Driveways · Hardscaping Columbus
Paver Driveways in Columbus, OH
A paver driveway planned with the front walk and entry as one design. Get a free estimate.
Serving Columbus, Dublin, Upper Arlington, Westerville, New Albany and 27 more towns
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Paver Driveways
Paver Driveway for Columbus, OH
The driveway is the biggest piece of hardscape most homes have, and the first thing anyone sees. In a whole-property plan it is designed alongside the front walk, the entry steps and any edging along the lawn, so the paver color and pattern carry from the street to the door. A banded border, a contrasting inlay or a widened spot for a second car can all be part of the layout. Because it covers so much ground, the driveway is often a phase of its own, built before or after the backyard work.
Structurally, a paver driveway is a patio built for cars: a deeper excavation, a thicker compacted stone base, pavers made thick enough for vehicle traffic and a firm edge restraint so the field cannot creep outward under turning tires. Pattern matters too, and herringbone interlocks best under turning loads. The apron at the street is another matter: it is public land in most cities, which typically want a permit and their own specification there, so the apron may end up as poured concrete even when the rest is pavers.
What's included
What goes into paver driveways
- 01
Front-yard layout
Driveway, walk and entry steps planned as one design.
- 02
Deep base for vehicles
More excavation and a thicker compacted base than any patio gets.
- 03
Herringbone or banded patterns
Patterns picked for how cars turn and park.
- 04
Edge restraint
A firm edge that keeps the field from spreading.
- 05
Apron and curb cut
Coordinated with the city's permit and specifications.
- 06
Drainage away from the garage
Pitch toward the street or a planned outlet, never toward the garage door.
Examples
Paver Driveways: examples
Example photos of the type of work.
How it works
Paver Driveways, step by step
- 1
Plan the front yard
Driveway, walk and steps are laid out together.
- 2
Tear out and excavate
The old driveway comes out and the subgrade is dug to depth.
- 3
Build the base
A thick stone base is compacted in lifts and graded for drainage.
- 4
Lay, edge and lock
Pavers are set, edges restrained and joints filled.
Questions
Paver Driveways questions
Do paver driveways hold up to Ohio salt and frost?
Yes, with a good base. The pavers move a fraction with frost and drop back into place instead of cracking, and a single stained or chipped paver can be swapped out. Go easy on rock salt, which is hard on joint sand and on any concrete it reaches.
What affects the cost of a paver driveway?
Square footage, the base depth it needs, the paver and pattern, and tearing out the old driveway. Borders, curves and a separate apron built to the city's specification add to it. Access is rarely a problem on a driveway, which helps.
Does a paver driveway need a permit?
The apron and curb cut at the street are the part most likely to need a permit, issued by the city or village; townships can differ. HOAs often want to see the paver and color first, and 811 marks utilities before excavation.
Can the driveway match the front walk and back patio?
That is the point of planning it as part of the yard. One paver family, or a complementary color in a different size, ties the front entry to the backyard even if they are built years apart.
Is herringbone really better for a driveway?
For cars, yes. A herringbone pattern locks each paver against its neighbors in two directions, so tires turning on it are less likely to push pavers out of line. Running bond and other patterns can work as a border or on a straight, lightly used drive.
Pieces of the plan
Related work
Walkways & Paths
Paver or concrete paths that follow how people move through the yard, at the right width and drained.
More on walkways & paths
Outdoor Steps
Paver, block or poured steps wherever the yard changes level, sized for a relaxed outdoor stride.
More on outdoor steps
Paver Patios
The anchor of most yard plans: a paver patio sized, placed and graded to connect with everything around it.
More on paver patios
Service area
Paver Driveways around Columbus
We plan and build paver driveways across Columbus and these towns.
Franklin County
Pickaway County
Fairfield County
Delaware County
Licking County
Talk to us about paver driveways
Tell us what you want out there now and later, and we will call to talk through a plan and book a walk-through.