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Mortar or Concrete Mix

Mortar can be used as a 1/2-inch to 1-inch-thick base under pavers as long as a 4- to 6-inch-deep layer of crushed rock is underneath the mortar to form a foundation. Mortar also can be used in the joints between pavers, just like grout is used between tiles.

The Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute recommends washed concrete sand as the best base sand for pavers. Concrete sand, also known as bedding sand, is coarse and doesn't trap excess moisture beneath the paver surface.

Thinset mortar works well in a variety of paving projects, including garden walkways, patios or driveways, as long as it's mixed correctly.

The paving stone should be laid on a minimum of 15-20mm mortar bed of 4:1 sand and cement mixture consisting of 2 parts brick sand, 2 parts washed sand and 1 part cement. The sand cement mix should be mixed to a fine consistency and should be made slightly wetter than a bricklayers mix.

Paver sand holds the pavers in place and allows you to adjust them. The final paver sand depth needs to be 1 inch and you need to account for sand filtering into the paver base and into the joints between the pavers. Make your calculations using a sand depth of 2 inches or 0.1667 feet.

Roughly crushed stone makes a good base for pavers that will be used more regularly. A base of 4 to 6 inches of well-compacted stone pieces provides a sturdy and stable foundation for nearly any type of paver installation, notes Concrete Construction, an industry website.

Type N mortar is a general-purpose mortar that provides good workability and serviceability. It is commonly used in interior walls, above-grade exterior walls under normal loading conditions, and in veneers. Type S mortar is used in structural load-bearing applications and for exterior applications at or below grade.Sep 5, 2000

• 1) Prepare the Patio Area. Laying pavers is a DIY project that takes about one weekend to complete. ... 2) Clear Out Grass and Soil. To get started, mark the perimeter of the patio area with marking paint. ... 3) Add Paver Base. Use a landscape rake to help spread the paver base material to a depth of 4 inches throughout the work area. 4) Add and Level the Paver Sand. Place a length of electrical conduit on top of the base. ... 5) Place the Paver Stones. The next step is how to lay pavers. Starting at a patio corner, lay out the paver stones one by one. 6) Cut Pavers. If you need to cut pavers to fit your design, place the paver over the space in your pattern and use a straight edge and marker to ... 7) Add Edging Stones or Paver Edging. Place edging stones along all the exposed patio edges and secure them with concrete or mortar . ...

• 1) Here are the DIY Basics on laying brick pavers. 2) You'll need to determine and locate the size and location of your patio. ... 3) Now for the base. Start with a layer of gravel about 4" thick and tamp it down. Be sure that the layer of gravel is level. 4) It's time for the pavers. Starting at one corner, place each brick next to each other on the sand. ...