Interlocking concrete paver patios are quickly becoming one of the most popular options when it comes to professional landscaping patios. Not only do they offer design flexibility allowing for intricate patterns, but they are also available in a variety of styles allowing for complete customization of your new patio.
Obviously there is more to consider outside of aesthetics, but that’s why we put together a complete guide to interlocking concrete patios so you have all of the information needed to make the right decision for your home landscaping. Let’s dive in!
Interlocking Concrete Pavements (IC): A Brief Introduction
Interlocking concrete pavement offers a durable and aesthetic solution for patios, drive ways, and paths. Over the past few years we have heard more and more homeowners request pavers for their driveways, sidewalks, and patios. This is no surprise to us since they look great for years with little to no maintenance. If you’re thinking about choosing pavers for your home project, here’s a few things you should know:
The Greatest Advantage of Interlocking Concrete Paver Patios
The greatest benefits of IC pavements lies in their paver interlock, facilitating efficient load distribution. We classify this interlock mechanism into three categories:
- Vertical Interlock: Achieved through transferring loads to adjoining units via sand in the joints, it ensures that pavers maintain vertical alignment relative to their neighbors.
- Rotational Interlock: Relying on the right paver thickness concerning the load and an edge restraint, enhanced rotational interlock is achieved by introducing a slight crown in the pavement. This bolsters the load-bearing capacity.
- Horizontal Interlock: With laving patterns limiting long joint lines and dispersing vehicular forces, horizontal interlock is optimized. Shapes allowing Herringbone patterns and geometric interlocking offer the best results in vehicular applications.
Consider this: A wheel exerting 3,600 lbs./SQFT via a 1,000 lb. load with a 40-SQIN footprint. With adept IC design, the load exerted on the subgrade can be reduced to a mere 125 lbs./SQFT. How? By increasing the footprint to 8-SQFT. This flexibility allows the pavement and its base to adapt under pressure and regain shape once the pressure subsides.
Achieving The Perfect IC Paver Design:
For that Three Timbers touch, the interaction of various factors is pivotal:
- Consistent 1/8-inch Joint Widths
- Selected Joint Sand
- Paver Thickness:
- 60mm for pedestrians and select driveways
- 80mm for rigorous industrial use
- Sturdy, stationary Edge Restraint
- Paver shapes favoring Herringbone patterns
- Laying Pattern: Commonly, Herringbone
- Crown: Slight rise in pavement cross-section
Other Pavement Types:
While interlocking concrete pavements set the gold standard (in our opinion), other systems like asphalt pavements (flexible) function similarly. Rigid pavements like poured-in-place concrete, span soft subgrade sections and are more prone to load and thermal cracks. Here’s other details you should be aware of:
Comparative Analysis of Pavement Systems:
Interlocking Concrete Pavements:
- Can flex without cracking
- No need for expansion joints
- Immune to fuel/oil spills
- Tolerant to freeze/thaw cycles and de-icing agents
- Versatile color, shape, and pattern combinations
- Ready-to-use post-installation
- Easily repairable without noticeable patches
Asphalt
- Flexible but susceptible to cracking
- Can dissolve with fuel/oil exposure
- Limited color range
Poured-in-Place Concrete:
- Prone to load and thermal cracks
- Visible repair marks and sensitive to curing environment
- Requires expansion joints and has a shorter lifespan the interlocking concrete pavements
Basic Paver Installation and Recommended Tools
Whether you’re an employee executing a project or a DIY enthusiast wanting to tackle your first paver installation, you’ll most likely need these basic concrete paver tools:
- Tape measurer
- Mason trowel
- Wood float
- Brickset
- Sledge hammer
- Rubber or deadblow hammer
- Shovel
- Push Broom
- Wheel barrow
- Chalk line
Installation is fairly straight forward for paths and patios, but they require more attention to detail as the weight capacity and size increases. If you’re planning on installing a paver patio driveway, we recommend working with a professional.
Before you install, you will need to measure the area and get all of the necessary materials. We put together this paver patio material measurement guide to help you get the right amount of everything. Once you have all of your materials, you can start installing. Here’s the general installation process:
- Prepare the site: The most important part of site preparation is to level and compact the soil. Remove any organic matter (existing grass or plants) or obstacles that could decompose and affect the level of your pavers.
- Lay down aggregate to establish a base of at least 4 inches.
- Add and level a layer of bedding sand for the pavers to rest on.
- Place your pavers (cut pavers as necessary)
- Add your edge stones
- Spread paver sand and brush it into the cracks
- Apply sealant (optional): Some homeowners choose to seal their concrete pavers and the sand to protect it from stains and runoff. This is entirely optional, but can help extend the life of your paver project.
Getting Started with Interlocking Concrete Pavement
At Three Timbers, our preference for Interlocking Concrete Pavements isn’t merely aesthetic; it’s backed by unparalleled durability and flexibility. Not only is this best for installation, but it is also best for the homeowner in the long run since maintenance is far simpler than other pavement methods.
One of the biggest deciding factors for the longevity of a paver patio is how well it was installed. While these patios are generally DIY friendly, there is plenty of room for error that can come back to haunt you later on. This is why we generally recommend professional concrete paver installation by a team like Three Timbers. This will ensure your new paver patio is installed correctly, will last for years to come, and will have the exact design you imagined. Contact our team today to learn more!
