Pavement is a significant part of any city’s streetscape, contributing to the overall appearance and functionality of a town. It’s also a crucial investment for businesses and residents. Pavement provides increased accessibility and enables vehicles to travel more smoothly and quickly, reducing travel time and fuel consumption. It can also increase a property’s value and provide a more attractive, functional area for pedestrians. Choosing the best pavement can be a difficult task, however. This article will look at the different materials available and some of the advantages and disadvantages to each.
Before paved streets became commonplace in New England, local communities paving boston used many different paving materials to create roads and sidewalks. Some of these materials are still evident in a few places today, such as Dock Square in Boston where cobbled street pavement and flagstone crosswalks can be seen in drawings and photographs from the nineteenth century.
Other paving materials were covered by asphalt or concrete after World War I to accommodate the rapid rise in automobile traffic. The new paving allowed for smoother vehicle travel and reduced dust, but it did not maintain the strength of the old stone or gravel roadbeds. In some cases, the old paving was laid as an overlay on top of the new material.
Many older paving surfaces are still in place, however, and some are being preserved by community groups and private individuals to retain their historic character. For example, in the town of Somerville, Massachusetts, a local preservation group has begun restoring cobblestone streets and sidewalks to their original condition. The work has been aided by grants from the state’s Open Space and Historical Landmarks Program.
For those who wish to restore and preserve their old paving, a good contractor can make the process a lot easier. These companies can provide the right tools and equipment as well as offer advice on the proper methods for cleaning and maintenance. Some contractors specialize in specific paving materials such as granite. Others can handle a wide range of projects including driveways, patios and parking lots.
In order to maintain the durability of a paver, it is important to regularly clean it. Most stains can be removed with soap and water, but oil, grease or other sticky substances should be cleaned with a pressure washer. This is because these substances can erode the surface of the paving and cause it to crack.
Those who want to hire a paving company in Boston should check out the contractor’s license, certifications and insurance coverage before making a decision. A reputable contractor will have a certificate of liability insurance as well as worker’s compensation insurance in case someone is injured during the job. Moreover, they will also be able to provide the necessary documentation of past work. In addition, they will be able to answer any questions you may have about the project. If a paving company is unwilling or unable to provide these documents, it is likely that they are not legitimate.