Do-it-Yourself Stone or Brick Walkways & Driveways

Spray-paint the perimeter onto the ground to mark the location of the driveway or walkway.

Excavate the area inside the spray-painted lines. For a walkway, use a shovel and dig a trench deep enough to accommodate a 4-inch layer of gravel, a 1-inch layer of sand, and the height of the pavers or bricks. For a driveway, use a 1 1/2-ton excavator and dig a hole deep enough to accommodate an 8-inch layer of gravel, a 1-inch layer of sand and the height of the pavers or bricks.

Smooth the soil in the bottom of the hole and pack it down with a compactor.

Place landscaping fabric over the soil on the bottom and sides of the hole. This prevents weeds from growing through the gaps in the pavers and bricks while helping keep the soil stable.

Fill the hole with a layer of gravel half the height you need (for example, if you need 8 inches total, pour 4 inches). Hose the gravel down to reduce dust, then rake it smooth and tamp it down.

Add another layer of gravel to get to the required depth of the base, using the same method.

Add a layer of sand 1 inch deep over the gravel. Drag a 2-by-4 board across the top of the sand to smooth the surface. Add more sand to any low spots, then drag the board over the surface again.

Install edge restraints along the edges of the hole. This usually involves placing them against the edge of the hole and driving metal stakes through the restraints and into the base, but read the manufacturer's instructions for the restraints you purchased.

Lay the bricks or pavers onto the sand in the desired pattern. Stagger the stones in each row so they don't line up the same in each row to strengthen the structure. Make any needed cuts with a wet saw.

Run a mechanical compactor over the stones.

Apply fine-grained sand to the top of the stones and sweep it into the gaps between the stones with a broom.

Remove any debris, such as twigs and leaves, from the driveway or walkway.

Seal the stones with a sand binding sealant, following the instructions on the package.