The Brew Cabin

Dear All

I have seen block paving laid in two ways. The first which I believe to be the norm is to lay the edge blocks first and then in fill with the pavers and do the cuts. The other I have seen is where the pavers are laid first and then the edge laid afterwards on concrete and the whole area whacked at the same time including the edge. I was told that this method would reduce the amount of cuts and ensure that the pavers meet the edging blocks perfectly level. Is this second approach ok to adopt?

We had someone out to block pave our back path. He claimed to be a specialist so we let him get on with it. EXPENSIVE mistake, after he finished he passed the wacker plate over the whole path, sure it was quicker and because the cement had not gone off properly the whole path spread out leaving wide joints. I have since found this site and have decided that I can do a better job myself. Especially as when I tackled the company who did the work about it, they argued alot, then called us names then hung up. :angry:

I have read on this site that the edging must be done first.

We always set edgers in first be it a bullnose edger, block paviour or or curbstone this is because we need to surround the sub base layers and keep them contained within the perimetre of the paved area where the paving is against the house or wall it will be restrained by the solid walling/footings, as to using a vib plate over blocks that are on unset mortar one word MUPPETS.

Late to this thread because I've been away.

The method that relies on making the edge courses fit the paving, rather than the paving fit the edge courses, is popular with the gangs that like to think they are 'professional' but are actually deluding themselves and their clients.

The problem with that metod is that the edge blocks end up being laid on a bed of sand with just a trowelful of mortar or concrete slapped behind them. This is NOT strong enough to restrain the paving in the longer term. Yes, it will last until the cheque has cleared, but it's an unacceptable construction to any real professional contractor.

However, the method of laying the edge courses last is acceptable as long as the edge blocks/kerbs or whatever is being used, are bedded on and haunched with concrete, giving a properly constructed, secure restraining edge course.



As long as the finished job has the sort of construction shown on the right hand side, it doesn't matter in which order the blocks are laid, but, the problem with the "edges last" approach, is that the construction shown on the left is the usual outcome. :(

Thank you for all your replies and comments, luckily my driveway did have the combined bed and haunch edge blocks..!