We’ve all seen it: a paver patio that looks faded, uneven, or overrun with weeds after just a few years. These common problems are frustrating, but they aren’t inevitable. They’re often the result of choosing subpar materials and improper installation. A successful hardscaping project starts with a product engineered for longevity. That’s why choosing high-quality Nicolock pavers on Long Island is such a critical first step. Their advanced manufacturing process ensures a dense, durable surface with rich color that won’t wash away. This guide explains how pairing a superior product like Nicolock with expert installation is the key to a beautiful, low-maintenance outdoor space that lasts.
Homeowners on Long Island, New York are constantly looking for ways to boost both home value and curb appeal with Nicolock pavers for patios and pools. Increasing curb appeal can boost home value. It’s a self-perpetuating circle of home value.
Nicolock Pavers Add Value & Curb Appeal to Suffolk & Nassau County Long Island Homes
Did you know that Nicolock pavers are manufactured in 1,000 different combinations of colors and textures? You can create a custom look to fit your style and your vision; by simply adding hardscaping elements to your backyard. Some hardscape ideas to add are patios, walkways, and retaining walls to your backyard you add a touch of class to your living space. Your outdoor space increases the home’s curb appeal too. Nicolock paving stones have great slip resistance with a “smooth as silk” appearance. They are ideal for patios, walkways, pool decks, and driveways. All Nicolock pavers use Nicolock’s patented Paver-Shield technology. The paver blocks have color throughout the entire block, giving them a richer more vibrant color that will not fade over time, and they provide superior protection against all outdoor elements. Superior quality and protection make these paving blocks great for patios, driveways, poolside areas, and walkways.
Benefits vs Disadvantages of Pavers?
Nicolock is a 100% U.S.-owned and operated company specializing in the production of patio pavers and other hardscaping products. Nicolock manufactures a complete line of interlocking concrete paving stones, architectural paving slabs, precast concrete products, and segmental retaining wall systems.
Benefits of Paving Stones
- Affordable: Nicolock paving slabs are beautiful and very cost-effective options. They are an affordable way to increase the aesthetic value and functionality of your home.
- Curb Appeal: Nicolock paver patios are incredibly attractive and Nicolock’s patented manufacturing technology – Paver-Shield™ – ensures that your pavers will look great for a long, long time
- Home Value: With an average return on investment (ROI) over 80%, according to Remodeling Magazine’s annual Cost vs. Value report, a new patio is an excellent way to boost your home value.
- Durability: Because the rich, vibrant color is throughout the full thickness of the paver, it will not fade over time. Green: Nicolock manufactures several variations of eco-friendly permeable paving products.
- Warranty: All Nicolock products come with a limited lifetime warranty.
What Makes Nicolock Pavers a Great Choice?
When you’re planning a new patio, walkway, or pool surround, the materials you choose are just as important as the design. Nicolock has become a go-to choice for many Long Island homeowners, and for good reason. They combine aesthetic appeal with serious performance, ensuring your investment looks fantastic for years to come. Their commitment to quality starts from the inside out, using a proprietary manufacturing process that sets them apart from the competition. This focus on innovation means you get a product that not only enhances your home’s curb appeal but also stands up to the demanding Northeast weather, from scorching summer sun to freezing winter nights. It’s this reliability that makes them a staple in our masonry and hardscape projects across Suffolk and Nassau counties.
Strength and Durability
One of the biggest concerns for any outdoor installation is how long it will last. Nicolock addresses this head-on by engineering pavers that are built for a lifetime. They are so confident in their product’s resilience that they offer a limited lifetime warranty for residential use, covering your pavers for as long as you own your home. This durability is crucial for high-traffic areas like driveways and patios. The pavers are designed to resist cracking, splitting, and fading, which means less worry about maintenance and more time enjoying your beautiful outdoor space. This long-term performance ensures that your investment not only adds immediate value but continues to pay off season after season.
Paver-Shield™ Technology
What’s the secret to Nicolock’s vibrant, long-lasting color? It’s their signature Paver-Shield™ technology. Unlike pavers where color is only applied to the surface, Nicolock infuses a concentrated layer of iron oxide pigment, ultra-fine sand, and Portland cement throughout the top of each paver. This process creates a tight, smooth surface with deep, rich color that won’t fade away. It also provides superior protection against the elements, ensuring your patio looks just as brilliant in ten years as it did on day one. This technology is a key reason why Nicolock pavers maintain their “smooth as silk” appearance and structural integrity over time.
A Company with Experience
Trust is a major factor when selecting building materials, and Nicolock has earned it. As a 100% U.S.-owned and operated company, they have decades of experience specializing in hardscaping products. Their long-standing reputation is built on a foundation of quality manufacturing and consistent innovation. For us at Gappsi, working with experienced and reliable manufacturers like Nicolock is essential. It allows us to confidently design and build stunning swimming pool patios and outdoor living areas, knowing the materials we use are backed by a history of excellence and a commitment to American manufacturing.
Helpful Planning Tools
Getting started on a hardscaping project can feel overwhelming, but Nicolock provides tools to make the planning process easier. Their website features helpful resources, including a Paver Calculator that allows you to estimate the amount of material you’ll need for your project. This is a great first step for budgeting and visualizing the scope of your new patio or walkway. While these tools are fantastic for initial planning, bringing your vision to life requires professional expertise. Our design team at Gappsi can take your ideas and create a detailed plan that considers drainage, layout, and the perfect paver combination for your home.
Nicolock Paver Styles and Options
Your outdoor space should be a reflection of your personal style, and Nicolock’s extensive selection makes that possible. With hundreds of combinations of shapes, colors, and textures, you can achieve any look, from rustic charm to modern sophistication. This variety allows for incredible design flexibility, whether you’re creating an intricate pattern for a walkway or a sleek, contemporary patio for your backyard oasis. The ability to mix and match different paver lines means you can create a truly custom hardscape that complements your home’s architecture and your landscape design. This level of choice ensures your project will be unique and perfectly tailored to your vision.
Popular Product Lines
Nicolock is always innovating, regularly introducing new products to meet evolving design trends. Popular lines like the Blue Ridge Contemporary pavers offer clean lines and a modern aesthetic perfect for minimalist designs. For a more traditional feel, their classic cobblestone and colonial styles provide timeless appeal. They also offer practical solutions like Dimensional Steps for creating beautiful, integrated stairways and even Constellation Pro path lights to illuminate your hardscapes at night. This diverse product range means we can source the perfect materials for any project, whether it’s a cozy fire pit area or an expansive multi-level patio.
Specialty Paver Types
Beyond standard patio pavers, Nicolock manufactures products designed for specific applications. They offer a range of pavers with enhanced strength and thickness specifically engineered for driveways, capable of withstanding the weight of vehicles without shifting or cracking. They also produce permeable pavers, an eco-friendly option that allows rainwater to pass through the surface and seep into the ground naturally. This can help manage stormwater runoff, a growing concern for many homeowners. Having these specialized options allows us to provide tailored solutions that meet both the functional and aesthetic needs of your property.
Nicolock vs. Other Paver Brands
When researching pavers, you’ll quickly find there are several major brands to choose from, each with its own set of features and benefits. Understanding the key differences can help you make a more informed decision for your home. While many companies produce high-quality pavers, the manufacturing process and proprietary technologies are often what set them apart. Factors like color-fading technology, surface texture, and overall durability can vary significantly from one brand to another. We often get questions about how Nicolock stacks up against other popular choices on the market, particularly Cambridge pavers, as both are frequently used in Long Island projects.
Nicolock vs. Cambridge Pavers
Both Nicolock and Cambridge are respected manufacturers, but their core technologies differ. The primary distinction lies in their approach to color and durability. As we’ve discussed, Nicolock uses its Paver-Shield™ technology, which creates a smooth, dense surface with color integrated throughout the top layer. This results in a paver that is exceptionally strong, vibrant, and resistant to fading. Cambridge, on the other hand, utilizes its ArmorTec technology, which also aims for a durable, colorfast paver. While both are excellent products, many find that the Paver-Shield™ process gives Nicolock pavers a smoother finish and a richer, more consistent color profile that truly lasts a lifetime.
Disadvantages of Paving Stones
- Moss will grow in between pavers: Just like weeds, moss growth in between pavers is a common problem. Moss likes to grow in wet, shady areas. If moss gets out of hand it can be a big pain. It is important to note that it is not only unsightly, but it can be very slippery when wet.
- Weeds will grow in between pavers: In between each of the pavers is a layer of sand that acts as a grout line. Over time, sand washes out and requires to be refilled periodically to maintain proper spacing. Homeowners can either do this on their own or hire a contractor to do it for them. It is important to note that if restoring the sand is neglected, chances increase that weeds will grow in between each paver.
- Pavers will wobble: Pavers always need a strong base, and many contractors who do not specialize in installing pavers fail to provide the strong base pavers need. Some contractors lay a scarce amount of sand under the pavers which can cause the pavers to sink.
Long Island NY Stone Patios Driveways Cleaning Sealing Experts!
We are often asked, “Do I need to seal my pavers?” The short answer is YES!!! Cleaning and Sealing is an important maintenance tools to keep paver patios, walkways, driveways, and pool decks looking as beautiful as the day they were installed.
However, “too much of a good thing” can come into play. You should be wary of over-applying paver sealer by reapplying too often, which could create a haze. Below are a few of the most popular questions we have received. To read the entire list of questions check out the Cleaning and Sealing page:
Is it necessary to Seal Pavers?
Gappsi recommends sealing concrete pavers and cleaning regularly. Although paving stones use the highest quality cement, cement is a corrosive material. Cement wears under natural elements such as rain and snow. The sun, rain, and cold can easily wear the surface of pavers, and a good sealing job with the right sealing product, applied by a professional technician of sealing, will create a layer of protection over the paving stones making them water-repellent and weatherproof. This will protect the concrete surface from corrosion. A good sealer penetrates the paver surface and stays there for many years, even when the look of the sealer goes away the color and texture of the pavers will stay new.
Do you need to pressure wash pavers before sealing them?
Gappsi recommends pressure washing pavers before sealing the surface and the surface should be free of debris. It is very important the surface is cleaned first. Once the sealant is on the pavers any stains or materials that get trapped under the sealer will not be able to be cleaned after it’s sealed.
Pressure washing pavers is just as important as sealing them. Using the wrong pressure washing tools could also hurt the pavers. A pressure washer with the wrong nozzle could mark or wear the pavers. The best-recommended tool is a high-volume, low-pressure, hot water-pressure washer. The hot water cleans the pavers and prepares the surface for the best result sealing job.
Understanding the Cost of Nicolock Pavers
When you’re planning a new patio or walkway, one of the first questions that comes to mind is, “How much will this cost?” Budgeting is a crucial part of any home improvement project, and understanding the factors that influence the price of Nicolock pavers can help you plan effectively. The total cost isn’t just about the pavers themselves; it includes the materials needed for a solid foundation, the labor involved in a professional installation, and the specific design you choose. Think of it as an investment in your home’s functionality and curb appeal—one that pays off in both enjoyment and increased property value for years to come.
Material and Installation Costs
Let’s break down the numbers. The Nicolock pavers themselves typically cost between $2 and $4 per square foot on average, though some premium styles can vary. However, the material is just one piece of the puzzle. The complete installation, which includes the base materials, labor, and equipment, is where the bulk of the investment lies. When you factor in professional installation, the total cost generally ranges from $10 to $30 per square foot. This ensures a durable, long-lasting surface that won’t shift or sink over time. A proper masonry installation is key to avoiding issues like wobbling pavers down the road.
Example Project Cost: A Paver Patio
To make this more concrete, let’s imagine you’re building a standard 20-foot by 20-foot patio, which is 400 square feet. Based on average installation costs, you can expect this project to fall somewhere between $3,800 and $6,800. While the final price depends on the specific paver style and complexity of the design, this range gives you a solid starting point for your budget. Investing in a professionally installed paver patio not only creates a beautiful outdoor living area for your family to enjoy but also significantly enhances the overall value and appeal of your Long Island home.
Hiring the Right Contractor for Paver Installation
Remember how we talked about wobbly pavers? That’s almost always a sign of a poor installation job. Choosing the right contractor is just as important as picking the perfect paver. You want a team that specializes in hardscaping and has a proven track record. When vetting potential installers, look through their portfolio of completed projects to get a real sense of their craftsmanship. A company with decades of experience in masonry and paver installation will know exactly how to prepare the base to prevent sinking and shifting, ensuring your new patio or driveway is built to last.
Once you have a shortlist, do your homework by checking online reviews and asking for references. During your consultation, don’t be shy about asking questions about their process, the project timeline, and who will be on-site. A reputable contractor will be happy to walk you through every step and provide clear answers. This initial communication is a great indicator of the service you can expect. Finding a team that also handles long-term maintenance, like professional paver restoration and sealing, is a huge plus, as it shows they are committed to the longevity of your investment.
Nicolock’s Lifetime Warranty
When you invest in your home, you want that investment to last. Nicolock stands behind its products with a commitment that gives homeowners peace of mind. They offer a limited lifetime warranty on their pavers, which means the product is covered for as long as you own your home. This isn’t just a marketing promise; it’s a testament to the quality and durability built into every stone. This warranty reflects the company’s confidence that their pavers, when installed correctly, will withstand the test of time and the varied Long Island weather, from hot summers to freezing winters. It ensures that the vibrant color and structural integrity you fall in love with will remain a feature of your home for years to come. Choosing a product with such a strong guarantee makes the decision to upgrade your outdoor space feel secure and sensible.
Of course, a product is only as good as its installation. To ensure your project qualifies for this extensive warranty and performs beautifully, it’s crucial to have it installed by experienced professionals. At Gappsi, our masonry and construction teams are experts in laying Nicolock pavers according to the manufacturer’s precise specifications. We build the proper foundation and ensure every detail is handled correctly, so your new patio, walkway, or driveway not only looks stunning but is also built to endure. A professional installation is the key to unlocking the full potential and longevity of your Nicolock pavers, protecting your investment from day one.
Transferable Warranty for Homeowners
One of the most significant advantages of Nicolock’s warranty is that it’s transferable to the next homeowner. This is a powerful feature that adds tangible value to your property. When it comes time to sell, you can present the transferable warranty as a major selling point. Potential buyers will see the paver installation not as a potential future expense, but as a durable, protected feature of the home. This added assurance can make your home more attractive on the market and reinforces the idea that you invested in high-quality materials. It’s a benefit that extends beyond your own enjoyment, making your hardscaping project a smart financial decision for the future.
Where to Find Nicolock Pavers on Long Island
While Nicolock pavers are available through various suppliers across Long Island, finding the right material is only the first step. A successful outdoor project depends on a cohesive vision, expert design, and flawless execution. Simply buying the pavers doesn’t guarantee a beautiful or long-lasting result. The real magic happens when you partner with a team that can guide you through the entire process, from selecting the perfect color and style combination to preparing the site and installing each stone with precision. This is where having a dedicated partner makes all the difference, turning a simple purchase into a transformative home improvement project.
At Gappsi, we provide a complete solution for your hardscaping needs. You can visit our showroom to see and feel the different Nicolock options in person, helping you visualize how they will look in your space. Our design experts will work with you to create a plan that complements your home’s architecture and fits your lifestyle. From there, our skilled installation crews take over, ensuring every aspect of the project is handled professionally. Instead of coordinating between a supplier and a separate contractor, you get a seamless experience with a single, trusted company that has been beautifying Long Island homes since 1987. We manage everything, so you can simply enjoy the process and look forward to your stunning new outdoor space.
Read more questions on our Cleaning and Sealing Paving Stones page
Gappsi completed a backyard renovation in Smithtown NY. We installed Nicolock Pavers around a Vinyl Pool. Gappsi reinstalled a new liner and new equipment for the swimming pool. In addition, we designed and built new stairs across the l shape shallow area of the swimming pool. Charcoal Nicolock 12×8 bullnose was chosen for around the pool. The patio was paved with Granite City Stone Ridge. Several raised patio areas were created near the backyard sliding doors to add dimensional depth to the backyard scape.
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VIEW OUR VIDEO OF A FREE-FORM VINYL POOL WITH SUNDECK
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Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Nicolock pavers different from other brands I see on Long Island? The biggest difference is how they handle color. Nicolock uses a special process called Paver-Shield™ technology, which mixes concentrated color and cement deep into the top portion of each paver. This creates a dense, smooth surface with rich color that is part of the stone itself, so it won’t fade over time. This commitment to a durable, vibrant surface is what sets them apart.
I’ve seen paver patios get weedy and uneven. How do I prevent that from happening to mine? This problem almost always comes down to the installation, not the pavers themselves. Weeds and wobbly pavers are signs of a weak or improperly prepared base. A professional installation focuses heavily on creating a solid foundation that won’t sink or shift. When the base is done right, there’s very little room for weeds to take hold, and your patio will remain stable and level for years.
Is sealing my new paver patio really necessary? Yes, we highly recommend it. Think of sealer as a protective layer for your investment. It helps shield the pavers from rain, sun, and stains, making them easier to clean and helping to preserve their original color and texture. While Nicolock pavers are incredibly durable on their own, sealing is a straightforward maintenance step that ensures they look their best for as long as possible.
What should I realistically expect to budget for a new paver patio? The final cost depends on the size and complexity of your project, but a good general range for a professionally installed patio is between $10 and $30 per square foot. This price includes not just the pavers, but also the crucial base materials, labor, and equipment needed for a proper installation. Investing in a quality installation is what prevents the common issues and protects the longevity of your patio.
How does Nicolock’s lifetime warranty actually work? Nicolock is so confident in their product’s durability that they cover it with a limited lifetime warranty for as long as you own your home. This protects against any structural issues with the pavers themselves. A great feature is that the warranty is transferable one time to the next owner, which can be a real asset if you decide to sell your home in the future.
Key Takeaways
- Choose Pavers with Through-Body Color: Nicolock’s Paver-Shield™ technology infuses color deep into the stone, not just on the surface. This is the secret to a patio that resists fading and maintains its rich appearance for years.
- A Great Paver Needs a Great Installer: The long-term stability of your patio depends entirely on the foundation beneath it. Hiring a specialized contractor is the only way to prevent common issues like sinking, shifting, and wobbling pavers.
- Protect Your Patio with Regular Sealing: Think of sealing as essential maintenance, not an optional extra. A professional cleaning and sealing service protects your pavers from weathering, keeps them looking new, and is necessary to uphold the product’s lifetime warranty.
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