How to Choose Pavers
Types of Pavers and Their Uses
Stone products such as flagstone or fieldstone lend a natural look to garden landscape. At The Home Depot, you’ll find concrete pavers, wall stones, patio stones and edgers that mimic the textures and shapes of natural stone designed to be DIY-friendly and easy to install without the hefty price tag.
Concrete Pavers
Concrete pavers offer timeless design appeal and stately elegance. The appearance of concrete pavers can vary from rustic to classic clay brick. The cement and aggregate composition of concrete pavers make them incredibly durable and easy to maintain.
Uses:
- Patios
- Walkways
- Driveways
- Overlays, pool decks, and porches
Concrete Wall Stones
Construct straight or curved walls with nature-inspired concrete wall stones. Some wall stones can be laid front to back to eliminate gaps and create a seamless pattern, while others can be installed with matching wall stone caps to craft a finished look.
Uses:
- Retaining walls
- Raised flower beds
- Garden walls
Concrete Patio Stones
Concrete patio stones vary in design and texture. Characteristics of more decorative patio stones include faux joints and uniquely shaped slabs that enhance the natural-stone appearance and feel. Patio stones of a more utilitarian nature are generally known for their strength and have crisp clean edges.
Uses:
- Patios
- Walkways
- Stepping stones
- Shed base*
*Applies to concrete patio stones that have been hydraulically pressed for superior strength and durability.
Concrete Edgers
Concrete edgers complement most patio and paving stone patterns while distinguishing between two landscapes. Depending on the style and colour of the edger, the separation between the two areas can range from subtle to prominent.
Uses:
- Garden edge
- Borders
| Paver Tips: |
|---|
|
Calculating Your Paver Project
Step 1
Estimate the number of courses (rows) of block in your finished wall.
For walls 24 in. or less in height, bury half of the first course. For walls over 24 in. high, bury the first full course.
Number of layers of block = desired wall height ÷ block height
Step 2
Determine the number of blocks needed by multiplying the total number of blocks per course times the number of courses.
Length of wall in inches × height of wall in inches = total square inches
Total square inches divided by 144 = square feet of wall
Step 3
Determine the total cubic feet of paver base needed by multiplying the number of linear feet of wall by 0.2 cubic foot (1 cubic foot = 120 lbs).
This will give you a 2 in. deep base, 16 in. wide. Please refer to specific product information for recommended base depth.
Total linear feet of wall × 0.2 cubic foot = total cubic feet of paver base needed
Example: 10 linear feet of wall × 0.2 cubic foot = 2 cubic feet of paver base needed.
Step 4
Calculate the amount of drainage aggregate that you’ll need to extend 6 inches from behind the wall.
Total number of blocks × 0.2 cubic foot = total cubic feet of drainage aggregate needed.
Example: 35 total blocks × 0.2 cubic foot = 7 cubic feet of drainage needed behind the wall.
Step 1
Select a shape for your paving stone project.
Step 2
Plan the dimensions of your finished project, accurate to one inch.
Step 3
Calculate the area (total square feet) of your project.
This will determine the total amount of paving stones, base material and paver sand that you will need.
For a rectangular patio or walkway: length × width = total square footage
Example: 12'× 8'= 96 square feet
Step 4
Add up the lengths of all sides to calculate the perimeter. You’ll need this to determine the amount of edging required.
For a rectangular patio or walkway: Side 1 + Side 2 + Side 3 + Side 4 = perimeter
Example: 12'+ 8'+ 12'+ 8'= 40 linear feet
Step 5
Select your paving stone or patio stone product and pattern then calculate the number of pavers needed using the dimensions provided.
Step 6
Determine the amount of paver base material necessary (minimum 4 in. deep for paths and patios and 8 in. deep for driveways.)
Step 7
Calculate the amount of paver sand needed to cover the base and between the joints.
Square feet of project × 0.083 = cubic feet of sand (add approximately 1/2 cu. ft. per 100 sq. ft. of paving stones for joints.)
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Some basic considerations when buying and installing pavers are warranty, quantity and degree of maintenance. Be sure to check your local building codes before beginning your hardscape project.
-
It would be a good idea to put four inches of crushed rock down as a base once you’ve finished digging. Then you’ll want to compact the crushed rock using a compactor and rake until smooth and graded properly (remember to slope the project away from foundation and structures). Bedding sand should be placed on top to ensure a smooth base for the pavers. This procedure provides the foundation on which the pavers are laid and will help with any heavy rains and provide a good surface for installing them. Compactors are available for rental from The Home Depot’s Tool Rental Centre.
-
Yes — proper drainage is crucial to the structural integrity of a retaining wall. Without a good drainage system, the pressure from wet and heavy soil can cause a retaining wall to buckle or lean. One method for creating drainage is laying a perforated drainpipe along the back of the wall and backfilling the trench with gravel. Another method is placing filter fabric directly behind the wall and adding drainage aggregate such as gravel, crushed stone or recycled concrete as you build each course; aggregate must extend at least six inches behind the wall to ensure sufficient drainage.
-
In pedestrian traffic areas, use a coarse granular sand to secure your pavers; this will bind the pavers together with a friction joint, while still allowing them to flex with ground movement. For driveways, mortar is not necessary however a joint or polymeric sand is recommended.
-
Make sure you fill the joints between your pavers with jointing sand. An annual reapplication of this sand will ensure successful limitation of weed and grass growth. A lower maintenance solution is to use a polymeric-based sand, which is specifically designed to inhibit weeds.