Paver Walkways & Driveways
Durable, beautiful paver installations that enhance your home's curb appeal and stand up to daily use.
(573) 530-1210
Why Pavers Beat Concrete and Asphalt
When it comes to walkways and driveways, you have choices. Plain concrete and asphalt are the traditional options, but pavers offer something better. They look better, last longer, and when something does go wrong, they are easier to repair. Think about a concrete driveway that cracks. You either live with the crack or replace the whole section. With pavers, you just pop out the damaged ones and replace them. Simple as that.
Pavers also give you design flexibility that concrete and asphalt cannot match. You can create patterns, mix colors, and add borders. Your driveway or walkway becomes a design feature instead of just a functional surface. Here in Columbia, MO, where homes compete for curb appeal, this makes a real difference. A well-designed paver driveway can increase your home's value significantly.
The durability factor is huge too. Pavers are made to handle heavy loads and extreme weather. Our Missouri winters put everything to the test with freeze-thaw cycles. Concrete cracks under this stress, but pavers flex and move slightly, which prevents major damage. When installed correctly with proper base preparation, a paver driveway or walkway can last 50 years or more. If you are upgrading your outdoor spaces, check out our complete masonry services for coordinated improvements.
Design Options for Walkways and Driveways
One of the best parts of working with pavers is all the design possibilities. We can create everything from simple, clean lines to elaborate patterns with multiple colors. Your walkway can lead visitors to your front door with a gentle curve, or your driveway can make a bold statement with a contrasting border. The choice is yours, and we help you visualize different options before making a decision.
Popular Paver Styles and Patterns
- •Running bond pattern for a classic, timeless look
- •Herringbone pattern for maximum strength and visual interest
- •Basket weave pattern for traditional charm
- •Random patterns using multiple sizes for natural appeal
- •Bordered designs with contrasting colors for definition
- •Circular or fan patterns for walkways and entryways
Color choices range from earth tones like tans and browns to grays, reds, and even charcoals. We bring samples to your home so you can see how they look against your house and landscape. This is important because colors can look different in different lighting and next to different materials. We want you to be completely confident in your choice.
If you are also considering other hardscape features, our custom stone and paver patios can coordinate beautifully with your walkways and driveways for a cohesive outdoor design.
Professional Installation Makes All the Difference
A paver project is only as good as its foundation. We see a lot of DIY paver projects that look fine at first but fail within a few years because the base was not done right. Professional installation starts with proper excavation to the correct depth. Then we build a base using compacted gravel in layers. Each layer gets compacted separately to create a rock-solid foundation.
Next comes a layer of sand that allows us to level everything perfectly. We use edge restraints around the perimeter to keep the pavers from shifting over time. This step is often skipped by DIYers, and it causes problems down the road. Once the pavers are in place, we sweep polymeric sand into the joints. This special sand hardens when wet and locks everything together while still allowing for slight movement.
Drainage is Critical
One thing people often overlook is drainage. Water needs somewhere to go, especially with driveways where you have a large paved surface. We grade everything properly so water flows away from your house and does not pool on the driveway or walkway. In some cases, we install drainage systems beneath the pavers to handle heavy rain. This prevents problems like settling, erosion, and water damage to your foundation.
The timeline for a paver project depends on the size and scope. A walkway might take a few days, while a large driveway could take a week or more. We work efficiently but never cut corners. The goal is to do it right once so you do not have to deal with repairs or replacements for decades. We also handle all the permits and inspections if required by the city of Columbia.
Once your project is complete, we show you how to maintain it. This includes occasional cleaning, adding sand to joints if needed, and sealing every few years if you choose. Maintenance is minimal compared to other materials, which is another reason homeowners love pavers. For related masonry work like steps and entryways, our brick and stone steps services complement paver installations perfectly.