How to Build a Cement Paver Deck

Plan

• Once you decide on the deck’s location, measure the area. Use graph paper and sketch out the deck’s shape and size with these measurements in mind. The number of pavers required depends on the pavers’ size of and the square footage of the area to be paved. To calculate the square footage, multiply the length of the deck by the width. Add 5 percent allowing for pavers that may need cutting to fit into odd spaces. If your design has curves, add 10 percent to this figure. Once you know the square footage and decide on the pavers’ size, purchase the correct number of pavers, base material and edge restraints. Contact your local building department and obtain any needed permits.

Excavate

• Before excavating, check with your local utilities department to see if there are any underground gas, water or electrical lines. Once you are given the okay, mark the boundaries for the deck. If the deck’s shape is square or rectangular, simply hammer a stake into the ground at each corner and connect the stakes with string showing the deck's perimeter. For an irregular shape, use a garden hose or landscaper's spray paint to mark the perimeter. Determine how much ground to remove according to the pavers’ thickness. The pavers should end up 1 inch above the ground with a 2-inch sand bed and a 4-inch gravel bed. Excavate the soil to the desired depth. If the deck is next to your house, maintain a 1-inch slope for every 8 feet for drainage. Use a power compactor and compact the ground after excavating.

Lay the Base Material

• Spread and compact 2 inches of gravel. The material compacts better if it is slightly damp. If it is dry, spray a fine mist over the gravel before compacting. Repeat the process with another 2 inches of gravel. Before spreading the sand, installing edge restraints around the perimeter helps hold the pavers and the base material in place. Once the restraints are in place, lay down a 2-inch layer of sand.

Set the Pavers

• Begin installing the pavers in one corner and space them one-quarter inch apart in the desired pattern. Tap each one into place with a rubber mallet keeping the joint lines between pavers aligned. Placing a long carpenter's level across the tops of every two or three ensures the pavers are level with the surrounding pavers. Install all the whole pavers first and then cut those that need to be trimmed to fit in odd places. Cut\ pavers with a hammer and chisel, a diamond blade wet saw or a paver splitter.

Finish the Project

• After all the pavers are set, pour sand over the deck’s entire surface and sweep it into the joints. Pour more sand on the surface and run the power compactor over the deck. The vibration works the sand deeper into the joints. Spray a fine mist over the surface and repeat the process until the joints are full. You may find that after a few days the sand settles. If this is the case, pour more sand on the surface and run the compactor over the pavers.