Lay Natural Stone Pavers
At 0:25 in
From the quarry to the backyard.
What happens here
Once the base is prepared and the structural stone elements are in place, spread a uniform 1-inch layer of bedding sand (screeding sand or concrete sand) over the compacted granular base. Use screed rails and a straight edge to create a perfectly level and smooth surface, ensuring the correct slope. Install flexible plastic or concrete edge restraints around the perimeter of the paver area to contain the pavers and prevent shifting. These restraints should be secured with spikes into the base material. Begin laying the irregular natural stone pavers directly onto the bedding sand. Due to their irregular shapes, careful placement and rotation will be required to minimize gaps while maintaining an organic look. Use a rubber mallet to gently tap each paver into the bedding sand, ensuring it is level with adjacent pavers and maintaining the overall grade. Cut pavers as needed using an angle grinder with a diamond blade to fit against coping, retaining walls, steps, or at the edges of the patio.
Goal: Create the natural stone paver patio surface.
Tools and materials
- Angle Grinder with Diamond Blade DeWalt — Cutting pavers to fit edges and around features
- Bedding Sand — Providing a level and stable base for the pavers
- Edge Restraints — Holding the pavers in place along the patio perimeter
- Level Stabila — Checking paver level and pitch
- Natural Stone Pavers — Creating the patio surface
- Rubber Mallet Various — Setting pavers into the bedding sand
- Safety Glasses 3M — Eye protection when cutting stone
- Screed Rails and Straight Edge Various — Leveling the bedding sand
- Spikes Various — Securing edge restraints
- Work Gloves Mechanix Wear — Hand protection