Recommended Tips:How to Lay a Brick Pathway

Create a walkway with a unique, random pattern using brick-style pavers. Here are the step-by-step instructions. We have printable instructions that you can download, too. How to Lay a Brick Pathway?

Skill Level:	Advanced
Time:	One weekend
Cost:	Around $240

Tools and Materials

200 4-inch x 8-inch pavers (4½ pavers per square foot)
20 bags sand paver base
6 bags paver leveling sand
Measuring tape
Stakes
String
Shovel or tiller
Transplanting hand tool
Paver wet saw from Home Depot tool rental
Vibratory plate compactor from Home Depot tool rental
Tamper
Broom
Gloves

Step 1

Determine your project area, paver size and type, and quantities required. For our purposes we will be creating a path 10 feet long and 3 feet wide using 4-inch x 8-inch pavers.

Since we know the length and width of the path we’re creating, finding the square footage is a simple matter of multiplying the length (10 feet) by the width (3 feet), giving us a total area of 30 square feet. Our path is curved, and pavers are cut irregularly, so there is no exact science as to how many pavers you’ll need, but this gives you a general idea.

Before laying the pavers, prepare the area by plotting out the path and clearing away any grass to a depth of around 4 to 6 inches. Using a measuring tape, stakes and string, mark out the course and finished elevation of the path. Then, using a shovel or tiller, begin clearing the area. A transplanting hand tool will help prepare the area along the edges of the path.

Step 2

Use a shovel or tiller to fill in the path with paver base at a depth of about 4 inches, which means you’ll need about 20 bags of paver base. With the paver base in place, use a tamper to level out and settle the base. You may want to consider renting a powered tamper for larger areas.

STEP 3

After finishing off the paver base, apply a layer of leveling sand at a depth of about 1 inch. Just as before, tamp the leveling sand into place. You will need about six bags of
leveling sand for your path.

STEP 4

Cut some of your pavers into smaller, angular pieces. These will give your Brick Path a unique visual appeal. Use a paver wet saw, which you can rent from your local Home Depot store.

STEP 5

Start placing pavers in the path. Use a combination of pavers you’ve cut and whole pavers. Place them randomly, at various angles, and aim for a more-or-less even distribution of sizes. Use these to cover an area of about 80 percent of your path.

Consider doing this part in short sections, rather than laying all the stones at one time. This will help avoid unconsciously following a pattern.

STEP 6

Once you’re happy with the way your first paver stones are laid out, start filling in the gaps with more custom-cut pavers. You don’t have to cut these pavers so precisely that they fill each gap entirely. Just cut them in the approximate shape of each gap, so as not to leave any noticeably bare areas in the path.

Step 7

Now that the pavers are in place, put a thin layer of paver sand on top of them. Run a vibratory plate compactor over the top of the pavers. This will set the pavers further in the ground, and ensure that they are all level with each other. Your Home Depot store can arrange a vibratory plate compactor rental for you.

Use a broom to sweep any remaining sand into the cracks. And now you have a gorgeous brick path you created yourself!