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What material should be used to create a permanent labyrinth? Permanent labyrinths can be created from a variety of materials: poured concrete, natural stone, terrazzo, clay pavers, or concrete paving stones. Natural stone is very beautiful, but it is also very expensive. Clay pavers come in beautiful colors, but the pavers themselves are somewhat fragile.
Most of our labyrinths to date have utilized concrete paving stones manufactured by Paveloc Industries.
They are the most cost-effective option. Plus, they are durable. Their comprehensive strength measures in excess of 9,200 PSI, and their absorption rates below 3.5 percent. Moreover, Paveloc pavers are warranted to maintain their structural integrity for a lifetime. For more information on the quality of these materials, we encourage you to check out the Paveloc Industries Web site at www.paveloc.com. We have found Paveloc pavers to be the most durable materials available, and therefore longer lasting. Like you, we want our creations to endure for generations.
What kind of material is used to construct the foundation for a permanent labyrinth? We have learned over the years as we travel across the country that it is necessary to be flexible and use whatever granular material is used in the region for highway construction. (A reputable supplier’s phone number always comes in handy during this part of the process.) In Chicagoland, for example, we use crushed limestone.
What kind of maintenance does a concrete paving stone labyrinth require?
Very little. Depending on the foot traffic, a thorough once-a-year cleaning with a hose should be sufficient. A dandelion seed might find its way into the sand joint between the pavers and need to be pulled at some point, but weeds cannot grow up through the dense 10- to 12-inch limestone base. A thorough application of sealer helps to prevent the growth of even the most tenacious weeds.
Do the concrete paving stones fade in color?
Under normal conditions, concrete paving stones fade very little. They are even more resistant to color fading when coated with a high-quality sealer. Some fading can occur with heavy usage, however. The Naperville (Illinois) Millennium Labyrinth along the Riverwalk, for example, has faded over the years. The muted contrast between line and path was a conscious decision in construction. The floor of the amphitheater where the labyrinth is located serves the community with varied purposes. Among these are multi-denominational church services, community services and children’s story times sponsored by a local library. Plus, the site is heavily used by families of all kinds – mothers and their toddlers, hens and their ducklings – so the labyrinth has also been “sealed” with several coats of juice and other fare, not to mention duck scat. During the summer months, in fact, the site averages 3,000 visitors per day. Budget cuts have forced the City’s park district maintenance crews to focus their energies elsewhere, so the labyrinth receives no special care. Even with heavy foot traffic, however, occasional upkeep would keep the pavers lustrous for years to come.
Should labyrinth maintenance include sealing the concrete paving stones? Paveloc paving stones come with a lifetime guarantee from the factory. We suggest applying a thorough coat of high-quality sealer every two or three years. The benefits of sealing include color enhancement, resistance to fading, maintenance of a like- new paver surface texture, and stabilization of the sand joint between the pavers. Plus, a high-quality sealer resists staining from things such as grease, decaying leaves, gum, and animal scat.
Can a shovel be used to remove snow from the labyrinth without harming the pavers?
Yes, you can. In fact, a shovel will glide effortlessly across the labyrinth as if it were a wooden gym floor without snagging a single brick. The only time we have seen any damage from winter cleaning was when someone repeatedly stabbed at the ice with what appeared to be the corner of a shovel or a steel bar. No paved surface that we know of could have held up to that kind of abuse. For virtually effortless and safe ice removal, you might want to consider using a salt-type product sold by Paveloc for such purposes. For further information about this product, please visit the Paveloc Industries website at www.paveloc.com.
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