Royal Creations Blog

Paver Patios

Have you ever heard a friend, neighbor, or even your spouse say “There is another crack in the concrete.  It just looks terrible!  We need a new patio” 

Soil is hard on concrete.  It shifts and swells, breaking the concrete into smaller pieces.  You are left with a spiderweb of cracks, uneven walking surfaces, and other problems.  Modern paver patios don’t have these issues, as they are already segmented and most often built in a flexible construction method. 

Flexible Pavement vs Rigid Pavement 

Concrete is designed to be rigid.  It is poured in place and strengthened with rebar.  When large parking lots are poured in concrete, gaps are left and filled with a malleable substance.  These are called expansion joints and let the concrete move a little with the seasons.  Most residential patios don’t have expansion joints, and these large areas of concrete will crack over time. 

Pavers are different.  These are small pieces that are laid together, like a mosaic.  These pieces are called pavers and they are set on an aggregate base that provides a strong foundation.  As the ground freezes and thaws, the pieces move together with the ground.  The overall patio will not crack as its many joints allow for movement with the freeze-thaw cycles.   

Paver Base 

We started installing paver patios decades ago.  At that time, the industry-standard was to use crushed limestone as a base and then put a bedding layer of sand on top of it.  The pavers were installed on top of the sand.  Over time, the limestone could get spongy as the dust in that layer collected moisture.  The sand would sometimes wash out over time as the particles of sand could be smaller than the joints in the patio.  Both these problems slightly compromised the structural stability of the patio and could lead to settling in spots. 

We now use an open aggregate base so that it drains well and is more stable.  We use washed gravel that helps hold things in place.  This prevents the washout of materials and keeps the patio surface more stable over time.  The washed gravel also provides pore space for moisture to move through the patio and drain.   

Paver Styles 

Pavers can come in a wide variety of styles.  These pavers can be small, old-fashioned Holland Stones that are 4” X 8” or new modern paving slabs as big as 20” X 30” and anywhere in between.  You can also choose a variety of natural stone pavers.  These come in many different sizes, shapes, and textures.   

There are many paver manufacturers, and they all have a variety of styles to choose from.  A couple of our favorite local paver companies are Belgard and Unilock.  They tend to have the best quality products as well as customer service in our KC market.  You can check out their sites to learn more. 

Paver Sand 

To finish off the installation of your pavers, we use special polymeric sand and sweep it between the pavers to fill in any gaps.  The polymer in the sand helps to bind the sand particles together to lock them in place.  The regular sand used a decade ago would wash out much sooner and require more frequent maintenance. 

Polymer sand joints last 2-5 years or more.  The joints may need some touch-up after that.  If the sand does wash out or settle, the patio is still usable, but may not be as aesthetically pleasing.  It is a good idea to plan on some paver maintenance every few years just to make sure everything is tip-top and looking as good as possible. 

Paver Sealers 

Paver sealers are a good way to help lock the joint sand in longer.  The sealant also holds the color of the pavers longer and protects them from fading in the sun.  Our favorite sealer is the "wet look" type because everything tends to look a little better when wet.  The colors pop and the space looks new and clean.   

There is an art to installing pavers.  Even if you follow the industry standards as far as the base, buy the pavers from a reputable place, and seal them well, you may find yourself disappointed in how they look.  It takes a lot of practice to get them “just right”.   

At Royal Creations, we have planned and installed hundreds of paver patios over the years.  We can help you choose your pavers, install them for you, and seal them so they continue to look good for years.  We will even do the periodic maintenance required to keep them looking their best.  If you want to put in a paver patio, contact Royal Creations Architectural Landscaping today to schedule a consult and get the ball rolling.