Why Pavers Over Poured Concrete?
Poured concrete is the default choice for driveways and patios — but it has real disadvantages in Houston's climate. Concrete cracks as it settles, expands in heat, and contracts in cold. Once cracked, concrete is difficult and expensive to repair without obvious patches. Pavers, by contrast, are designed to flex with ground movement — and if a paver does crack or stain, individual units can be replaced without disturbing the surrounding surface. Pavers also offer far more design flexibility in color, pattern, and texture than poured concrete can provide.
Paver Types & Options
Concrete Pavers
The most versatile and affordable paver option. Available in hundreds of colors and shapes. Excellent strength and longevity when properly installed on a prepared base.
Natural Stone Pavers
Limestone, sandstone, bluestone, and granite cut into uniform sizes. Premium appearance and feel with the authenticity of real stone.
Porcelain Pavers
An emerging premium option offering exceptional durability, resistance to staining, and very consistent color and texture. Excellent for pool decks and outdoor kitchens.
Tumbled Pavers
Pavers that have been tumbled to achieve irregular, aged edges — creating an old-world or Mediterranean aesthetic that suits traditional and Tuscan architecture.
Permeable Pavers
Designed with gaps that allow water to penetrate through the surface and infiltrate the subbase — reducing runoff and meeting stormwater management requirements.
Driveway Pavers
Extra-thick pavers (3 1/8" vs standard 2 3/8") designed specifically to handle vehicle loads without cracking or settling.
Pattern Options
Paver layout patterns significantly affect the final visual character of the surface:
- Running bond — Classic, simple, works with any architecture. Offset joints create a clean horizontal rhythm.
- Herringbone — The strongest interlocking pattern. Excellent for driveways. Creates an attractive diagonal visual movement.
- Basketweave — Traditional and formal. Pairs of pavers alternate direction. Well-suited for courtyard and formal garden settings.
- Random/ashlar — Irregular combinations of two or three paver sizes. Relaxed, naturalistic appearance suited to garden settings.
- Circle kits and radial patterns — Specialty designs for focal points, courtyard centers, and decorative accents.
The Installation Foundation
The longevity of any paver installation depends almost entirely on the base preparation — not the pavers themselves. We excavate to appropriate depth, compact a crushed stone base to the correct density, and lay a precisely screeded bedding sand layer before any paver goes down. Edges are restrained with professional metal or plastic edging to prevent long-term spreading. The result is a surface that stays level and stable for decades.
Ready to upgrade your driveway, patio, or walkway? Call (281) 286-7335 or schedule a free design consultation.