A Step-by-Step Guide for Installing Paver Stone Walkways

Paver stone walkways can add structure, character, and functionality to almost any landscape. From a welcoming front entry to a winding path between garden beds, pavers offer more flexibility than a basic concrete walkway while complementing patios, retaining walls, and other hardscape features.

For St. Louis homeowners, proper installation is especially important. Missouri's clay-heavy soils, heavy rain, and freeze-thaw cycles can cause poorly installed pavers to shift or settle. Whether you're considering a DIY project or professional installation, following the right steps can help create a walkway built to last.

Key Takeaways

• A stable gravel base and proper drainage are essential for long-lasting paver stone walkways.
• Smaller, relatively flat walkways can be DIY-friendly with the right tools and preparation.
• Complex grading, drainage, steps, or extensive cutting may require professional installation.

Step 1: Plan Your Paver Stone Walkway

Start by determining where the walkway will go, how wide it should be, and how it will connect different parts of your landscape.

A front walkway may benefit from a wider, direct path, while a garden walkway can curve through planting beds. Consider how the new path will interact with patios, driveways, steps, lawn areas, and existing landscaping.

You'll also need to select your pavers. Popular choices include concrete pavers and natural stone patio stones in different colors, textures, and patterns.

Before purchasing materials, measure the area and create an estimate for the pavers, gravel base, leveling sand, joint sand, and edging you'll need.

Step 2: Gather Your DIY Tools and Materials

For homeowners planning a DIY walkway, gathering everything beforehand can make installation easier.

Common tools and materials include:

• Paver stones
• Gravel paver base
• Leveling sand
• Jointing or polymeric sand
• Edge restraints and stakes
• Landscape marking paint
• Shovel and garden spade
• Garden rake
• Wheelbarrow
• Hand tamper or compaction tool
• Level and straight edge
• 2-by-4 and PVC pipe for screeding
• Rubber mallet
• Masonry cutting tool, if needed

Always have underground utilities located before excavation and review applicable local requirements before beginning.

Step 3: Prepare the Site

Mark the outline of your walkway, then remove grass, roots, and soil to create a trench for the paver walkway layers.

Excavation depth will depend on the paver height and foundation system. The finished walkway should sit at an appropriate height relative to surrounding lawn, planting beds, patios, and other surfaces.

Pay close attention to drainage during this step. The walkway should generally encourage water to move away from the home's foundation rather than creating areas where runoff can collect. This is especially important in St. Louis-area landscapes with clay-heavy soil, which can retain water and contribute to movement during freeze-thaw cycles.

Step 4: Install the Paver Foundation

A walkway is only as reliable as the foundation beneath it. Skipping or rushing base preparation can result in settling and uneven pavers later.

Begin by adding the appropriate gravel base in layers. Compact the material thoroughly with a hand tamper or other compaction tool to create a firm foundation.

Next, level sand over the compacted gravel. Use PVC pipes as guides while you pull a straight 2-by-4 across the surface to screed the sand into an even layer.

Some projects may use interlocking paver base panels instead of a traditional foundation system. Follow the paver or base manufacturer's installation instructions for your chosen materials.

Step 5: Lay the Pavers

Start along a straight edge and place pavers according to your selected pattern. Avoid disturbing the leveled sand as you work.

During installation:

• Check alignment regularly with a straight edge.
• Use a level to monitor the finished surface.
• Tap individual pavers gently with a rubber mallet when adjustments are needed.
• Maintain consistent gaps between stones.
• Make necessary cuts carefully around curves and edges.
• Avoid placing damaged or uneven pavers.

Patterns can range from simple running layouts to more decorative arrangements. Consider choosing a design that coordinates with an existing paver patio or your home's architecture.

Step 6: Install Edge Restraints

Edge restraints help keep the outside rows of the walkway from gradually shifting outward.

Once the pavers are positioned, secure the edging along the walkway perimeter according to the manufacturer's instructions. Properly installed restraints are particularly important around curves and areas exposed to regular foot traffic.

You can also incorporate contrasting border stones or decorative edging to create a more finished appearance.

Step 7: Fill the Paver Joints

The gaps between pavers need to be filled to improve stability. Common options include jointing sand, which can be swept across the surface and into the crevices between individual stones. Polymeric sand is another popular option that contains additives to help bind the material together once activated.

Follow the manufacturer's instructions closely, particularly when using polymeric sand. Improper application or excess material left on the paver surface can affect the finished appearance.

Depending on the installation system, additional compaction may help settle the pavers and joint material.

Step 8: Add the Finishing Touches

Once installation is complete and you have finished sanding and sealing the pavers, integrate the walkway into the surrounding landscape.

Planting beds with Missouri-native perennials, ornamental grasses, shrubs, or groundcovers can soften the edges. Accent lighting can make the walkway more attractive at night while improving visibility.

Other finishing touches may include:

• Decorative border stones
• Landscape lighting
• Mulched planting beds
• Additional walkway edging
• A compatible surface sealer

Always verify that a surface sealer is appropriate for your specific paver material before applying it.

Can You DIY a Paver Stone Walkway?

Yes. A short, relatively flat walkway with a straightforward pattern can be manageable for homeowners comfortable with digging, leveling, compacting, and basic hardscape work.

Professional installation may be a better choice when your project involves significant slopes, paver steps, drainage problems, complex patterns, extensive paver cutting, or connections to other hardscape features.

In areas like Chesterfield, Wildwood, Kirkwood, and other parts of St. Louis County, property grades and clay soils can make drainage and foundation preparation more complicated than they initially appear. Hiring a professional landscaper for these types of projects can help prevent improper installation or other problems in the long run.

Partner With Poynter Landscape

A well-designed paver walkway should feel like a natural extension of your landscape while standing up to years of Midwest weather.

Poynter Landscaping helps St. Louis-area homeowners design and install walkways, patios, retaining walls, drainage improvements, and complete outdoor living spaces. Professional planning can ensure your walkway works with your property's grading, drainage, architecture, and surrounding landscape.

Contact us to start planning your project.

FAQs

Can I install a paver stone walkway myself?

Yes. Smaller, relatively flat walkways can be DIY-friendly if you're comfortable excavating, compacting a gravel base, leveling sand, cutting pavers, and installing edge restraints. More complicated projects may benefit from professional installation.

What should you put underneath paver stones?

Paver stone walkways typically use a properly compacted gravel base topped with leveling sand or another manufacturer-approved foundation system. The exact layers and depths depend on the pavers, soil conditions, drainage, and project requirements.

How do you keep paver walkways from moving?

A stable foundation, proper compaction, edge restraints, joint sand, and effective drainage all help prevent pavers from shifting. Proper site preparation is especially important in Missouri because moisture and freeze-thaw cycles can contribute to ground movement.