How to Make Cement Pavers
Cement pavers can be used to create walkways throughout your landscape. Easy to make, these pavers are durable and impervious to almost any kind of weather conditions. They can be used in your garden, in your yard or as decorative elements in a landscape. Making your own cement pavers doesn't require expensive equipment or a high level of expertise. You need only be familiar with the basic tools needed for building your mold and mixing the cement. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Plywood
- 1-by-3-inch lumber
- Drill
- Screws
- Concrete
- Cloth
- Cooking spray
- Trowel
Instructions
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Acquire molds of the size and shape you want for your pavers. You can purchase molds online or you can check with your local home improvement store. Making your own molds, however, isn't difficult.
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2
Make a basic, square mold. Use a 1/2-inch thick piece of plywood that measures 1 square foot. Cut a 1-by-3-inch length of lumber into four 1-foot lengths. Secure the lumber pieces to the plywood using screws. Continue to build the molds until you have enough so you can complete the project within a reasonable amount of time. Molds are reusable, so if you can break the project down across several sessions, you need only build a minimum amount of molds.
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3
Determine how much concrete you will need for the project. Do this by determining how many square feet you need for your your project. Consult the manufacturer's instructions on the packaging for your concrete and purchase the necessary amount.
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4
Mix your concrete according to the manufacturer's instructions. If your project is reasonably small, you can purchase premixed concrete.
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Wipe your molds down with a soft, dry cloth, making sure there is no debris in the mold and the mold is dry. Spray the inside of your mold with cooking spray.
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Pour a portion of concrete into each mold, filling the molds just to the top. Use a trowel to tamp down the surface of the concrete. Do this by gently tapping the surface with the flat of the trowel. This gets rid of any air pockets within the concrete.
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Smooth the surface of the concrete with the trowel. Let the concrete stand for 20 minutes to an hour, depending on your local climate. You want to allow the concrete to just begin to set.
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8
Add designs to your pavers. Do this by laying small square glass tiles on the surface and very gently pushing them into the concrete. The concrete will dry around the tiles, making them part of the paver. Laying a leaf on the surface, a length of rope or other textural object can create impressions on the concrete. Leave the object on the surface until the concrete is almost completely set, approximately 24 to 48 hours, depending on your climate, and then remove.
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Remove the pavers from the molds when the concrete is completely dry. Gently turn the molds over onto a flat surface and then turn them back over. Brush away any loose concrete. The pavers are now ready to be set.
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