Installing Brick Pavers - Introduction

Intro - Patterns - How Much You’ll Need - Prepare Area and Base - Frame Borders and Lay Sand Bed - Lay Brick Pavers - Finishing Up

Intro - What you will need

Brick - Brick pavers are different from the brick used on house walls in that they are solid, i.e., without holes. Sizes vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, but they generally come in 4" x 8", 3 5/8" x 7 5/8" and 3 3/4" x 7 1/2". Typical thicknesses run from about 1 1/4" to 2 1/4". There are also many different styles to choose from, with each manufacturer carrying its own selection.

Sand - This is what holds the brick in place. Use only well-graded, washed concrete sand.

Crushed Stone - This creates a strong base. It may be called different things in different parts of the country - gravel, road base, or crusher run. Whatever the name, the stones should range in size from about 3/4" down to fine dust.

Border or Edging Materials (your choice)

1. Brick
2. Rigid plastic or metal specifically intended as edging material
3. Wood: 2 x 4 or 4 x 4 pressure-treated, or natural redwood
   For wood, metal or rigid plastic, you’ll need metal spikes that are at least 8" long.
4. String and Wooden Stakes (for aligning brickwork)

Tools

1. Flat shovel
2. Wheelbarrow
3. Garden hose with fine spray nozzle
4. Hard garden rake
5. Broad-blade chisel, brick splitter or masonry saw for cutting and fitting the brick (the last two are readily available for rent at your local rental store or brick distributor)
6. Carpenter’s level
7. Wood "screed" strip - a 2 x 4, at least 3’ long (used to create a uniform sand bed depth)
8. Electric drill and appropriate size bit (for wood edging only)
9. Trowel
10. Broom
11. Plate compactor (rented)

Intro - Patterns - How Much You’ll Need - Prepare Area and Base - Frame Borders and Lay Sand Bed - Lay Brick Pavers - Finishing Up

Courtesy of The Brick Industry Association