Paver Walkways & Driveways

Why Choose Pavers Over Concrete or Asphalt

Pavers offer advantages that plain concrete and asphalt just cannot match. When a concrete driveway or walkway cracks, you have to live with the damage or replace the entire section. With pavers, you simply pull out the damaged piece and drop in a new one. This makes repairs easy and affordable, and your driveway always looks good.

Pavers also give you design flexibility that concrete cannot provide. You can choose from dozens of colors, shapes, and patterns to create something unique. Want a herringbone pattern? Circular accents? Border details? All of this is possible with pavers. We work with Richmond homeowners to design walkways and driveways that complement their home's architecture and landscaping.

From a practical standpoint, pavers handle freeze-thaw cycles better than solid concrete. Each paver can move slightly as the ground expands and contracts, which prevents the cracking you see with concrete slabs. They also provide better drainage because water can seep through the joints instead of pooling on the surface. This means safer walkways with less ice in winter.

Walkway Applications and Design Ideas

Front Entry Walkways

Your front walkway is one of the first things visitors see. A well-designed paver walkway makes a strong first impression and guides guests to your door. We create walkways that are wide enough for two people to walk side by side comfortably. Curves and gentle bends add visual interest and make the path feel more inviting than a straight concrete sidewalk.

We can add features like lighting, borders with contrasting colors, or even built-in planters along the edges. These details elevate your walkway from purely functional to something special. Everything is designed to coordinate with your home's exterior and existing landscaping.

Backyard and Garden Paths

• Connecting your patio to other areas of the yard
• Creating defined paths through garden beds
• Building walkways around pools or hot tubs
• Installing stepping stone patterns for a natural look
• Adding secondary paths to sheds, side gates, or trash areas

Backyard walkways serve practical purposes but also add structure to your landscaping. They keep your feet clean and dry while moving around the yard and prevent worn grass paths that look messy. We use different paver styles for different areas. Main paths get wider pavers with formal patterns, while garden paths can be narrower with more casual layouts.

Paver Driveway Installation

Why Homeowners Choose Paver Driveways

Paver driveways cost more upfront than asphalt or plain concrete, but they last longer and require less maintenance over time. A properly installed paver driveway can last 30-40 years without major work. Asphalt needs resurfacing every 10-15 years, and concrete cracks and stains easily. Pavers stay looking good with just occasional cleaning and joint sand replenishment.

The visual impact is undeniable. A paver driveway immediately upgrades your home's curb appeal. Real estate agents consistently rank driveways as one of the top features that attract buyers. If you plan to sell eventually, a paver driveway adds real value. If you are staying put, you get to enjoy that beauty every single day.

Our Driveway Installation Process

Driveway installation starts with proper excavation and base preparation. This is the most important step because a weak base leads to settling and failure. We excavate to the proper depth, then install layers of compacted gravel. Each layer gets compacted with heavy equipment to create a rock-solid foundation that will not shift under vehicle weight.

Next comes edge restraints to keep everything locked in place, followed by a layer of bedding sand. Then we lay the pavers in your chosen pattern, cutting pieces as needed to fit around garage doors, walkways, and landscape features. Every paver gets checked for level and proper spacing.

The final step is sweeping polymeric sand into all the joints. This sand hardens when wet and locks the pavers together while preventing weed growth. We compact everything one last time, clean off any residue, and your driveway is ready for use. The whole process typically takes 5-7 days for a standard residential driveway. For related hardscape work, check out our custom patio installations.

Material Selection and Maintenance

We work with premium paver manufacturers that offer extensive color and style options. Concrete pavers come in everything from traditional brick red to modern charcoal gray. You can mix colors to create borders and accents, or keep it simple with a single color throughout. Textured surfaces provide better traction when wet, which matters for walkways and sloped driveways.

Thickness matters too. Walkways can use thinner pavers since they only support foot traffic. Driveways need thicker pavers rated for vehicle loads. We make sure you get the right product for each application. Using driveway pavers on a walkway is fine, but never use walkway pavers for a driveway. They will crack under the weight.

Maintenance is straightforward. Sweep regularly to remove dirt and debris. Rinse with a hose or use a pressure washer once or twice a year. Watch for any pavers that sink or become uneven, which usually means the base has washed out underneath. This is rare with proper installation but easy to fix when it happens.

You might need to add more joint sand every 2-3 years as it breaks down or gets washed out during heavy rains. This takes less than an hour for most driveways and walkways. Some homeowners choose to seal their pavers for extra protection and enhanced color. Sealing is optional but recommended in high-traffic areas. We can handle this for you or show you how to do it yourself. For additional masonry maintenance, see our tuckpointing services.