Three Paver Options, Three Different Price Points
Most Encino homeowners choose between three paver categories: standard concrete pavers, premier concrete pavers, and porcelain. Each looks different, wears differently, and costs differently — and the right one depends on budget, the look you're after, and how much heat and foot traffic the space sees.
2026 Paver Pricing (Installed)
- Angelus Courtyard (standard concrete paver): $18/sqft installed
- Belgard Dimensions (premier concrete paver): $24/sqft installed
- Arterra porcelain paver: $35/sqft installed
Travertine falls in a similar range to premium porcelain once you account for sealing, but it's a natural stone with more color and texture variation — some homeowners want that, others prefer the uniform look of porcelain.
How Encino's Soil Affects Paver Longevity
Parts of Encino, especially near the hillside transition north of Ventura Boulevard, have expansive clay soil that shifts with seasonal moisture. A properly compacted aggregate base (typically 4–6 inches of Class II road base) prevents the heaving and settling that causes pavers to shift within a few years. This is the step that gets skipped on underpriced bids.
- Porcelain — lowest water absorption, most fade- and scratch-resistant, coolest underfoot in summer heat
- Premier concrete pavers — strong color retention, wide style range, mid-range cost
- Standard concrete pavers — most economical, good for driveways and secondary patios
- Travertine (natural stone) — classic look, needs periodic sealing, moderate cost
💡 Pro Tip
Ask for the base prep spec in writing — depth of excavation, base material, and compaction method. A thin sand-set base is the number one cause of paver failure in clay-soil areas like parts of Encino.
Questions to Ask Your Paver Installer
- What's the excavation depth and base material spec for my soil type?
- Is the paver brand and product line specified in the contract, or just described as 'pavers'?
- What's the joint sand and does it include polymeric sand for weed and ant resistance?
- What's the warranty on settling or shifting?
Why Homeowners Choose Moda
Moda Outdoor Living is a direct design-build contractor — CSLB #1102152 — serving Los Angeles, Ventura, and North Orange County. Every project runs on transparent pricing, exact quantities, and sourced materials, backed by an extended warranty. We build the project ourselves; there's no lead-selling or subcontracted brokering in between.
Get a square-footage estimate with our free /estimate tool, or read the /backyard-blueprint guide to see how paver selection fits into a full backyard design.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the cheapest paver option in Encino?
Standard concrete pavers like Angelus Courtyard, at approximately $18 per square foot installed, are the most economical option that still holds up to Southern California conditions.
Is porcelain or travertine better for an Encino patio?
Porcelain absorbs less water, resists fading and scratching, and stays cooler underfoot in direct sun. Travertine offers more natural color variation but requires periodic sealing.
Why do pavers shift or heave in parts of Encino?
Expansive clay soil common near the hillside transition areas shifts seasonally with moisture. A properly compacted aggregate base prevents this — thin or skipped base prep is the most common cause of failure.
How much does paver installation cost per square foot in Encino?
Expect $18/sqft for standard concrete pavers, $24/sqft for premier concrete pavers, and $35/sqft for porcelain, installed.
