Pavers & Hardscape
Driveways, patios, and walkways that elevate the curb.
Materials
What we install vs. what corner-cutters use.
Pavers
Belgard, Pavestone, or Acker-Stone — rated for vehicle load where needed.
Big-box thin pavers that crack under a car.
Why it matters: Paver thickness rating decides whether your driveway lasts 30 years or 3.
Base
6–8" compacted crushed limestone base over geotextile fabric.
2" of sand on dirt — settles into ruts within a year.
Why it matters: Base does 100% of the load-bearing. The pavers are just the wear surface.
Edge restraint
Concrete or heavy-duty polymer edging, spiked every 10".
No edging — pavers migrate outward and open joints.
Why it matters: Without edge restraint the whole installation slowly falls apart from the outside in.
Joint sand
Polymeric sand swept in, watered, and cured — resists weeds and ants.
Regular play sand that washes out with the first rain.
Why it matters: Polymeric locks the joints and keeps grass and ants out of your patio for years.
Process
A predictable path — with real durations.
Layout & Excavation
1 dayMark grades, excavate to full depth, protect utilities and irrigation.
Base Preparation
1 dayInstall fabric, place and compact road base in lifts.
Screed & Set
1–2 daysScreed bedding sand and set pavers per pattern.
Cuts & Edging
1–2 daysSaw-cut edges, install concrete or metal edge restraint.
Sand, Compact & Seal
1–2 daysSweep in polymeric sand, plate-compact, mist to set, optional sealer.
Customer projects across Houston
Drag to reveal the pavers & hardscape transformation.
Recent pavers & hardscape projects from neighborhoods across the Houston area. Drag the slider on each image to see the before and after.
Why us
Why homeowners pick Modern Builders for pavers & hardscape.
Pavers fail from base failure, not paver failure. We install the full engineered base every time—no thin sand-only shortcuts.
FAQs
Answers before you ask.
How thick does the base need to be?+
4 inches for walkways/patios, 6–8 inches for driveways depending on soil.
Will weeds grow between them?+
Polymeric sand hardens between pavers and blocks weeds and ants for years.
Can pavers handle a car?+
Yes—3-inch driveway pavers with proper base handle full vehicle loads.
Do I need to seal them?+
Optional. Sealing enhances color and simplifies cleaning; most pavers don't require it structurally.
Related reading
Go deeper before you decide.
Get a quote — we do it right.
Fixed-price proposals, real timelines, no corners cut. Tell us about your pavers & hardscape project.
Request your quote