How Do You Install Natural Stone Pavers? The Complete Professional Guide

How Do You Install Natural Stone Pavers? The Complete Professional Guide

Natural stone pavers are one of the most durable and visually striking materials used in patios, courtyards, pathways, driveways and pool surrounds. Granite, quartz, bluestone, sandstone and other natural stone options offer strength, texture and longevity that manufactured alternatives struggle to match.

But here’s the reality most suppliers don’t emphasise:

Natural stone pavers are only as good as the base beneath them.

You can spend thousands on premium stone, but if the preparation, compaction and drainage are wrong, movement and cracking will follow.

This guide covers everything you need to know about installing natural stone pavers properly, including:

• Choosing the correct stone thickness
• Base preparation and soil assessment
• Road base vs concrete slab foundations
• Drainage and fall calculations
• Sand set vs mortar set installation
• Installing natural stone stepping stones
• Edge restraints and expansion joints
• Driveway installation considerations
• Pool surround requirements
• Cutting and laying irregular stone
• Sealing and long-term maintenance
• Common mistakes to avoid

Whether you’re a serious DIYer or planning to hire professionals, understanding this process protects your investment.

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Step 1: Assess the Site Conditions

Before you even order natural stone pavers, assess the ground conditions.

Soil type matters.

Clay soils expand and contract with moisture changes. Sandy soils drain well but may shift. Fill areas or recently disturbed soil may settle over time.

If soil is unstable, a stronger base or concrete slab may be required.

Also consider:

• Slope of the land
• Existing drainage
• Nearby structures
• Tree roots
• Water flow direction

Natural stone must never be installed flat without considering drainage. Standing water damages stone over time and creates slipping hazards.

Step 2: Choose the Right Natural Stone Thickness

Natural stone pavers come in various thicknesses, and this choice directly affects installation method.

For pedestrian areas such as patios and pathways:

20 mm to 30 mm thickness is common.

For areas that may occasionally support heavier weight:

30 mm thickness offers added strength.

For driveways:

30 mm to 40 mm or thicker is strongly recommended.

Natural stone stepping stones used in lawn areas should be thick enough to prevent cracking under point load from foot traffic.

Always match thickness to intended use.

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Step 3: Plan Proper Drainage and Fall

One of the most critical parts of installing natural stone pavers is creating correct fall.

Recommended fall:

Approximately 10 mm drop per metre away from buildings.

This ensures water flows away from structures rather than pooling.

For pool surrounds, slope should direct water toward drains or garden areas.

Ignoring fall is one of the most common installation mistakes.

Step 4: Excavation and Ground Preparation

Mark the area clearly using string lines and stakes.

Excavate to the required depth:

For pedestrian areas:

Approximately 100 mm to 150 mm below finished surface level.

For driveways:

Often 200 mm to 300 mm depending on soil stability.

Remove all organic matter, roots and soft material.

Compaction starts at subgrade level.

Compact the exposed soil thoroughly before adding base materials.

Skipping this step leads to sinking later.

Step 5: Building the Base – Road Base Method

The road base method is common for patios and pathways.

Add crushed rock or road base in layers.

Spread evenly.

Compact each layer using a plate compactor.

Do not dump the entire base depth at once. Compact in stages.

For pedestrian areas:

75 mm to 100 mm compacted base is typical.

For driveways:

150 mm or more compacted base is often required.

The base must be stable, level and follow the intended fall.

Poor compaction is the number one cause of movement in natural stone pavers.

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Step 6: Concrete Slab Base (Premium Installation)

Concrete slabs provide maximum stability.

This method is common for:

Driveways
Pool surrounds
High-end patios
Unstable soils

Pour reinforced concrete with correct fall built in.

Allow proper curing time before laying natural stone.

Stone is adhered using:

Tile adhesive
Mortar bed

Concrete slabs reduce movement but increase cost and labour.

Step 7: Bedding Layer

For sand-set installations:

Add 20 mm to 30 mm of washed bedding sand over compacted base.

Screed evenly using guides.

Do not compact sand before laying pavers.

The sand should be level and smooth.

For mortar-set installations:

Apply mortar directly to slab or prepared base.

Each stone may also receive a buttered mortar layer on the underside.

Step 8: Laying the Natural Stone Pavers

Start from a straight edge such as a wall or fixed boundary.

Lay pavers carefully, maintaining consistent spacing.

Use a rubber mallet to tap into place.

Check levels frequently with a spirit level.

Maintain fall direction.

Avoid stepping directly on freshly laid stone.

For irregular natural stone shapes:

Lay pieces loosely first to achieve a balanced pattern before fixing permanently.

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Step 9: Cutting Natural Stone

Inevitably, some stones must be cut.

Use a wet saw with diamond blade suitable for stone.

Measure carefully.

Cut edges should be positioned toward boundaries where possible.

Always wear protective equipment when cutting stone.

Step 10: Edge Restraints

Edge restraints prevent pavers from spreading.

Options include:

Concrete haunching
Metal edging
Stone borders

Without edge restraints, even properly laid natural stone can shift over time.

This is particularly important for sand-set installations.

Step 11: Jointing

For sand-set installations:

Brush fine jointing sand into gaps.

Compact lightly if stone type allows.

Repeat sanding until joints are full.

For mortar-set installations:

Grout joints once mortar has cured.

Clean excess grout immediately.

Jointing locks the system together.

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Step 12: Installing Natural Stone Stepping Stones

Stepping stones can be installed in:

Lawn
Gravel
Mulch
Garden beds

Excavate individual holes matching stone thickness.

Add compacted base material beneath each stone.

Level carefully.

Top of stone should sit flush with surrounding surface.

Spacing typically ranges between 450 mm and 600 mm centre-to-centre.

Driveway Installation Considerations

Driveways require additional strength.

Use thicker stone.

Ensure deeper base preparation.

Consider reinforced concrete slab.

Install expansion joints if required.

Vehicle loads create downward pressure and lateral stress.

Failure to build adequate base leads to cracking.

Pool Surround Installation

Safety is critical.

Choose slip-resistant natural stone.

Ensure correct slope away from pool.

Use mortar-set method over concrete slab.

Seal appropriately to reduce water absorption.

Improper installation around pools creates safety hazards.

Sealing Natural Stone Pavers

Not all natural stone requires sealing, but most benefit from it.

Sealing helps:

Prevent staining
Reduce water absorption
Enhance colour
Limit mould growth

Allow installation to cure fully before sealing.

Follow manufacturer instructions carefully.

Long-Term Maintenance

Natural stone is low maintenance if installed properly.

Routine care includes:

Sweeping debris
Occasional washing
Resealing when required
Checking joints annually

Well-installed natural stone pavers can last decades.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Skipping subgrade compaction
Using insufficient base thickness
Ignoring drainage slope
Using incorrect stone thickness
Failing to install edge restraints
Rushing concrete curing time
Poor joint filling

Most failures occur beneath the visible surface.

The base determines longevity.

Can You Install Natural Stone Yourself?

Small garden pathways and stepping stones are manageable for skilled DIYers.

Large patios, driveways and pool surrounds require professional installation for structural reliability.

Incorrect installation can lead to:

Sinking
Cracking
Drainage problems
Safety hazards

Natural stone is a premium material. Installation quality must match it.

Final Thoughts

Installing natural stone pavers correctly is not about simply placing stone on the ground.

It requires:

Proper excavation
Strong, compacted base
Correct drainage slope
Appropriate thickness
Secure edge restraint
Quality jointing

Whether installing granite, quartz, bluestone or sandstone, preparation determines performance.

When installed properly, natural stone pavers provide decades of durability and timeless visual appeal.

When installed poorly, problems appear quickly.

The foundation is everything.