Recycle, Reuse

After completing the new front-yard walkway, it was time to find a new purpose for the old pavers.

The original walkway consisted of 46 16-by-16-inch pavers, giving us several options for reuse. The most practical choice was to create a solid base for the 10-by-10-foot gazebo in the courtyard.

For more than a decade, the gazebo floor consisted of an outdoor rug. 

2019

While the synthetic rug was easy to power-wash each year, replacing it with a permanent paver base seemed like a much better long-term solution.

Fortunately, beneath the rug was a solid foundation of crushed gravel. Rather than starting from scratch, I spread a layer of leveling sand over the existing base to compensate for the gravel's uneven surface before laying the pavers.

To maximize the base so it extended fully beneath the gazebo, I purchased 24 additional half-sized pavers to create a border around the perimeter. Because the original pavers had weathered and darkened over nearly 20 years, the new border pieces were noticeably brighter. Instead of looking out of place, the contrast created an attractive ribbon effect that nicely frames the base. The half-sized pavers was omitted at each corner to accommodate the gazebo's post supports.

After carefully placing and leveling each paver, 36 total, I installed plastic edging around the perimeter to hold everything securely in place and help prevent the joint sand from washing away.

Before sweeping sand into the joints, I power-washed the pavers to remove years of accumulated dirt and grime. The cleaning made a remarkable difference, restoring much of their original appearance.

Overall, the project was a complete success. The pavers were installed in a single day, and the joints were finished with a second application of sand on the following day.

The transformation has been well worth the effort. The gazebo looks more finished, the floor is now level, and moving furniture is much easier. 

Best of all, the entire project cost less than $100 for the plastic edging, additional pavers, and paver sand—a small fraction of what a professional installation would have cost.