Paver Walkway & Patio Guide: Patterns, Base Prep, Installation & Costs

Paver Types

Concrete Pavers

The most popular and versatile paver material. Manufactured from concrete in a huge variety of shapes, colors, textures, and sizes. Modern concrete pavers can convincingly mimic natural stone, brick, and even wood. They're strong (8,000+ PSI compressive strength), consistent in size and color, and the most affordable paver option.

Pros: Wide variety of styles, consistent sizing, strong and durable, most affordable, easy to find and replace.

Cons: Colors can fade over time with UV exposure, less unique than natural stone, some styles look manufactured up close.

Cost: $3–$8 per sq ft (materials). $8–$15/sq ft installed.

Brick Pavers

Classic clay brick pavers offer timeless warmth, rich color, and a traditional aesthetic that improves with age. Clay brick develops a beautiful patina over time and maintains its color permanently (the color is baked through, not surface-applied). Brick pavers are ideal for traditional, Colonial, and cottage-style landscapes.

Cost: $5–$15 per sq ft (materials). $12–$25/sq ft installed.

Natural Stone Pavers

Flagstone, bluestone, travertine, limestone, granite, and slate create the most stunning, high-end paver installations. Each stone is unique in color, texture, and veining. Natural stone is the premium choice for landscapes where aesthetics are the top priority.

Cost: $8–$25 per sq ft (materials). $15–$40/sq ft installed.

Popular Paver Patterns

Running bond: Pavers laid in offset rows like a brick wall. The simplest and most popular pattern. Clean, classic look with minimal cutting. Works with any rectangular paver.

Herringbone: Pavers set at 45 or 90 degrees in an interlocking zigzag pattern. The strongest pattern for driveways and high-traffic areas because the interlocking layout resists shifting. More complex to lay and requires more edge cutting.

Basketweave: Pairs of pavers alternating horizontal and vertical to create a woven appearance. Traditional, elegant pattern. Works best with rectangular pavers of consistent size.

Ashlar/random: Combination of 2–3 different paver sizes laid in a seemingly random but repeated pattern. Creates a natural, organic look similar to natural flagstone. Great for patios.

Circle kit: Special fan-shaped or wedge pavers that create circular patterns, often used as focal points within larger patio designs.

Base Preparation

A proper base is the foundation of any long-lasting paver installation. Skip base prep and you'll have settling, shifting, and drainage problems within a year or two.

Step 1: Excavate. Dig out the area to a depth of 7–9 inches below the desired finished paver surface (4–6 inches for gravel base + 1 inch for sand bed + paver thickness, typically 2–3 inches). Grade the excavation for drainage: 1/8 inch per foot slope away from structures.

Step 2: Compact the subgrade. Compact the native soil with a plate compactor. The soil must be firm and stable before adding gravel.

Step 3: Gravel base. Add 4–6 inches of crushed gravel (3/4-inch minus or road base). Install in 2-inch layers, compacting each layer with a plate compactor. The gravel base provides drainage and structural support. This is the most important layer.

Step 4: Sand bed. Add 1 inch of coarse bedding sand (concrete sand) over the compacted gravel. Screed the sand flat and level using 1-inch pipes as guides and a straight board to level between them. Do not compact the sand bed — the pavers will be set into it.

Installation Steps

Start laying pavers from a straight edge (house foundation, existing sidewalk, or a taut string line). Work outward, placing each paver straight down onto the sand bed (don't slide them — sliding displaces the sand). Maintain consistent joint spacing (1/8–3/16 inch) using spacers or by tapping pavers together. Cut edge pavers with a diamond blade wet saw or a paver splitter.

Edge restraints: Install rigid plastic or aluminum edge restraints along all open edges. Anchor with 10-inch landscape spikes every 12 inches. Edge restraints prevent the pavers from spreading apart over time. This step is critical and often skipped by inexperienced installers.

Compaction: After all pavers are laid, make 2–3 passes with a plate compactor (with a neoprene pad to prevent surface damage). This sets the pavers firmly into the sand bed.

Polymeric sand: Sweep polymeric sand into all joints. This jointing sand hardens when wet, locking pavers together and preventing weed growth and ant colonies between joints. Mist with water to activate. Follow the manufacturer's directions carefully — excess sand on the paver surface causes haze that's difficult to remove.

Costs

DIY concrete paver patio (200 sq ft): Materials: $600–$1,600 (pavers + gravel + sand + edge restraints + polymeric sand). Rental: $50–$100/day for plate compactor. Total: $700–$1,700.

Professional installation: Concrete pavers: $8–$15/sq ft. Brick: $12–$25/sq ft. Natural stone: $15–$40/sq ft. A 200 sq ft patio: $1,600–$3,000 (concrete pavers) to $3,000–$8,000 (natural stone).