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Paver Color Transformation for outdoor living spaces can be central to how homeowners enjoy their properties today. This is especially true in places like Long Island, where patios and backyard areas are used for entertainment, relaxation, cooking, and gathering with family and friends. Over time, however, even the best hardscape materials begin to show signs of wear or no longer fit a homeowner’s preferred aesthetic. That’s where professional restoration, staining, and sealing services come in.
In this project, Gappsi completed a dramatic transformation of a Cambridge paving stone patio in Brightwaters, NY. They turned an outdated color palette into a sleek, modern gray finish. What began as a typical Toffee Onyx surface featuring salmon-brown undertones blended with gray became a contemporary monochromatic look that completely refreshed the backyard.
This process not only updated the color but also protected the stones. It added depth, enhanced durability, and unified the entire hardscape design. Here’s a detailed look at how the transformation was achieved.
Understanding the Original Surface: Cambridge Toffee Onyx Pavers
Understanding the Original Surface: Cambridge Toffee Onyx PaversCambridge Pavers in the Toffee Onyx color blend are known for their multi-toned appearance, combining shades of salmon, brown, and gray. While attractive to many homeowners, some eventually prefer a more modern or neutral appearance, especially as outdoor trends shift toward cooler, more uniform tones.
Over time, UV exposure, weather, and foot traffic can also dull the surface, making color restoration or enhancement necessary. In this case, the clients wanted to eliminate the warm salmon hues and transition to a solid gray finish.
Step 1: Professional Cleaning to Prepare the Surface
The first step was a thorough cleaning of the entire patio and surrounding hardscape. Proper cleaning is crucial because:
- It removes dirt, algae, mold, and surface contaminants.
- It lifts old residues, enabling fresh stain to penetrate properly.
- It prepares the surface for even sealer absorption.
Gappsi uses commercial-grade equipment and environmentally safe cleaning solutions to ensure pavers are fully prepared without damaging the material before any paver color transformation.
Once the patio was thoroughly cleaned and dried, it became ready for the next phase: custom color transformation.
Step 2: Creating Color Samples for Client Approval
Step 2: Creating Color Samples for Client ApprovalBecause color staining is a permanent and noticeable change, Gappsi prepared several gray sample options to show the homeowner exactly how the finished product would look. This is a critical step in the process; it ensures:
- The new color aligns with the homeowner’s vision
- The client understands the depth, tone, and finish of the stain
- The selection blends well with existing structures like the firepit, stoop, and retaining walls
After reviewing samples, the client selected a custom combination of two gray tones: Slate Gray and Gray Washed.
Step 3: Custom Staining to Eliminate Salmon Tones
The transformation required full-surface staining to remove the warm undertones of the Toffee Onyx pavers completely. This technique allows homeowners to dramatically change the color of their pavers without removing or replacing them, a complete paver color transformation.
Using a specialized urethane-compatible stain, Gappsi evenly coated the patio, transitioning the stones from their original brown-salmon hues to the chosen shades of gray. This process effectively “reset” the color palette and created a cleaner, more contemporary appearance.
The staining work extended beyond the patio to ensure a cohesive look across the entire outdoor living area. This included:
- The retaining wall of the island
- The firepit area
- The stoop and bullnose
- The island walls and surrounding structures
Every surface was blended to match the new gray color scheme, creating a complete backyard makeover.
Step 4: Sealing with Premium Urethane Sealer
Step 4: After staining was complete, the next step was to seal the entire hardscape with a high-quality urethane sealer. Unlike basic acrylic sealers, urethane provides:
- Superior durability
- A long-lasting protective barrier
- Enhanced color richness
- Excellent resistance to UV, stains, and weathering
- A more premium finish and depth
For this project, Gappsi applied three coats of urethane sealer to achieve maximum protection and the richest color results.
The sealer helps lock in the stain while providing enhanced protection from:
- Oil and food spills
- Sun fading
- Water penetration
- Wear from foot traffic
- Seasonal freeze-thaw cycles
The final finish delivered both beauty and long-term durability.
The Final Result: A Complete Modern Look for Paver Color Transformation
The completed project resulted in a striking transformation. What was once a warm-toned Cambridge Toffee Onyx patio now presents as a contemporary gray outdoor environment, clean, cohesive, and visually refreshed.
The uniform gray palette pairs perfectly with modern outdoor furniture, stainless-steel appliances, and today’s trending backyard design styles. The urethane sealer adds a subtle sheen that enhances the pavers’ texture and elevates the space’s overall aesthetic.
This project showcases what’s possible when homeowners want to update their outdoor living area without tearing out and replacing existing pavers. Through expert staining and sealing, Gappsi delivered a like-new surface at a fraction of the cost of rebuilding.
Why Homeowners Choose Gappsi for Paver Sealing and Color Restoration
Gappsi is known throughout Nassau and Suffolk Counties for professional expertise in:
- Paver cleaning
- Paver staining and color restoration
- Sealing with high-grade urethane sealers
- Repairs and joint stabilization
- Complete backyard design and masonry services
With decades of experience and a reputation for craftsmanship, Gappsi has become the go-to contractor for homeowners seeking long-lasting results and premium materials.
Transform Your Pavers Without Replacing Them
Transform Your Pavers Without Replacing ThemIf your patio or walkway looks faded, outdated, or no longer fits your style, color changing and sealing may be the perfect solution. Whether you want a natural enhancement, a deeper tone, or a complete color overhaul, Gappsi can deliver stunning results customized to your vision.
This Brightwaters, NY project is just the latest example of how staining and sealing can completely transform a backyard.
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Welcome to my oven room at the Gappsi showroom. Let’s make some fresh homemade bread. Today, I am using the flour grown and milled in Italy from my property. The Maiorca flour has a white color to it, and the Semolina flour has a yellowish tint.
Once the dough has relaxed for 20 hours, we shape it into small pieces. Now, I am shaping the dough. This is the final step, and touch before letting it rest. I let it rest until it is time to bake. Letting the dough rest is crucial in baking because it allows the gluten strands to relax and redistribute, making the dough easier to shape, preventing shrinkage, and ultimately resulting in a better texture and rise in the final baked good; essentially, it gives the gluten a “break” after kneading, allowing it to become more pliable and elastic.
This outdoor wood-fired oven was custom-built in Sorrento, Italy. At Gappsi, we also provide this product and service to our clients. We can have your custom-built outdoor backyard oven hand-painted from the picture you provided. The tiles will be hand-painted and then baked to make a forever-lasting finish. This oven in the Gappsi showroom has a picture of me, Giuseppe, on one side. This picture was taken in my niece’s orange garden in Italy. Next, I had a hat painted on the front hood of the oven, “Make Pizza Great Again.” On the other side is a picture of my wife and I. On the back, I have pictures of my hometown, Belvedere Spinello, on the left and right. We have been using this oven to test the difference between a wood-burning oven and a gas-burn backyard outdoor oven.
We have baked the bread for an hour, and it is time to remove it from the oven. I use the cloth on the door to seal the door so the heat does not escape and burn. It is cooked to perfection.
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This outdoor kitchen was built in a U shape layout. It incorporates many amenities such as twin eagle appliances, pizza oven, outdoor refrigerator, ice makers, cook top and a bar sink. The colorful out door lighting creates a inviting atmosphere for friends and family. The shell was veneered with Fiorito veneer travertine selected from the Gappsi natural stone collection. The vinyl, free form pool incorporates a wall with sheer descends. The backyard was designed with a deck and paving stone patio. Designed by Giuseppe Abbrancati and installed by Gappsi.
This Sun room built in Setauket long island NY was designed to be an all season room. The roof exposed beams add rustic appearance and also open space feeling.