How to Lay Pavers in a Circle
Circular patios made from pavers can add a decorative touch to any backyard or public space. Although laying pavers in a circle can be more challenging than laying them in a rectangule, you should be able to easily complete this project by yourself. Armed with a calculator and some building supplies, you can begin the process of designing and installing your circular paver patio. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Calculator
- Spray paint
- Tape measure
- Sharp spade
- Flat shovel
- Hand tamper
- Gravel
- Edge restraints
- Chalk
- Guillotine cutter or masonry saw
- Safety glasses
- Dust mask
- Gloves
- Concrete sand
- Leaf blower
- Garden hose
Instructions
-
Planning
-
1
Spray paint a circle on the ground in the area where you would like to build your paver patio. Measure across the center of your circle to find its diameter in feet. Write this measurement down.
-
2
Divide the diameter of the circle by two. The resulting number is the radius of your circle.
-
-
3
Multiply the radius by itself, then multiply the result by 3.14. The final number equals your circle in square feet. You will need to purchase this amount of pavers to complete your project.
Preparing The Ground
-
4
Remove any grass, rocks and plants from inside your circle, using your sharp spade. Discard this material.
-
5
Measure the height of your pavers. From this number, subtract 1/4 inch. This will be the depth you will need to excavate from the ground. Skim off the surface of the dirt with your flat shovel until you have reached this depth evenly throughout your circle.
-
6
Compact the soil all around your circle using your hand tamper. This will create a firm foundation for your pavers, helping to prevent them from sinking or shifting.
-
7
Spread an even layer of gravel about 2 inches deep onto your excavated ground.
-
8
Compact the gravel using your hand tamper. Wet the gravel slightly, using a hose, as you compact it.
-
9
Spread another layer of gravel on top of the previous layer. This layer, as with the first, should measure about 2 inches deep. Compact this second layer, just as the first, using your hand tamper.
-
10
Spread an even layer of sand over the compacted gravel. The sand should be approximately 1 inch thick.
Laying The Pavers
-
11
Lay your pavers by setting them gently into the sand, each butted tightly against the next paver. Continue laying the stones in this fashion until you have reached the edges of your circle.
-
12
Locate the areas around the edges of the circle that you will need to trim to maintain a circular border. Mark the areas of the pavers that you will need to cut using chalk.
-
13
Cut the marked sections of pavers using your guillotine cutter or masonry saw. Lay the pavers back down after you cut them.
-
14
Spread a thin layer of concrete sand over the patio. Using a stiff broom, sweep the sand into the joints between the pavers. Using your leaf blower, blow any remaining sand away from the surface of the patio.
-
15
Spray the patio with a fine spray of water, until the concrete sand has become completely saturated.
-
16
Allow the surface of the patio to dry overnight. Then repeat steps 4 and 5 once more. Do not walk on the patio until the sand has dried completely.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Expect to use two to four tons of base gravel per 100 square feet of patio area.
When choosing base gravel for your patio, look for a type with a proportioned graduation of stone to sand. Crusher run is one type of gravel recommended for this project.
Do not spread your layer of sand until the day you plan on installing your pavers. Otherwise, the sand may become wet or stepped on, which may affect the settling of the pavers.
Wear safety glasses, gloves and a dust mask for protection when operating the guillotine cutter or masonry saw.
References
- Photo Credit park benches image by Sirena Designs from Fotolia.com
