Paver Walkways & Driveways

Paver walkways and driveways give your property a polished, upscale appearance while delivering superior performance. Unlike poured concrete that cracks over time or asphalt that softens in Florida's heat, interlocking pavers flex slightly with ground movement without breaking. This flexibility makes them the smart choice for our climate.

Think about what happens to a concrete driveway after a few years. You get cracks that start small and grow larger. You get settling that creates uneven surfaces. Repairs look obvious and never quite match. Eventually, you need to replace the entire slab. Pavers work differently. If one section settles, we lift and relay just those pavers. If one paver cracks, we replace that single unit. The repair is invisible.

Pavers also handle vehicle weight better than you might expect. Modern paver systems distribute loads across multiple units. The sand-filled joints allow minor movement that prevents stress concentration. Properly installed paver driveways support the heaviest trucks and RVs without damage. They perform just as well for light foot traffic on walkways and garden paths.

Color and design flexibility set pavers apart from other paving materials. You can create patterns that add visual interest to otherwise plain surfaces. You can define borders with contrasting colors. You can incorporate curves and circles that break up straight lines. Your walkway or driveway becomes a design feature rather than just a functional surface. Our Palm Bay masonry team helps you design hardscaping that enhances your entire property.

The difference between pavers that last 30 years and pavers that fail in 5 years comes down to installation quality. Proper base preparation takes more time and costs more upfront, but it prevents expensive problems later. We never cut corners on foundation work.

We start by excavating to the right depth. For walkways, we go down 8 to 10 inches. For driveways, we excavate 10 to 12 inches or more depending on soil conditions. We test the soil and adjust our approach based on what we find. Sandy soil drains naturally but needs more compaction. Clay soil holds water and requires extra drainage measures.

Base material selection matters enormously. We use clean, crushed stone that compacts tightly and provides excellent drainage. We install it in lifts, compacting each layer before adding the next. This builds a solid foundation that distributes weight evenly and resists settling. For driveways that will support vehicles, we pay extra attention to edge restraints that prevent lateral movement.

Slope and drainage design prevents water problems. We grade surfaces so water flows away from buildings. We install the base with proper pitch built in. We plan for where water goes when it leaves your pavers. Pooling water undermines bases and causes settling. Getting drainage right the first time saves major headaches down the road.

Bedding sand provides the final leveling layer. We screed it to exact elevations, creating a smooth plane for paver installation. Then comes the laying pattern. We start from a straight edge and work outward, checking alignment constantly. We cut edge pieces precisely for clean lines. We maintain consistent joint spacing throughout.

Joint sand locks everything together. We use polymeric sand that hardens when activated with water. It prevents weed growth and ant infiltration. It stabilizes the entire system. We compact the finished surface with a plate compactor, then sweep in more sand and compact again. This final step is crucial for long-term stability. The same precision we apply to brick and stone step construction ensures your walkways and driveways perform beautifully for decades.