Interlock

Give Yourself the outdoor space you deserve.



DPR Landscapes specializes in the installation of interlocking pavers and natural stone.  We pride ourselves on using only the highest quality building materials to ensure your project stands the test of time.

If you are looking to add functional space in your backyard, or add curb appeal to the front of your home, schedule an appointment to for a custom design. 

Our Process

Interlock installation is a multistep process, which begins with base preparation and concludes with the installation of a jointing material between the pavers. It is critical that when choosing a contractor, they explain their base preparation methods, as this is a crucial factor in the durability and longevity of your interlock project.

Click each box to see a description of each step!

Upon arriving at your property, our crew will begin removing any preexisting landscape features from the proposed interlock location. Once the area is cleared, the construction area will be staked and prepared for excavation. 

With the help of our heavy machinery and transit level, our team will begin removing the native soils in the proposed interlock area. Approximately 12″ of soil will be removed to make room for the 3/4″ Clear stone base which will support the interlock pavers.

Once the excavation is complete, the area will be tamped down with a plate compactor to ensure a solid foundation on which to build. Next, a layer of non-woven geotextile fabric will be laid to prevent migration of the clear stone base into the native soils. No less than 8 inches of 3/4″ clear stone gravel will then be installed and compacted in layers.

After the final layer of clear stone is compacted, a 2 inch layer of High Performance Bedding is installed. This is the final layer of stone on which the interlock pavers will be laid. Using 10′ pipes and box levels, large areas can be easily graded. Water will be directed to appropriate places on your property, away from you home and other structures. 

Once a flat grade is achieved, the interlock pavers can be laid. Our crew will ensure the pavers are properly interlocked, and masonry lines will be used to verify that the pavers and laid straight and square. Depending on the design, some pavers will need to be cut to size. Our crew wil also cut the pavers intricately around rocks and steps to maintain a tight fit. 

Once the pavers are completed, we will install a concrete edging to the outside edge of the pavers. In our experience we are confident that concrete edging is the best method of paver edge restraint. The concrete edge restraint will prevent the outside pavers from settlement and separating from the other pavers edge. After this, the jointing sand can be installed. The most common sand used in this process is called polymeric sand. Our crew will start by sweeping the sand into the joints between the pavers when the top of the paver and joints are completely dry. Then, a special roller compactor is used to consolidate the sand into the joint. This will ensure there are no voids between the joints. For larger joints there may be a need to repeat the compaction and sweeping process. The last step involves wetting the sand in order to activate the polymers, which creates a firm, but flexible joint.

Check out our team in action

Watch as we transform this empty yard into an outood oasis!

Questions to ask a potential contractor

Are you Insured?

DPR holds a 5 million dollar liability insurance policy for your peace of mind. All of our employees are WSIB insured as well.

Do you offer a warranty?

DPR offers a 5 year warranty on all workmanship related issues. We are proud to stand behind our projects.

What products do you use to prepare the base?

While there are many different aggregates to use for base preparation, we believe 3/4″ Clear stone and High Performance Bedding is the best combination. These materials do not contain sand and therefore allow water to drain freely, meaning water will not sit under the pavers and compromise the interlock’s foundation.

How much base material do you use?

The industry standard is 4-6 inches of base material for a pedestrian walkway or patio. At DPR Landscapes we believe the base preparation is very important, so we install 8 inches of base material for our standard installs.

Common interlock mistakes

There are a number of ways an interlock project can be compromised. Here are some of the more prominent mistakes that can lead to issues with your project down the road

Not Having a Drainage Plan

It is extremely important to make sure water is directed away from all structures. Pooling water against your home or garage, as well as auxillary structures such as gazebos or retaining walls, can lead to a variety of problems. Basements can leak, sheds can rot, and retaining walls can fail because of water accumulation. Interlocking pavers should be installed with a 2% slope away from these features.

Not Properly Preparing the Base Materials

Not properly preparing the base materials. The base is the most important part of your interlock installation. the first step after excavating the area is to check the soil to make sure they are stable. Any soft soft clay areas should be excavated further, or should be stabilized mixing type S mortar and a larger clear stone. This mixture can be spread over weak soils and compacted. The 3/4″ clear stone base should be tamped using a plate compactor every 3 inches that is added.

Incorrectly Installing the Jointing Sand

The polymeric sand installation is another important step that can easily make or break the final aesthetic of your interlock. It is imperative that the joints are properly compacted. This ensures that the sand completely cures in the joints between the pavers. It is also very important that the correct amount of sand is used in the joints. If too much sand is used, this can lead to the sand bubbling and peeling. Lastly, the correct amount of water must be used. Too much water can cause the sand to wash out of the joints, and too little water can fail to activate the sand at the bottom of the joint.

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