Paving a Driveway With Italian Style Bricks

Spray paint two lines onto the ground to mark the perimeter of the driveway.

Excavate the ground inside the lines with a 1 1/2-ton excavator. Dig the trench deep enough to hold an 8-inch gravel base, a 1-inch layer of sand, and the height of the bricks.

Rake the dirt inside the trench to smooth it, then compact it with a mechanical plate compactor.

Cover the bare dirt inside the trench with landscaping fabric. The landscaping fabric stabilizes the soil and prevents the growth of weeds in the driveway.

Pour a 4-inch layer of gravel into the driveway, spraying it with water to reduce the dust. Rake the gravel to smooth it, then run over it with the plate compactor.

Add another 4-inch layer of gravel to the trench, using the same method you used when pouring the first layer.

Cover the gravel with a layer of sand 1-inch deep. Smooth the surface of the sand by dragging a 2-by-4 across the surface with a back-and-forth motion.

Place edge restraints along the trench walls, securing them by driving the provided stakes or pins through the restraints and into the sand and gravel base.

Lay the bricks on top of the sand in the desired pattern. Stagger the bricks in each row to strengthen the driveway and improve the appearance. Use a wet saw to make any needed cuts for the bricks.

Compact the bricks by running over the driveway with the plate compactor.

Spread fine-grain sand over the driveway, and sweep it into the joints between the bricks with a broom.

Sweep any leaves or other debris off of the driveway, then apply a sand-binding sealant, following the manufacturer's instructions.