What’s Beneath the Surface

In brick paving and hardscape work, the most important part of the project is what you don’t see. The base is the foundation of every patio, walkway, driveway, and retaining wall, and it’s where long-term performance is decided. A surface can look great on day one, but without the right preparation underneath, it won’t stay that way. This is why we take base preparation seriously on every job.

Our approach follows the same principles outlined by the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI), an industry-recognized authority on paver installation standards. ICPI emphasizes proper excavation, base material selection, layered compaction, edge restraint, and drainage as the core elements of a successful paver system. These aren’t shortcuts or optional steps — they are the foundation of work that’s meant to last. This philosophy aligns directly with how we build, and it’s been proven through the results we see in the field.

Different projects demand different base systems. A patio doesn’t carry the same load as a driveway, and a walkway doesn’t face the same conditions as a retaining wall. Soil type, drainage, usage, and climate all affect how the base should be constructed. That’s why we don’t use one-size-fits-all methods. We build each base according to the demands of the project, following industry-backed principles that prioritize stability and performance.

Materials matter just as much as preparation. Paver thickness, base stone quality, and bedding materials all play a role in how a surface holds up over time. ICPI standards account for these differences, and our experience has reinforced their importance. We’ve seen firsthand how the right materials, installed the right way, prevent shifting, settling, and drainage issues that commonly occur when the groundwork is rushed or overlooked.

This part of the process isn’t the most visible, but it’s the most critical. We build from the ground up because it works. By following proven industry standards and applying them with real-world experience, we deliver hardscape installations that perform the way they’re supposed to — not just now, but for years to come.

Paver Installation Base Cross-Section