How to Lay Pavers to Prevent Weeds

Measure and mark off the area in which you will lay your pavers. Pound a wood stake into the ground at each of your four corners and tie a piece of string along the outside of the stakes.

Excavate a hole within the area you marked off. Your hole should be about 8 inches deep into the ground.

Compact the ground within the area you excavated with a plate compactor. If you don't own a plate compactor, you can rent one from a home improvement store for around $75.

Install the edge material. Line the flexible edging around the inner wall of the excavation area. Secure the edging by pounding metal stakes down through the slots in the edging and into the ground.

Cut your mesh screen so it fits on the ground within your excavation area and lay down the mesh screen. This will help prevent weeds from growing up through the spaces between your pavers.

Add a 2-inch layer of gravel on top of the mesh screen. Use a rake to spread the gravel around until you have an even layer.

Compact the layer of gravel with the plate compactor. Compacting the gravel will also help prevent weeds from growing.

Add another 2-inch layer of gravel and compact that layer using the plate compactor as well.

Add a 2-inch layer of bedding sand on top of the gravel. Drag a 2 by 4 across the surface of the sand to smooth it out until you have an even layer all the way across.

Install your pavers starting in any corner. Set each paver on top of the sand, and pound it into place with a rubber mallet. Leave 1/8 inch of space between each paver.

Pour the polymetric sand on top of the pavers. Spread it into the cracks between the pavers with a broom. Polymetric sand is a bonding sand that hardens once it gets wet, so be sure to wipe all the sand off the surface of your pavers before proceeding.

Spray a light mist of water onto the sand and pavers. Wait 20 minutes and spray another light mist. Do this 3 to 4 times total. Let the pavers and sand set for 12 hours before walking on it.