Edge restraint: the cheapest part of the job, and the one that holds it together

Every time something crosses a paver surface, the field pushes outward. Without restraint at the open edges, it slowly spreads.

What spreading looks like

Joints widen. The border row rotates. Grass creeps into the gaps. Within a few seasons the pattern near the edge no longer lines up with the middle, and there is no way to pull it back without lifting.

Where restraint is needed

Anywhere the field is not held by a wall, a curb, a step or a building — which on most driveways means both long sides, and on most patios means two or three sides.

How it should be installed

The restraint sits on the compacted base, not on soil, and it is spiked through into that base. Restraint laid on topsoil moves with the topsoil, which is the same as no restraint at all.

Soldier courses and borders

A border row does more than look deliberate: it gives the field a clean line to terminate against and makes cuts along the edge far less visible.

Interlock work