How to Lay Pavers

Materials you will need

• Pavers (add 5–10% overage for cuts)
• Compactable gravel base (road base or crushed stone)
• Coarse bedding sand (concrete sand)
• Polymeric joint sand
• Landscape fabric (optional — goes below gravel)
• Edge restraints (plastic or aluminum)
• Plate compactor (rental ~$80–$120/day)
• Rubber mallet
• Level, tape measure, string line
• Masonry saw or chisel for cuts

Step-by-step installation

Step 1 — Plan and mark the area

Stake out the perimeter with string. Mark any slopes for drainage: pavers should slope away from the house at 1/8–1/4 inch per foot (1% grade minimum).

Step 2 — Excavate

Dig down to the correct depth:

Use case	Total excavation depth
Pedestrian patio	6–7 inches
Driveway (light vehicles)	9–12 inches
Cold climate (frost zone)	8–10 inches

Depth = gravel base + 1” sand + paver thickness

Step 3 — Compact the subgrade

Compact the native soil with a plate compactor before adding base material. Two passes in opposite directions. Do not skip this — loose soil under the base causes settling.

Step 4 — Add and compact gravel base

Add compactable gravel (road base / crusher run) in 2-inch lifts, compacting each layer. A standard patio needs 4 inches of compacted gravel. Driveways need 6+ inches.

Step 5 — Screed the sand bed

Add 1 inch of coarse concrete sand and screed it level using 1-inch diameter pipes as guides. Pull a 2×4 across the pipes to create a flat, smooth surface. Do not compact the sand — leave it loose for the pavers to settle into.

Step 6 — Lay the pavers

Start at a 90° corner and work outward. Lay pavers with consistent spacing (typically 1/8 inch gaps for polymeric sand). Use a rubber mallet to seat each paver; check level frequently. Do not step on screeded sand.

Step 7 — Cut edge pavers

Use a masonry saw, angle grinder with diamond blade, or chisel for cuts. Cut pavers should be at least 1/3 of a full paver — smaller pieces shift more easily.

Step 8 — Install edge restraints

Nail or stake edge restraints along all open edges before compacting. This holds the pattern together and prevents pavers from sliding outward over time.

Step 9 — Compact the pavers

Run the plate compactor over the finished surface (use a rubber pad to protect the paver surface). This seats the pavers firmly into the sand and locks the pattern.

Step 10 — Apply joint sand

Spread polymeric sand over the surface and sweep it into the joints. Compact again. Sweep off excess. Lightly mist with water to activate the polymer binder. Keep foot traffic off for 24 hours.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Skipping base compaction — the #1 cause of sinking and heaving
• Using play sand for bedding — washes out and allows weeds
• No edge restraints — pattern fans out over time
• Poor drainage slope — water pools on the surface or flows toward the house
• Too thin a base — 2 inches is not enough in any climate