Charlotte, NC 28278

Driveway Pavers

Driveway Paver Installation in Charlotte, NC

What is a Driveway Paver?

A driveway paver is a paver specially built for vehicles like cars and trucks.

It’s a great option for residential and commercial driveways alike. These pavers are individual units, typically made from materials such as concrete, brick, or natural stone, that are laid in various patterns to create a solid, durable surface.

What Are the Benefits of a Driveway Paver?

Where a normal patio paver can’t sustain the constant heavy weight that roads for cars go through, a driveway paver made of concrete or asphalt can help.

Driveway pavers take the cake over patio pavers when it comes to:

Flexibility

  • Can be used for other landscape features like retaining walls
  • Allows for future expansion or modification of the driveway
  • Individual units can flex without cracking, unlike solid surfaces

Durability

  • Stands the test of vehicle weight and bad weather
  • Resistant to freeze-thaw cycles in winter
  • Can last for decades with proper installation and maintenance

Low Maintenance

  • No need to replace entire driveway for small damages (easy to repair)
  • Can be cleaned with simple sweeping and occasional pressure washing
  • Stain-resistant options available

Permeability

  • Some allow water to drain through, reducing runoff
  • Helps with storm water management
  • Complies with most local regulations for permeable surfaces

Types of Material Used for a Driveway Paver

lapis patios limestone driveway paver

Standard Concrete

  • Can be used for other landscape features like retaining walls
  • Allows for future expansion or modification of the driveway
  • Individual units can flex without cracking, unlike solid surfaces

Permeable Pavers

Permeable pavers have a special joint design for enhanced drainage and a reduced runoff.

Natural Stone

You get a natural appearance with a lifetime of durability, in these options:

  • Granite
  • Bluestone
  • Limestone
  • Cobblestone
  • Slate

Brick Pavers

With its clay-fired construction and traditional appearance, brick pavers still haven’t lost their rich color options and historic appeal.

Excellently durable, too.


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Permeable herringbone brick driveway charlotte nc

How do we install driveway pavers?

At Lapis Patios, the installation process can be a bit tedious, but not on your end.

Site Preparation

We assess your soil quality, and plan for drainage and base preparation, along with

  • Grade evaluation
  • Utilities marking

Base Construction

We maintain an excavation depth of 8-12 inches with a compacted gravel base and a sand bedding layer as per industry standards, plus

  • Edge restraints installation
  • Proper slope for drainage

Paver Layout

You select the pattern – we cut, color and design your driveway paver with

  • Joint spacing
  • Border design

Driveway Repair

At Lapis Patios, we build new driveways, and we’d happily repair an old driveway for you too!

These are some of the things we fix in driveways these days:

  • Individual paver replacement
  • Joint sand maintenance
  • Edge restraint repair
  • Surface cleaning
  • Leveling procedures

driveway repair charlotte nc

Cost Estimations for Different Driveway Paver Materials

The following are “Additional Costs”

  • Site preparation
  • Base materials
  • Labor costs
  • Edge restraints
  • Sealants (if desired)

  • Concrete pavers – $12 – $20 per sq ft.
  • Natural stone $20 – $40 per sq ft.
  • Brick pavers $15-$25 per sq ft.
  • Permeable pavers $18 -$30 
concerete driveway in charlotte nc

Durability

Driveway pavers are not your average patios.

They are designed with all these superhero abilities in mind:

  • Great performance in freeze-thaw cycles
  • Lives 25-30 years with proper maintenance
  • Bears higher load compared to standard patio pavers

Maintenance

Just like cars, driveways require a regular maintenance schedule.

sweeping as driveway maintenance

Weekly

  • Sweep surface
  • Remove debris
  • Check for loose pavers

 

paver patio driveway maintenance

Monthly

  • Inspect joints
  • Clean stains promptly
  • Check drainage

pressure washing a paver driveway

Annually

  • Pressure washing
  • Joint sand replenishment
  • Edge inspection
  • Weed control

Common Problems and Solutions

If you are dealing with a driveway paver situation at hand right now, but don’t know what to expect when we do repair your driveway?

This is what we see in our experience that mostly goes wrong with wrongly installed driveways.

Settling Issues

  • Cause: Poor base preparation
  • Solution: Lift and reset affected area
  • Prevention: Proper base installation

Weed Growth

  • Cause: Joint sand deterioration
  • Solution: Polymeric sand replacement
  • Prevention: Regular joint maintenance

Staining

  • Cause: Oil, rust, organic matter
  • Solution: Specific cleaners for each type
  • Prevention: Regular sealing

Ready to take your driveway from "weak" to "wow that’s durable"?

Give us a call! We promise to build you a driveway that’ll last 20 years or more.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a driveway paver last?

With proper installation and maintenance, 25-30 years minimum. Natural stone can last indefinitely.

While possible, we recommend professional installation (from certified folks like us) due to the technical requirements for proper base preparation and installation.

Yes, if you live in an area with strict stormwater regulations or frequent flooding issues.

They may also qualify for environmental building credits.

You can drive on them immediately after installation and joint sand compaction, though heavy vehicles should wait 24-48 hours.

Yes we can do that for you, with proper demolition and base preparation.

While initially more expensive (20-30% higher), pavers often prove more cost-effective long-term due to easier repairs and longer lifespan.

Standard snow removal equipment can be used to clear snow.

We recommend that you avoid metal shovels and chemical de-icers in the first year.


Yes, you can typically get just the sunken area fixed without redoing the entire driveway.

How it works:

  • Individual Paver Repair (only the affected pavers need to be removed, and the surrounding pavers remain undisturbed)
  • Remove all the sunken pavers and investigate the cause of sinking (usually base material issues).