Sunset Magazine Updates Beauty and Functionality of Corporate Grounds by Replacing Cracked Asphalt Garden Pathways with Belgard® Hardscapes Pavers

As the self-promoted "premier resource for achieving the ultimate Western lifestyle," Sunset Magazine recently decided to put their own words into action by removing the aged and cracked asphalt pathways that lined their expansive four-acres corporate gardens in Menlo Park, Calif., and replacing them with nearly 14,000 square feet of Belgard® Hardscapes paver walkways.

"Our magazine showcases the Western region's unique lifestyle. Our gardens are an extension of that and represent every major climate throughout the region," said Kathi McCalligan, of Sunset Magazine. "The office building and the grounds were created in the 50's, and the asphalt walkways that lined the perimeter got more and more cracked every year, detracting from the beauty. It was way too expensive to keep repairing them, and the look was not reflecting the excellence we desired."

As Home Programs Director for the magazine, McCalligan was familiar with the quality and look of the Belgard Hardscapes product line, having used their products both in many of the magazine's annual show homes and in the 2,000 square foot outdoor test kitchen built on the corporate grounds in 2009. The magazine chose to use Belgard's Cambridge Cobble pavers to create their serpentine walkways because of the sturdy quality and classic tailored look that complemented their eclectic gardens.

"Cambridge Cobble is a beautiful product, and the installation looks fantastic. It has truly transformed the space," says McCalligan. The high-traffic capacity of Cambridge Cobble was put to the test when the magazine hosted its fifteenth annual Celebration Weekend on June 4-5, 2011. Over 18,000 readers converged on the grounds for product demonstrations, gardening tips, and food and artisan exhibits.

"Celebration Weekend is when we bring the pages of the magazine to life," said McCalligan. "Many of our readers have been coming every year, and they couldn't say enough about how beautiful the transformation was."

The nature of the Belgard paver products ensures that, unlike the former asphalt walkways, the beauty of the new paver walkways will last for years to come. "Asphalt has a tendency to crack and crumble as it ages due to changes in temperature and moisture, and repairs are often expensive and unsightly," says Ken O'Neill, Vice President of Belgard Hardscapes. "However, paver walkways are stronger and more flexible to climate changes, making them more resistant to cracking. But if a brick happens to get damaged down the line, it can be easily and seamlessly replaced."

About Belgard Hardscapes
Since 1995, Oldcastle® has set the standard for innovative outdoor hardscapes with the Belgard® collection of paver and wall products. Offering a versatile range of styles - in antiqued, classic, and natural textures - premium Belgard products are found in America's finest homes and dream homes. When quality matters - Choose Belgard. 1-877-Belgard (235-4273). Belgard is a brand owned by Oldcastle Architectural, a U.S. subsidiary of CRH plc. Additional information and product offerings can be viewed online at www.belgard.biz.