Buying guide
Patio pavers: types, patterns & how to choose
A plain-English guide to picking the right paver material and layout for a Sioux Falls patio, driveway, or walkway — from the crew that hauls the material to your yard.
1. Types of patio pavers
Four materials cover 95% of the patios we deliver for. Each has a sweet spot — the right pick depends on how the space is used, not just how it looks.
Concrete pavers
Best for: Driveways, high-traffic patios, budget builds
Pros
- Widest range of shapes, colors, and finishes
- Consistent size — fastest to install in complex patterns
- Individual units are easily replaced if stained or cracked
Trade-offs
- Color can fade after 8–10 years of direct sun
- Surface may spall if de-icing salt is used repeatedly
Our most-recommended option for Sioux Falls homeowners. Freeze-thaw rated and stocked in tumbled, smooth, and textured finishes.
Natural stone (flagstone & bluestone)
Best for: Custom patios, pool decks, high-end landscapes
Pros
- Every piece is one-of-a-kind — no two patios look alike
- Color runs through the stone, never fades
- Naturally slip-resistant, stays cooler underfoot in summer
Trade-offs
- Irregular thicknesses take longer to set level
- Softer stones (limestone, sandstone) need periodic sealing
Sold by the pallet in random-shape 'patio pack' or sawn-cut rectangles. Plan 15% overage for cutting waste.
Clay brick pavers
Best for: Historic homes, traditional patios, walkways
Pros
- Color is fired-in — never fades, even after decades
- Classic, warm look that ages well
- Denser than concrete; excellent freeze-thaw performance
Trade-offs
- Limited to red / brown / rust tones
- Smaller unit size means more labor per square foot
Specify 'paver brick' rated for exterior ground contact — standard wall brick is not durable enough for a patio.
Permeable pavers
Best for: Drainage-sensitive sites, city stormwater requirements
Pros
- Water drains between joints — eliminates most puddling
- Reduces runoff onto neighboring lots and storm drains
- May qualify for stormwater utility credits in Sioux Falls
Trade-offs
- Requires a deeper open-graded base (10–14 inches)
- Joints need annual sweeping of clean chip to stay porous
A strong pick for low-lying yards or patios adjacent to a garage slab that already drains poorly.
2. Common paver patterns
Pattern choice affects both the finished look and the labor involved. More complex patterns generate more cut waste — plan your material order accordingly.
| Pattern | Difficulty | Waste factor |
|---|---|---|
| Running bond | Easy | 5–8% |
| Herringbone (45° or 90°) | Moderate | 10–15% |
| Basket weave | Easy | 5–8% |
| Circle / European fan | Advanced | 15–20% |
| Random ashlar | Moderate | 10% |
Running bond
Each row offset by half a paver, like a brick wall laid flat. The most forgiving pattern for DIY installs and the fastest to lay.
Best for: Straight-run patios, walkways, first-time installers
Herringbone (45° or 90°)
Rectangular pavers set at right angles to each other in a zig-zag weave. 45° rotates the pattern for a more dynamic look; 90° is easier along straight edges.
Best for: Driveways and high-traffic patios — the interlocking geometry resists shifting under load better than any other pattern.
Basket weave
Pairs of pavers alternate horizontal and vertical to form a woven look. Traditional and easy to lay against a straight edge.
Best for: Cottage and traditional patios, courtyard entries
Circle / European fan
Concentric rings that expand from a small center paver. Sold as pre-cut kits so the geometry lines up without site cutting.
Best for: Fire pit surrounds, focal points inside a larger patio
Random ashlar
Three or more paver sizes combined so no repeating seam runs across the field. Reads as natural stone even when using concrete units.
Best for: Large patios where a repeating pattern would feel monotonous
3. How to choose
Cars drive on it? Use concrete or clay pavers in a 45° herringbone. Skip natural stone and skip running bond.
Water pools nearby? Look at permeable pavers with an open-graded base. They'll pay for themselves the first spring you don't get a soggy yard.
Tight budget, big area? Concrete pavers in running bond or basket weave — fastest to install and cheapest per square foot.
Custom, high-end look? Natural flagstone in random ashlar, or a concrete field with a natural stone border. Budget 20% cutting waste.
4. How a paver patio is built
Even if you're hiring the install, knowing the sequence helps you spot corners being cut. Every long-lasting patio follows these six steps.
- 1
Excavate 8–10 inches
Strip sod and dig to 8 inches below the finished patio height for a walking patio, 10–12 inches for a driveway. Slope 1/8 inch per foot away from the house.
- 2
Compact a road-base subgrade
Fill with 4–6 inches of Class 5 road base in 2-inch lifts, compacting each lift with a plate compactor. This is the layer that decides whether your patio stays flat.
- 3
Screed 1 inch of bedding sand
Coarse concrete sand, screeded level with two rails. Never use play sand — it holds water and washes out.
- 4
Lay pavers tight, cut edges last
Set pavers snug against each other with 1/16-inch joints. Cut the perimeter pieces with a diamond wet saw only after the field is laid.
- 5
Install edge restraint
Plastic or aluminum edging spiked every 12 inches keeps the outer row from creeping. Skipping this is the #1 reason patios fail.
- 6
Sweep in polymeric sand
Dry-sweep polymeric sand into the joints, blow off the surface, then mist with water to activate. Locks the joints and blocks weeds and ants.
5. Frequently asked questions
How much do patio pavers cost per square foot in Sioux Falls?
Materials alone typically run $4–$8/sq ft for concrete pavers, $9–$16/sq ft for clay brick, and $14–$28/sq ft for natural stone. Add road base, sand, edging, and polymeric sand — figure another $2–$3/sq ft in supporting materials.
Which paver pattern is strongest for a driveway?
45° herringbone. The interlocking geometry distributes vehicle loads across neighboring pavers and prevents the row-shifting you'll see with running bond under a car.
Do I need to seal my paver patio?
Concrete and clay pavers don't require sealing, but a penetrating sealer every 3–5 years deepens color and makes stain cleanup easier. Softer natural stones (limestone, sandstone) benefit from sealing on install.
How thick should the base be for a patio vs a driveway?
4–6 inches of compacted Class 5 base for a walking patio; 8–12 inches for a driveway. Skimping on base thickness — not paver quality — is the reason patios settle and rut.
Can I lay pavers directly on grass or dirt?
No. Pavers set on unprepared soil will heave with the first freeze-thaw cycle and settle unevenly by year two. The road-base and sand layers are what let a paver patio last 25+ years in South Dakota winters.
Ready to price out your patio?
Tell us your square footage and pattern — we'll pull the paver count, base tonnage, sand, and polymeric sand for you, and schedule delivery to your driveway.