“Paver driveways and walkways give the homes in Oak Estates at Jacobs Reserve a classy look,” said Sam Sanders, purchase manager for Emerald Homes, the luxury home division of nationally-recognized builder DR Horton and the only homes offered in the exclusive Oak Estates at Jacobs Reserve. Not only does each home have improved curb appeal, but the entire subdivision takes on a new look,” Sanders said. “You really get the feel of a custom home in a luxury community.”
executives looking for short commutes and smart purchases.
“Paver driveways and walkways have really been successful with prospective homeowners,” Sanders said. “It’s a real differentiator for Emerald Homes, and it’s a difference that visitors to Oak Estates can see immediately. ”
Unlike concrete or asphalt driveways, there is no dry time required for paver installations. And, according to installer Justin Gage of GageCo., the strength of concrete pavers reassures him that the driveways and walkways will be protected if subcontractors need to re-visit the home after he has installed the driveway.
“Concrete pavers are really durable,” Gage said. “You can park heavy trucks and equipment on the driveway and it doesn’t hurt it. If something were to happen, such as a paver is damaged or paint is spilled on part of the walkway or driveway, you only have to replace the pavers that are affected. It’s a fast and easy fix for the builder, whereas trying to repair concrete or stamped concrete is a time intensive and expensive process.”
Pavers from Belgard Hardscapes, a leading hardscapes brand available nationally through Oldcastle’s comprehensive system of dealers, offer another benefit. Gage says the lifetime warranty of the pavers provides him and the homeowner with peace of mind for the long term.
In addition to durability, concrete pavers are low maintenance. Ants and weeds in joints can be prevented with sealers or herbicides. The small, high-density units resist cracking from everyday use. And, they are resistant to damage from deicing salt that may be used during Houston’s unpredictable freezing rain that can make driveways, walkways and patios hazardous.
“When Emerald Homes turns the house over to the homeowner, the new owner knows that with the Belgard warranty they will never have to worry about repairs to their walkway or driveway,” said Gage, who has been in the outdoor landscape industry for 13 years and launched his own business more than five years ago. “Belgard’s transferable lifetime warranty is the best in the market,” he said. “Buying a new home or investing in an outdoor space can be a stressful endeavor, and it’s great to be able to tell my customers that they’re covered for life”
Homeowners also can add ambiance to the space by selecting Bristol fire and water features from the Belgard Elements collection, which are modular, easy-to-install outdoor living accessories.
“We’re seeing a lot of families designing their patios to be complete outdoor rooms,” Gage said. “Fireplaces, fire pits and waterfalls are popular accessories that turn a patio into a gathering space. DR Horton’s Emerald Homes is setting itself apart by including this level of detail in the outdoor spaces on their floor plans.”
For Emerald Homes, the selection of Belgard’s Cambridge Cobble brought a tailored, architectural look to the driveways and walkways with the pavers’ gently rounded corners and domed pillow top surfaces.
The subtle color combinations in the shade Fossil Beige and the versatile pattern choices of Cambridge Cobble make it ideal for crafting intricate designs and captivating walkways, allowing Emerald Homes to illustrate that it pays attention to detail in every element of each new home it builds.