Pavers are individual units of concrete or clay brick laid over a compacted base, with sand-filled joints between them. Because each piece can move a little on its own, a paver surface flexes with the ground instead of cracking across the middle, and if a section settles it can be lifted and relaid. That flexibility is why pavers have a loyal following in Michigan. It also comes at a price, and it brings its own upkeep.
Rock Solid Exteriors is a family-owned, locally owned and operated contractor in Clinton Township, in business since 1997. We install paver patios, walkways and driveways, and we pour stamped, exposed aggregate and broom-finish concrete. Since we do both, we can lay out the real trade-offs for your yard. Call (844) 757-6543 or book a free in-home estimate.
Where Pavers Work Well
Patios
Pavers suit patios with curves, borders, inlays or a mix of colors, and they can be used as soon as installation is finished, with no cure time. See also concrete patios if you are still deciding on material.
Walkways
A paver walk from the driveway to the front door is one of the quickest ways to change how a house looks from the street. Brick-style pavers pair naturally with brick homes.
Driveways
Paver driveways are built on a deeper base than patios and use pavers rated for vehicle traffic, often in a herringbone pattern that locks together under turning tires. Many homeowners also use a paver border or apron to dress up a poured concrete driveway.
Concrete Pavers vs. Clay Brick Pavers
- Concrete pavers come in the widest range of shapes, sizes, colors and textures, including stone-look and large-format slabs. They are dense and strong, and they are the most common choice for patios and driveways.
- Clay brick pavers are fired clay, like traditional brick. Their color is part of the clay itself, so it holds up well over the years, and they give a classic, historic look. The range of shapes is narrower.
How a Paver Installation Is Built
What you walk on is the last inch or two of the job. Everything underneath is what keeps a paver surface flat through Michigan winters, especially on the heavy clay soil common in Macomb and eastern Oakland County.
- Layout, permits and utilities. We mark the shape and elevations, our crews pull city permits where required, and utilities are marked through MISS DIG before digging.
- Excavation. Soil is dug out to make room for the base, deeper for driveways than for patios and walks.
- Compacted aggregate base. Crushed stone is placed in layers and compacted, with a slope built in so water runs away from the house. This is the step that decides whether the surface stays flat.
- Bedding layer. A smooth, screeded layer gives each paver an even seat.
- Laying the pavers. Pavers are set in the chosen pattern, with cuts made at edges and around obstacles.
- Edge restraint. A restraint along open edges keeps the field from spreading over time.
- Joint sand and compaction. Joints are filled with sand, often polymeric sand that firms up to resist washout and weeds, and the surface is compacted to lock the pavers together.
Pavers vs. Stamped Concrete: An Honest Comparison
We install both, so here is the comparison without a sales angle.
| Pavers | Stamped concrete | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical published cost (Southeast Michigan) | About $17 to $25+ per sq ft | About $18 to $28 per sq ft |
| Cracking | Joints flex; individual pavers rarely crack | Can crack like any slab; joints guide it |
| Repairs | Lift and relay a section, then reuse the same pavers | Patching is hard to color-match |
| Ready to use | Right after installation | After a cure period |
| Weeds and ants | Possible in joints; polymeric sand helps | No joints between pieces |
| Settling | Individual areas can dip if the base is weak | Slab moves as one piece |
| Upkeep | Occasional joint sand top-up; optional sealing | Periodic resealing |
| Look | Real unit pavers, crisp edges, many patterns | Continuous surface with a stamped stone, slate or brick pattern |
The honest summary: published price ranges for the two overlap, so cost alone rarely decides it. Choose pavers if you value easy repairs, no cure time and the look of real units. Choose stamped concrete if you want a single continuous surface with no joints to maintain. If you want texture and traction at a lower price, look at exposed aggregate. We can price more than one option for the same space.
What Affects the Cost of a Paver Project
A Southeast Michigan cost guide puts complete paver patio installations at about $17 to $25 or more per square foot, or roughly $5,000 to $9,000 for a typical project. These are typical published ranges, not a Rock Solid quote. Your price depends on:
- Size. Larger areas spread setup costs; small, detailed patios cost more per square foot.
- Use. Driveways need a deeper base and vehicle-rated pavers.
- Paver choice: standard concrete, premium textures, large-format or clay brick
- Pattern. Herringbone, curves and borders mean more cutting than a simple running bond.
- Site conditions: slopes, poor drainage, clay soil and tight access
- Removal of an old patio, walk or driveway
0% financing for 60 months is available on approved credit, and veterans receive a 10% discount. See financing.
Caring for Pavers in Michigan
- Top up joint sand where it has washed low, especially after the first year.
- Pull weeds early before roots spread in the joints.
- Shovel with care. A plastic blade, or a plow blade set slightly above the surface, avoids chipping paver edges.
- Use deicers sparingly and sweep up leftover salt in spring.
- Watch for low spots. A small dip is usually a quick lift-and-relevel, and it is easier to fix early.
- Consider sealing to deepen color and help with stains; it is optional on most pavers.
Paver FAQ
How long do paver patios last?
The pavers themselves last for decades. How long the surface stays flat depends mostly on the base and drainage, which is why the base is where we focus.
Do pavers heave in Michigan winters?
Pavers on a properly excavated, compacted and drained base handle freeze-thaw well. When heaving happens, it is usually a base or drainage problem, and pavers can be lifted and reset instead of torn out.
What is polymeric sand?
Joint sand with a binder that hardens after it is wetted. It resists washout, weeds and ants better than plain sand, though it may need touching up over time.
Can pavers be installed over my existing concrete patio?
It is sometimes possible on a sound, well-drained slab, but it raises the surface height and carries over any cracking or drainage issues. In many cases removing the old slab is the better long-term choice. We will tell you which applies at the estimate.
Are pavers good for a driveway?
Yes, when built with a deeper base and pavers rated for vehicles. They cost more than a poured driveway, and repairs are simpler.
Pavers or stamped concrete: which is better?
Neither wins in every case. See the comparison table above, and ask us to price both for your space.
Pavers Across Macomb, Oakland and Lapeer County
We install paver patios, walks and driveways throughout Clinton Township, Sterling Heights, Macomb Township, Shelby Township, Warren, St. Clair Shores, Chesterfield, Roseville, Mount Clemens, Troy, Rochester Hills and Lapeer, plus surrounding communities.
Get a Free Paver Estimate
Call (844) 757-6543 or request your free estimate online. Office hours: Monday to Friday 9 AM to 8 PM, Saturday 9 AM to 3 PM, closed Sunday. Michigan Residential Builder License 2102205396.
Rock Solid Exteriors, 42452 Hayes Rd #2a, Clinton Township, MI 48038.