Cobblestone Installation

Preparation

• Mark the location and size of the area that you intend to pave--remember that you need to include the area that will be covered by edging. You can mark it either with washable chalk or spray paint or with stakes and string. Measure the area that you are going to be paving; this determines how much cobblestone to purchase.

  Dig out the area until you reach the solid earth underneath. Excavate the whole area, compact the soil and level it. In the process, remove any debris and other restrictions to your paving such as plants and rocks. Small rocks can be left where they are if you intend to add a gravel base.

Base and Edging

• You can add a compactable gravel base to help even out the ground that you are paving and provide drainage under the cobblestone. Gravel made of crushed limestone that is no more than three-quarters of an inch large is perfect for this function.

  You can also install edging if it works in your plan. Brick edging is popularly used with cobblestones and should be installed so that its height covers both the depth of the sand and gravel as well as the thickness of your cobblestones.

  Installing a weed barrier on top of the earth or gravel prevents weed growth between unmortared pavers and prolongs the life of your cobblestones. On top of this, fill the area with sand to a height of about 2 inches, enough to allow for an inch of cobblestone to poke out above the level surface.

Installation

• Lay the cobblestone tightly on top of the sand bed. These can be tapped firmly into the sand either with a rubber mallet or the handle of your trowel. Tap gently, being sure not to damage the pavers. Be sure that the cobblestones are level; if they aren't, remove them from the sand and smooth it out or tap them until they are.

  Fill the gaps between the pavers with dry mason's sand. Spread it over the pavers and let it fall between the gaps and spray lightly with water to help the sand pack. Repeat this process until no more sand will fall between the cobblestones.