INSTALLERS OF CUSTOM PAVER PATIOS & PATHWAYS

Frequently Asked Questions About Pavers

Q: Why should I choose interlocking pavers over a standard concrete slab?
A: Interlocking pavers offer significant advantages. The primary benefit is that they don’t crack like a solid concrete slab can. Pavers provide a huge variety of design options, from simulating cobblestone to modern tile, offering a much richer look. Furthermore, if a repair is ever needed due to a tree root or other issue, we can simply repair the affected area without replacing the entire surface. When considering pavers in Portland Oregon, their durability and aesthetic flexibility make them a superior long-term investment.

Q: I’ve seen paver patios that are sunken and uneven. How do you prevent that?
A: You’ve identified the most critical part of a long-lasting paver surface: proper base preparation. Many issues with settling or sagging stem from a poorly compacted base. As an experienced Portland patio contractor, we understand our local soil conditions. We take the necessary time and care to build a robust, multi-layered base that is thoroughly compacted. This ensures your pavers have more compressive strength than concrete and will not shift or sag, providing a beautiful, stable surface for decades.

Q: Are pavers a good choice for driveways?
A: Absolutely. The same qualities that make pavers great for patios make them ideal for driveways. Interlocking concrete pavers have incredible compressive strength and for driveways we build an even stronger aggregate base and install geotextile grid or geocell to further strengthen the footing. This assures the paver system is designed to handle the weight of vehicles day in and day out. Their interlocking design distributes the load, and they are resistant to cracking from frost-heave. A professional paver installation company like ours ensures the base is built to the proper specifications for vehicular traffic, resulting in a stylish and incredibly durable entrance to your home.

Q: What does the process for a new patio look like?
A: Our process begins with a detailed consultation to understand your vision and how you plan to use the space. Our expert paver installers will then help you select the right style and color of pavers for your home. The next step is the paver patio installation itself, which involves excavating the area, meticulously preparing and compacting the base materials, precisely laying the pavers, and finishing with polymeric joint sand and compaction to lock everything in place.4 We handle every detail from start to finish.

Q: What is polymeric sand and why is that used within the joints of pavers?
A: Pavers are interlocking – which prevents them from shifting and gives them the compressive strength to handle much more weight without cracking than regular concrete. In order to interlock them well, sand is compacted into the joints below the pavers and above. But if regular sand is used on top, that sand will eventually erode with wind, blowers and water. Polymeric sand is a specialized sand built to prevent that from occurring. It involves regular sand mixed with small granules of polymer glue. Once activated with water, the polymer melts and adheres the sand to the joints of the pavers, ensuring it stays in place and won’t be subject to erosion. The benefit of polymeric sand vs. something like concrete or mortar is that concrete or mortar would eventually crack under heaving/thawing conditions. But polymeric sand is breathable and allows air and water to move through and therefore it will never crack.

Q: What makes Lewis Landscape Services the right choice for my project?
A: With 29 years of experience, our team has a proven track record of quality craftsmanship and artistic paver installations. See our extensive Paver Photo gallery for great examples of our paver work. We are not just installers; we are career landscape paver contractors who take immense pride in our work. We distinguish ourselves from other patio contractors in Portland Oregon by refusing to cut corners on base preparation, which is the foundation of a lasting project. Our commitment to doing it right the first time ensures you get a beautiful, functional outdoor space that you will enjoy for as long as you own your home.

Q: I want a unique design that matches my home’s style. Do you create custom patios?
A: Yes, creating one-of-a-kind outdoor spaces is our specialty. As dedicated custom patio installers, we work closely with you to bring your vision to life. Whether you want a complex pattern, integrated seating areas, a fire pit, or a multi-level design, we have the expertise to make it happen. See our Outdoor Living Spaces Gallery and extensive Pavers Gallery to view hundreds of photos from our various jobs we’ve done, for inspiration. Our wide selection of paver styles and colors allows for nearly limitless design possibilities to perfectly complement your home and landscape.

Q: Can you handle more than just the patio surface?
A: Yes, we offer a comprehensive patio construction service. We can design and build your entire outdoor living area, including integrated steps, seating walls, retaining walls, and surrounding landscape elements. Again, please see our Outdoor Living Spaces Gallery and extensive Pavers Gallery to view hundreds of photos from our various jobs we’ve done, for inspiration. Our goal is to create a cohesive and beautiful space. When you’re looking for reliable paver contractors near Portland that can manage the whole project, we are the team to call.

Q: Why is it crucial to hire an experienced professional instead of attempting a DIY installation?
A: While DIY can be tempting, a proper paver installation is a complex job that requires specialized knowledge and equipment, especially regarding the base preparation. Improper installation often leads to sinking, shifting, and drainage problems down the road. By hiring professional paver patio contractors, you are investing in longevity and peace of mind. A reputable patio installation company like ours not only guarantees the work but ensures the final product is stable, safe, and beautiful. When you search for paver patio contractors, experience should be your top priority.

Q: Can you install pavers on top of an existing concrete patio or driveway?
A: There are ways to do that. But it’s not advisable – for several reasons. First, the biggest benefit to pavers is that they are built with a foundation that allows for heaving to occur (when water underground freezes and raises the ground a little during the winter) without creating any cracks or settling. When you rely on an old concrete base, you are not giving the pavers a way to do that and it will result in failures, long term. Second, if you are expanding on the footprint of your existing patio or driveway then part of the pavers will be on a base of concrete and part of it will be on a compacted aggregate base, which will lead to issues and separation at that division between the two bases down the road as heaving/thawing occurs. And finally, concrete always cracks and settles, eventually. Which will happen even sooner once the weight of new pavers are installed on top of it. And when that happens, the pavers will settle or cracks will show up as well. For these reasons it’s always best to jackhammer and remove the existing concrete and install a proper footing for the new paver patio or paver driveway.