Paver Installation
Interlocking concrete, clay brick, and natural stone pavers for driveways, walkways, and patios.
Pavers are the most durable driveway, walkway, and patio system available — when installed correctly over the right base. NextGen HIG installs interlocking concrete pavers, clay brick pavers, and natural stone across NJ, PA, and CT to ICPI (Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute) base and edge restraint standards.
The difference between a paver installation that lasts a lifetime and one that heaves in the first winter is entirely underneath the pavers. We excavate to stable subgrade, install a compacted aggregate base sized to the actual load (deeper for driveways, standard for patios), place a screeded bedding sand layer, and use proper edge restraint so pavers stay locked together for decades — not just a season or two.
Pavers handle Northeast freeze-thaw cycles better than poured concrete because they flex with ground movement instead of fracturing. And if a single paver ever fails — a corner chips, a stain won't clean — we pull one unit and replace it. No jackhammering a 20-foot slab.
Every paver installation project includes
Excavation to Subgrade
Dig depth matched to use — deeper for driveways (loaded surfaces), standard depth for patios and walkways.
Geotextile Fabric
Woven fabric separating subgrade from base — prevents base stone from migrating into soil and causing settlement.
Compacted Aggregate Base
Crushed stone base installed in compacted lifts — the structural layer that carries load and prevents heaving.
Screeded Bedding Sand
1-inch screeded sand layer, flat and consistent, for the pavers to set into.
Edge Restraint
Plastic or steel edge restraint spiked into the base — prevents the field from spreading under load.
Polymeric Joint Sand
Swept-in sand that hardens with water — locks pavers together and blocks weed growth.
Signs you need paver installation
Catch these early and paver installation repairs stay simple — ignore them and you're paying for interior damage on top of the exterior fix.
Cracked or heaving concrete you want to upgrade
If your existing concrete driveway, walkway, or patio is failing, pavers are often the better replacement — longer-lasting, more forgiving of ground movement, and easier to repair if something goes wrong.
Planning a new outdoor living area
Patios, fire-pit areas, pool decks, and outdoor kitchens all benefit from paver surfaces — flexible layouts, coordinated colors, and long service life without the joint-cracking issues poured concrete has.
Existing pavers sinking or shifting
Pavers moving under load, individual units rocking, or sections lower than adjacent areas mean the base has failed. Pulling and resetting with a rebuilt base is the permanent fix.
Weeds between existing paver joints
Weeds mean the joint sand has washed out or degraded. Re-sanding with polymeric sand blocks further growth and locks pavers back together.
Moving to a higher-end driveway aesthetic
Paver driveways signal quality and craftsmanship — they add curb appeal and often return value at resale. For homeowners planning to stay 10+ years, the aesthetic and longevity both justify the investment.
Historic or traditional home architecture
Clay brick pavers match historic properties convincingly. For 1900s-era homes across Passaic, Bergen, and Hudson counties, clay brick and bluestone pavers blend in where modern concrete looks wrong.
Systems we install for paver installation
We don't push a preferred brand — we spec the system that fits your building, climate, and ownership horizon. Here's what we install and when each makes sense.
Interlocking concrete pavers
Most common and versatile. Brands we install include Techo-Bloc, Unilock, Cambridge, and Nicolock — all with lifetime structural warranties and extensive color/pattern catalogs. Good for driveways, walkways, patios, and pool decks.
Clay brick pavers
Kiln-fired clay brick — the original paver. Color goes all the way through so it never fades, and the material effectively lasts forever. Classic choice for historic homes, formal walkways, and detail-focused installations.
Natural stone — bluestone, flagstone, granite
Full-color-range natural stone cut to dimensional thickness. Higher cost, but unmatched character. Bluestone is the regional classic across NJ and PA; granite and flagstone for contemporary and rustic designs.
Permeable paver systems
Open-joint pavers that let stormwater infiltrate instead of running off. Useful for driveways where stormwater management is required, or for environmentally-focused properties.
ICPI-spec base and bedding materials
Dense-graded aggregate base (DGA/QP) and clean bedding sand to ICPI specifications. The invisible work that actually determines install longevity.
Edge restraint systems
Plastic or steel edge restraint spiked to the base — holds the perimeter locked. Without it, driveways spread outward under tire load within a few seasons.
Polymeric joint sand
Sand with polymer binders that activate with water. Fills joints, hardens into a flexible seal, and blocks weed growth. Reapplied every 5-10 years as part of maintenance.
How it works
- 1
Design & Material Selection
On-site measurement, pattern selection, and material samples. We bring actual paver samples to the job for color approval.
- 2
Layout & Excavation
Stake layout, confirm drainage, excavate to subgrade, and haul off spoils.
- 3
Base & Bedding
Geotextile, compacted base in lifts, and screeded bedding sand.
- 4
Paver Installation
Laid to pattern with cuts made with a wet saw — clean tight joints, no gaps or rough edges.
- 5
Edge Restraint & Compaction
Edge restraint set, plate compaction to seat pavers, polymeric sand swept in and activated.
Why choose us for paver installation
- Licensed & insured — NJ HIC 13VH12075600, PA HIC PA185062, CT HIC 0701438. GL and WC on every crew.
- In business since 2006 — nearly two decades of craftsmanship you can verify.
- Written warranties — manufacturer + workmanship warranties, registered and documented.
- Local crews — no day labor, no subcontractor shuffle. Trained people on every job.
Service areas covered
We provide paver installation services across New Jersey, eastern Pennsylvania, and Connecticut.
Frequently asked
- Individual pavers outlast the installation by a wide margin. Concrete pavers are rated 25-50+ years; clay brick and natural stone effectively last indefinitely. What fails is the base — a well-installed base lasts 30+ years; a bad base fails in 1-2 winters. Invest in base quality.
Related services
Chimney Repair
Crown, cap, flashing, repointing, and full chimney rebuilds.
Concrete Driveways
New concrete driveways, replacement, and repair — built on proper base with jointing that holds up through winter.
Walkways & Patios
Concrete, stone, and paver walkways and patios — built with proper drainage and edge detail.
Retaining Walls
Segmental block, natural stone, and engineered retaining walls with drainage and reinforcement.
Ready to get started?
Free estimate. No-pressure consultation. Local crews, licensed and insured.