Homeowners have a variety of needs around the landscape that call for pavers or concrete, including driveways, patios and walkways. Deciding on a material means assessing needs and desired features as well as the cost of the project.

In general, pavers are interlocking tiles of stone, brick or molded concrete. Concrete is poured in large, solid blocks with flexible spacers to allow for contraction and expansion depending on the weather.

PaversPavers allow flexibility in color and pattern. They can also be dug up and moved around at a later time. Different types of blocks can be interwoven to create a unique pattern. Because pavers are individual pieces, homeowners may find that installation is a do-it-yourself project.There are many different price ranges for pavers, depending on the size and material. Some range from a few dollars a block to much more than that. Many home-improvement stores sell an array of pavers, or homeowners can order from a specialty retailer.

Pavers are often individually set with sand and leveling gravel. This means that over time they can settle and become uneven. Furthermore, because there is only sand in between, weeds may grow through the pavers over time, requiring added maintenance.

ConcretePoured concrete is a permanent addition to the landscape. It cannot be poured and then reconfigured without major demolition.

Also, because concrete requires precision and mastery, it is not something easily done by a do-it-yourselfer. This means that a hired mason will have to be called to pour concrete features. This maymake concrete a more expensive purchase than individual pavers.Concrete is a continuous, poured substance. This means that weeds will not grow through so there is less maintenance involved. But it’s important to know that even concrete that has been properly laid may shift or crack over time from the settling of the ground.

Thanks to innovations in concrete, homeowners who like the look of pavers without the work can investigate stamped concrete options, where a pattern is embossed into the concrete before it dries.Colors, stains and etching procedures are also available.

There are a few other distinctions between these two materials that may also influence a homeowner’s decision. Pavers provide immediate gratification in that they can be enjoyed shortly after installation. Concrete, on the other hand, will require days to dry and cure.

Some town codes require a permit for pouring concrete because it is a permanent change to the home. Pavers may not require a permit because they are not permanent and can be removed.When choosing among pavers or concrete around a pool or water source, it is important to select a texture that will not be slippery when wet. Otherwise accidents may occur.

The choice between concrete and pavers is largely one of personal preference. Each material has its advantages and disadvantages to consider.

Paving stones are one option for homeowners looking to transform areas of their landscapes.

Pavingg Stones Versuss Concrete

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CITIZEN’S NEWSFriday, April 1, 2011 13

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Regardless of individual skill level, user-friendly tools like the Fein MultiMaster make home improvement projects safer and easier for homeowners.

Easyy Homee Improvementt Projectss forr Weekendd Warriors

Few industries have grown as much in the last decade-plus as the home improvement industry.Whereas it was once commonplace for homeowners to have a handyman on speed dial, nowadays homeowners handle not only the routine upkeep necessary to maintain a home, but many home improvement projects as well.

Home expert Danny Lipford, host of the nationally syndicated TV show, Today’s Homeowner, and radio show, Homefront, said, “Today you’ve got not only an amazing selection of tools to help with every project, but they also shorten the time it used to take to complete the project. When you coup le that with all the DIY instruction and programming out there, it’s no wonder we have the confidence t o do more on our own.”

As popular as home improvement projects have become, many homeowners still find themselves pressed for time when it comes to tackling projects around the house. For homeowners without much time during the week, Woodcraft offers the following projects tailor-made for weekend warriors.

Ready The Deck For Summer FunWith spring on the horizon, the season to relax on the deck and soak up the sun is right around the corner. Homeowners can upgrade their deck and create an incredibly strong wood-to-wood bond with theKreg Deck Jig System. Compatible with composite deck boards and ACQ treated lumber, the Kreg Deck Jig System can help homeowners create a beautiful and functional deck surface that’s completely free of exposed fasteners and painful splinters. The Kreg Deck Jig System’s easy grip handles help DIYers ga in a secure hold and completely control each and every joint, while the system’s three separate drill g uides allow for easy installation of deck boards in a variety of hard-to-reach areas. When combined with a few simple tools homeowners already own, the Kreg Deck Jig System ensures homeowners can vastly improve their deck no matter how pressed for time they might be.

Paint A New Look InsideSpring is often seen as a season of rejuvenation, so why not give your home a brand new look by repainting the interior? Veteran DIYers can no doubt recall when painting took as much elbow grease as it did time, but times have changed. Thanks to the new Fein MultiMaster, the tedious and time-consuming job of scraping old paint with a putty knife and sanding tight spaces with paper wrapped around your finger is a thing of the past. The MultiMaster’s profiled sanding pads make scraping oldpaint easier than ever before, while its multiple user-friendly accessories that scrape, cut, shave,sand, polish, and remove grout make the MultiMaster an ideal companion for homeowners with several projects on tap this spring.

Tackle Indoor Projects On Rainy DaysSpring might be synonymous with feelings of rejuvenation, but it also brings spring showers. On rain y weekends, tackle interior projects with the Rockwell BladeRunner. Whether you want to cut and install base molding, chair rails or hardwood flooring or frame and trim windows and doors, the lightweight, portable BladeRunner is your go-to tool. This precision cutter’s variable-speed motor control and simple blade changing mechanism allow you to easily cut wood, metal, ceramic tile, aluminum, and plastic using a T-shank jigsaw blade. You can operate the BladeRunner on a benchtop or use the convenient wall mount bracket. Attach the tool’s dust port to your shop vac for easy cleanup.

Prepare Tools In AdvanceWhile there are several projects homeowners can complete in a single weekend, no project is likely to be successful without properly maintained tools. Homeowners should take inventory of their tools before beginning any projects to ensure the tools won’t cause any delays. The Work Sharp(R) Knife and Tool Sharpener can bring tools back to life in a matter of minutes. This handheld, motorized too l sharpens any knife as well as scissors, tin snips, garden shears, and even lawn mower blades for green thumbers. The sharpener’s patented Flex-Tek(TM) belt technology conforms to the shape of any blade, practically guaranteeing a sharp edge and ensuring your next home improvement project will start off on the right foot.

Work SmarterTackling a home improvement project in a single weekend might not be easy, but DIYers can take steps to make such projects easier. For example, Vibe-Away Anti-Slip Pads are made from recycled tires and designed to reduce the transfer of vibration that occurs in most woodworking tools and stationary equipment. This shock absorption pad helps reduce sound, vibrations, and pulsating of router tables, scrollsaws, table saws and other benchtop or stationary machines, making it easier tocomplete a project mistake-free and in less time.

LOC-Blocks Interlocking Material Gripping Blocks grip both the work surface as well as your project without the use of any clamps. The nonslip pads support work during assembly without leaving marks, while the non-marring pads allow homeowners to lift work above the surface while finishing edges.

To learn more about products that can help you successfully complete your home improvement projects this spring, visit www.woodcraft.com.

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CITIZEN’S NEWS Friday, April 1, 201114

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Friday, April 1, 2011 CITIZEN’S NEWS 15