How do I install pavers and cobblestones on natural ground?
Pavers and cobblestones should not be laid directly on natural or filled ground – for example on a meadow, a lawn, a heavily used playground or sports field, in gardens, green spaces, construction pits, on sandy subgrades or in sandboxes. Instead, a permanently load-bearing base must first be established to absorb all expected loads without deformation or settlement.
The required load-bearing capacity depends on both the intended use and the soil characteristics. Areas with heavy traffic, such as busy streets or pedestrian zones, demand much higher support than a playground or garden terrace. Additionally, filled or cohesive soils require a thicker base than soils with low fine-grain content; therefore, the layer system must always be adapted to local conditions.
To achieve long-term stability, part of the existing natural ground is often removed and replaced with layers of gravel or sand. A proven, cost-effective solution is to use turf grids – plastic grids specifically designed for reinforcing turf – which can be installed on a gravel base, in sand, or directly on gravel.