Paving Stones for Landscaping Projects
We build paving stone surfaces that hold up to daily use and Lower Mainland weather while giving your property a finished, upgraded look. Whether you’re replacing a cracked concrete driveway, adding a patio for entertaining, or laying a walkway that ties your front yard together, we handle the project from design through installation.
Why Homeowners Choose Paving Stones
Paving stones give you a durable surface without the maintenance headaches that come with poured concrete or asphalt. Since pavers are individual units set on a compacted base rather than one solid slab, they flex slightly as the ground shifts through our wet winters and freeze-thaw cycles. That’s what lets a paver driveway resist the cracking and heaving that eventually catches up with concrete. If a section ever does get damaged, we lift and replace just those stones. There’s no need to tear out and repour the whole surface.
Beyond the practical side, paving stones give you far more design flexibility than a plain concrete pour. We work with you to choose a look that fits your home and how you’ll use the space, then build it to last.
Paver Colours, Textures, and Pattern Options
We install pavers in a range of colours and textures, from natural stone tones to more uniform concrete paver finishes, so the surface complements your home’s exterior rather than looking bolted on. The pattern we lay them in matters as much as the colour:
- Herringbone interlocks each stone at an angle to the next, which spreads out vehicle weight and makes it our go-to pattern for driveways and other high-traffic areas.
- Running bond lines pavers up in straight, offset rows. It’s a clean, cost-effective option that works well for walkways and patios and keeps cutting waste to a minimum.
- Basketweave pairs stones in alternating vertical and horizontal sets for a woven look. It suits patios and garden paths more than driveways, since it doesn’t lock together as tightly under heavy loads.
We’ll walk you through which pattern and colour combination makes sense for your specific driveway, patio, or walkway before we start digging.
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Our Paving Stone Installation Process
A paving stone surface is only as good as what’s underneath it, so we don’t cut corners on the base. Our process:
- Excavate and grade: We dig out the area to the depth the project needs, typically six to twelve inches depending on soil conditions and whether the surface will carry vehicle traffic, and grade it to move water away from your home.
- Build the base: We lay down four to six inches of crushed, angular gravel in lifts, compacting each layer with a plate compactor before adding the next. Proper compaction is what keeps a driveway from rutting or settling under a car’s weight years down the road, so we don’t rush this step.
- Set the bedding sand and pavers: A thin, screeded layer of bedding sand goes down next, then we set each paving stone by hand in the pattern you chose.
- Cut and edge: We cut border stones to fit the space cleanly and install edge restraints so the field doesn’t shift outward over time.
- Sweep in joint sand and compact: Polymeric sand gets swept into the joints and compacted, locking the whole surface together and closing the gaps where weeds and ants would otherwise get a foothold.
We keep you updated as we go and provide a fixed-price quote before any work starts, so there are no surprises partway through the job.
Keeping Your Paving Stones Looking Their Best
Paving stones require very little upkeep, but a bit of regular care keeps them looking as good as the day we installed them. A quick sweep every so often clears away the leaves, grit, and windblown seed that would otherwise settle into the joints and give weeds somewhere to root. Rinsing the surface off periodically handles the rest.
Some efflorescence (a light white haze) can show up on new pavers in the first few weeks. It’s cosmetic and fades on its own as the stones cure, so we recommend waiting before applying any sealer. Once a surface is ready, sealing protects the colour, helps resist oil and other stains, and reduces future efflorescence. We generally recommend resealing a driveway every three years and a patio or walkway every three to five years, depending on sun exposure and how much traffic the surface sees.
If joint sand ever wears down and weeds start coming back in the same spots, that’s usually the sign it’s time to sweep in fresh polymeric sand rather than pulling weeds by hand every week.
Frequently Asked Questions About Paving Stones
Do paving stones crack like concrete?
No. Since pavers are individual units on a flexible base rather than one poured slab, they move slightly with the ground instead of fighting it. That’s what makes them hold up so well through our freeze-thaw winters.
How long will a paving stone driveway last?
A properly installed paver driveway can last decades with basic upkeep. The interlocking base and joint sand are what carry the load, so as long as those stay intact, the surface holds up well beyond what a comparable concrete driveway typically manages.
Can a damaged paving stone be repaired?
Yes, and that’s one of the biggest advantages over concrete. We lift out the damaged stone, fix whatever caused it (usually a base issue), and reset it or a replacement in its place. The rest of the surface is untouched.
Do I need to seal my paving stones?
It’s not required, but we recommend it. Sealing protects the colour, makes oil and other stains easier to wipe away, and cuts down on efflorescence. We wait until the pavers have cured before sealing a new installation.
Can paving stones handle heavy vehicle loads?
Yes, when the base is built correctly. We choose a herringbone pattern and a properly compacted crushed gravel base for driveways specifically because that combination distributes weight evenly across the surface.
How do I stop weeds from growing between my pavers?
Keep the joints filled. Weeds take hold where joint sand has worn away and organic debris has collected. A sweep-in of fresh polymeric sand closes those gaps back up and is the longest-lasting fix.
What paving stone patterns and colours can I choose from?
We install a range of colours and textures and can lay them in herringbone, running bond, basketweave, or a custom layout, whichever fits your driveway, patio, or walkway and how it will be used.
