To create the perfect space for outdoor entertaining at the Kuppersmith Project house, a paver patio was installed in the area between the back porch and garage.
The process began by excavating the existing ground and grading the area. Then a layer of filter fabric was put down, followed by crushed stone, sand, and finally the pavers themselves.
Here’s how to install a paver patio:
- Layout the area for the paver patio.
- Excavate 7” to 8” of dirt to allow for the base, sand, and pavers.
- Grade the area smooth, and make sure the patio will drain properly.
- Put down a layer of filter fabric to hold the base material in place.
- Install 4” of crushed stone material to provide a firm base.
- Compact the base material using a plate compactor.
- Put down 1” of sand over the base material.
- Screed the sand off smooth, using long pieces of metal pipe as guides.
- Compact the sand with a plate compactor.
- Pop chalk lines in the sand to guide laying the pavers.
- Lay the pavers on the sand in the desired pattern.
- Pop chalk lines around the outside of the patio to mark the edges.
- Use a concrete saw to trim the pavers around the outer edges of the patio.
- Lay a border of pavers around the outside of the patio.
- Add concrete outside of border to hold the border pavers in place.
- Blow all dirt and debris off the patio.
- Pour polymer sand on top of the pavers.
- Sweep the sand into cracks in the pavers.
- Use a plate compactor to vibrate the sand into the cracks.
- Mist the patio with water to activate the polymer sand and cause it to harden.
Watch the video above to find out more.
Further Information
- How to Lay a Paver Patio (video/article)
- How to Build a Brick Paver Patio in Your Yard (video)
- Filling Joints in Patio Pavers (video)
- How to Lay Brick Pavers on a Concrete Slab Porch (video)
