Paver Patio Installation Guide

Base preparation, sand bedding, pattern layouts, edge restraints, and polymeric sand application

Paver Patio Basics

A paver patio is an outdoor surface made from individual concrete, brick, or stone pavers laid on a compacted base. Unlike poured concrete, paver patios are flexible, allowing for minor ground movement without cracking. They can be easily repaired by replacing individual pavers.

The success of a paver patio depends on proper base preparation. A well-prepared base prevents settling, ensures proper drainage, and creates a stable foundation that will last decades. The typical paver patio consists of (from bottom up): compacted soil, crushed stone base, bedding sand, pavers, and polymeric sand joints.

Key Advantage: Paver patios are permeable (water drains through joints), require no cure time, and can be used immediately after installation. Individual damaged pavers can be replaced without visible repairs.

Excavation Depth Calculation

Total Depth Formula

Excavation Depth = Base Material + Bedding Sand + Paver Thickness

This depth is measured from the desired finished patio surface down to the bottom of excavation.

Component	Depth	Purpose
Paver Thickness	2-3 inches (typical)	The paver itself - standard concrete pavers are 2-3/8"
Bedding Sand	1 inch (compacted)	Provides level surface, allows minor paver adjustments
Base Material	4-6 inches (compacted)	Load distribution, drainage, frost protection
TOTAL (standard)	7-10 inches	Typical excavation depth for pedestrian patio

Base Depth by Use: Pedestrian patios need 4-6 inches of base. Driveways and areas with vehicle traffic require 8-12 inches of base material for proper support.

Excavation Depth Example

Scenario: Installing standard 2-3/8" thick pavers for a patio

Paver thickness: 2-3/8" (2.375")
Bedding sand: 1"
Base material: 6" (compacted)
Total excavation: 9-3/8" (round to 9-10 inches)

Add 1-2 inches for grading slope and to account for compaction of base material.

Excavation Best Practices

Excavate 6-12 inches beyond final patio edges for edge restraints
Maintain consistent depth across entire area
Create 1-2% slope away from structures for drainage (1/4" per foot)
Remove all organic material, roots, and vegetation
Compact native soil at bottom of excavation

Base Material Types and Compaction Requirements

Material	Also Known As	Compaction	Notes
3/4" Crushed Stone	¾ minus, ¾ clear	Excellent	Most common, angular edges lock together
Class 5	Road base, aggregate base	Excellent	Contains fines that fill voids, very stable
Limestone Screenings	Limestone fines	Good	Compacts well, may retain water in poor drainage
Crushed Concrete	Recycled concrete	Good	Economical option, compacts well
❌ Pea Gravel	Round stone	Poor	DO NOT USE - round stones shift and don't compact
❌ Sand	N/A	Poor	DO NOT USE as base - shifts and settles unevenly

Compaction Process

Spread material: Add base material in 2-3 inch lifts (layers)
Rake level: Distribute evenly before compacting
First compaction: Make 2-3 passes with plate compactor
Check for low spots: Add material to any depressions
Re-compact: Compact any added material
Repeat lifts: Continue until reaching desired base depth
Final check: Surface should be firm with no movement when walked on

Compaction is Critical: A plate compactor (rental tool) is essential for proper compaction. Hand tampers are inadequate for areas larger than a few square feet. Proper compaction prevents settling and ensures a stable patio.

Base Material Calculator

Formula:

Tons needed = (Length × Width × Depth in feet) ÷ 27 × 1.4

Example: 12 ft × 16 ft patio with 6-inch (0.5 ft) base:

12 × 16 × 0.5 = 96 cubic feet
96 ÷ 27 = 3.56 cubic yards
3.56 × 1.4 tons/yard = 5 tons of crushed stone

Note: Crushed stone is typically sold by the ton. One cubic yard ≈ 1.4 tons.

Bedding Sand Depth and Screeding

Bedding Sand Specifications

Specification	Requirement	Why It Matters
Sand Type	Concrete sand (coarse sand)	Angular grains provide stability, resist shifting
Uncompacted Depth	1.5 inches	Compacts to 1 inch under paver weight
Compacted Depth	1 inch (final)	Proper depth for paver seating and leveling
❌ Play Sand	Do not use	Too fine, shifts easily, retains water

Do Not Compact Bedding Sand: Unlike the base, bedding sand should NOT be compacted before laying pavers. The pavers themselves will compact the sand when you run a plate compactor over the finished surface.

Screeding Process (Leveling Sand)

Set screed rails: Place 1-inch conduit or pipe rails 6-8 feet apart, level with top of base
Spread sand: Pour bedding sand between rails, slightly overfilled
Screed board: Use straight 2×4 that spans the rails, notched 1" deep at each end
Pull screed: Drag board along rails in sawing motion, removing excess sand
Fill voids: Add sand to any low spots and re-screed
Remove rails: Carefully pull out pipes, fill voids with sand
Don't disturb: Avoid walking on screeded sand - work from laid pavers

Bedding Sand Calculator

Formula for 1-inch depth:

Tons needed = (Area in sq ft ÷ 100) × 0.5

Example: 12 ft × 16 ft patio = 192 sq ft:

192 ÷ 100 = 1.92
1.92 × 0.5 = 0.96 tons (about 1 ton)
Order 1.5 tons to account for waste and adjustments

Sand Depth Critical: Too little sand (less than 1") won't allow proper paver seating. Too much sand (over 1.5") causes pavers to shift and become unlevel over time.

Common Paver Patterns

Pattern	Difficulty	Cutting Required	Description
Running Bond	Easy	Minimal (edges only)	Rectangular pavers in brick pattern, each row offset by half
Stack Bond	Easy	Minimal (edges only)	Grid pattern with all joints aligned - simple but weak interlocking
Herringbone	Moderate	Extensive (all edges)	Rectangular pavers at 45° or 90° angles in V pattern - strongest interlock
Basketweave	Moderate	Moderate (edges)	Pairs of pavers alternating horizontal and vertical in square groups
Random	Moderate	Moderate to extensive	Multiple sizes arranged in irregular pattern - natural stone appearance
Circular	Difficult	Extensive	Circular or fan pattern radiating from center - requires specialized pavers or lots of cutting

Pattern Strength: Herringbone pattern provides the strongest interlock and is recommended for driveways or high-traffic areas. Running bond is the easiest DIY-friendly pattern with good interlock.

Pattern Installation Tips

Start from straight edge: Begin at house or longest straight edge
Work outward: Kneel on laid pavers, never on prepared sand
Maintain gaps: Use 1/8" spacers or rely on paver lugs for consistent joints
Check alignment: Use string line every 5-6 feet to keep pattern straight
Mix bundles: Pull pavers from multiple bundles to blend color variations
Save cuts for last: Install all full pavers first, then measure and cut edge pieces

Paver Quantity Calculator

Formula:

Pavers needed = (Patio sq ft ÷ Paver coverage per sq ft) × 1.1

Example: 192 sq ft patio with 4"×8" pavers (0.22 sq ft each):

192 ÷ 0.22 = 873 pavers
873 × 1.1 (10% waste) = 960 pavers

Add 10% for waste and cuts. Complex patterns may need 15% extra.

Cutting Techniques

Tool	Best For	Pros	Cons
Masonry Saw (Wet Saw)	Precise cuts, large projects	Clean cuts, minimal dust, accurate	Rental cost, needs water source, heavy
Angle Grinder + Diamond Blade	Few cuts, curved cuts	Versatile, cuts curves, portable	Heavy dust, slower, less precise
Circular Saw + Masonry Blade	Straight cuts, moderate quantity	Fast for straight cuts, widely available	Very dusty, blade depth limits thick pavers
Brick Chisel + Hammer	Minimal cuts, brick pavers	No power tools needed, quiet	Rough edges, inconsistent, time-consuming

Cutting Process with Masonry Saw

Measure and mark: Measure exact size needed, mark cut line on paver
Set up saw: Fill water reservoir, check blade depth
Safety gear: Wear safety glasses, hearing protection, gloves
Position paver: Place paver against fence with cut line aligned to blade
Make cut: Slowly push paver through blade, let blade do the work
Clean edge: Remove any rough spots with rubbing stone

Cutting Safety: Always wear safety glasses, dust mask (or respirator for dry cutting), hearing protection, and gloves. Concrete dust is a serious health hazard. Work in well-ventilated area or use wet saw to minimize dust.

Minimizing Cuts

Design to paver dimensions: Size patio to minimize edge cuts
Soldier course border: Use full-size border pavers to hide cut edges
Start with full pavers: Begin in most visible area with full pavers
Hide cuts: Place cut pavers in least visible areas

Measuring for Edge Cuts

Place paver to be cut directly over gap where it will go
Place another full paver on top, butted against edge restraint
Mark cut line on bottom paver along edge of top paver
Account for 1/8" joint spacing in measurement
Cut on waste side of line (cut paver slightly larger than marked)

Edge Restraint Options

Edge Restraints are Required: Pavers will spread and shift without proper edge restraints. This is the most commonly skipped step, leading to patio failure. Never skip edge restraints.

Restraint Type	Installation	Best Use	Cost
Plastic/Aluminum Edging	Stake into base every 12"	Most common, hidden below surface	$2-4 per linear foot
Concrete Edging	Pour 6"×6" concrete beam	Permanent, strongest option	$3-5 per linear foot
Soldier Course	Pavers on edge, in concrete	Decorative border, visible edge	$4-8 per linear foot
Metal Edging	Steel spikes every 12-18"	Flexible for curves, durable	$3-6 per linear foot

Installing Plastic Edge Restraint

Position edging: Place against outer edge of border pavers
Check height: Top of edging should be flush with or slightly below paver surface
Drive stakes: Insert spikes through edging holes into base every 12 inches
Connect sections: Join edging pieces with provided connectors
Curves: Use flexible edging or score rigid edging for curves
Backfill: Cover edging with soil or sod to hide from view

Installing Soldier Course Border

Excavate trench: Dig 4-6 inch wide trench around patio edge
Add concrete: Pour 2-3 inches of concrete in trench
Set pavers on edge: Place pavers vertically in concrete
Level and align: Use string line to keep tops level and aligned
Let cure: Allow concrete to cure 24 hours before backfilling
Backfill: Fill behind soldier course with soil

Edge Restraint Placement

Install edge restraints after laying all pavers but before applying polymeric sand. This ensures pavers are locked in place and won't shift during sand application.

Polymeric Sand Application

Polymeric sand is a specialized joint sand mixed with polymers that harden when activated by water. It locks pavers together, prevents weed growth, resists erosion, and deters insects from nesting between pavers.

Sand Type	Joint Width	Advantages	Cost
Polymeric Sand (Standard)	1/8" - 1/2"	Hardens, resists weeds, insects, erosion	$50-70 per 50 lb bag
Polymeric Sand (Wide Joint)	1/2" - 2"	For flagstone, irregular pavers	$60-80 per 50 lb bag
Regular Joint Sand	Any	Inexpensive, easy to repair	$5-10 per 50 lb bag

Weather Requirements: Apply polymeric sand when temperatures are 40-90°F and no rain expected for 24-48 hours. Avoid application in direct hot sun or high winds.

Polymeric Sand Application Steps

Prepare surface: Ensure pavers are completely dry. Sweep off all dust and debris.
Install edge restraints: Must be in place before sand application.
Compact pavers: Run plate compactor over entire patio to seat pavers in bedding sand.
Pour sand: Spread polymeric sand over pavers, filling joints generously.
Sweep into joints: Use stiff broom to sweep sand into joints from multiple directions.
Compact again: Carefully run plate compactor over surface with protective pad (not directly on pavers).
Add more sand: Top off joints that settled during compaction.
Remove excess: Thoroughly sweep all sand off paver surface - none should remain on top.
Blow off dust: Use leaf blower to remove all sand dust from paver surface.
Activate with water: Use fine mist setting, lightly wet entire surface until joints are saturated.
Second watering: Wait 15 minutes, mist again to ensure full activation.
Cure time: Keep off patio for 24-48 hours, avoid rain contact during cure.

Critical Step - Remove ALL Excess: Any polymeric sand left on paver surface will haze or stain when activated with water. This haze is difficult to remove. Blow off all dust before watering.

Polymeric Sand Coverage

Typical coverage: One 50 lb bag covers approximately:

75-100 sq ft with 1/8" joints
50-75 sq ft with 1/4" joints
25-40 sq ft with 1/2" joints

Coverage varies by joint width and paver thickness. Check manufacturer specifications.

Common Polymeric Sand Problems

❌ White haze: Insufficient dust removal before watering
❌ Sand not hardening: Too much water or rain before curing
❌ Sand washing out: Insufficient compaction or too little sand
❌ Cracking: Over-watering during activation
✓ Proper finish: Joints full and firm, slight recessing (1/8") acceptable

Tools and Materials Needed

Tools

Plate compactor (rental, 5,000+ lb force)
Masonry saw or wet saw (rental)
Wheelbarrow
Shovels (square and round)
Steel rake
4-6 ft level
String line and stakes
Rubber mallet
Stiff broom
Leaf blower
Garden hose with mist nozzle
Measuring tape

Materials

Concrete pavers
3/4" crushed stone or road base
Concrete sand (bedding sand)
Polymeric sand
Edge restraint (plastic, metal, or concrete)
Landscape fabric (optional, under base)
1" PVC pipe or conduit (screed rails)
Screed board (2×4 or 2×6)

Safety and Code Considerations

Call Before You Dig: Contact 811 at least 2-3 business days before excavating to have underground utilities marked. Even shallow excavation can strike buried lines.

Silica Dust Hazard: Cutting concrete pavers creates silica dust, a serious health hazard. Always use wet saw when possible, or wear NIOSH-approved respirator (not just dust mask) for dry cutting. Work outdoors.

Heavy Materials: Base materials and pavers are extremely heavy. Use proper lifting technique, get help for heavy loads, and take breaks. Rent equipment for material delivery and spreading when possible.

Plate Compactor Operation: Wear hearing protection and closed-toe shoes. Keep hands and feet clear. Machine can pull forward quickly - maintain firm grip and stable footing.

Note: Building permits are generally not required for ground-level patios, but check local regulations. Some areas have restrictions on impervious surfaces or drainage requirements. Always verify property lines before building.

Quick Reference Summary

Standard Patio Construction

Excavation: 9-10 inches total depth
Base: 6 inches compacted crushed stone
Sand: 1 inch concrete sand (compacted)
Slope: 1/4" per foot away from structures
Edge restraint: Required on all open edges

Critical Success Factors

Proper base compaction prevents settling
Correct sand depth (1") prevents shifting
Edge restraints prevent paver spreading
Polymeric sand locks system together
Adequate slope ensures drainage

Disclaimer: This guide provides general information about paver patio installation. Soil conditions, climate, and local building codes vary. Always follow manufacturer specifications for products used. For large projects or challenging sites, consider consulting with a professional hardscape contractor.