is a soldier course necessary when installing pavers

by Barton Moen 7 min read

You should mortar set pavers in a soldier course (placing the pavers side-by-side in the mortar) all around your perimeter border. Then screed your 1 inch of sand bed for your field pavers. After your sand bed is screeded you can lay your pavers and compact them into the sand bed.

Full Answer

What is a soldier course in pavers?

Rectangle Border (Soldier) (Long side to long side) Linear Feet x .6875 = SF. Needed. Square Border (Sailor) (Short side to short side) Linear Feet x .4583 = SF. Needed. Plantation Paver – 60mm or 80mm Soldier Course Linear Ft. x .6567 = SF. Needed. Sailor Course Linear Ft. x .1.5 = Pieces x.212 = SF. Needed. Pool Coping – Bullnose and Remodel

Should the edge course fit the paving or the block paving?

Jun 16, 2020 · I have three pallets of pavers, of 6x6 and 6x9 blocks. 25:75 ratio. I'm not sure how to start the "soldier course" that's the course at the very edge of the patio field. I was thinking if I lay just the I's (6x9) all the way down, that's two pavers horizontal and two vertical, then come back and fill the spaces with the 6x6 blocks, it should work.

What is a paving course?

1. To maintain a solid sand set installation, a soldier course is recommended. A soldier course is a solid frame or edging which holds the pavers in firmly. It can be in the form of an existing wall, or a cement or stone frame. 2. The foundation is then laid within the frame, or soldier course.

How are pavers laid?

Block Paving - Edge Courses. Edge courses are the blocks, bricks or other paver units used at the edge of a pavement. Sometimes referred to as Soldier Courses, their main function is to provide a robust restraint for the paving, to prevent it spreading and losing its load-bearing capability.

Do you need paver restraint?

All projects, regardless of their use, need to be restrained. If pavers are not restrained they will slowly “creep” into the softer surrounding materials and large gaps between the pavers will appear around the perimeter of the area.

Do and don'ts of paver installation?

1 – DO map out your project area. ... 2 – DON'T try to 'guesstimate' ... 3- DO work with a reputable supplier. ... 4- DON'T cut corners. ... 5 – DO compact base layers at 3” intervals. ... 6 – DON'T compact bedding sand. ... 7 – DO use precision when laying and spacing your pavers. ... 8 – DON'T hammer pavers together.More items...•Apr 3, 2017

What is a soldier border in pavers?

A soldier course is when you lay a row of pavers side to side, perpendicular to the rest of the field. In other words, you lay the long sides next to each other, and the short sides are touching the fieldstones.Feb 10, 2020

How do you prepare land for pavers?

0:522:36Prepare a Paver Base - How To - Menards - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe sod and dig down about seven to nine inches. To leave room for the sub-base a layer of sand. AndMoreThe sod and dig down about seven to nine inches. To leave room for the sub-base a layer of sand. And the pavers. When digging try not to disturb the soil underneath a process known as skimming.

Do pavers need spacers?

Use spacers when installing your pavers so the spaces in-between are uniform. Nice close pavers, lined up correctly, aren't just for looks. It makes for a stronger, more stable patio.Jan 16, 2015

What to put down before laying pavers?

Before laying the pavers, a layer of bedding sand is placed over the compacted base material. This layer provides a bed into which the pavers are set. The sand bedding also helps to protect the sand joints from being eroded away. Lay down one inch diameter PVC pipe across the bass material.

What is a soldier and sailor course in pavers?

Soldier course: Rectangular pavers are laid with the short sides together for a strong and clean border. Sailor course: Rectangular pavers are laid lengthwise in one or multiple rows. Inlaid borders: Contrasting borders are laid further inside the field pavers for a striking look.

What is a soldier course in construction?

Soldier: A soldier course is one in which brick are laid standing on end with the narrow edge facing out. This type of course is sometimes used for decorative effects over door and window openings and in fireplace facings (vertical, long, narrow).

How do you install pavers on a curved walkway?

How to Lay a Curved Paver Walkway at HomeStep 1: Prepare your base. ... Step 2: Screed the sand bed. ... Step 3: Lay your paving stones. ... Step 4: Mark and cut your curve. ... Step 5: Place border stones. ... Step 6: Install edge restraint. ... Step 7: Sweep-in joint sand and compact your field.Nov 9, 2020

Should pavers be flush with ground?

You may need to transfer soil or add some sand to create a slope. For the pavers to be flush with ground-level, dig about 5 inches down to allow for 4 inches of base material, plus 1 inch of sand bedding, plus the 1-inch thickness of the pavers.Dec 3, 2021

What base do you need for pavers?

The traditional base for a paver patio is 4–6” of compacted gravel above your dirt. If you're installing a driveway or road intended for vehicular traffic, you'll need to double the thickness of your gravel layer.Jul 6, 2020

Is paver base better than gravel?

The only significant difference between gravel and paver base, is that the sharper edges of paver base mean it can lock together more effectively than gravel when packed down under the sand and pavers. However, this does not negate the use of gravel if you tamp it down well enough.Apr 13, 2021

What is a triple stretcher edge course?

A triple stretcher edge course. Edge courses wider than 200mm are generally better suited to larger projects, such as car parks or small access roads, where they invoke the memory of the standard 3-sett channel that is found on many sett or cobble pavements.

Why do the edges of a block pavement collapse?

In many cases where the edges of a block pavement have collapsed, as in the photo above, it is because the edge blocks were laid on a sand bed and the haunching was a token gesture at best . There are no excuses for this type of workmanship. It is shoddy and would not be acceptable under site conditions.

What is stretcher bond?

Stretcher bond is the second most popular choice of pattern for edge courses. Again, they are simple to lay, and quite distinctive. However, they are harder to use with fast radii, although mitres are very straightforward.

What is edge course?

Edge courses are the blocks, bricks or other paver units used at the edge of a pavement. Sometimes referred to as Soldier Courses, their main function is to provide a robust restraint for the paving, to prevent it spreading and losing its load-bearing capability.

What is quadruple stretcher edge?

A quadruple stretcher edge course is about as far as is reasonable for an edge course. In fact, there's a case to be made for laying only the outer two courses as a trued edge course and then laying the inner two courses as part of the body of the pavement.

What angle should a soldier mitre be?

A standard mitre. And when two soldier courses meet at a 90° corner, then they should be mitred to form a neat corner detail. The mitre shown in the photo on the right only works with 90° angle, although it can be adapted for use with angles from 70° to 110°. For other angles, standard mitres (left) are preferred.

How thick should a kerb be?

Where a kerb is present, the edge course may be purely functional/aesthetic, rather than structural. The bedding for an edge course should be not less than 75mm in thickness, although this can be reduced when the edge course is not a retaining edge.

What happens if you don't have edging on pavers?

Edging is a crucial part of any paver installation. Without it, your pavers will be much more likely to spread and sink over time. Furthermore, damaged edging can cause other issues as well, such as weed and moss-growth between the cracks.

Why do you need to bury spikes in the ground?

The spikes should be completely buried into the ground in order for the pavers to be successfully secured. Covering the edges. The primary purpose of paver edging is to be functional. Once the installation is complete, you shouldn’t be able to see it.

Do you need edging on patio pavers?

Unless your pavers are installed with the edges touching another solid surface ( a curb, driveway edge or a wall), you should have edging installed along the whole perimeter. This way, your patio pavers will stay in great condition for much longer, without cracking, shifting, or lifting.

What is a soldier course?

Soldier course is the term for laying a row of pavers side to side, perpendicular to the rest of the field, which is a common border treatment. Alternately, your contractor may mention a “sailor course,” which would be a border course that is laid end to end parallel to the field. Secondly, do I need edging for pavers?

Do you need edging for pavers?

Secondly, do I need edging for pavers? Do use edge restraint – yes you need it! If pavers are not restrained they will slowly “creep” into the softer surrounding materials and large gaps between the pavers will appear around the perimeter of the area. Also, what is a sailor course?