Please help. So confused about pavers.

OK, so we're building a new stoop and walkway. The contractor we want to use says you don't want a concrete base under pavers because of drainage issues. In the winter if the concrete freezes and shifts, it can ruin your pavers. A lot of websites state the same. He would use a concrete border but the middle would have screening with packed gravel and sand, i think. On the opposing side, my dad and other websites says a concrete base is good for a foundation and it keeps grass from growing between the pavers. Which is the truth? Does anyone know?

TIA!

Re: Please help. So confused about pavers.

My dad/brother own a paving company so I hope I can help you. They use a solid concrete base under pavers because the sand they lay between the concrete and pavers (about 1/4 inch) is used for drainage. As my brother (who has been doing this for almost 20 years) will tell you, why would you pay the same price for your pavers to be placed on broken concrete as you would to have it set on solid concrete? A lot of companies don't use solid concrete because it is much more expensive than RCA (recycled concrete aggregate). As far as the weed prevention, that's not exactly true. When you mow grass, the spores spread around and can grow virtually anywhere. So the weeds you get in your patio arent growing through the RCA or the concrete, instead it's from spores that settle between the pavers in the sand. My brother uses a product called Sand Lock between the joints rather than fine sand. Reason being, Sand Lock goes on the same way as sand (swept in). Then you hose it down and it hardens like concrete which obviously spores can't make a home in. I hope this helps. If you have any questions, please fm me. GL!

Re: Please help. So confused about pavers.

Thanks for the info! It's so frustrating, b/c there are supposedly helpful websites out there saying the opposite. How is a homeowner supposed to know what's right?