Lay Paver Patio
At 0:09 in
Patio + vegetable garden. #vegetablegarden #paverpatio #hardscape #unilock
What happens here
With the retaining wall and steps in place, spread a 1-inch (2.5 cm) layer of bedding sand evenly over the compacted gravel base for the patio area. Use a screed board and screed rails (or PVC pipes) to create a perfectly flat and uniform sand bed. Begin laying the Unilock's Bristol Valley pavers in the desired pattern (the video shows a random or ashlar pattern) directly onto the screeded sand. Work from one corner or edge, placing pavers tightly together with consistent joint lines. Use a rubber mallet to gently tap each paver into place. Once all pavers are laid, install a sturdy plastic or metal edge restraint around the entire perimeter of the patio to prevent pavers from shifting, securing it with long nails or spikes. Finally, sweep fine-grain polymeric sand into all the paver joints using a broom. Use a plate compactor (with a protective mat underneath to prevent scratching) to vibrate the pavers and settle the polymeric sand. Lightly mist the entire patio surface with water to activate the polymeric sand, which will then harden to lock the pavers in place, preventing weed growth and insect infestation.
Goal: Install the main paver surface for the backyard patio.
Tools and materials
- Broom — Sweeping polymeric sand into joints
- Gloves — Protecting hands during paver handling
- Hose with Spray Nozzle — Misting polymeric sand
- Level — Checking the evenness of the sand bed and pavers
- Paver Cutter — Cutting pavers to size
- Plate Compactor — Compacting the pavers and settling polymeric sand
- Protective Mat — Preventing scratches on pavers during compaction
- Rubber Mallet — Tapping pavers into position
- Safety Glasses — Protecting eyes during cutting and compaction
- Screed Board — Leveling the bedding sand
- Bedding Sand — Creating the uniform layer for pavers
- Edge Restraint — Preventing paver shifting at the edges
- Nails/Spikes — Securing the edge restraint
- Polymeric Sand — Filling paver joints to lock them in place and inhibit weed growth
- Unilock's Bristol Valley Pavers Unilock — The main patio surface