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How thick do pavers need to be for a driveway?

Pavers are a common choice for driveway projects, mostly because it’s an incredibly durable and resistant material that can hold the weight of cars better than concrete slabs or asphalt.

The installation of paving stones for patios or walkways is a little different than for a driveway, some essential details need to be considered so the project can be durable and strong for many years to come.

When installing pavers for a driveway, some questions can pop up, like “how thick of a base do I need?” or “how thick should driveway pavers be?”. In this article, we’re gonna cover all of these subjects to make the process less complicated.

How thick do pavers need to be for a driveway?

The thickness of the driveway is really important so the project can last, since this surface needs to carry heavy weights and friction, all the base and pavers must be thick enough.

The answer may vary because the soil and weather conditions will determine how thick the driveway is gonna be (base and pavers). But, usually, recommended paver thickness is around 2 to 3 inches.

How thick the base needs to be for a driveway?

How thick the paver base is gonna be is as important as the pavers themselves, once it is the base that will hold everything together and without it, pavers won’t properly set in place and bear load properly.  

Usually, the base thickness recommended for driveways is between 6 to 12 inches but that number may vary, since the base is gonna be will depend on other factors and if your region has a rainy climate or clay soil, the thickness is a critical factor.

If you wanna know more about pavers base and how to build one properly, we have an article that can answer all your questions.

Brick pavers being installed in a bed of sand in front of a house
Pavers for driveways need to be thicker than for other projects

Options for driveway pavers

When looking for the right type of paver to use for your driveway, you’re gonna see there are a few options to choose from.

Brick pavers

Brick pavers are a really popular choice for pavers projects, especially for driveways. They are formed from molded and baked clay just like regular bricks, but there are a few differences, once brick pavers are much stronger and can hold about 12,000 pounds per square inch. 

They are also extremely durable and with proper maintenance, can last for decades (approximately +25 years).

Concrete brick pavers

Another popular option for driveways along with brick pavers, but with a plus, once they are even more durable and strong than the previous material, the lifespans of 25 to 50 years are really common (with regular maintenance) and they can hold 8,000 pounds-per-square-inch.

Cobblestones

Among all the pavers options for driveways in this article, cobblestones are definitely the most strong and durable ones. The material is made from blocks of natural quarried stones and they can last a whole century!

For lasting that long, usually the material is more expensive than the previous options, but it’s also a guarantee of quality, durability, and visual appeal. 

Can I install pavers for a driveway by myself?

You can, but we recommend you not to. As you could see through this article, installing pavers for a driveway requires too many details that can affect the integrity of your project and the chances of something going wrong is so high that it is just not worth it.

Preparing a good base and knowing what kind of pavers to use requires attention and knowledge, so the best choice here is to count on the help of professionals. If you are worried about the price, you can get a free estimate for your project.

S&S Pavers has been around the counties of Manatee and Sarasota for the last 10+ years. If you live in Florida, don’t hesitate to give us a call!

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