How to Design and Build a Paver Walkway

Pull a straight 2-by-4 along the pipes to screed or level the sand and create a flat surface. Make sure the sand base maintains the necessary slope.

Remove the pipes and fill in with more sand. Repeat the process as necessary to create a bed of sand across the entire layout.

Set the first paver panel against a straight edge — such as a patio — if possible. The next panel should overlap the grooves of the adjacent panels.

The walkway should slope away from the house. Plan for about a 1/4-inch drop per foot. A 2-foot level with a 1/2-inch block of wood attached to the end is helpful to check the slope as you're digging. If possible, use the natural slope of the yard.

Mark the excess, noting that the panels should extend a few inches beyond the final width of the walkway. Cut a 2-by-4 wider than the walkway to use as a guide.

Cut away the excess with a utility knife.

Cut away the excess with a utility knife.

Cut away the excess with a utility knife.

Pull a straight 2-by-4 along the pipes to screed or level the sand and create a flat surface. Make sure the sand base maintains the necessary slope.

Remove the pipes and fill in with more sand. Repeat the process as necessary to create a bed of sand across the entire layout.

Set the first paver panel against a straight edge — such as a patio — if possible. The next panel should overlap the grooves of the adjacent panels.

If your work area is more than one panel wide, stagger the joints so the panels create a more stable base for the pavers. Continue installing the panels to cover the walkway area.

Mark the excess, noting that the panels should extend a few inches beyond the final width of the walkway. Cut a 2-by-4 wider than the walkway to use as a guide.

Cut away the excess with a utility knife.

Leave a small gap — 1/4 inch for this walkway — between the blocks. You can use a straight edge to keep the blocks in line. Use a 2-by-4 cut to length to maintain the width of the walkway as you work.

Remove the pipes and fill in with more sand. Repeat the process as necessary to create a bed of sand across the entire layout.

Set the first paver panel against a straight edge — such as a patio — if possible. The next panel should overlap the grooves of the adjacent panels.

To cut the blocks, mark them — a speed square helps you mark for angled cuts — and clamp one at a time to a stable work surface, cutting each with a circular saw and concrete blade. You may need to make several passes, lowering the blade a little bit each time. Note that concrete dust can collect in the saw and lead to motor wear, so follow the manufacturer’s instructions to blow out accumulated dust.

If you’re laying the blocks tightly against each other in one direction to create a curve, mark the curve with a hose and then cut the blocks in place with a circular saw.

Mark the excess, noting that the panels should extend a few inches beyond the final width of the walkway. Cut a 2-by-4 wider than the walkway to use as a guide.

Use a hand tamper to help settle the blocks. Add more sand and repeat as needed.

Remove all of the excess sand with a leaf blower. Pay special attention to textures and crevices on the pavers. Be sure no polymeric sand or dust from the sand remains — it creates a permanent, white haze after it comes into contact with moisture.

Lightly spray the walkway with a hose and allow the sand to cure for 24 hours.

Cut away the excess weed barrier.