Paver Stone FAQ

Pavers are a concrete or porcelain based product and they are shaped in molds for extremely precise and consistent sizing. Pavers are cured in factory towers for 42-72 hours, then go through an additional treatment in a hydration chamber to create an extremely durable (ASTM 8,000psi) and dense (ASTM 3-5% max absorption rate) product. Pavers are installed on aggregate road base and sharp-angular bedding sand and are available in hundreds of different colors, designs, and patterns. Every Paver we install in guaranteed for life from cracking and breaking.
Bricks are a clay based product and are baked in a kiln. Bricks are typically available in one size and a couple of different colors and styles. Bricks are mortar set and provide no guarantees.

Every stone we install is a non-skid, non-slip surface wet or dry or even underwater.

Pavers are 4 times as strong as concrete (8,000psi vs. 2,000psi) and 10 times more attractive than concrete. Additionally, pavers do not leach out their colors over time like colored or stamped concrete because they are less absorbent (3-5% max vs. 20-25%) allowing longer lasting beauty and easier and better matching of add-on future projects at your home. And now that pavers are competitively priced with colored or stamped concrete there is no reason not to at least see what's available to you. Do yourself and your family a favor and take a look at your paver options.

Pavers have been used all over the world for thousands of years. China used them to build their water aqueduct systems over 5,000 years ago and those waterways are still providing water to the townships today. The roadways, aqueducts, and beautiful archways of Rome were built with pavers over 2,500 years ago. And of course, the awe inspiring pyramids of Egypt are made of interlocking blocks using similar principles and practices as our segmental block walls. Additionally, pavers are used extensively all throughout the rest of the world, from Holland to Ireland, Norway, China, Indonesia, Japan, Costa Rica, Mexico and Peru. You name it, pretty much any where else around the world pavers are being used. On your next vacation or travel adventure, look down at the roadway, sidewalk, or stunning courtyard you are on and your will probably notice beautifully designed and durable paver projects. It is said that there are over 100 square feet of pavers for every person in Europe, while there are only about 3 square feet for every person in the U.S. although, interlocking paving stones are now the fastest growing area of hardscape construction in the U.S.

Professionally installed pavers must be set properly and fortunately here in the U.S. we have standards set by the Interlocking Concrete Paving Institute (ICPI), basically the governing body of paver installation standards. As paver specialists, we meet or exceed all ICPI recommendations. This means demolishing and removing existing concrete or hardscape and soil down to 8-10” in vehicular areas and 6-8” in pedestrian areas. Installing woven geotextile fabric (not landscaping fabric) to separate existing soil from new foundational base for structural integrity. Installing a minimum of 6” in vehicular areas and 4” in pedestrian areas of Class II aggregate road base and compacting it to a 98% compaction ratio. 1” of sharp angular ASTM bedding sand is then applied and pavers can begin being installed. Using the proper click & drop method for efficient interlock and pulling off alternative pallets for proper design and color distribution not only plays a major role in structural integrity of the project, but it’s also a major factor in aesthetics. All necessary cuts are made with a diamond tip saw blade, again for structural integrity and beauty, then all borders touching a soft-scape edge are locked into a concrete footing or “bond beam” so there is no horizontal or vertical shifting. Once the borders are set, all paver joints are filled with an ASTM joint sand or polymeric sand (depending on which stones are being installed) and the pavers are compacted down into place, agitating the sand down into the the joints from the top and up into the joints from the bottom, providing a proper interlock. The pavers are then washed down and swept clean. After drying, we apply a joint stabilizing natural finish protectant sealer to all of our projects. This 80% water and 20% epoxy sealant helps lock the sand down into the joints of the pavers, limiting sand displacement, minimizes topical weed growth, brings out the natural beauty and color of the stones, and helps prevent the stones from staining.

Because every paver we install meets an ASTM standard of only absorbing a maximum of 3-5% of surrounding moisture, anything you get on them will be much easier to get off than other hardscape surface, especially if you address it as quickly as possible. For most spills or issues, warm water mixed with standard dish soap and a scrub brush or possibly a wire brush, is about all you will need. Beyond that, there are general paver cleaners available and simple green has been effective as well. If these options don’t remove the issue, there are specific stain removers for pavers for things like organic matter or oil and grease that work exceptionally well. And in a worse case scenario, if you have an area with a stain that has been unaddressed for years and nothing seems to get it out, one of the unique benefits of interlocking pavers is being able to pull up and remove the effected stones and replace them with new ones so you never know you had the issue.

Our typical job time for patios and courtyards is 2-4 work days and 3-5 for driveways, depending on size, access, and difficulty. Yes, we are efficient. As paver specialists, one of the benefits of Aloha Pavers is that all we do every day of the week is pavers. We do not do drywall, trim trees, do roofing, install brick or even pour concrete. We do pavers, pavers, pavers. And our goal is to install them better than anyone else. We want to do it right and do it once. Additionally, when one of our crews is assigned to your job, that crew will do the demo, haul away, preparation, installation, all the way to final, and they are not assigned another job until your job is completed. Aloha Pavers is licensed, bonded, and insured for all the work we do at your home.