Anyone regret using 30mm (thin) pavers on driveway

[biker1]

I am considering 30mm (thin) pavers on top of my concrete driveway. Has anyone done this and regretted it? Any thoughts on 60mm vs. 30mm pavers?

[Steve9930]

These thin pavers were never meant to be used on a driveway. They will crack. If you want a paver driveway, personally I'd do it the right way. I chose to do a concrete over lay with a pattern. In any case whether you paint, pave, or do a concrete sculpted over lay they all have to be sealed on a regular basis.

[villagetinker]

I investigated pavers, and the professionals (the firms that make the pavers) specifically warn against using the thin pavers over concrete. After seeing significant negative comments with regard to pavers, we went with a stain/paint coating for the driveway. The above poster is correct about resealing, ours is supposed be good for 5 to 7 years, then a clear sealing coat. Also, VERY IMPORTANT, any painting or sealing of the driveway needs to have a product called SHARK GRIP mixed with the final coat, or you may end up with a very slippery result when it rains.
Hope this helps.

[t fields]

we used thick pavers over concrete, at the time we had a motor home, truck and boat, we have not had any problems with the thick pavers, and have had them for 4 years.

[justjim]

We did the stain/paint/design on our "early" retirement home. A friend of ours did the heavy pavers about the same time. He said he wouldn't do it again some cracks each year to repair and costly to seal. Our stain job looked good for a couple of years and then started fading regardless of the seal.

Bottom line---a driveway is a driveway----I never did anything to any driveway after that Experence. But to each his own.

[vinnie]

Thinner pavers break. No way thicker pavers would break if installed properly
Just had Leo's landscaping put down thicker pacers at same cost as some of these other companies charge for thinner pavers.
My neighbor replaced his too.
See for yourself
Sealing is included and should be completed in 2-3 weeks

[vinnie]

Thicker pavers cannot break. Leo's Landscaping does a good job at prices better than prominent companies.
Check it out on Thornehill ace in Chatham across from Lopez

[Nucky]

Pavers look great. If your doing them on a budget you will do the same job several time. Must have a great base & use the thicker Pavers. The thin ones will crack, shift and open up in between pavers over time in a driveway setting
Thin pavers are for walkways. Bottom line...You get what you pay for$$.

[Warren Kiefer]

I am considering 30mm (thin) pavers on top of my concrete driveway. Has anyone done this and regretted it? Any thoughts on 60mm vs. 30mm pavers?

Nearly everyone who had thin pavers installed regret the decision. The thicker pavers seem to be much better. I personally like the acrylic application.

[Shimpy]

Bottom line---a driveway is a driveway----I never did anything to any driveway after that Experence. But to each his own.


:BigApplause:

[Nucky]

Thick or thin pavers must have a decent cement content when they produce them and any square size is better than what they call a lollipop paver. If you wish send a PM and we will figure your specific job needs no problemo.

[rubicon]

We did the stain/paint/design on our "early" retirement home. A friend of ours did the heavy pavers about the same time. He said he wouldn't do it again some cracks each year to repair and costly to seal. Our stain job looked good for a couple of years and then started fading regardless of the seal.

Bottom line---a driveway is a driveway----I never did anything to any driveway after that Experence. But to each his own.

I prefer my la naturale only care is an occasional power wash

[keithwand]

Pooters uses the better pavers. 3 years and no problems.

[biker1]

What are the better pavers?

Pooters uses the better pavers. 3 years and no problems.

[Chazz]

We did the thin pavers about 8 years ago. Would not do it again. Constant breakage.

[RVRoadie]

I regret putting pavers on my driveway. Not sure what size they are, but the annual maintenance required to keep them looking nice is not worth the cost. I don't have a problem with breakage.

Go with something like the textured surface that Aristicrete does.

[keithwand]

What are the better pavers?

Ask Pooters and they will demonstrate it for you.

[villagetinker]

Here is what our painted/stained driveway looks like, low maintenance, power wash 1 - 2 times per year, no tire marks, and recoating at 5 to 7 years.

[didcad]

We had our driveway done by Stone Creations and was told it never needs resealed. So far looks good and am satisfied. Have had many compliments on the job also.

[krausaj]

We had thin pavers installed by A&C over two years ago, and they look as good today as she they were put down. Not a single crack!

[jimbo2012]

It's a air gap under the pavers that allow them then crack with the weight of a car.

If they are installed with sand correctly filling the gaps they should be fine, at $1 a sq ft vs the higher cost of thick pavers I can keep a few extra and come out way ahead I think.

What are the quotes or what have you paid for a typical driveway?

[John Palanci]

As new TV resident I was planing to install pavers, after talking to few owners I changed my mind, the PO, had the driveway stained and looks like ......you get it, it's $1250 to remove the stain and another $1750 to restrain and do some type of finish I think once the yellow stain is removed I will just seal the surface and live with it.

[jimbo2012]

$1750 for stain, (it only cost $30 a gallon)

I thought landscapers were high priced

[Sandancer]

How do I reach Leo's Landscaping? Phone number anyone?

[swingwing]

Two words summarize my opinion on this: Big Mistake! I made this mistake and have regretted it ever since. The bricks become loose, rock and click, crack, none of which is corrected by yearly maintenance which is expensive. If you want something other than plain concrete then the patterned coatings you see around the area work well, but are not without their own yearly maintenance and longevity problems. If you don't have a strong urge to do something fancy to your driveway then don't do anything. You'll be happier in the long run.
Now if you are starting from scratch and installing a new driveway then properly installed thick bricks are a good alternative to concrete. I've had this in the past and was very happy with it. I presently have brick over concrete and am ready to call in an airstrike on it. Have a nice Holiday Season!

[Pocrunner]

Don't waste the money. Pavers are for walkways, not driveways. They cannot sustain the weight of parked cars and will quickly crack.

There are2 possible solutions; pattern/decorative paint or concrete or 2- full brick pavers (this is done by removing the concrete driveway, leveling the surface and placing the bricks by hand). This is a 1-2 day job at the most. Cost.....a lot cheaper than replacing cracked pavers.

[villagetinker]

As new TV resident I was planing to install pavers, after talking to few owners I changed my mind, the PO, had the driveway stained and looks like ......you get it, it's $1250 to remove the stain and another $1750 to restrain and do some type of finish I think once the yellow stain is removed I will just seal the surface and live with it.

John,
If you are going for a DIY sealing of your driveway, please talk to whomever you are getting the sealer from, and add SHARK GRIP. If you are having it done, be sure the contractor includes it. This is a very fine sand(?) that provides a non-slip finish for concrete or stone surfaces. If you do a search on this site you will find LOTS of people that painted/sealed etc., the garage, deck/lanai, or driveway and ended up with a skating rink when wet.

Hope this helps.

[toeser]

These thin pavers were never meant to be used on a driveway. They will crack. If you want a paver driveway, personally I'd do it the right way. I chose to do a concrete over lay with a pattern. In any case whether you paint, pave, or do a concrete sculpted over lay they all have to be sealed on a regular basis.

We purchased a house this spring that has the thin pavers on the driveway. They are cracking all over the place, and no heavy vehicles have been in the driveway - just a normal sedan and golf cart. I would advise strongly against getting them.

[pgc4340]

I am considering 30mm (thin) pavers on top of my concrete driveway. Has anyone done this and regretted it? Any thoughts on 60mm vs. 30mm pavers?

My neighbor used these on their driveway, walkway to the front door and their back patio. They were a disaster and a bit dangerous as well. They cracked, fell off and lifted. They were constantly repairing them until someone tripped over one which had lifted, they had them jack hammered off, thought they could sand down the cement, but that didn't work, so they ended up replacing all the cement. Quite an expensive endeavor! After living here for 20 plus years, we now know to skip drinking the Kool-aid on the trends. We are trying to remove flaking color off our garage floor and patio! As we grow older, the maintenance of these trends is more than we can handle.

[Stdole]

I had the thin Pavers for 3 yrs prior to moving to a new residence..

To prevent most cracking... several things must be done... use the right
sand... seal every 2 yrs over the sand in between the pavers... have
a good installer put the pavers in tight and bond and cement the outer
edge totally/completely... pavers will not move... naturally keep the
big RV's Dump Truck and this class of weight off your driveway..

Over the years you may have 3 to 5 cracks some very minor... easy to
change out in a matter of minutes.. You might want to check with the
quality of those thin pavers... they do differ... I have been more than
pleased with two jobs I have had done... Plan on doing it again with
the brand new home in a month or so... If those pavers continue to
crack all over the place... something is wrong with the original install.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

If a thin paver is 30mm how thick is an average or thick paver?

[Nucky]

If a thin paver is 30mm how thick is an average or thick paver?

An eyeball estimate is a thick paver is double a thin paver. The thin pavers are fine for a garden walkway or similar application...never for a vehicle of any kind. The main reason that concrete & pavers fail are the base is not deep enough and not a uniform depth over the area to be covered. Thick Pavers. 8 inch base uniform depth compacted by machine. Perimeter secured by dry bagged cement with some water sprayed on after pavers applied and leveled will hold the field tightly for a long time. A cement sand mixture should then be swept into the cracks between the pavers and lightly watered. At this point you should be fine. If you do this preparation with thin pavers you are doomed to failure at some time in the future. Calling a contractor it is your best bet because this is back breaking work. If he mentions the thin pavers show him the door. Good Luck.

[biker1]

The two commonly discussed thicknesses are 30mm and 60mm. I believe there may be 80 or 90mm also.

If a thin paver is 30mm how thick is an average or thick paver?

[Nova Filtration]

I disagree if thin pavers are installed correctly they will be fine.

In fact using cement around the perimeter is old school, the better way is masonry adhesive.

See post #30


.

[DeanFL]

I'm not discounting those that had/have problems with theirs...but...

My last home in Leesburg = thinpavers on driveway and walkway, 8 years, only 2 had thin crack and replaced in 10 min. Here in TV Gilchrist, thinpavers on drive and walk for 2 years = perfect. And 5 neighbors had theirs done by them right after ours.

Perhaps the key to our good luck was the firm providing and installing = Paradise Pavers and Coping/Walls. A great company with excellent reputation, and our experience as well. Local private firm-Lady Lake, been in business for many years - Owner Neil Steinmetz - 352 267 9063.

Paradise Pavers, Coping and Wals. Paving Your Way To Paradise! (http://www.paradisepaversandwalls.com/)

On the back of their business cards:
"The Greatest compliment we could ever receive is your personal referral as our friends and customers"

We are extremely pleased with them so the above applies. Perhaps if you are considering pavers, recommend you contact them for a visit/consult.

[biker1]

Do you have pavers (of any thickness) and/or are you an installer?

I disagree if thin pavers are installed correctly they will be fine.

In fact using cement around the perimeter is old school, the better way is masonry adhesive.

See post #30


.

[vinnie]

Leo's Landscaping is in Belleview.
352.266.6448
You can come to Chatham and see for yourself 2 jobs done.
Thornehill Ave is 3rd cul de sac on left after entering Chatham gate.
The one on the corner is not sealed yet. I just sealed mine myself. I am yellow house at end of cul de sac
There is a learning curve so you can stop by if you wish to chat
Vin Powell
17320 Se 81st Thornehill Ave
Chatham
315.246.1056
P.S. I might add that my neighbor had his concrete removed because pavers are not really meant to be sitting on cement driveway. this is allowed is Marion county but may or may not be allowed elsewhere in The Villages
My concrete driveway was only partially removed due to my slope was more severe.
Nothing can be removed near front portico at front door due to foundation issues. No problem with cracking anyway since it is only pedestrian traffic. Based on quotes, I saved 20 % over lowest quote.

[vinnie]

60 mm

[vinnie]

NO, I am a homeowner that had thin pavers when I bought house that were terrible. Cracking, had them replaced, then sealed and had white cloud over them
just had new paver driveway done with thick pavers except for threshold of garage
the thin pavers are thicker than 10 years ago but why would I redo with thin when I can get thick for same price as some installers charge for thin.
two jobs done on our cul de sac by Leo's and you can see for yourself if you think it looks good.
By the way, if you had that artist design done on driveway, the estimate for my driveway was more than brick pavers and i think the pavers are a richer look.
Maintenance is no more or less for either type.
Good luck

[hamsfc59]

I've used them and they crack over time, so I'd avoid them. For anyone who has used them, cracking can be forestalled by regularly re-sanding which minimizes the shifting of the pavers and minimizes the breakage.$4,000 and $5,000 depending on driveway size.

[villagetinker]

There is a very interesting point that I was never able to get answered. Malls, auto dealerships and others have TILE (1/4 inch thick) on their floors, and drive cars on them all the time NO CRACKING. I was actually considering the use of thin pavers or tile on the driveway, but could NOT get a straight answer from the concrete experts, or the paver/tile people. It would seem to me that either of these products installed with the SUITABLE bonding agent WOULD NOT CRACK as the load from the car would be transferred to the concrete driveway. However, this is NOT done, have never been able to find out why this type of installation is not done.
I am no longer pursuing this as we had the driveway stained and are very happy wit the result.

[mulligan]

I believe you would find that the large area tile installations are set with "mud" to level the surfaces. This would add at minimum the thickness of the tile to the installation, You would almost need to re-pour the concrete drive at a lower elevation to make up the difference. Additionally, the "mud" base would retain water perhaps causing a mold problem in outdoor installations.

[biker1]

There is a dry material called PaverLoc that is used for thin pavers over concrete. You spread a thin layer and set the thin pavers on top of it. The outer row is set with a wet, thinset-like material. It doesn't appears that the installers around here use the material.

There is a very interesting point that I was never able to get answered. Malls, auto dealerships and others have TILE (1/4 inch thick) on their floors, and drive cars on them all the time NO CRACKING. I was actually considering the use of thin pavers or tile on the driveway, but could NOT get a straight answer from the concrete experts, or the paver/tile people. It would seem to me that either of these products installed with the SUITABLE bonding agent WOULD NOT CRACK as the load from the car would be transferred to the concrete driveway. However, this is NOT done, have never been able to find out why this type of installation is not done.
I am no longer pursuing this as we had the driveway stained and are very happy wit the result.

[vinnie]

I went to thick pavers....looks great. Picture posted on this thread

[vinnie]

I posted Leo's number
Leo's landscaping is out of Bellview