Paver driveways
A paver driveway is a serious upgrade in both looks and longevity — but only when it is built to driveway spec, not patio spec. The loads are completely different.
Driveway spec vs patio spec
| Patio | Driveway | |
|---|---|---|
| Base depth | 6 – 8 inches | 10 – 14 inches |
| Paver thickness | 60 mm | 80 mm minimum |
| Base material | Class 5 | Class 5, sometimes with geogrid |
| Edge restraint | Standard | Heavy-duty, concrete toe at aprons |
Anyone quoting 60 mm pavers or a 6 inch base for a driveway is building you a patio you park on. It will rut where the tires track.
Options
- Concrete paver driveways — the standard; 80 mm interlocking, sand-set on deep aggregate
- Permeable paver driveways — open-graded base lets water drain through; helps enormously with city impervious-surface limits and eliminates the runoff sheet that becomes an ice slick
- Cobblestone and Belgian block borders on asphalt or concrete — a fraction of the cost for much of the look
- Paver aprons and ribbons at the street or garage
- Heated driveways — hydronic loops under the pavers, zoned to the tire tracks or full field
Planning ranges (Twin Cities, estimates)
| Project | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Paver driveway, per sq ft | $22 – $38 |
| Two-car driveway (600 sq ft) | $14,000 – $24,000 |
| Long driveway (1,000 sq ft) | $22,000 – $40,000 |
| Permeable upgrade | +$4 – $8 per sq ft |
| Paver apron only | $2,500 – $6,000 |
| Heated driveway | +$14 – $24 per sq ft |
| Removal of old concrete/asphalt | $2 – $5 per sq ft |
Estimates for planning.
Paver vs concrete vs asphalt in freeze-thaw
Asphalt is cheapest, needs sealing every few years, and softens in July heat. Expect 15 to 20 years. Concrete lasts 25 to 30 years but will crack somewhere — that is not a defect, it is what a rigid slab does over 42 inches of frost movement — and patched concrete always looks patched. Pavers cost the most up front and last 30 years or more, and critically, they are the only option that can be repaired invisibly. Dig up the affected area, fix the base, reset the same pavers.
Plow note: pavers handle plows fine when the surface is even and edges are restrained. Use a plow shoe or a rubber-edged blade and skip the rock salt — a chloride-free deicer keeps the paver faces from spalling.
What's included
- Free, no-pressure estimate
- Licensed & fully insured crew
- Cleanup included — we leave it spotless
- Same-day or scheduled service
- Written quote, fair pricing
- 24/7 emergency response
FAQ
Can you plow a paver driveway?
Yes. Keep the blade slightly off the surface with a shoe or use a rubber edge. Interlocked pavers on a proper base handle plow traffic without issue.
Will salt damage pavers?
Rock salt can spall the surface of concrete pavers over time. Calcium magnesium acetate or a chloride-free deicer is easier on them and on nearby concrete and plantings.
Are permeable pavers worth it?
If your city limits impervious surface or you have runoff and ice problems at the bottom of the drive, yes. They drain water down through the base instead of sheeting it onto the street.
How much more do pavers cost than concrete?
Roughly twice the price of poured concrete. The tradeoff is longer life and repairability — a settled area can be reset with the original pavers instead of patched.
Paver Driveways near you
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