Brick Paver Patio at Pineland Crest: Care Tips, Lennar's Included List and the Warranty

Every Pineland Crest townhome comes with a brick paver patio out back. Lennar's included features list for all four plans says ""Brick paver walkway, entry and patio areas."" That puts pavers at the front path, the covered entry and the back patio. This guide explains what a brick paver patio is, how to care for one, and what else Lennar includes in every Pineland Crest home. It ends with the warranty and the steps to buy.

What a Brick Paver Patio Is

A paver patio is made of many small, solid blocks set side by side. Sand fills the thin joints between them. Unlike one big slab of poured concrete, each block can move a tiny bit, and each one can be lifted out and put back.

""Brick paver"" can mean two different things in everyday talk:

• Clay pavers are true brick, made from clay and shale and fired in a kiln.

• Concrete pavers are made from concrete and are often shaped and colored to look like brick.

Lennar's list says ""brick paver"" but does not say which material is used at Pineland Crest. If it matters to you, ask the sales team to show you a sample and name the product.

The difference shows up in care. The Brick Industry Association says clay pavers get their color fired ""through the body of the unit,"" so they do not fade or ""require sealers like concrete units do."" It also says most clay pavers have ""strengths exceeding 10,000 psi."" Keep in mind that this group speaks for the clay brick industry.

Where the Pavers Go at Pineland Crest

Lennar's walkthrough describes the back patio in each plan. For the Halstead, it says the patio is ""ready for anything from festive outdoor parties to relaxing days lounging in the Florida sunshine."" For the Ashbury, it says the patio ""extends the first-floor living space outdoors.""

Every plan reaches the patio from the main living area. Three of the four plans use a sliding glass door from the great room. Lennar lists ""Impact resistant windows and sliding glass doors"" as standard.

Lennar's list also includes a ""6' high wood shadowbox privacy fence"" in the rear yard. If you want to know how that style of fence is built, read our guide to how a shadow box fence works.

How to Care for a Brick Paver Patio

Pavers are low work, but not no work. The Concrete Masonry and Hardscapes Association (CMHA) shares these tips for homeowners. Its tips are written for concrete pavers, so check with your installer before you use them on clay.

1. Watch the joint sand. CMHA says that when sand drops ""more than half an inch below the paver surface, it's time for a simple refill."" Small touch-ups are a do-it-yourself job.

2. Pull the odd weed early. CMHA says weeds usually come from ""wind-blown seeds"" landing in the joints, not from below. Full joints keep most of them out.

3. Do not panic over white haze. A white, powdery look on concrete pavers is called efflorescence. CMHA says it ""typically occurs within the first few months after installation"" and then stops.

4. Wait before you seal. Many pros wait ""at least six months after installation"" to seal concrete pavers, CMHA says. Sealers then need reapplying ""every 3-5 years.""

5. Wipe spills fast. For fresh oil, CMHA says to wipe it away and use liquid detergent and hot water. Do not let fallen leaves sit, since they can stain.

6. Go easy with the pressure washer. Strong spray can blast out joint sand. Light washing is fine.

One more plus: if a paver cracks or a spot sinks, CMHA notes that pavers ""can be removed, issues addressed, and the same pavers reinstalled."" There is no patch that never matches.

Pavers show up on more than the patio in many new South Florida homes. Our guide to a paver driveway and how it compares covers the same material on a bigger surface.

Everything Else Lennar Includes at Pineland Crest

Lennar lists the same included features on all four Pineland Crest plans. Here is the list, grouped the way Lennar groups it.

Outside the Home

• ""Elegant front elevations with decorative stucco design detail""

• ""Architecturally stylish dimensional roof shingles""

• ""Quality Masonry construction""

• Brick pavers at the walkway, entry and patio

• ""Pre-selected designer exterior paint schemes""

• A covered entry

• Impact-resistant windows and sliding glass doors

• A 6-foot wood shadowbox privacy fence in the rear yard

Inside the Home

• ""Energy Efficient Central air conditioning and heating system""

• ""Tile included in all living areas""

• ""18”x18” ceramic tile in kitchen, laundry and A/C closet""

• Stain-resistant carpet with padding in the bedrooms, the second floor and the stairs

• Pre-wiring for ceiling fans in the family room or great room and all bedrooms (by plan)

• Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors throughout

• Rocker-style light switches

The Kitchen

• A stainless steel appliance package with a 30-inch smooth surface electric range, a built-in microwave, a multi-cycle dishwasher and a Frigidaire side-by-side refrigerator

• ""Porcelain 2cm countertops with 6” backsplash""

• ""Kitchen cabinets with 36” uppers and brushed nickel hardware""

• A stainless steel sink with a chrome pull-down faucet

• Recessed LED downlighting

• A pantry closet with ventilated shelves (by plan)

The Bathrooms

• Porcelain countertops with undermount porcelain sinks in the owner's bath and secondary baths

• Ceramic tile on bathroom floors and shower walls

• A single glass panel shower enclosure in the owner's bath

• A bathtub in secondary baths (by plan)

• Vanity mirrors in all baths

Laundry and Smart Home

• A side-by-side washer and dryer

• A Ring Video Doorbell

• A Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt

• A Wi-Fi enabled thermostat

• A centralized media panel

Lennar's plan pages do not list a garage for any of the four homes. If you are still picking a plan, our room-by-room guide to the four townhome floor plans shows where the bedrooms and laundry sit in each one.

The Lennar Warranty

Lennar's own list for Pineland Crest describes a ""1-2-10 year Homeowners Warranty featuring 1 year overall limited coverage, 2 year systems protection and a 10 year limited structural warranty.""

In plain words:

• 1 year: limited coverage on the home overall

• 2 years: protection for systems

• 10 years: limited structural coverage

Ask for the full warranty booklet before you sign. It spells out what counts as a covered item and how to file a claim.

How Buying a New Pineland Crest Home Works

Lennar's services list includes a ""Personalized New Home Orientation,"" a ""Dedicated Customer Service Team,"" ""3rd Party Home Inspections,"" and its own mortgage and title companies. Here is how the steps usually line up.

1. Tour and pick a plan. Walk the plans and see the community park Lennar describes.

2. Get pre-approved. Lennar lists Lennar Mortgage among its services. You can also compare offers from other lenders. Ask whether a builder incentive depends on using Lennar's lender.

3. Sign the purchase agreement. Read the deposit and closing terms carefully, and bring your own agent.

4. Inspect the home. Lennar lists third-party inspections. Many buyers also hire their own inspector. Our guide to a new construction home inspection explains what one covers.

5. Do the orientation and close. Lennar's orientation walks you through the home before you get the keys.

Want to spend weekends outside after you move in? The county's pine rockland preserve sits right next to the community. Read about the Navy Wells preserve and how to visit.

Common Questions

Want to see the pavers and finishes in person? Call 561-704-0091 or schedule your Pineland Crest tour. Plans and details are on the Pineland Crest community page.

Related reading: Miami-Dade's first-time buyer help, explained