Paver Walkways & Driveways

Why Pavers Outperform Concrete and Asphalt

Your driveway and walkways take a beating every single day. Cars, foot traffic, Florida sun, and heavy rain all take their toll. Traditional concrete cracks. Asphalt softens in heat and needs resurfacing every few years. Paver installations handle all of this without breaking a sweat. Individual pavers flex with ground movement, so settling does not cause cracks that spread across the entire surface.

Here in Lehigh Acres, pavers stay cooler than asphalt and do not develop the ugly cracks that plague concrete driveways. If damage does occur, we can replace individual pavers without tearing out entire sections. This saves you money over the life of your driveway. Pavers also offer design flexibility that plain concrete cannot match. You can create patterns, borders, and color combinations that turn functional spaces into landscape features.

Maintenance is minimal with pavers. No sealing every few years like concrete. No patching and resurfacing like asphalt. Sweep them occasionally and rinse with water. That is it. Properly installed paver driveways and walkways last 30 years or more with virtually no maintenance. At EZ Lehigh Acres Masonry, we build paver installations that stand the test of time and enhance your property value.

Creating the Perfect Look for Your Property

Pavers come in more colors, shapes, and textures than most homeowners realize. Traditional brick red works beautifully with colonial and craftsman homes. Charcoal and gray tones suit modern architecture. Tan and beige blend with Mediterranean and ranch styles. You can mix colors to create borders, patterns, and visual interest.

Popular Paver Patterns and Styles

• •Herringbone: Interlocking V-pattern provides maximum strength for driveways and high-traffic areas while creating classic visual appeal
• •Running Bond: Simple offset pattern mimics traditional brick for timeless elegance that works with any home style
• •Basket Weave: Pairs of pavers create checkerboard texture that adds depth and interest to walkways and patios
• •Random Pattern: Mixed sizes create organic, natural stone appearance perfect for cottage and garden styles
• •Circular and Curved: Elegant curves and radiating patterns become focal points that soften hard edges and guide the eye

Walkways can be as simple as a straight path to your front door or as elaborate as meandering garden paths with steps and landings. Driveways benefit from contrasting borders that define edges and add refinement. We help you choose patterns and colors that complement your home and landscape. During your consultation, we show you samples and discuss options that fit your style and budget.

The Foundation of Every Quality Paver Project

Beautiful pavers are worthless if the base fails. We start every project with proper excavation and base preparation. For walkways, we excavate 8 to 10 inches deep. Driveways require 12 inches or more depending on soil conditions and expected vehicle weight. Shallow bases settle and cause pavers to sink and shift within just a few years.

We fill the excavation with crushed stone in layers, compacting each layer thoroughly. This creates a rock-solid base that distributes weight and prevents settling. Proper compaction is critical. Skipping this step leads to failures that require complete removal and reinstallation. We use professional-grade plate compactors, not hand tampers that cannot achieve adequate compaction.

Drainage is the other key to longevity. In Lehigh Acres where heavy rain is common, water must move away from paver surfaces quickly. We grade the base with a slight slope, typically 2 percent, to direct runoff. Edge restraints keep pavers from spreading over time. These plastic or aluminum borders install along perimeters and anchor into the base. Without proper restraints, pavers gradually shift outward and gaps develop.

Why Our Installation Method Matters

After the base is ready, we lay a bedding layer of sand and begin placing pavers according to your chosen pattern. Each paver must sit level with its neighbors. We use string lines and levels constantly to maintain proper grades and smooth surfaces. Cutting pavers to fit curves and edges requires skill and specialized equipment. Poor cuts look unprofessional and compromise the installation.

Once all pavers are placed, we sweep polymeric sand into the joints. This engineered sand hardens when wet, locking pavers together and preventing weed growth. We compact the entire surface with a plate compactor, then add more joint sand and compact again. This process ensures pavers are firmly set and joints are completely filled. The result is a driveway or walkway that looks great and performs flawlessly for decades. Many homeowners pair their new driveway with custom patio installations to create cohesive outdoor living spaces.

Simple Maintenance Keeps Pavers Looking New

Paver maintenance is straightforward and takes minimal time. Sweep regularly to remove dirt, leaves, and debris. This prevents staining and keeps drainage working properly. Rinse with a garden hose as needed to wash away dust and pollen. For tougher stains like oil drips, use a degreaser designed for pavers and scrub with a stiff brush.

Check joint sand levels annually, especially after heavy rains. Add more polymeric sand if joints are low. This prevents pavers from shifting and keeps weeds from sprouting. Pressure washing on a low setting can deep clean pavers without damaging joint sand. Avoid high pressure that erodes sand and dislodges pavers.

Sealing pavers is optional but offers benefits. Sealed pavers resist stains better and stay cleaner longer. Colors appear richer and more vibrant. The sealer also strengthens joint sand and provides additional weed protection. Most homeowners seal driveways but skip sealing walkways. Either approach works fine. Resealing every 3 to 5 years maintains protection.

Addressing Minor Issues Quickly

If individual pavers settle or become damaged, replacement is simple. We lift the affected pavers, adjust the base, and reset them. This takes minutes and costs very little compared to repairing cracked concrete. This repair-friendly nature is one of the biggest advantages pavers have over poured surfaces.

Watch for edge pavers that might shift outward. This usually indicates failed or missing edge restraints. We can reinstall restraints to stop spreading before it affects the entire installation. Catching small problems early prevents expensive repairs later. With basic care and prompt attention to minor issues, your paver driveway or walkway will look as good in 20 years as it does today. Similar to our retaining wall installations, properly built paver projects are investments that pay dividends for decades.

Frequently Asked Questions