reason why to include a soldier course in a paver patio

by Maci Leuschke PhD 7 min read

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.

Full Answer

What is a soldier course in pavers?

Moreover, what is a soldier course in pavers? 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.

What colour is a double soldier paver pathway?

This is a clay paver pathway at a large shopping centre and a double soldier in contrasting colours has been used to emphasise the styling. Note how the path gently curves to the right, and that the red and blue soldier courses contrast in both colour and format from the multi-sized brindle pavers that have been used as the body.

Why do pavements need to be laid at the edges?

Some pavements, particularly those for commercial or industrial projects, are constructed with a camber, and so the main body of paving is shaped to drain towards the edges. These edges need to be accurately laid to ensure that they direct the surface water to a suitable disposal point, such as a gully or linear drain .

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

Some contractors are known to lay the edge units onto a screeded sand bed and then add haunching. This is often done as policy to make the edge course fit the paving rather than the paving fit the edge course, and is generally a good indicator that the contractor has little or no understanding of the principles involved in block paving.

What is a soldier course 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.

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.

Is paver edging necessary?

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.

What is a sailor border pavers?

A sailors boarder is one in which pavers are laid with the shortest edge to shortest edge creating a thin boarder. This type of boarder is sometimes used for decorative effects but mostly to securely lock the entire job from movement. To finish off the beautiful paving job would require a edging treatment.

Why is it called a soldier course?

The idea behind the name is that when one looks at the long narrow side of a brick, it is supposed to resemble a soldier standing at attention. A soldier course can be laid horizontally or perpendicularly in relation to another course of bricks, with soldier courses commonly being used for edging.

What is a Rowlock brick course?

The rowlock or rolok is similar to the header course except that the brick are laid on narrow or face edge. This type of course is often used as the top course or cap of garden walls and as window and door sills (horizontal, short, narrow side laid on narrow edge).

How do you finish the edges of a paver patio?

0:4714:44Choosing the Best Paver Edge Restraint - Edu-Series 2021YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt's a very key point falls into number four in our five-point. System. So you really need to payMoreIt's a very key point falls into number four in our five-point. System. So you really need to pay attention to when you're installing your edging. Now what types do we have we have some metal edging.

What do you put around a paver patio?

MaterialsPatio Pavers.Paver Base.Paver/Leveling Sand.Furring Strips.Exterior Wood Screws.Polymeric/Jointing Sand.Mason Line.Landscape Fabric/Weed Barrier & Pins.More items...

How do I keep my patio pavers from moving?

Prevent the pavers from shifting around by adding a solid edge to your patio. You can use a cement lip, plastic or metal edging. When you're finished, spread fine sand over the patio and sweep it into the cracks to help hold the bricks in place. You might consider using polymeric sand for increased longevity.

What is a soldier course patio?

-Their main function is to prevent spreading and loss of load-bearing capability. -Puts full blocks on the edge of the patio so there are no small or cut pieces along the outside. Small or cut pieces can possibly work loose.

How do you use paver borders?

Plan Your Garden Edging. Decide where to place your garden edge. ... Clear the Planned Area. Once you have outlined the area, use a shovel to dig up sod. ... Level the Area. Use a hand tamper or shovel to level off the area. ... Cover the Area. ... Spread Sand. ... Begin Laying Bricks. ... Plant Your Garden.

How do you cut a curved paver walkway?

All standard cutting methods work for straight cuts, but for curved cuts, use a circular saw or angle grinder. Score the curved cut along the top of the paver first, cutting about 1/8 inch deep. Make a full straight cut that is tangential to (touching) the scored line, and break off the bulk of the waste.

What is tumbled pavers?

Most of the tumbled blocks available in the UK and Ireland come in a number of sizes that are mixed when laid to give a random layout, but the multi-colours don't offer much of a contrast. By using a single size, laid longitudinally, a contrast can be achieved.

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 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 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.

What is the function of an edge course?

Eliminate cuts at pavement edge. This function of an edge course is fairly self-explanatory. By using full blocks (or other units) to form the edge course, there is no risk of having small or cut pieces of paving at a free edge, where they are more likely to work loose.

What are the advantages of cutting in an edge course?

Cutting Aid: A lesser known benefit of an edge course is that they make the process of cutting-in much, much easier. Consider, first, a section of pavement with standard edge courses. All the full blocks have been laid and it is now time to cut the blocks to fit in at the edges.

How are edge courses formed?

Edge courses can be formed using, for example, dished channels or even linear drains, but, in most cases, standard blocks will be used, and so, by laying these on a concrete bed and haunch, their role in directing surface water and generating the correct falls within the body of the pavement can be assured.

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?

Pavers without Solder Course Border??

Today we are going through our pool setup and punch list. It has been a GREAT experience with our PB, and we love our pool. Concerned about one thing regarding our travertine paver deck - as you can see the deck crew did not install a soldier course border and we are already seeing the smaller pieces come loose and fall off.

Comments (6)

Maybe they aren't done yet? May be putting in a hard plastic strip nailed into ground to hold things in place?