The order a sand-set paver patio goes together
A sand-set patio goes together from the ground up: excavate and compact the base in lifts, screed a 1″ sand bed over rails, lay the pavers tight to a string line, then lock the edge with a spiked restraint, sweep in polymeric sand, and plate-compact.
What this diagram shows
A four-panel walkthrough of the sand-set paver build order. Panel 1: the area is excavated below original grade and a compacted aggregate base is built up in lifts inside the trench. Panel 2: a one-inch bedding-sand layer is screeded flat over two screed rails on top of the compacted base. Panel 3: pavers are laid tight to a string line on the sand bed in a running-bond pattern, working out into the field. Panel 4: an edge restraint is spiked along the perimeter, polymeric sand is swept into the joints, and the field is plate-compacted.
Use this diagram — free
You're welcome to use this diagram on your own site, blog, handout, or lesson at no cost. The only condition is a visible credit link back to the source page. Copy the snippet below and paste it into your page — the credit is already included.
Please keep the credit link intact and don't alter the diagram itself. Redistribution as part of a competing diagram library or template pack isn't permitted. Questions? Reach us via the site.
Related diagrams
Masonry, Stucco & HardscapeBrick bond patterns compared — running, ⅓ running, stack, common, English, and Flemish
Masonry, Stucco & HardscapeWhere bricks-per-square-foot comes from — the nominal brick-plus-joint cell
Masonry, Stucco & HardscapeAnchored brick-veneer wall section — air space, WRB, ties, flashing, and weep holes
Masonry, Stucco & HardscapeAnatomy of a concrete masonry unit — face shells, webs, cores, and nominal vs actual size
Masonry, Stucco & HardscapeRunning-bond corner coursing for concrete block — how half and corner units keep the offset
Masonry, Stucco & HardscapeReinforced CMU wall cutaway — grouted cells, vertical rebar, bond beam, and joint reinforcement