Laying Pavers on Grass

Before digging, consider whether no-dig pavers are suitable for you. If your yard has suffered from erosion, this may not be the best way to install your pavers. The ground may move underneath, causing unevenness over time.

You'll need to select pavers that are best for your environment. There is an array of paver choices. Choose pavers that complement your home colors and the environment you live in.

Fieldstone

Flagstone

Limestone

Bluestone

Travertine

Brick pavers deliver a high-end feel, whereas concrete pavers are ultra-modern.

Starting your Layout

The first step is to lay out your walkway. Use measuring tape and string tied to stakes to check where each paver will go. After you've completed the design, step back and approve that this is the look you want. Is it a pathway that moves quickly from beginning to end? Open or expand your bends for a natural flow.

Once you finalize the layout, walk it for comfort and a natural feeling from step to step. Are the pavers spread out enough together to make navigating them simple and secure for older adults and children?

Once you've done these tests, you can alter your layout and retest until you get it right. It might take you a few times, but it's better to take the time now than to attempt to fix it after installation.

Cover The Grass

After you're satisfied with the layout, you've got to plan the installation. This step will take a little bit of time since you won't be digging. Use a utility knife to cut a piece of weed barrier approximately 6 inches greater than your pavers, and lay each piece over the area where each paver will sit.

Weight the plastic down with rocks and leave it in place for at least four weeks. This step will smother the grass from the sun and kill it. It works best in a hot climate, where it warms the soil to kill grassroots. The preparation will also cover any developing weeds.

Clear the Uncovered Patches

Now that the grass is dead, the next step is to remove the weed barrier and rake it over to remove the dead grass and weeds leftovers.

Get the Ground Level

Take a look at the patches you've cleared for your stones. Test their levelness with a level, fill in any crevices, and level with sand. If you skip this step, your pavers can move or break.

Create a Strong Base

Tamp down the ground with a 10 lb. tamper or paver compactor to ensure the surface is ready. Go over the base layer a few times to make a strong and durable base for your pavers. By doing so, your pavers won't be able to move before they have time to settle.

Lay Paver Edging

Take your paver edging and line the spaces for your pavers. You will need to install the edging with a rubber hammer to drive the spikes through the gaps in the edging. If the spikes are made of metal, you may want to use a metal hammer to install them.

Add Sand

Adding a layer of sand and tamping it down makes a difference. It raises the pavers marginally above the garden's height, creates a weed boundary, and acts as a level base to guarantee stability.

Lay the Pavers

Now, lay the pavers to bring your walkway to life. This is a wonderful way to bring a walkway to life.

Seal the Joins (Optional)

If your walkway incorporates parts of little pavers butting up against one another, you must break out the sand again. Pour sand over the beat of your pavers, then take the broom and brush it into the holes. The sand will prevent weeds from pushing and maintain stability between the pavers for a professional look.

Laying Pavers vs. Pouring Concrete

Due to time constraints, laying pavers is more expensive than installing concrete. However, laying pavers is easier as a DIY project than pouring concrete, which requires many people to form and install.

Pouring concrete is a huge venture. Usually, this is to replace larger areas, such as a whole yard. Concrete is also less demanding due to its ability to crack and wear down over time, particularly in colder climates. Pavers are retentive, making them more robust, and repairs are simple since if one gets harmed, you can dig it up and replace it effortlessly. Pavers work best for a walkway or to reach a part of the yard without walking through dirt or grass.

Be aware that the project does require some elbow grease and lifting. If you are suffering from any injuries it might be good to consult a doctor before taking on this project. Just expect the project to take you longer than it would a professional. Call a landscape professional to handle the job if your time is limited. Hiring a professional will guarantee the work is completed in a timely manner so you can enjoy it faster.

The great thing about doing it yourself is saving a ton of money on labor and supplies. A professional will charge twice or three times more as much as you could do it yourself.

Cost to Hire A Professional

According to statistics, you can contact a landscaper for around $50 to $150 per hour. If a second set of hands it needed grab a neighbor for a second pair of hands or you can contract a handyman.