How to Lay & Set a Stone Driveway
A stone driveway creates a distinctive entry to a house. Stone driveways are just as durable and far more attractive than plain concrete. You can use a variety of stone types for a driveway, from flat and irregular shaped flagstone to precisely cut stone in regular shapes to cobblestones with rounded edges and surfaces. You can lay some stones over an existing concrete driveway if they are thin enough to not raise the driveway too high above the surrounding ground. Most homeowners prefer a more traditional installation of stones on a gravel base laid in either sand or cement. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Tape measure
- Stakes
- Mason's twine
- Shovel or excavator
- Hand or mechanical tamper
- Medium gravel
- Metal, plastic or pressure-treated wood border
- Medium sand
- Long board or metal screed
- Level
- Mason's wet saw (optional)
- Joint filler, sand, polymeric or joint lock sand, dry cement or stone dust
- Broom
- Garden hose
Instructions
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1
Measure the square footage of the driveway, length times width, with a tape measure to figure the amount of stone needed. Order an extra10 percent to allow for broken stones or mistakes. Have the stone delivered and placed in an area convenient to the driveway but out of the way of preparation work.
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2
Outline the driveway sides with stakes and mason's twine. Use a tape measure to ensure the stake line is the proper width for the entire driveway length. Use a line level to keep the string level, but allow a slight slope for drainage, at least 1 inch every 10 feet. Follow the grade of the surrounding lawn or ground, so the tops of the stones will match the adjacent surface.
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3
Excavate the driveway area with a shovel or excavator 8 inches deep (deeper if using cobblestones or other very thick stones). Compact the bare soil solidly with a hand or mechanical compactor. Spread medium gravel, about a half-inch in diameter, over the driveway area. Allow space above the gravel for the depth of the paving stone and 2 inches of sand, a 4-inch base for 2-inch pavers with sand, for instance. Compact the gravel firmly.
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4
Put a metal, plastic or pressure-treated wood border on both sides of the driveway for its full length. Check the width with a tape measure to ensure it is uniform throughout. Brace the outsides of the border with stakes if it does not sink firmly into the ground. Make the border at least 4 inches deep, with top at ground level.
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5
Spread 2 inches of medium sand, usually called builder's sand, over the driveway and smooth it with a long board or metal screed, dragged across the width of the driveway from top to bottom. Dampen the sand with a garden hose sprayer to settle it. Use a level on a long board to get the sand base level from side to side.
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6
Start laying stones at one outside corner, probably at the bottom of the driveway. Place stones in a pattern if using regular shapes or fit them as needed from side to side if using irregular flagstone or similar stone. Butt stones firmly together or leave regular spaces between them, depending on the stone and your preferred design. Work to the top of the driveway, using a level to keep the tops of the stones level across the width and even from top to bottom. Use a mason's wet saw to cut any stones as needed to fit.
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7
Fill gaps between stones with sand, dry cement or stone dust, depending on the type of stone and personal preference. Use polymeric sand or dry cement to create a solid filler; both materials harden when dampened with water. Several companies sell polymeric or joint-locking sand under various names. Buy dry cement at a building supply store; get only pure cement, not a concrete mix. Sweep filler into the gaps with a broom, level with the tops of the stones; make several passes to insure all the space is filled. Dampen the entire surface with water to settle the filler.
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Tips & Warnings
Lay stones in a base of concrete or mortar rather than sand if you prefer. Spread the concrete or mortar about 2 inches deep the width of the driveway and set stones in it, using a level to keep tops level. Work in small sections so concrete or mortar does not dry out before stones are set.
