How much does a paver patio cost?

Concrete pavers (DIY): $5-$12 per square foot ($1,500-$3,600 for a 300 sq ft patio). Concrete pavers (professional): $12-$25 per square foot ($3,600-$7,500 for 300 sq ft). Brick pavers (professional): $14-$30 per square foot. Natural stone (professional): $20-$50+ per square foot. For comparison, a poured concrete patio costs $8-$18 per square foot installed. Pavers offer superior aesthetics, repairability, and design flexibility at a comparable or slightly higher price. The best value: DIY concrete paver patio. Materials cost $5-$12 per square foot (pavers, crushed stone base, bedding sand, edge restraint, and polymeric sand). A 300 sq ft patio costs $1,500-$3,600 in materials and can be completed in 2-4 days.

Can I install pavers myself?

Yes. A paver patio is one of the most popular and satisfying DIY outdoor projects. Difficulty: moderate to moderately difficult (primarily due to the physical labor of excavation and base compaction). Time: 2-4 days for a 200-400 sq ft patio (with 1-2 people). The most critical step: proper base preparation and compaction. A well-compacted 4-6 inch crushed stone base is the foundation of a successful paver patio. Rent a plate compactor ($50-$100/day) for base compaction and final paver seating. Steps: mark the area and set stakes, excavate to proper depth (7-9 inches), install and compact the crushed stone base (in 2-inch lifts), screed 1 inch of bedding sand perfectly level, lay pavers in your chosen pattern, install edge restraint, sweep in polymeric sand, and compact the final surface. DIY savings: 50-65% (you save $7-$15 per square foot in labor).

How long do pavers last?

Concrete pavers: 25-50+ years (extremely durable, 8,000+ PSI compressive strength). Brick pavers: 25-50+ years (fired clay is virtually indestructible). Natural stone: 50-100+ years (stone itself is permanent, but the base and joints may need maintenance). Porcelain pavers: 25-50+ years. The base is the limiting factor, not the pavers themselves. A properly installed base will last decades without significant settling. Maintenance: re-apply polymeric sand every 3-5 years (as it erodes from the joints), pressure wash and re-seal every 3-5 years (optional, but keeps the pavers looking new), and replace any individual pavers that crack or stain (one of the biggest advantages of pavers over poured concrete).

What is the best paver pattern?

Popular patterns: herringbone (45 or 90 degree) — the strongest pattern, resists shifting under load, ideal for driveways and high-traffic areas. Running bond (offset rows) — classic, simple, works with any paver shape. Basketweave — pairs of pavers alternating horizontal and vertical, traditional appearance. Random/ashlar — multiple paver sizes mixed together for a natural stone look. Stacked bond (grid) — pavers aligned in a straight grid, modern and clean. For patios: running bond or herringbone are the most popular. Herringbone is the strongest and most visually interesting. For driveways: herringbone (45 degree) is essential — it interlocks under vehicle loads and prevents the pavers from shifting. Do not use stacked bond for driveways (it does not interlock). For a natural look: use multiple paver sizes in a random pattern (many manufacturers sell paver kits with 3-4 sizes pre-mixed for this purpose).

Article

Outdoor Living

Patio Paver Guide: Types, Installation & Cost

Lumberama Editorial Team, Patio & Hardscape Design Specialists Aug 20, 2026 14 min read

Why Pavers

Pavers create beautiful, durable outdoor living spaces that outperform poured concrete in several important ways: aesthetics (pavers offer unlimited design possibilities with colors, patterns, textures, and materials), durability (individual pavers can flex with ground movement without cracking — unlike a concrete slab which can develop unsightly cracks), repairability (if a paver is damaged or stained, replace the individual paver rather than the entire surface), drainage (pavers with joints allow some water infiltration, reducing runoff), and value (a well-designed paver patio adds significant curb appeal and home value).

Types

Concrete pavers: The most popular choice. Manufactured from concrete in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, colors, and textures. Brands: Belgard, Pavestone, Cambridge, Unilock, Techo-Bloc. Pros: affordable, extremely durable (8,000+ PSI compressive strength), wide variety of styles (from modern to rustic), and consistent sizing (easier installation). Cons: color can fade over time (sealed pavers fade less). Cost: $3-$10 per sq ft (materials).

Brick pavers: Fired clay bricks. Classic, timeless appearance with warm red and brown tones. Pros: beautiful, natural colors that do not fade (the color goes all the way through), excellent durability. Cons: limited color range (earth tones), fewer shape options than concrete pavers. Cost: $4-$10 per sq ft (materials).

Natural stone: Flagstone, bluestone, travertine, granite, limestone, or slate. The premium option. Each stone is unique. Pros: the most beautiful and natural-looking, extremely durable, and every installation is one-of-a-kind. Cons: most expensive, irregular shapes make installation more complex (especially flagstone), some stones are slippery when wet (travertine, some limestone). Cost: $5-$30+ per sq ft (materials).

Porcelain pavers: A newer option — large-format porcelain tiles designed for outdoor use. Very thin (3/4 inch), lightweight, and virtually zero water absorption. Pros: stain-proof, scratch-resistant, fade-proof, and available in stunning modern designs (including wood-look and marble-look). Cons: expensive, requires a very level base (does not tolerate unevenness), can crack if the base settles. Cost: $5-$15 per sq ft (materials).

Permeable pavers: Pavers designed with wider joints that allow water to infiltrate into the ground rather than running off. Required by code in some areas for new impervious surfaces. Pros: environmentally friendly, reduces runoff and flooding, may qualify for stormwater credits. Cost: $6-$15 per sq ft (materials).

Installation

Excavation: Remove existing sod and soil to a depth of 7-9 inches (4-6 inches of base material + 1 inch of bedding sand + paver thickness).

Base material: 4-6 inches of compacted crushed stone (3/4-inch minus or road base). This is the structural foundation of the patio. Each 2-inch lift must be compacted with a plate compactor before adding the next lift. The base MUST be properly compacted — this is the most critical step. A poorly compacted base will settle unevenly and the pavers will shift, sink, and become uneven.

Bedding sand: 1 inch of coarse, sharp sand (concrete sand or ASTM C33 sand) screeded perfectly level over the compacted base. The pavers sit on this sand layer.

Paver installation: Lay pavers in your chosen pattern on the bedding sand. Start from a straight edge or corner. Use spacers or the built-in lugs on concrete pavers to maintain consistent joint width. Cut pavers as needed at edges with a wet saw or diamond blade on a circular saw.

Edge restraint: Plastic or aluminum edge restraint is installed around the perimeter and secured with spikes. This prevents the pavers from shifting outward over time. Essential — without edge restraint, the patio will spread and the pavers will separate.

Joint sand: Sweep polymeric sand into the joints and activate with water. Polymeric sand hardens and locks the pavers together, preventing weed growth and ant activity.

Compaction: Run a plate compactor (with a protective pad) over the finished paver surface to seat the pavers into the bedding sand.

Costs

Concrete pavers (DIY): $5-$12/sq ft (materials: pavers, base, sand, edge restraint, polymeric sand).

Concrete pavers (professional): $12-$25/sq ft installed.

Brick pavers (professional): $14-$30/sq ft installed.

Natural stone (professional): $20-$50+/sq ft installed.

Typical patio (300 sq ft): DIY concrete pavers: $1,500-$3,600. Professional concrete pavers: $3,600-$7,500. Professional natural stone: $6,000-$15,000+.

Typical large patio (600 sq ft): DIY concrete pavers: $3,000-$7,200. Professional concrete pavers: $7,200-$15,000.

Compared to poured concrete: Concrete slab: $8-$18/sq ft installed. Pavers start at a similar price but offer superior aesthetics and repairability.