How to Install Patio Pavers

A beautiful outdoor patio can add value to your home and provide a quiet place to relax or socialize with family and friends. While there are many options for patio construction, patio pavers are a great choice, because they provide a polished aesthetic and can be installed as a DIY project. Once you have selected a paver type and gathered the materials, installation can be completed in under a week.

Paver patios appeal to homeowners for their durability, ease of maintenance, and weather resistance. If installed properly, a paver patio can last for many years.

To choose the best patio paver material for your application, it helps to take a few things into account. Consider the architectural style of your home. Some pavers lend themselves to a more traditional look while others are more transitional or contemporary. What is your budget for the project? Materials like natural stone tend to be more expensive than concrete or brick. Spend some time looking at photos of styles you like, and take notice of patios in your neighborhood that appeal to you.

The most common paver materials are brick, concrete, and natural stone.

• Brick pavers are made of clay and are designed to stand up to high foot traffic. They are stain-resistant, come in earth-toned colors, and provide a traditional look.
• Concrete pavers come in many colors and designs. Some are even stamped to give the appearance of multiple pieces within one paver. They are a great, cost-effective choice.
• Natural Stone is a broad category including stone such as flagstone, fieldstone, bluestone, cobblestone, travertine, and more. With some of these natural stones, the overall pattern of the patio tends to be more free-form, as the stones vary in size and shape. Natural stone is the most costly material for a patio but worth it if your budget allows it.

If you choose to install the patio pavers yourself, you will need to gather the following tools and materials:

Make sure you are fully prepared before beginning work on the project.

1. Call the utility company to mark the underground utilities so you can avoid them when digging.
2. Order your materials.
   • Measure the total square footage of the new patio.
   • Calculate the number of pavers to fill the area based on individual paver size.
   • Use an online calculator to determine the amount of gravel base (4-6” layer), sand (1” layer), and polymeric sand needed to cover the area.
   • As a general rule, order approximately 10% more material than you think you will need to account for spillage, etc.

Now that you have all of your materials, you are ready to begin.