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Paver
Installation

How pavers are installed, the base and jointing that make them last, what they cost, and why a damaged paver is an easy fix.

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Pavers are individual units, concrete or brick, set in a pattern over a prepared base to form driveways, patios, walkways, and pool decks. They give you the widest range of colors, shapes, and patterns of any paving option, and they have one advantage nothing else does: if a paver ever cracks or stains, you lift that one unit and replace it instead of patching a whole slab.

As with all hardscape, the base, the edging, and the joint sand are what keep a paver surface flat and locked together for decades. This page covers how pavers are installed, the options, cost factors, and the questions homeowners ask us most.

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Applications

Where Pavers Are Used

Driveways

Carrying vehicle weight on a deeper base.

Patios & Outdoor Living

Patios and outdoor living areas.

Walkways & Garden Paths

Walkways and garden paths.

Pool Decks

Where slip resistance and easy repair matter.

Choose Your Paver

Paver Types

Concrete Pavers

The most common, in a huge range of shapes, colors, and textures, including tumbled and natural-stone looks.

Clay Brick Pavers

Classic color that holds over time.

Permeable Pavers

Designed to let water drain through the joints, useful for drainage and some local requirements.

The Part You Can't See

Why the Base and Joints Matter

A paver surface is a system: a compacted stone base, a bedding layer, the pavers, edge restraints, and joint sand locking it all together. Get the base depth and compaction right and add proper edging, and the surface stays tight and level. Skip the base or the edging and the pavers spread, sink, and go uneven. For driveways the base needs to be deeper than for a patio because it carries vehicle weight. We build the base to the right depth for the use.

How We Build It

Our Process

1

Design and Estimate

We go over the layout, paver style, and pattern, and check slope and drainage.

2

Excavation and Grading

We excavate to the depth the base needs and grade for drainage away from the house.

3

Base Preparation

We install and compact a crushed stone base, deeper for driveways than for patios and walkways.

4

Edge Restraints

We set edging so the pavers stay locked in and don't spread over time.

5

Bedding and Laying

We screed a bedding layer and lay the pavers in your chosen pattern, cutting to fit the edges.

6

Joint Sand and Compaction

We sweep in joint sand, usually polymeric, and compact the surface so the pavers lock together.

Budgeting for the Job

What Affects the Cost

Paver pricing depends on a handful of things.

Paver & Size

The paver you choose and the size of the area.

Use

Driveways need a deeper, costlier base than patios.

Pattern

Intricate patterns and lots of cuts add labor.

Base, Borders & Access

Base and drainage work, borders, and access.

Pavers cost more upfront than asphalt or plain concrete, but their looks, longevity, and repairability are why many homeowners choose them. We give a free written estimate after seeing the site.

Made to Last

Maintenance and Repair

Pavers are low maintenance. Polymeric joint sand resists weeds and washout, and refreshing it occasionally keeps the surface tight. Sealing is optional and helps with stains and color. The big advantage is repair: a cracked or stained paver, or a spot that settles, can be lifted and reset without redoing the whole surface. That's something you can't do with poured concrete or asphalt.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does paver installation cost?
More upfront than asphalt or plain concrete, with the price driven by the paver, the size, the use, and the pattern. Driveways cost more per square foot than patios because of the deeper base. We price it after seeing the site.
Are pavers better than concrete?
They offer more design options and can be repaired one unit at a time, but they cost more to install. Concrete is cheaper and lower maintenance but harder to repair invisibly. It depends on budget and priorities.
Do pavers get weeds between them?
They can if the joints aren't maintained. Polymeric joint sand hardens and resists weeds and washout far better than plain sand.
Will pavers sink or shift?
Not if they're installed on a properly compacted base with edge restraints. Sinking and spreading come from a weak base or missing edging.
Can I use pavers for a driveway?
Yes. Paver driveways need a deeper base to carry vehicle weight, which we build accordingly. They're durable and easy to repair.
How long do pavers last?
Decades, and often the longest of any paving option, because individual damaged units can be replaced rather than resurfacing the whole area.
Keep Exploring

Related Services

Looking for a specific paver application or material? Take a look at these related pages.

Ready To Get Started

Planning A Paver Project?

Call us at (908) 263-8265 or request a free estimate. We'll look at the space, go over paver styles and patterns, and give you a straight written price.

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