Featured Upgrade

Featured Hardscape

Serving the Pocono since 1978, F&F Paving & Excavating offers a variety of asphalt maintenance services. From construction of a newly paved driveway to removal and replacement of an existing driveway or parking area, F&F has the experience needed to complete any type of residential or commercial project. Also offering seal coating, line striping and general asphalt maintenance, the experts at F&F are equipped to help you maintain your investment.

If you’re considering this type of exterior upgrade to your home or business, F&F can answer all your questions and help you prepare for the project ahead. Here are some tips these pros gave us to get you started.

• What are some key factors to consider?

Key factors to consider when making the decision to pave and/or replace your driveway include the following:

• Increasing the "curb appeal" of your home, a neater/cleaner outside means cleaner inside i.e. less mud, dirt, dust, etc. into the home

• Less maintenance over time especially during the winter months makes for easier snow removal, snow blowing, etc.

• Paving provides the best overall value for your money when it comes to driveway options

• Is paving with asphalt the best option?

Paving with asphalt is the best option because it gives the best overall value for a driveway. It allows for a lasting product at a reasonable investment. Other options such as concrete can be more durable but the drawbacks are the considerable amount of work for installation, and it can be extremely expensive in comparison. Paver blocks may look more aesthetically pleasing however the cost can be similar to concrete or even more with less of a life span especially in winter conditions. Stone is by far the cheapest option but the maintenance is constant especially in the winter.

Though asphalt paving is still an investment of your home, it is by far the best value for its function.

• What’s the maintenance like?

With general maintenance of crack sealing and seal coating, a driveway can last upwards of ten to fifteen years in the right conditions. Also the initial maintenance of the driveway edges after installation is important. Backfilling the edges creates support to the weakest area of the driveway and will reduce the onset of cracking over time. Another good tip for extended maintenance is to try and limit the amount of large heavy truck deliveries or parking vehicles in the

same spot over long periods of time. This reduces the heavy loading on a typical residential driveway and can reduce the occurrences of oil or gasoline spills which can be harmful to your driveway.

• What can I expect price-wise?

Driveway pricing can vary considerably on a case by case basis, which is why it is always recommended for a paving professional to come out and see your driveway in person and meet face to face. We offer free onsite estimates to customers and in most cases can provide pricing on the spot. Whether your driveway is existing asphalt, existing stone base, grass area, or concrete can all effect the amount of work which is required to prep your driveway for proper asphalt installation. However when the time comes to price the driveway, know what to look for and what questions to ask. If your driveway is already paved, if unknown, find out when the last time it was paved, and by whom? Also, in this case ask for two prices; one to completely remove the old asphalt and one to go over the existing asphalt. Ask what the plans are for any deteriorated areas, potholes, etc. Tip: It is always recommended to remediate those bad areas prior to repaving.

• How can I prepare for our first meeting?

On any driveway, a paving professional is always going to measure the square footage area of the driveway to figure out their materials needed which is the basis for pricing. If possible roughly take these measurements beforehand yourself to compare your measurements to theirs. Ask questions about water drainage, if its not obvious ask what their plans for proper drainage will be? Ask how long they have been in business, if there are other jobs in the area they can see prior to making their decision. Talk to friends, neighbors and colleagues and get their recommendations. It is tempting and easy to just rely of a quick search engine result but try and educate yourself beyond that. The point is to educate yourself as much as possible as you'd do in any major purchase in life, with the result of you being happy and satisfied with the work done. Rely on the experience of the contractor and recommendations and try and refrain from bargain shopping, the result most always ends up being "you get what you pay for".

Home Upgrades

Home Upgrades that are good for the environment

Consumers today are more mindful about the environmental impact of everything they do, from driving and traveling to energy usage in their homes. Fortunately, there are a few simple steps homeowners can take to save energy and help the environment. Boost your insulation

You may already know what areas of your home are poorly insulated, simply by how you feel when it's cold or hot outside. You can have a professional home energy audit conducted to help pinpoint areas that need improvement. Many energy companies provide an audit free of charge.

Start with the attic: If your attic is insufficiently insulated, you could be losing a lot of heat over the winter, which means your home is wasting energy - and money. The U.S. Department of Energy reports that boosting attic insulation can save 10-50 percent on heating costs.

Upgrade your heating & cooling system

Heating and cooling your home uses the most energy, so investing in Energy Star certified HVAC products can make a big difference when it comes to cutting energy costs and your home's impact on the environment.

For a new HVAC system in a variety of styles to fit any décor that can be easily installed by a contractor, you might consider wall-mounted duct-free systems from a trusted brand like LG. They offer a variety of ultra-quiet "Art Cool" options (the sleek Mirror, stylish Premier and unique Gallery, which looks like a picture frame and allows you to display your own artwork). These systems are smart-enabled, allowing homeowners to adjust the temperature from their LG ThinQ app for Android and iOS users, or with simple commands via Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.

the Art Cool Mirror earned the 2019 designation and also features advanced "Reliable to Extreme Degrees" LGRED, heating technology that delivers 100 percent heating capacity down to 5 degrees Fahrenheit and continuous heating down to -13 degrees Fahrenheit. This will keep you warm and comfortable all winter long with remarkable energy efficiency. Replace doors & windows

You may be losing a lot of heat in the winter and air conditioning in the summer through your doors and windows, especially if they're older. The latest energy-efficient models of windows and doors not only reduce leaks around the frames, but they're made from materials that enhance insulation.

Doors: According to EnergyStar.gov, energy-efficient doors not only fit better and have improved weather stripping to reduce air leakage, but also use improved core materials for superior insulation. Where glass is used, they reduce heat flow via double- or triple-paned insulating glass.

Windows: Energy Star qualified windows use superior framing materials, including multiple panes of glass, with air- or gas-filled space between for additional insulation. They're made from Low-E (low emissivity) glass, with special coatings to reflect infrared light. Warm edge spacers keep the glass panes the correct distance apart reducing heat transfer through the window. Go solar

While most people are aware that solar power harnesses the sun's energy to create electricity, many don't know how easy and cost-effective it is to go solar.

The newest technology behind solar energy has made it increasingly accessible and appealing for homeowners. For example, new energy solutions such as LG's "NeON R ACe" are high-efficiency solar panels that incorporate a built-in micro-inverter (that converts DC electricity to AC) instead of a separate traditional inverter. Recessed into the frame of the solar module, the micro-inverter simplifies the installation process and allows more flexibility to create a solar array that looks attractive on your roof. When going solar, it's important to seek out a brand you trust, one like LG that offers solar panels covered by a 25-year limited product, part and performance warranty.

Choosing just one area to upgrade will save energy, reducing your home's carbon footprint. You'll also feel more comfortable throughout the year, as you better regulate the temperature of your home. 

By Brand Point › Paving › Excavating › Screened Dirt & Fill