DIY - Easy steps for laying pavers

Pavers (or slabs) are a fantastic option if your thinking about adding a patio, new entrance or a pathway into your gardens design. Pavers are structurally strong, require minimal maintenance, look stunning and are quiet easy to lay yourself. 

Here are some easy steps for laying your pavers.

1)   You will need to draw out your project on the ground using chalk or a can of spray-paint depending on the surface you are working with. The layout of your project should be drawn with the exact measurements. 

 

2)   Select your slabsYou can choose from a large variety of patterns, colours and textures. You also need to decide the thickness of the slabs that you want to use and the material they are made of since this will affect their durability. Here at Gardeners Paradise we have two stylish types of pavers (slabs) available in store. Both types are very durable, slip frost and stain resistant and look great alongside other decorative aggregates.

Porcelain Pavers available in four colours: 
Urban Mist, Tuscan Sands, Stormy Skies and Grey Slate 
600mm x 600mm £19.99 per Paving

Bronte Weathered Stone Patio Kit -  Light Grey with Charcoal tones.
Coverage 7.6m2 £199.00 

 

3)  Dig out the ground that will be beneath the slabs. We call this the sub-grade layer and should be the same depth as the combined thickness of the slab, the sub-base layer and the bedding.

 

4)   Fill the base of the sub-grade layer with Type 1. This will create sub-base layer that should be at least 4 inches (10.2 cm) thick. You find these products are all available in our store.

 

5)   Lay Sharp Sand and Cement mixed at a ratio of 4 to 1 on top of the sub-base layer to make the bedding layer. This will fill gaps in the sub-base layer and give a smoother surface as its finer than Type 1. Make sure you pat and screed the sharp sand down to create a fine and smooth surface. The final depth of the bedding layer should be approximately 2 inches (5.1cm).

 

7)     Lay pavers carefully and evenly over the bedding layer to create the final paving. Best to have someone help you lay the pavers so you can lift each paver from the edges and lower it together while keeping it as flat as possible. Gently tap down each paver individually with a piece of wood. Make sure your are careful not to damage any of the pavers during this process.

 

8)     Sweep sand into the gaps between the slabs. This locks the pavers together and prevents them moving into each other.

Here Gardeners Paradise we stock all the products you need in our store and are available for delivery.