Hardscapes, Pavers & Outdoor Masonry
Patios, pool decking, driveways, walkways, walls, steps, flagstone, travertine, and outdoor masonry.
Quick planning summary
- Best for
- Homeowners who want a deck or patio that still looks right in ten years
- Planning investment
- Pavers are quoted by installed square foot, not material cost.
- Typical timeline
- Most paver installs run one to three weeks of on-site work, depending on square footage, access, and demo.
- Service area
- Phoenix metro — Peoria, Glendale, Surprise, Scottsdale, Cave Creek, Paradise Valley, and surrounding cities.
- AE division
- AE Outdoor Living
Ranges are planning guidance and reviewed periodically. Final figures live in your signed proposal.
Blackstone at Vistancia Backyard Resort
A complete backyard resort behind a Blackstone golf-course estate — geometric pool, raised spa, full travertine deck, frameless glass, fire bowls, and a layered nighttime lighting plan.
See the full case studyWhat AE currently offers for this scope
Only options we actively design, source, and build today. Ask in your intake if you don't see what you're picturing.
- Patios, pool decking, driveways & walkways
- Seat walls, retaining walls & raised planters
- Steps & grade transitions
- Flagstone, travertine & porcelain pavers
- Outdoor masonry
- Hardscape demolition & replacement
- Polymeric sand joints, sealed for AZ sun
Where pavers work best
- —Pool decks
- —Patios
- —Driveways
- —Walkways
- —Outdoor kitchen areas
- —Fire pit areas
- —Courtyards
- —Side yards
- —Full backyard remodels
Material options
- —Standard concrete pavers
- —Large-format pavers
- —Travertine
- —Porcelain pavers
- —Natural stone
- —Premium Belgard-style options
The 13 questions AE answers for every hardscapes, pavers & outdoor masonry project
Each link goes to the canonical AE page that answers the question — cost guide, planning tool, warranty scope, real project, or homeowner FAQ. Anything we haven't verified is kept in our owner-confirmation queue rather than guessed at.
- What is it?
Pavers, travertine, and natural stone for patios, walkways, driveways, and pool decks — built on the AE canonical base spec.
See answer - Who is it for?
Owners replacing failing concrete, adding new hardscape, or rebuilding driveways and pool decks.
See answer - Is AE the right fit?See answer
- What are my options?See answer
- What drives the cost?See answer
- What drives the timeline?See answer
- What goes wrong if it's planned poorly?
Settling, joint loss, and edge failure all trace back to base prep — AE's canonical spec exists to prevent them.
See answer - How does it hold up in Arizona conditions?
Why AE uses ABC + sand and never quarter-minus under pavers in Arizona conditions.
See answer - What does maintenance look like?See answer
- Permits, HOA, and engineering?See answer
- Warranty and manufacturer docs?See answer
- Show me a real project.See answer
- Is there a planning tool?See answer
The scope items that move the number
Size, selections, access, demolition, utilities, engineering, drainage, permitting, HOA requirements, site conditions, and specialty trades. We surface each one in your written scope instead of teasing a price that omits common cost drivers.
- Square footage
- Material — concrete, travertine, porcelain
- Base prep depth
- Pattern and cuts
- Tear-out of existing slab
- Site access
- Drainage and grading
- Edge restraint and joint sand
- Steps, walls, and transitions
- Permits where required
What this looks like in Arizona heat, soil, and monsoon
Engineered base depth
AE installs 4–6" of compacted ABC on driveways and 2–3" on patios and walkways, with additional depth where build-up or higher-traffic use calls for it. Every install gets a 1" screeded sand bed and polymeric joint sand. Skipping base depth is the #1 reason paver jobs fail in 2–3 years.
Heat-aware materials
Light travertine and porcelain stay barefoot-friendly around pools; standard concrete and dark cobblestone do not. We publish surface-temperature trade-offs honestly.
Polymeric joint sand
AZ heat and monsoon strip cheap joint sand fast. Polymeric sand with proper activation locks joints, blocks weeds, and survives the climate.
Drainage away from house
Pool decks and patios are graded away from the structure with overflow paths planned for monsoon. Pavers don't drain — the base under them does.
How we build it, summarized
- — Written, itemized scope before any work begins; no verbal change orders.
- — Engineering, drainage, and code review documented in the approved design.
- — Manufacturer instructions and current AZ code govern installation methods.
- — Photo documentation captured at each major milestone for the project file.
Final specifications depend on the approved design, site conditions, engineering, applicable code, manufacturer instructions, and signed scope.
See full Construction Standards →Set in your signed proposal
Your signed proposal and agreement control payment milestones, permitting responsibilities, warranty coverage, exclusions, and project scope. Pool and non-pool projects follow different milestone schedules.
What's covered, and by whom
AE provides a two-year workmanship warranty unless a signed agreement states otherwise. Manufacturer warranties apply where applicable and vary by product. Your signed agreement and manufacturer documentation control coverage.
- Landscape, hardscape, stone, paversAE workmanship: 2-year workmanship
Website information is for planning purposes. Your signed proposal and agreement control the scope, payment schedule, warranty, and project responsibilities.
Hardscapes, Pavers & Outdoor Masonry questions, answered
How much do pavers cost per square foot in Arizona?+
Installed travertine typically runs $18–$28/sq ft, porcelain $22–$35, concrete pavers $14–$22 — varies with base prep, pattern, and access.
What causes paver failure?+
Poor base prep causes nearly every failure. We use 4–6 inches of ABC on driveways and 2–3 inches on patios and walkways (more where build-up or higher-traffic use calls for it), compacted in 2–3 inch lifts, topped with a 1-inch screeded sand bed and polymeric joint sand on every install — so the deck stays flat for decades.
Are pavers better than poured concrete?+
Yes — pavers flex with soil movement instead of cracking like a rigid slab. And if one paver does fail, you replace one paver, not the whole deck.
Are travertine pavers hot in summer?+
Travertine stays noticeably cooler than concrete decking — that's why it's the most popular pool-deck material in Arizona.
How often should pavers be sealed?+
Every 3 to 5 years to keep the color vibrant and protect the surface from UV and stains.
What's the typical timeline for a paver installation project?+
Most paver installations, from design to completion, take about 1 to 3 weeks depending on the project's size and complexity. Larger driveways or multiple patio areas will naturally take longer.
Do I need a permit for paver installation in Arizona?+
Minor paver projects like small patios usually don't require a permit. However, larger installations, especially driveways or extensive remodels, might need one, and we'll help determine that.
What's the best way to clean and maintain my paver patio or driveway?+
Regular sweeping and occasional rinsing with a hose is usually sufficient. For tougher stains, a mild detergent and a brush can be used, followed by a thorough rinse.
Published specifications are typical AE planning or construction baselines. Final specifications depend on site conditions, engineering, manufacturer requirements, applicable code, and the signed scope.
What goes wrong when this is done poorly
- Sinking from poor base prep
- Uneven joints
- Poor drainage and standing water
- Edge failure where restraint was skipped
- Wrong base material for the soil
- Bad compaction in lifts
Often built alongside
Ready to plan this the right way?
One accountable team — design, written scope, build, and aftercare.