How to Use Paver Stones
Childen have lots of fun stepping over spaced rocks or tiles in a game of Steppingstones. Flat paver stones introduce a little fun in any landscape, a pleasant informality or bordered grandeur, depending on how they are used. Pavers come in a wide variety of substances: concrete, slate, limestone, granite, even marble. Use paver stones to convey the hospitality and formality of your home in a multitude of ways. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Measuring tape
- Paper and pencil
- Photos of house and yard
- Shovel (optional)
- Carpenter's level
- Stakes and string
- Gravel
- Sand
- Soil tamper
- Wood strips or plastic edging
- Carpenter's square (optional)
- Concrete adhesive (optional)
Instructions
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All Paver Projects
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1
Measure and record the dimensions of your project, both length and width. You may find it helpful to make a diagram of the project as well.
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2
Choose a type of paver that fits best into your landscape. Taking a photograph of your house when you are shopping can help you make a final choice more easily. Like the diagram, a photo literally keeps you focused on the big picture, especially if your project has curves in it. It also helps you integrate paver texture, shape and color into other stone features on the property.
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3
Decide on outer and inner bordering when you choose pavers. Outside borders can be brick, tile, wood or flexible plastic edging. They will add more definition to your project, whether you're working with a rectangular project or one involving curves. Inner bordering refers to what comes between the pavers in your project. You may want a path of raised pavers on gravel, a seamless-looking paved patio or irregularly shaped stones bordered by grass or low creeping groundcover.
Paths and Patios
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4
Use the considerations in Section 1 to choose your materials. Mark out your project with stakes and string.
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5
Dig out and remove all the turf within your marked area. Dig to a depth of 4 to 6 inches, the exact depth depending on how much drainage you provide for your pavers. In areas with sudden and torrential rainfall, 6 inches lets water drain off and dry more quickly. For pavers sunk strictly in sand, 4 inches is an adequate depth.
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6
Add gravel, if recommended for your project, to a depth of 3 inches, assuming a total depth of 6 inches. Using your carpenter's level and more stakes and string, smooth your gravel as level as possible. Add 2 inches of sand. Moisten and tamp sand to level it. This allows 1- or 1 1/2-inch-deep pavers to sit just above ground level. Tamping stones will seat them at ground level or slightly below it. Exact depths will depend on whether you are filling the final spaces between pavers with sand or replacing turf between stones for a steppingstone path. Flagstone or slate pavers will require more individualized digging to allow for their irregular shapes and depths.
Other Paver Projects
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7
Consider dry-laying low walls with paver stones. An edging of even a few inches lets you integrate raised planting beds into an overall look.
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8
Investigate facing existing concrete with cemented pavers for a more attractive look. This technique, sometimes called veneering, can be used on existing steps or walls with attractive results. Pavers can be cut to fit and affixed with masonry adhesives.
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9
Seek professional help to edge a swimming pool with marble or granite pavers for a spectacular framing. You can use large pavers even after a pool has been installed.
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Tips & Warnings
Because pavers are usually heavy, enlist help for loading, unloading and moving them around.
References
- Photo Credit Comstock Images/Comstock/Getty Images
