Efficient Steps To Building A Paver Patio
Step 1- Question Area
A well designed paver installation should take into account the following:
1.How the application will be used
2.Available space to incorporate a grill, table and chairs or a water feature
3.Will there be curves? If so, plan on ordering approximately 10% extra
4.Do I have enough space to end my patio with full pavers or will I have to cut pavers to finish?
5.Consider having pavers delivered as close to jobsite as possible to avoid any extra hauling
Step 2- Excavation and Base
Before getting started, make sure utilities are clearly marked by your localutility company. A garden hose can be a helpful tool in laying out the shape of the patio. Use spray paint to outline the perimeter, giving yourself an extra 12” to allow for edging and extra space, with which to work. If you’re installing a walkway or patio, you will need to remove a 4” to 6” depth of soil below your intended surface. For driveways and other heavy-duty applications, you will need an 8” to 10” depth. In moist or wet areas, lay down a geotextile fabric before compacting your base material of ¾” stone with fines compacted in 3” lifts. Level to required grade, allowing room for setting bed. Remember to slope the area away from the house at the approximate rate of 1” per 10 feet. The base is the most important part of the entire application. Spending a little extra time on the base will insure that your installation will have a proper foundation from which to work.
Step 3- Setting Bed
Cover the top of the compacted base with 1” to 1 1/2”
of concrete sand. Level sand in narrow areas by pulling a 2” x 4”
board, notched to give the proper depth, across the top of parallel 1”
pipes. While doing so, keeping in mind to slope the patio away from the house.
You can periodically check the height of the pavers by placing a paver on the
pipe. 
Step 4- Paver Installation
Place pavers in your desired pattern. Select pavers vertically from multiple cubes for optimum color blending. Use a concrete saw to cut odd-shaped pieces within your design. Use string lines to assure a straight layout. Spacing between pavers should not exceed 1/8.” The use of a string line or straight edge, can help to insure that the pavers will be laid straight and square. If a circle pack is going to be incorporated into your patio, be sure to start with it first and work out from there.
Step 5- Edge Restraints
Plastic edge restraints are ideal for laying out the borders of your design. Lay edging directly on stone base and secure with 12” landscape spikes. Use spikes every two feet for straight walkways and patio edges, every one foot for curves and driveways.
Step 6- Compacting/Sweeping
Once you’re finished laying all pavers and edging is down, run the plate compactor over the pavers to insure the pavers are settled into the bedding sand. Spread sand over the top of your paver installation and sweep into all joints. The vibrating action of a place compactor will force sand between the joints to further stabilize and level the surface. Excess sand should be swept into the joints.