Paver Project Contest

For the last two and a half years StoneBilt Concepts has been supplying high quality paving slabs to the hardscape market in Colorado and New Mexico. It is time to celebrate all the great projects that have been installed over that time. There are numerous projects out there that we've never had the opportunity to visit. We really want to see those projects and give our contractors an opportunity to show off their work; so we are pleased to announce the first StoneBilt Concepts Project Contest.

Any project featuring StoneBilt Concepts paving slabs, installed between May of 2009 and Sept. 15th of 2011, is eligible for entry. Prizes will be awarded to the top three entries. Judging will be performed by an independent panel of design professionals.

The prizes are:

• Grand prize is a Napoleon Prestige I-P450 gas BBQ Grill, with a retail value of $799.
• Second prize is a Napoleon Freestyle Portable Gas Grill, with a retail value of $299.
• Third prize is a Venturi Flame by the Outdoor GreatRoom Company, with a retail value of $199.

Thank you to our prize sponsor, Home and Hearth Outfitters, for teaming up with StoneBilt Concepts to help make these prizes possible.

Grand Prize Napoleon Prestige Grill

Please submit your photos via e-mail to dion@stonebiltconcepts.com, or send them to us at: 9455 Boston Ct. Henderson, CO 80640, attn: Dion DeMeyer. Entries can be received any time between now and Thursday Sept. 15th 2011. Please include a brief description of the project including date of installation, location, square footage, paver style and the name of the installer. Winning projects will be featured in a future issue of StoneBilt Concepts E-News. StoneBilt Concepts reserves the right to use any submitted photograph in future advertising and promotional literature.

Project Spotlight: Stapleton Denver and StoneBilt Concepts

The Nation's largest urban infill project, Stapleton Denver, has residences from both Infinity Homes and Parkwood Homes in the Central Park West neighborhood. StoneBilt Concepts is proud to have been chosen as the hardscape material to be installed at some of the model homes for each builder in this area.

CoCal Landscaping's Stacy Parcell included StoneBilt's Bluestone series at Parkwood Homes' model homes at 8166 East 35th Ave. and 8176 East 35th Ave. "We wanted to compliment the New England feel on these homes," Stacy said, explaining the use of the Bluestone series. "And we wanted something that would hold up to our climate as well."

StoneBilt Concepts 24"x24" slate bluestone paving slabs

CoCal chose to lay the 24" x 24" slabs in a turf field in one area, achieving a natural and attractive look.

All Seasons Landscaping designed and installed the landscaping for Infinity's model homes at 3439 North Uinta Street and 3409 North Uinta Street. The two addresses share an area together, and All Seasons chose StoneBilt's Bluestone. All Seasons Landscaping used a field of different sized Bluestone slabs as well as Bluestone steps.

StoneBilt Concepts slate bluestone step units and paving slabs

Both projects took advantage of StoneBilt Concepts' natural stone look while providing easy installation and significant savings in material cost. Our products meet and exceed all applicable ASTM standards and are available in a number of different sizes. For more information on our Architectural Paver slabs, including Sandstone, Slate, Travertine and Limestone, please click here.

Choosing the Correct Paver Sealer

The question is often asked, "Should I seal my paver project?" Unfortunately the answer to that question is usually "It depends…" The following information will hopefully help to answer some common sealer questions.

StoneBilt Concepts paving slabs are manufactured using a minimum 8000 psi concrete with five percent or less water absorption, and in most situations a sealer is not necessary. However, sealers can bring many benefits to a project. The most obvious benefit of a sealer is that it provides protection to the concrete to which it is applied. For example, grease or chemicals may possibly be exposed to the concrete surface and a sealer can provide protection against those elements. Although StoneBilt Concepts recommends never using de-icing chemicals or salt on a concrete surface, there are times when it is a necessity and sealers can provide some protection in those situations as well (even sealers will not totally protect against the damage caused by de-icing salt). Other reasons to use sealer are purely aesthetic. Many sealers help to enhance the integrated color in concrete pavers.

So which sealer is appropriate for a project? Again the answer is "It depends…" The appropriate question is "What are you trying to accomplish with a sealer?"

If pure protection is the goal then a penetrating sealer is a good choice. Penetrating sealers contain chemicals such as silanes, siloxanes or silicates. These chemicals react within the capillaries of the concrete to protect against moisture penetration. This type of sealer tends to be invisible and does not have an aesthetic affect on the concrete.

If aesthetics are the main concern then film forming sealers may be the way to go. Various finishes are available which provide different levels of a glossy surface on top of the concrete. Wet look, high gloss and medium gloss are some examples of the types of finishes that are available.

High gloss sealer applied to StoneBilt Concepts rustic red sandstone steps and pavers

Arguments can be made in favor of sealer and against them. The arguments for the use of sealers are obvious and have been stated above. One common argument against sealers is that it can add maintenance to your project. Film forming sealers in particular tend to show wear patterns in high traffic areas and have to be re-applied over time. Some sealers also serve as a joint stabilizer for the sand between the pavers. While this can be a benefit it can also be difficult to remover a paver that might need to be replaced when the sand has been stabilized by a sealer.

Whatever sealer you choose, it is important to research the appropriate sealer for a given situation. Acrylic sealers are a good option for paver applications because they are breathable. They block moisture from penetrating into the surface of the concrete while allowing moisture vapors to escape. This is important because trapped moisture can sometimes cause efflorescence which will result in a whitish film appearing on the paver's surface. Breathable sealers allow cleaning if efflorescence were to occur, while non breathable sealers such as urethane or epoxy based sealers will trap efflorescence in the paver forever.

For information on sealers available from StoneBilt Concepts please click click here.

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