Driveways

Typical cast-in-place (CIP) concrete standards are 4" of compacted base gravel and 4" of rebar reinforced concrete. CIP is one consistent surface that doesn't distribute point loads well, so it is prone to cracking in our climate due to its inflexibility during freeze-thaw cycles. Take a walk around any neighbourhood in our city and you are hard-pressed to find a driveway more than one-year-old without any cracks.

Our standards for paving stone driveways are a geosynthetic membrane, 12"-24" of a compacted aggregate base (depth and materials dependent on subsoil types and site conditions), and a 2.375-4" paving stone. Paving stone driveways distribute loads in smaller areas through the paver, the jointing sand, and then through each layer in the base. Paving stone driveways built this way hold up very well to freeze-thaw cycles as they are a flexible system.

Additional materials and labour are needed to ensure a paving stone driveway can adequately handle and disperse the load of a vehicle in our climate without failure. Therefore the cost is higher.

A paving stone driveway is a longer lasting and repairable option that adds value to the property as opposed to CIP.

No, the material selected should be governed by a maximum aspect ratio (length to thickness) of 4:1, and a minimum thickness of 2.375’’ (60mm). Pavers and slabs that range from 3.375”-4” thick are also good options for driveways.

For example, a paver that measures 8”x4”x2.375” (aspect ratio of 3.36) is a good option for a driveway. A slab that measures 24”x24”x2.56” (aspect ratio of 9.38) is a poor choice and may be prone to cracking.

Yes, we repair driveways. If we are lifting the pavers, re-establishing proper grade and reinstalling them without excavating and providing a new base installation, we can not warranty the work.