Paver Driveways & Patios

Paver driveways and patios are built from individual concrete or clay units laid over a compacted base and locked together with joint sand and a solid edge restraint. Pavers flex with the ground instead of cracking, and single units can be lifted and reset. Keystone Paving & Outdoor installs paver driveways, patios, walkways and borders throughout the Florida Panhandle, from Pensacola to Destin and Panama City Beach.

Paver projects we build

How a paver installation is built

Settling, rocking units and weeds in the joints almost always come from shortcuts underneath. A proper installation follows these steps:

1. Layout and grade. We set the finished height against doors, slabs and lawn, and plan a slope that moves water away from the house.
2. Excavate. Soil is removed to make room for the base. Driveways need a deeper base than patios because they carry vehicles.
3. Build the base. Crushed stone is placed and compacted in layers. On sandy Panhandle soil, a geotextile fabric is often used to keep the base from mixing with the sand below.
4. Screed bedding sand. A thin, level layer of bedding sand gives the pavers a uniform seat.
5. Lay the pattern. Herringbone, running bond, basket weave or a mixed-size pattern is laid and cut to fit at the edges.
6. Edge restraint. A concrete curb, a soldier course set in concrete or a commercial restraint keeps the field from spreading.
7. Compact and fill joints. The pavers are compacted and joints are filled, often with polymeric sand that firms up to resist washout and weeds.

For driveways, a herringbone pattern spreads the load of turning tires across more joints, so it resists shifting better than a simple running bond.

Choosing a paver style

Pavers in a hot, rainy climate

• Heat. Light-colored pavers stay noticeably cooler underfoot than dark asphalt, which matters around patios and pools.
• Storm water. Heavy downpours can wash sand out of open joints. Polymeric joint sand and correct slope reduce this.
• Permeable options. Where impervious area is limited by local rules or the lot drains poorly, permeable pavers can reduce runoff. We review this with you during planning.
• Sealing. Sealing pavers is optional. It can deepen color and make cleaning easier, but it is a cosmetic choice rather than a requirement.

What affects the cost of a paver project

• Area, shape and the amount of cutting at curves and edges
• Paver type, size and pattern
• Base depth: a driveway needs more excavation and stone than a patio
• Removal of existing concrete, asphalt or turf
• Steps, borders, drainage work and access for equipment

Want an asphalt driveway with a paver accent instead? We combine both regularly. See asphalt driveway paving for that option.