Concrete pavers are a popular building material for driveways, walkways, patios, and other surfaces. They are often mistakenly called ‘cement pavers’. Cement is a primary ingredient in concrete, but not the only one. Concrete also contains sand, aggregate, water, and additives.
Concrete pavers are made with a dry concrete mix and poured into molds. They can withstand at least 8,000 pounds per square inch of pressure, compared to 3,000 pounds per square inch of poured concrete. They often carry a lifetime warranty.
For classic and older homes, natural cobblestones or clay brick pavers offer a visually appealing choice.
When installing concrete pavers, the first step is to remove any existing paving or excavate grass and loose soil at the building site.
A gravel base is then laid and compacted, followed by a layer of sand. For a basic driveway, use 1 inch of sand over 4 to 6 inches of gravel; for heavier vehicles, opt for a 10 to 12 inch gravel base. The base should have a slight slope for water runoff.
Once the base is prepared, install edging along the sides of the driveway to contain the pavers and keep them in place.
Installing the pavers involves setting them tightly together, cutting them with a masonry saw to fit edges and corners. Opt for patterns like staggered brick-wall style or herringbone for strength and visual appeal.
After placing all pavers, compact the surface with a motorized plate compactor to embed them into the sand base. Sweep paver sand across the surface to fill the joints, then compact again to ensure full sand penetration. Sweep additional sand to fill any gaps, creating a rigid, monolithic structure.
Though labor-intensive, this project is feasible for DIYers with helpers, offering substantial cost savings as installation labor is a major cost factor. Expect to spend several days on the job.
Top Brands of Concrete Pavers are typically found locally, as concrete pavers are not shipped long distances. Look for local concrete fabricators and landscape supply outlets online.
Concrete pavers provide a variety of shapes, styles, patterns, and colors, allowing homeowners to create a unique driveway. Unlike poured concrete slabs, they do not require a curing period and offer more traction when wet. Additionally, individual pavers can be replaced if damaged, unlike poured concrete slabs which cannot be repaired without visible signs.
Properly maintained, concrete paver driveways generally outlast poured concrete. Poured concrete typically lasts about 20 to 30 years, while concrete pavers can last for a possible 50 years.
Finally, concrete pavers are a great material for a DIY driveway as they are small and easy to handle and don’t require heavy equipment to install. Are Concrete Pavers Right for You? Concrete pavers can be an excellent material for your outdoor paving projects if you want something more elegant and attractive than poured concrete, but are not enthused about the high cost of natural stone cobblestones or clay brick pavers. And they can be a good choice if you are a DIYer willing to spend time in exchange for saving money on professional labor.