. Asphalt, concrete and stamped concrete can't make this claim.

• Come in many shapes, colors and textures.

Homeowners should consider hiring a certified paver and segmental retaining wall installer.

To learn more about concrete pavers, visit the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute Web site at www.icpi.org. For information about segmental retaining walls, visit the National Concrete Masonry Association site at www.ncma.org.

This article is provided free by North American Precis Syndicate. Please e-mail Mark whenever you use this article in your publication or Web site so he can help NAPS track its distribution. (Type into the e-mail address field.) Thanks!

(Note: ICPI is a Mark Wright Communications LLC client.)