How to Cast Your Own Pavers
Concrete pavers turn grassy areas into pathways and muddy areas into dry surfaces but get expensive when you need to buy them in bulk quantities. Instead, use a mold and common concrete mix to make your own. This process will take a lot of time but the cost will be a tiny fraction of the cost of buying the pavers. If you have extra time and limited resources, handmade pavers are a creative project. Casting concrete requires warm temperatures so you have to plan to mold pavers in the summertime or in a heated garage. If you can afford to, purchase several molds to produce a greater number of pavers in a shorter time. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Release agent
- Molds
- Sand
- Portland cement
- Aggregate
- Wheelbarrow
- Hoe
- Cement mixer
Instructions
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Lubricate your molds with vegetable spray, castor oil or a similar release agent, if necessary, to make sure the cast pavers release from the molds after they dry. Lay the molds on a flat surface to cure after you pour the concrete.
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2
Mix your concrete. You can use ready-mix bags or make your own. A simple 3-2-1 mix of 3 parts aggregate to 2 parts sand to 1 part Portland cement makes a solid paver. Keep the aggregate or gravel small so it does not interfere with the shape of the mold. Use a wheelbarrow and a garden hoe to mix small batches or rent a cement mixer for larger jobs. Add only enough water to make a thick, pudding-like mixture.
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3
Fill the molds with the wet cement mixture until reaching the top edge. Shake the molds from side to side to release any air bubbles. Set aside to dry overnight.
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4
Turn the molds over to release the pavers. Rinse with a hose to remove any loose particles, then spray out the molds. Let the pavers cure for another 24 hours and dry the molds before starting a new batch.
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Tips & Warnings
Add coloring powder to the mixing for a colored paver or stain the paver once dry.
References
Resources
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