A full interlock driveway creates a distinctive finished entrance, but it is not the right investment for every homeowner. Combining asphalt paving with an interlock border offers another option: the practical surface and lower overall cost of asphalt with the colour, definition and detail of interlocking stone.
A properly designed border can frame the driveway, connect it to the front walkway and give the property a more finished appearance. The key is to plan the asphalt, interlock, grading and surrounding landscaping together.
Why Combine Asphalt With an Interlock Border?
Asphalt is a practical driveway material for Ontario homes. It accommodates large areas economically and performs well when installed over a properly prepared base.
Interlocking stone can then be used strategically to add:
- Colour and texture
- Definition along the driveway edges
- A finished transition to the garage
- Coordination with the front walkway and steps
- Greater curb appeal without the cost of paving the entire driveway in interlock
- A visual connection between the driveway and surrounding landscaping
This combination is particularly effective when the border is treated as part of the overall front-entrance design instead of being selected independently.
How Much Does a Full Interlock Driveway Cost?
A professionally installed interlock driveway typically costs approximately $28 to $35 per square foot, depending on the paver, excavation requirements, base preparation, access, drainage and design details.
Premium pavers, borders, patterns, difficult access and additional site preparation can increase the final price.
Driveway borders are priced separately because their cost depends on the border width, total length, paver selection and how the installation is coordinated with the asphalt contractor or paving contractor.
This is one reason many homeowners choose asphalt with an interlock border: it provides the finished appearance of interlocking stone without the cost of installing interlock across the entire driveway.
Interlock Driveway Border Design Options
The right border depends on the driveway layout, house style and other materials used on the property.
Side Borders
Interlock can run along one or both sides of the asphalt driveway. Side borders create clean edges and can help visually separate the driveway from the lawn or garden.
The width should suit the scale of the driveway. A narrow border provides subtle definition, while a wider band makes the interlock a more noticeable design feature.
A Full Picture-Frame Border
A picture-frame design surrounds most or all of the asphalt with interlock. This creates a more formal appearance and clearly defines the driveway’s shape.
This option works well when the same paver is used for the front walkway or entrance, creating a consistent design across the front of the property.
An Interlock Apron
An interlock apron is a wider section installed across part of the driveway. It may be positioned near the garage, at the street or where the driveway connects to a walkway.
An apron can create a strong visual feature, but its placement must account for vehicle traffic, municipal requirements, drainage and snow clearing.
Borders Connected to the Front Walkway
The driveway border can transition directly into an interlock walkway leading to the front door. This helps the entrance feel deliberate and gives visitors a clear route from the driveway to the house.
Explore our front-entrance landscaping services for more ideas involving walkways, steps, gardens and interlock.
Choose Pavers That Complement the House
The border does not need to match every material on the property. It should coordinate with the home’s brick, stone, siding and existing hardscaping.
Consider:
- Paver colour and texture
- Border width
- Pattern and laying direction
- Contrast with the asphalt
- Existing porch, steps or walkway materials
- The size and architectural style of the home
- Whether the design should feel traditional or contemporary
Very light pavers create a strong contrast with black asphalt but may show tire marks and road debris more easily. Mid-tone greys, charcoal and blended colours can create definition while remaining practical for a driveway setting.
Proper Base Preparation Still Matters
An interlock border must have its own properly constructed base. It should not simply be placed beside the asphalt on topsoil or an insufficient layer of aggregate.
Proper construction may include:
- Excavation to the required depth
- Removal of unstable soil
- Compacted aggregate installed in appropriate layers
- Correct grading for surface drainage
- Bedding material
- Secure edge restraint
- Properly filled paver joints
The asphalt and interlock are different materials that respond differently to traffic, moisture and Ontario’s freeze-and-thaw cycles. Careful base preparation helps reduce settlement, spreading and uneven transitions between the two surfaces.
Learn more about our approach to interlock patios, driveways and walkways.
Coordinate the Interlock and Asphalt Installation
The interlock contractor and asphalt paving contractor need to coordinate elevations, grading and installation order.
Depending on the project, the border may be installed before the final asphalt surface so the paving can meet the edge cleanly. Other projects may require a different sequence because of existing pavement, excavation or site conditions.
Before work begins, both contractors should understand:
- The finished height of the asphalt
- The finished height of the interlock
- The required asphalt thickness
- Drainage direction and slopes
- Border dimensions
- Edge-restraint requirements
- Where the materials will meet
- Who is responsible for each stage of preparation
Poor coordination can leave an uneven seam, incorrect elevations or a low area that collects water.
Plan for Drainage
The driveway must direct water away from the house and avoid creating drainage problems for neighbouring properties.
The border should not act as a dam that traps water on the asphalt. Finished elevations must allow surface water to move toward an appropriate drainage area.
Existing slopes, garage elevations, municipal sidewalks and the connection to the road can all affect the design. Drainage should be assessed before excavation—not after the asphalt and interlock have been installed.
Consider Snow Removal and Vehicle Traffic
Driveway borders must withstand regular vehicle loads and Ontario winters. They should also be designed with snow removal in mind.
Raised or uneven edges can catch snowplow blades and become damaged. Properly installed borders should create a smooth transition beside the asphalt while still clearly defining the driveway.
If salt or de-icing products will be used, follow the paver manufacturer’s recommendations. Some products can damage concrete pavers or affect their appearance over time.
What Affects the Cost of an Interlock Driveway Border?
The cost varies according to:
- Total length and width of the border
- Amount of excavation required
- Existing asphalt or interlock removal
- Access for equipment
- Base conditions
- Paver selection
- Curves, corners and detailed patterns
- Aprons or wider feature areas
- Drainage work
- Connections to walkways, steps or gardens
- Coordination with the asphalt paving contractor
A simple border beside a new asphalt driveway will have a different scope than a project involving demolition, drainage correction and a complete front-entrance renovation.
The property should be reviewed before an accurate quote is prepared.
Should You Choose a Border or a Full Interlock Driveway?
An asphalt driveway with an interlock border may be the better choice if you want:
- A more economical alternative to full interlock
- Definition and curb appeal
- A coordinated front walkway and driveway
- A practical surface for a larger driveway
- A smaller amount of interlock to maintain
A full interlock driveway may be appropriate when the homeowner wants the entire driveway to become a major architectural feature and is comfortable with the larger investment.
Our guide to interlock versus concrete explains additional differences between common hardscape materials.
Plan Your Driveway Border With the Whole Entrance in Mind
The best driveway borders do more than outline the asphalt. They connect the driveway to the walkway, steps, gardens and architecture of the home.
Earthworks Landscaping & Pools installs interlock driveway borders, walkways and front entrances throughout Burlington, Oakville, Milton, Waterdown and surrounding communities.
Contact Earthworks to discuss your driveway border or front-entrance project.
