How to Install Pavestone Pavers

Mark the area where you want to install the pavers with stakes and string. Drive wooden stakes in the ground and extend string along their line.

Collect and discard stones and plant debris from within the enclosed perimeter to prepare for digging. Excavate the ground to a depth that accommodates the paver thickness minus 1-inch, 2 inches of sand and 5 inches of gravel. This usually amounts to 7-to-9 inches. However, for driveways or areas exposed to heavy traffic, dig down at least 10-to-11 inches.

Compact the base of the excavation with a hand tamper. Check that the depth runs even throughout and add or remove dirt to level low or high spots respectively.

Lay edging restraints along the borders of the excavation. Hammer stakes into the pockets provided in the edging to anchor them in place. Use 1 stake per 1 horizontal foot of edging.

Pour a layer of crushed gravel into the excavation. Mist this base material lightly to reduce friction and then compact it with a tamper until firm. Continue to add and compact each 2- to-3-inch-thick layer of gravel into the excavation until it forms a 5-inch-thick layer.

Check the depth after compacting two-to-three layers with a line level and add more gravel as required. Ideally, you should be able to walk over the compacted gravel without disturbing it.

Spread 2 inches of sand over the compacted base material. Smooth out the top of the sand bed with a 2-by-4 screed board. A screed is a long, straight board that is dragged across the top of the wet cement to ensure that it is level with the edges of the form.

Set the Pavestone pavers over the sand bed, starting at a corner. Tap each paver lightly with a rubber mallet so it sits in place and line it perfectly before placing another one. Depending on personal preference, set the pavers flush against each other or space them no further than one-eighth inch apart.

Lay a level over every six-to-eight pavers you install to ensure their tops are in line and level. If required, add or remove sand from underneath a paver that is slightly lower or higher than the surrounding level. Continue installing rows of pavers along the span until you reach the other corner. Cut the last row of pavers to size with a cutoff saw.

Pile fine sand over the installed Paverstone pavers. Sweep it over the surface so it falls into the gaps between adjacent pavers. Sweep excess sand off.