General

What are VAST Composite Pavers?

VAST is an innovative material made from up to 95% recycled materials such as scrap tires and plastic. VAST provides the strength, beauty and versatility of traditional pavers while offering unique qualities only made available by a highly engineered composite material. VAST is the smartest, most socially responsible paver alternative in the industry.

Where can I buy VAST?

VAST Composite Pavers are available through Certified Resellers. Check here to see if a Certified Reseller is in your area. If not, contact us to discuss additional methods of purchasing VAST.

Appearance

How does VAST look?

VAST looks and feels completely natural. Even professionals are unaware that they are not standing on traditional pavers but instead on an environmentally friendly composite product!

Will the color of VAST change?

VAST's rigorous testing has shown very little, if any, color fading over time. In fact, VAST begins to look more natural as it weathers.

Does VAST have an odor?

Some customers have reported a slight rubber smell that usually disappears after a few weeks. VAST has no harmful toxins or air pollutants of any kind.

In what sizes and shapes does VAST come?

VAST Composite Pavers are currently available in 4"x8" (permeable and standard options) and 3"x6" (standard option only). We are hard at work to bring you additional sizes and shapes soon.

How warm does VAST get?

This is somewhat color dependant, but testing shows that VAST pavers get about as warm as composite lumber. On a sunny 90 °F day, darker colored VAST pavers could reach 140 °F. The limit for safety and comfort in touchable surfaces is approximately 180 °F. Interestingly, VAST quickly adapts to changing temperature conditions. This means that as the sun goes down, VAST will rapidly cool to the new ambient temperature.

Durability

Can I drive my car on VAST Composite Pavers?

Absolutely. VAST Composite Pavers are perfect for light vehicular and foot traffic. Typical applications include driveways, parking lots, patios, sidewalks, pool areas, decks, flat roofs and other Green Building applications.

Will VAST last?

VAST Composite Pavers are incredibly durable and withstand even the harshest environments. Unlike concrete, VAST is unaffected by salt and guaranteed not to crack. VAST is backed by a 10-year limited warranty and a LIFETIME warranty against cracking (residential applications only).

Will a motorcycle kickstand have problems on VAST?

No matter what the surface, VAST recommends using a kickstand pad when parking your motorcycle. Most of our founders ride, and finding your bike napping on the pavement is no good.

Price and Installation

Is VAST expensive?

Even though it is a superior paver, VAST is so easy to install that fully installed prices are typically comparable and possibly even less than traditional concrete pavers. Ask your VAST Certified Reseller or Installer about how VAST's innovative installation can save you money.

Is VAST easy to install?

VAST is without a doubt the easiest-to-install paver on the market. Its patented grid system takes the frustration and difficulty out of manually setting and aligning heavy concrete pavers. Plus, since VAST is one-third the weight of concrete and cuts with traditional wood saws, you will never want to install conventional pavers again.

Do VAST expand or contract with temperature change?

VAST's expansion with temperature is similar to composite lumber. Over a 25 foot long section, VAST pavers will expand approximately one inch when exposed to a 100 °F temperature increase. Typically, this expansion is not an issue when a rigid edging is used (e.g. concrete curbing or staked landscape edging). If a less rigid edging is used (e.g. asphalt or wood), be sure to follow the recommendations detailed in the installation instructions.

Can VAST be Used with Polymeric Sand?

Polymeric sand may be used; however, you'll want to take extra care and ensure that all sand and dust be swept off the paver surface prior to placing water on the installation. Since polymeric sand on the pavers has the potential to leave a haze, we recommend testing a small area before completing the entire installation.

Can VAST be used with a snow melt system?

Yes, we believe VAST will perform exceptionally well with these types of systems. Due to the relatively low density of our product (one-third that of concrete), VAST will transfer heat quickly resulting in significantly faster temperature response. VAST intends to test hydronic heating systems in the near future, and will create installation tips shortly thereafter. In the meantime, contact us to discuss your specific application.

Maintenance

What will happen if a cigarette falls on VAST?

Our experience has been that cigarettes do not cause damage to VAST pavers, even cigarettes that are directly extinguished on the surface. However, VAST cautions that prolonged exposure to a hot cigarette or coal could potentially mar its surface.

How do I remove gum?

The steps to remove gum from VAST are the same for other pavements. We recommend using WD-40, ice or one of the many commercial gum removal products.

Can graffiti be removed from VAST?

Graffiti can easily be removed using any off-the-shelf graffiti cleaner.

Environmental

Is VAST truly green?

Yes, VAST is the real deal. First, VAST is made from a highly engineered material comprised of up to 95% recycled materials. Second, VAST is manufactured in a scrap-free process that produces zero toxic or harmful emissions. Lastly, VAST is 100% recyclable—VAST can be removed and re-made into brand new pavers. Check here for information on VAST's positive impact on the environment.

Will VAST leach chemicals into the ground?

Our research indicates that VAST poses no harm to soils. VAST's material is a combination of non-leaching plastics and scrap tire rubber. The majority scientific opinion is that crumb tire rubber (e.g. used as a wood mulch alternative) is inert, not hazardous and unable to breakdown naturally. Our research indicates that crumb tire rubber can leach small amounts of zinc. Depending on soil conditions, additional amounts of zinc can be good or bad for plant growth. Even considering any possible leaching from crumb tire rubber, VAST's composite material encapsulates the crumb tire rubber almost entirely inside plastic (over 99%). This means very little of the rubber's surface is actually in contact with the soils.