How to Install 16 Inch Pavers

Create a plan. Measure and draw the dimensions for the area you want to pave on a piece of paper. Go outside and measure to make sure your measurements will fit.

Mark off the border for your paver area with spray paint or stakes. Then, call 811, which is a free service that checks for underground utility wires. They will give you the go-ahead to build or suggest another location for your paver area.

Excavate the area you marked off. Your excavation area should be around 10 inches deep and should allow for 12 extra inches on all sides to account for the edge material.

Run a plate compactor over the bottom surface of the excavation area. Fill the area with a 3-inch layer of base material. Compact the base material, add a second 3-inch layer and compact it once more.

Set a screed rail along the edge of your two longest sides and fill the space between the screed rails with bedding sand. Drag a two-by-four across the rails to level the sand.

Remove the screed rails and install the pavers by setting them one-at-a-time atop your sand bed. Butt the pavers up against each other and tap each into place with a rubber mallet.

Install the edge restraint. Place a pressure-treated two-by-four along each of the two longest sides to serve as an edge. Then, mix up the concrete in a wheelbarrow. Build a concrete mound approximately four inches thick and fill in the space between the two-by-four and the outer edge. The concrete on each side will help hold the pavers in place so they don't shift over time. Let the concrete set for 12 hours before proceeding.

Fill the joints between the pavers with sand. Use a push broom to spread the sand around evenly. Sweep any excess sand off the surface and rinse the pavers lightly with a hose.