What is under the pavers?
Two patios can look identical from above and need different installation details. If the pavers sit on bedding sand or gravel, the finish alone does not provide the load path for wind uplift and sideways movement. If the paving sits over concrete, the slab might be usable after an installer verifies its condition and suitability for the specific pergola and fixings.
- Pavers over sand or gravel: Ask your installer to price footings at the proposed post locations and show how the paving will be reinstated around them.
- Pavers over an existing slab: Verify slab thickness, condition, edges and joints, and any embedded services before specifying anchors. Have the installer confirm how the plate will bear and how the approved fixings reach the structural concrete.
- New patio: Finalize the post layout and the foundation details before the concrete or paving work. Show the drain outlets and any wiring that needs to come up through a post.
What to check before you order
- Get a drawing with post centers, base plate dimensions and the required foundation and fixing detail for the exact model and size.
- Mark the post positions on the patio. Check stairs, doors, slab edges, drainage channels and underground services with your installer before work starts.
- Show the actual site slope. Ask how the installer will keep the posts plumb and the frame and roof drainage within the manufacturer's tolerances.
- List any planned ZIP screens or side panels. Ask whether the proposed foundation and connections are suitable with those accessories in place.
Can you use an existing concrete slab?
Possibly. The slab needs to meet the approved requirements for the model, span, wind exposure and anchor layout. A slab that supports patio furniture may still be unsuitable at a particular post location. If the slab details are unknown, have a local installer or structural professional assess them before ordering. Avoid buying replacement anchors based only on the hole size in the base plate.
Further reading
Homeowners discuss this exact decision in a Reddit thread on mounting a pergola over pavers. Mirador's installation guide illustrates why base conditions, leveling and drain direction should be checked before assembly. Follow the drawings and manual for the model you buy.
Plan your post layout
For a VORALEVA project, send your patio photos, dimensions, location and what you know about the base. Include the sides where you want screens so the post and accessory layout can be discussed together.