Apron materials/pavers

[madala]

I would like to install an apron on 2 sides of my metal workshop to facilitate moving things like a welding cart etc. ideally I would have done this in concrete when I poured the slab, but couldn’t afford it, so am now looking for cheaper options like pavers or permeable plastic driveway grid etc.
Any suggestions or ideas?
Thanks in advance.

 

[txvwnut]

If done right pavers will be just as good as concrete. I used pavers for a driveway approach for several years with no issues.

 

[ard]

Somewhat agree...

A paver job will UNAVOIDABLY have seams eevry every few inches. Small wheels WILL bounce on these. Also, weed seeds WILL germinate, so that needs to be dealt with. (Even fabric under, you still get wind blow seed germination from above)

"Proper preparation" is a lot of work, if you want perfection. I rough level with road base to about +/- 1/2". Water and compact with a roller, age for a year or two is nice. Then DG (decomposed granite). Grade this out to +/1/8 to 1/4". LIke you are leveling a mortar bed. Roll with a 400lb water filled roller. Check level, will in low spots, grind off high. When this dries it will be concrete like.

Place pavers. Concrete block water saw to trim edges....

IMO a concrete slab is cheaper if you pay yourself $2 a hour to lay pavers.

Aesthetically the pavers are nicer.

 

[madala]

Thx. What size pavers and did you make them or buy them?

 

[kbs2244]

Check out stamped and stained concrete.
You get the paver look with a solid slab performance.

 

[like2wheel]

Check out stamped and stained concrete.
You get the paver look with a solid slab performance.

Did you even read the OPs original post?

 

[Radix2]

Doing it yourself, pavers cost more than concrete. Paying someone else to do it, they are 3-10x as much as concrete.

About the only thing less expensive than concrete would be "patio stones" the larger thinner concrete 12x12 or 16x16 paving sold in the garden Dept.

 

[aunsafe2015]

Doing it yourself, pavers cost more than concrete. Paying someone else to do it, they are 3-10x as much as concrete.

About the only thing less expensive than concrete would be "patio stones" the larger thinner concrete 12x12 or 16x16 paving sold in the garden Dept.

I paid someone for pavers + installation and it was more like 2x what a new concrete driveway would have been. 3-10x sounds extreme.

I used Techo Bloc which I don't think is a cheap paver, but I could be wrong.

 

[chaosracing]

I paid someone for pavers + installation and it was more like 2x what a new concrete driveway would have been. 3-10x sounds extreme.

I used Techo Bloc which I don't think is a cheap paver, but I could be wrong.

All depends on many things. Sometimes pavers can be cheaper than concrete.

Techo Bloc is good, I install alot of Caimbridge and really like their product. EP Henry used to be really good, but their quality has gone down recently.

I would go with traditional concrete pavers for this application. Use a polymeric sand in the joints and the weed situation will be reduced greatly. Make sure you dig out for at least 6" of base material (fines to 3/4" crushed stone mix) and 1" of sand or screenings under the pavers. Compact the base layer every 3".

But honestly, if you can prep the area yourself and pour the apron with concrete, it will be cheaper. Not that hard, plenty of youtube videos. Just give it a broom finish so it does not have to be a perfect smooth surface. I was just told the other day that concrete with fiber in it is going for about $130-$150 per cubic yard.

 

[brycez28]

Unilock Hollandstone pavers, 4"x8". $2.78 per sq ft x 60sq ft (6'x10' apron) = $180. I do 6" base on a standard patio, I would go at least 10-12" for base that is going to be driven on. That is about 4 yards of 3/4" crushed limestone (rock available in my area) x $34 per yard = $136. 1" mason sand, about .4 yards x $34 per yard = $17. SEK polysweep, I pay $21 a bag. 1 bag covers about 53 sq ft. So you would need 2 bags = $60. Paver edging, approximately $8 for 10' x3 = $24. 10" spiral edging spikes, 50 cents each x approximately 50-65 = $34. So, materials all in about $450-500ish in materials. I guess to figure a different sized area, be around $8.33 +- per sq ft.

You will also need a plate compactor, compact base in 2" lifts. And the compactor should have a rubber pad on the bottom to set the pavers into the base and settle the polysand into place. The pad can be improvised with plywood. Without something, the compactor will scratch the pavers.

Unilock ECO-PRIORA is a permeable paver, retail is $4.13 sq ft from one of my suppliers.

Edit: If there are any other Unilock, Techo or Belguard pavers you would like pricing for, let me know and I can look at my supplier's price sheet.

 

[brycez28]

Just quick look through my price lists, Techo is the most expensive. Belguard has DOMINO PAVER retail at $1.98 sq ft and CAMBRIDGE COBBLE at $2.88 sq ft. According to belguard's website, both can be used for driveways.

 

[madala]

I was actually considering pouring my own pavers. Anyone have tips on the most economical way to do this?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[chaosracing]

You will not match the strength and quality of a paver from a manufacturer. Till you get the supplies and materials needed to make your own, it will be cheaper to buy them already made. If its the expense, then perhaps look on craigslist for some, ask landscapers if they have any that are left over or that they removed. Ask a supply place if they have any deals on closeout/discontinued pavers.

And if you are looking to pour your own pavers, why not just pour the apron? Much better anyway, real easy to set up, easy to form and pour.