Poured concrete forms a slab; pavers form a surface from individual units with joints between them. Both need appropriate ground preparation and drainage. Concrete uses planned joints to help manage movement and cracking, while an interlocking pavement relies on the interaction of its units, joints, edges and supporting layers.

A conventional interlocking concrete paver system uses a bedding layer over compacted aggregate and prepared ground. Other products and settings may require different assemblies. The correct installation depends on the selected paver, existing conditions and intended use, so the product guidance and site specification should be considered together.

Pavers are installed in layers, from the ground up. The area is excavated and graded so water drains, a crushed rock base goes in and is compacted, then a smooth bed of sand. The pavers are laid in pattern, cut to fit at the edges, locked in with edge restraint and finished with joint sand.

Joint sand fills the narrow gaps between pavers and locks them together, so each unit braces the ones around it. It does a different job from the bedding sand below, which gives each paver a flat bed to sit in. Joint sand goes in last, once the pattern is laid.

An edge restraint does. It lines the outer row, often as a concrete curb, a border set in concrete or edging staked into the base, and stops the outer pavers from sliding outward. Everything inside leans on that edge, so it has to be solid.

Pavers are worth considering when you want choice in material, pattern, texture and borders. They can connect a driveway, patio and paths while allowing each area its own purpose. Their value depends on both the selected product and installation, so compare complete proposals alongside the finished look.