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Featured Article: Beat The Heat With Paving Stone Patios

Here in Southern California, we are privileged to have a luxury called ‘sunshine’.  Especially in coastal neighborhoods, all four seasons merge to create a beautiful oasis of shining days.

One of the most enjoyable ways to experience the sunshine is in one’s own backyard
patio.  Some plan patio BBQs with friends and family, while others simply enjoy a cup of coffee in peaceful solitude.  Whether a large event, or simple cup-o-joe, concrete patios are extremely popular for their ease of use.  Simply spraying the surface with a high pressure water hose cleans the patio and preps it for the next engagement.  The paving
stone patioalso lasts for years to come; resilient construction methods and nearly indestructible materials persist through rain or shine.  Oddly enough, it is the shine in Southern California that most challenges lovers of the out-of-doors.

When the sun shines on a paved surface, something called the ‘heat island‘ effect takes place.  As the patio absorbs the heat from the sun, it emits that energy back into the yard and raises the temperature of the patio.  Excessive temperatures endanger comfort and personal health.  What good is a paving stone patio if it can not be used?

Genesis can help manage excess heat on concrete patios through a variety of techniques.  Wooden pergolas, patio awnings, and even interlocking paving can reduce the surface and air temperatures of paved surfaces.

Darker paving materials absorb lots of sun, radiating that heat during the day and also long into the night.  Patios close to the home can heat up and transfer that heat into the house, not only making the patio unusable, but also making the interior home uncomfortable.  Air Conditioning and other cooling expenses can increase due to this ‘heat island‘ effect.

For the greatest comfort, consider using lighter and more reflective paving materials.  Interlocking paving stones, coming in a wide variety of colors and patterns, help keep patios cooler.  This is because the lighter colored paving units increase the solar reflectivity (albedo) of the patio, therefore reducing the temperature.

Permeable paving stones, which allow water to drain through the stones rather than
through drainage pipes or gutters, help manage temperature as well.  Unlocking the natural cooling power of moisture in the soil and grasses (evapotranspiration), permeable paving stones can lower temperatures anywhere from 2-10° F compared to impervious concrete paving.  Concrete grid pavers (image right) provide the greatest cooling advantage, especially when the home owner decides to combine this product with grass in-fill.  To learn more about permeable paving, read the article entitled “10 Benefits of Permeable Paving“.
Genesis has pursued perfection in patio design and installation for more than 19 years.  With over 9500 satisfied customers, Genesis can bring your home into the next level of sustainable luxury.  For a complimentary consultation with our design representatives call us at 888.389.5533, email us at info@genesisstoneworks.com, or visit our contact page.