Remove the existing pavement, turf, or existing soil to the proper depth. For installation on a compacted aggregate base and soil subgrade, be aware that the top surface of the pavers may be 1/8 in. to 1/4 in. (3mm to 6 mm) above the final elevation after compaction. This difference in initial and final elevation is to compensate for possible minor settling. The proper depth will be the finished surface, less paver thickness, setting bed depth, and base material.

The amount of base material is often determined by a soil engineer and depends on the propensity of the soil to expand, saturate, or hold water. Base thickness normally ranges from 6 in. to 12 in. A base for vehicular traffic is typically 10 in. to 12 in. In extreme soil or other conditions, the base can be up to 18-in. deep. Verify that subgrade preparation, compacted density and elevations conform to the specifications.

After the grade is down to the proper level, and before any geotextile fabric is installed (if needed), the subgrade must be compacted. If the subgrade is clay, compaction must be done with a roller or rammer so the subgrade is fully compacted. For sandy soils, a vibraplate is often sufficient for subgrade compaction.

Compaction of the soil subgrade to at least 95% Standard Proctor Density per ASTM D698 is recommended. Higher density, or compaction to ASTM D1557 may be necessary for areas subject to continual vehicular traffic. Stabilization of the subgrade and/or base material may be necessary with weak or saturated subgrade soils.The architect or engineer should inspect the subgrade preparation and elevations, and conduct a density test for conformance to the specifications.

Geotextile fabric may be used in areas where soil remains saturated part of the year, where there is freeze and thaw, or over clay and moist silty subgrade soils.When fabric is placed, it should be turned up along the sides and contain no wrinkles on the bottom.

Spread and compact the base in 4 in. to 6 in. lifts, using a compactor. Do not use frozen base material. The base material itself should be a granular type that compacts easily. Contact a qualified engineer to determine the appropriate base thickness required for the particular application.

The border "edge restraints" are now laid on the base material and secured with steel spikes which hold the edge restraints in place. Edge restraints are an important part of interlocking concrete pavements. By providing lateral resistance to loads, they maintain continuity and interlock among the paving units. Edge restraints must be set at the correct level, especially if the tops of the restraints are used for screeding the bedding sand. Some restraints can be secured into the base as the laying progresses.

Bedding sand under concrete pavers, often called concrete sand, should conform to ASTM C 33. Spread the washed concrete sand evenly over the base course and screed to a nominal 1.0 in. (25mm) thickness not exceeding 1-1/2 in. (40mm) thickness. Frozen or saturated sand should not be used. The screeded sand should not be disturbed. Place sufficient sand to stay ahead of the laid pavers. Do not use the bedding sand to fill depressions in the base surface.

Ensure that the pavers are free of foreign material before installation and lay the pavers in the patterns as shown on the drawings. Use string lines or strike chalk lines to maintain straight pattern lines. Joint widths should be consistent and average between 1/16 in. and 3/16 in. (2mm to 5mm). Some pavers are made with spacer bars on each unit. These insure a minimum joint between each unit into which sand is placed. Spacer bars help prevent contact of the edges with adjacent pavers and subsequent spalling. They are highly recommended for mechanically installed pavers. Manually installed pavers may be installed with or without spacer bars.

Fill the gaps at the edges of the paved area with cut pavers or edge units. It is recommended that cut units to be used along edges subject to vehicular traffic be cut no smaller than one-third of a whole paver. Cut pavers to be placed along the edge with a double-blade paver splitter or masonry saw.

After an area of pavers is placed, use a low amplitude, high-frequency, vibrating plate compactor to compact the bedding sand, seat the pavers, and force the bedding sand into the joints at the bottom of the pavers. Spread and sweep dry joint sand over the top of the pavers and into the joints, and compact again until the joints are full. Add more sand on top and continue the process until a solid paver surface has been achieved. DO NOT vibrate within 3 ft. (1 m) of the unrestrained edges of the paving units. All work completed within 3 ft. (1 m) of the laying face must be fully compacted with sand-filled joints at the end of each day. For paver thickness of 60mm, use a Compaction Force of 3,000 lbs.(13kN). For paver thickness of 80mm, use a Compaction Force of 5,000 lbs. (22kN).

Sweep off excess sand when the job is complete. The final surface elevations shall not deviate more than 3/8 in. (10 mm) under a 10 ft. (3 m) long straightedge. The surface elevation of pavers shall be 1/8 in. to 1/4 in. (3mm to 6mm) above adjacent drainage inlets, concrete collars, or channels.

Sealing will accentuate the paver colors and help protect them from staining. Sealing does require periodic reapplications.