I want to make a walkway using pavers, I am not sure how to do it?

I am planning to make a walkway with pavers, two rows side by side right next to each other. I would also like to frame them with two by fours or two by sixes. Where do I begin? Once I get the area ready do I use weed fabric and sand or is some other substance better?

  2 answers
  • Shuganne Shuganne on Jul 29, 2018

    The answer rather depends on where you live. If you have snow and freezing temperatures, you'll want a base under the pavers. I live south of Chicago and I'm putting 3-4 inches of stone that is all 3/4 inch in size as my base.


    If you have a large area to prep, you may want to rent a sod cutter. You push this and it cuts away a consistent layer of sod. This excess sod you could work into a low spot in the yard, add to your compost pile or garden, or roll it up and sell it if it's really nice.


    I'm wondering why you want to put wood around your pavers. If it's just to add a little style, be sure to get weatherproof wood so it doesn't rot out. If it is just to keep the pavers in place, you really shouldn't need it.


    The width of the lumber then depends on what you need as a base. I'm putting landscape fabric, 4 inches of stone under mine so the rain will run underneath. If you have less rain and moderate temperatures, you will put landscape fabric down, 2 inches of sand and your 2 inch high pavers, so a 2 by 4 would just about do it.


    If you're in a cold climate like me, you'll do the landscape fabric, 4 inches of stone and 2 inch high pavers, so a 2 by 6 would be close. You want to end up with your pavers just about at ground level so the lawn mower can pass over without jostling the pavers out of place.


    Remember that a 2 by 4 is really 1 1/2 inches by 3 1/2 inches. They plane off a quarter inch on each side, to make it a bit smoother or straighter, I suppose. You will have to take that into consideration in your prep work. (I live in a 110 year old house, so the 2 by 4s are really 2 inches thick and 4 inches wide. There were no permits or inspections so I have a set of joists 12 inches apart and another 20 inches apart. It's a real adventure working on in my house!) But back to you, I'm imagining you will have mire questions as you go along, so don't hesitate to write again.


    Oops, one last thought, call your utility companies before you dig. before it's too late.