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is a powerful decorating tool that can visually expand or contract
an area, add the impression of light or depth, warmth or coolness.
Paver color selection is an important issue not to be overlooked
in outdoor design, because even what you would see as natural
tones in paving or retaining walls can actually have a touch
of yellow, pink, brown or stone, just as white can be dirty
or warm or cool. Try to choose pavers with similar tones for
a coordinated effect. |
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Light colors reflect the light and open up an area, whereas darker
tones absorb light and make areas appear smaller. When using large
expanses of paler colored pavers or retaining wall blocks, break
the vista with large scale plantings. Pale tones will visually lift
a shady, darker area.
Knowing beforehand what effect you are striving for is also crucial
in your selection of colors. Should the area to be paved blend in
calmly to create a subdued appearance or do you want the area to
appear more vivid to jazz up subdued surroundings? Ask your professional
to provide you with color samples, spread them out on your premises
and "live" with those samples for a period of time to ensure you
feel comfortable with them.
Latest Outdoor Paver Color Trends
Latest color trends are leaning towards lighter, natural and neutral
colors, bringing to mind connotations of sand, shells and the holiday
mode. Outdoor space needs to immediately say 'tranquility' and 'relaxation'
and natural sandy tones certainly give you a head start!
Color Scheme Considerations
When deciding on your paver color scheme, consider:
- The aspect, where the sun hits, how long it stays sunny
in that area, how much shade is being cast in that area.
- Do you want to make that area look larger or smaller?
- Do you want to create a particular mood, e.g. bright,
fresh, exotic, mystery, etc?
- Are there existing colors that need to stay? Consider
existing exterior house walls, the roof, guttering and drain
pipes, which you may or may not wish to change color or
repaint.
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When choosing paver colors, select shades that harmonize with the
area. Pavers a couple of shades lighter than the color of the house
or building do not compete for attention. Gray pavers used with
brick houses eliminate the urge many of us have to try to match
everything. Use brick pavers with wood or stone houses to add warmth.
Avoid monotony by combining two colors of paver or use pavers with
a blended color.
MONOTONE OR MULTICOLOR
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A monotone block is a block consisting of a single, uniform
color. It may be red; it may be charcoal, the key factor is
that it is one, single, pure color. A monotone is pure and sharp,
but shows up even the slightest stain. An all-red pavement will
look marvelous until it gets a single oil stain, and then, every
time you look at the paving, your eye will zoom in on that one,
single, solitary oil-stain, or bird-dropping, or tire mark.
Monotone pavers can be used to provide contrast, they give definition,
they emphasize patterning, they fulfil a role within a larger
color scheme. |
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A
multicolor is, obviously, a block with more than one color.
It might be a blend of two, three or more colors. There may
be varying amounts of each color within a single block or there
may be roughly constant ratios of colors. A multicolored paver
blends better with its surroundings. Most minor stains would
be completely lost in the multitude of hues and tones. |
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Color
mixes can consist of blends of up to four colors that harmonize
well together and give a surface an interesting and lively appearance.
In choosing a color, make sure that your installer and/or the
sales rep of a manufacturer (whoever you prefer to deal with
in this matter) shows you a wide selection of colors and provides
you with several locations to view the installed colors. Seeing
a color on a larger scale, in natural sunlight and shadows,
surrounded by landscaping |
and
in combination with colors on adjoining buildings, will give you the
best impressions and serve as a good test to challenge or reinforce
your instincts.
CLASSIC DESIGN
One of the most popular color schemes chosen for residential block
paved driveways blends the best characteristics of both monotones
and multi colors. A multi colored body with a mono toned soldier
edging course. The multicolored paver gives depth and interest and
richness while hiding the odd stain or two, and the monotone colored
paver provides a frame, a solid definition – a win win solution.
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