Driveway Pavers

[2ndhalf]

Most pavers are concrete today, so should not be a problem. Like any driveway material you need to allow a little clearance from the surface. I use a light weight Countyline rear blade to clean asphalt driveways without scratching the surface. Pavers are much tougher than asphalt coatings, but you need to have them smooth enough to not catch the blades on what ever snow removal equipment you use.

I can't seem to upload pictures right now but do have a couple of pics in my TBN folder. Pics of the 4x8 inch pavers from a patio install a few years ago.

That looks great!

 

[jenkinsph]

Thanks 2ndhalf

 

[tractchores]

Be aware that salt and most pavers don't mix. There are a couple that will warranty with salt. I used techo bloc pavers for some walks and pillars. They are guaranteed even with salt and colored all the way through so breaks or scratches don't show. Pretty easy to work with, drill, cut etc too. The base is the most important part followed by something to stop them from spreading out (edging, cobbles set in concrete etc). I'd use a polymeric sand as well so you minimize ants or insects getting into the joints. Should look great!

 

[jenkinsph]

High end pavers and polymeric sand are good for small projects. For most of us operating on a budget cheap pavers, cheap retaining wall block and engineered fill works extremely well. I bought the retaining wall block for this job for $3.50 each delivered up near the top of a mountain. These are concrete with the color all the way through and 62 lbs. each 16x12x6 lwh. Engineered fill is $20/ton delivered. I ordered 2200 block and `12 tons of fill to start. If I had chosen a block that was expensive and used polymeric sand the customer would not have signed up.

The railroad ties along the 180 feet of driveway have been removed and are being replaced with the retaining wall block. Should be finishing this job in the next week or so.

If any one wants to learn how to do this I will teach you for only $25 per day. Just meet me next week and bring gloves.

 

[Ed of all trades]

Are pavers better than died, stamped concrete for a driveway? If so please explain, not trying to hijack, just wanting to lean. Ed

 

[czechsonofagun]

Is it just me who likes the look of the railroad ties better?

 

[jenkinsph]

Are pavers better than died, stamped concrete for a driveway? Ed

Both dyed and stamped concrete if properly executed and pavers have their own appeal . Pick the one you like the looks of the best.

 

[jenkinsph]

Is it just me who likes the look of the railroad ties better?

Lots of people in both camps. The railroad ties in this case were leaning against the bank. Rain had caused enough erosion that the problem needed fixing.

 

[EddieWalker]

Are pavers better than died, stamped concrete for a driveway? If so please explain, not trying to hijack, just wanting to lean. Ed

Pavers are something that with time, anybody can do on their own. Died and stamped concrete will take a crew to get done. Concrete by itself is going to be stronger then pavers, last longer and have fewer problems. If you where to hire a crew to install pavers, then stamped concrete would be the easy choice over pavers because of how time consuming it is to install the pavers.

What it looks like when its done is also going to be different. What look do you like better?

 

[Cord]

Hi Everyone,

Just about finished the house, one more week or so and we will move in.

I am pretty much still in construction mode, and thinking about the driveway this summer. It is 250 feet by 12 feet with a turnaround. I am thinking about using pavers ---probably the grey concrete color but who knows. I know that I can do this D-I-Y but nonetheless have a guy coming over to quote.

I have done patios and walks with great results, may just need to bone up on driveways. Anyway, please share what you know about this kind of work. Driveway slopes down toward the road, a good consistent grade. Gravel is good base for this new driveway, and it held up good over the winter. Thanks.

Base is critical for pavers. I put down gravel several years ago for a driveway and it was compacted only by the machine and dump trucks. I can still tell that it's settling because there are some dips that I know were not there when the drive was put in. They're not much and certainly don't affect the use of the driveway, but they would be bad new for pavers. Unless the drive had a drum roller compacting it, I'd suggest waiting several years before starting your paver project. Even then, you'll need to take a couple inches of gravel off so you can set the sand bed.