VAST® Composite Landscape Pavers are designed to make installations quick, safe and trouble free. Overall, site preparations will be very similar to that of conventional concrete paver systems.

Safety glasses, Gloves, Ear Plugs Shovel Wheelbarrow Straight edge/Screed Rake Skid-Steer Loader (Optional) Hand Trowel/Float

(2) 3/4" sections of conduit (generally purchased in 8' lengths) Rubber mallet 10" power mitre saw 10" 24-tooth carbide tipped wood ripping blade (teflon or other coating recommended) Reommended Blade: Freud D1024X Diablo 10" 24-tooth ATB Ripping Saw Blade with 5/8" Arbor and Permashield Coating Vibrating plate compactor (4Hp walk-behind or similar) Broom

If design has a curved border or soldier course, you will need the following:

• 10" Table Saw
• Reommended Blade: Freud D1024X Diablo 10" 24-tooth ATB Ripping Saw Blade with 5/8" Arbor and Permashield Coating
• Adhesive
• Recommended Adhesives: PL Landscape Block Low VOC Adhesive, PL 375 Low VOC Heavy Duty Construction Adhesive

NOTE: VAST Composite Landscape Pavers allow for any shape installation, including straight and curved edges.

Determine Layout and Calculate Square-Footage
Decide where your pavers will be installed and draw out using graph paper. Use this design to accurately measure the square footage of the project.

Choose Pattern
VAST pavers can be installed in a multitude of different patterns and combinations. Designs can include small and large repeating patterns. Some example patterns are provided below:

Herringbone	Basketweave	Stretcher Bond

 IMPORTANT: Regardless of the pattern, make sure that each installation grid is connected to each other with at least one paver from each adjacent grid. This will help lock the installation into location and limit separation of the grids over time. If there is a section where grid sections are not interlocked with each other, stake each grid in location using spikes.

Pick Colors
VAST Composite Landscape Pavers come in a variaty of colors that can be used by themselves or combined to create unique color blends. To help select the colors for your project, check out the following resources:

 Composite Landscape Paver Color Options
 Landscape Photo Gallery

Decide on Border/Soldier Course
VAST Composite Landscape Pavers allow for a several border and soldier course options, either straight or at any size radius or arch.

 IMPORTANT: If a straight edge border is used, the pavers can be used as-is without any cutting. If a curved border is used, the paver's legs will need to be trimmed off. For instructions see the cutting instructions below.

Locate Utilities
Before beginning installation, ensure all underground utilities (e.g. electrical lines, phone lines, water lines) have been properly located and identified. Also make sure there are no overhead hazardous conditions (e.g. power lines) that might interfere.

Mark Project Area
Once you have determined your installation's layout, mark or spray paint the overall outline, approximately twelve inches wider than the planned installation area. This wll provide the additional excavation area needed for installing edging. Layout edges that abut up to structures or other paved surfaces will not require installed edging and therefore not require the additional twelve inches of excavation.

Use either string lines or a laser level to set proper elevations and slope, so as water can run off the pavers. Suggested slope is a minimum of 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch per every four feet of the install.

 IMPORTANT: The preparation of the site and base material is critical to a long lasting, flat and premium looking installation. Also, a properly prepared site will reduce installation time. Please consult a landscape professional if required.

Subgrade
The subgrade is the existing soil or surface that the installation will be built upon. Subgrades that are primarily clay or silt are the weakest subgrades and require an additional two inches of base material (see below for recommendations).

Geotextile
Geotextile material can be used to help prevent poor subgrade conditions from mixing with the base material. Heavy foot or vehicle traffic conditions are also good opportunities to use geotextiles. The geotextile will be placed between the subgrade and base material.

Base (Non-Permeable Applications)
Base material should be a dense graded aggregate. Aggregate graded to 3/4 minus is a commonly used based material, often referred to as "Class 5." Also refer to local requirements and specifications or ASTM D 2940 for further information. Do not use stone dust or screedings.

The following is a general recommendation for compacted base depths. Using more base that is properly compacted can improve the longterm stability and appearance of the installation.

Patios, Walkways, Pool Decks, Other Foot Traffic	4 to 6 inches
Driveways, Other Light Traffic	6 to 8 inches
Parking Lots	(consult landscape professional)

Add a minimum two inches of base material in areas with wet, clay or silt type subgrades. In cold winter climates, base thicknesses may need to be increased by two to six inches, especially where soils retain excess water.

Base (Permeable Applications)
An open-graded base is most commonly used because it has water storage capacity of typically 30% to 40%. The stone sizes in open-graded bases can be as large as 3 inches and as small as 6 millimeters. Typically, a thinner layer of small stones (6mm to 1mm) is used for bedding directly under the pavers. The intensity and duration of storms that can be managed is dependant upon the depth (and storage capacity), the base, and the infiltration rate of the soil under an open-graded base and the presence of drainpipes within an open-graded base. To determine the correct permeable base for your project, consult a landscape professional or check out the additional resources below.

Edge Restraints
VAST Composite Landscape Pavers require the use of an edge restraint around the perimeter. Edge restraints will help keep the installation from moving over time, allow proper final joint sanding and provide a clean finished edge. Edge restraints are generally installed prior to placing the bedding sand on a corner of the installation site. Plastic edge restraints designed for conventional paver installations are recommended. Cast in place concrete (e.g. curbs) or steel edging should be used in heavy traffic applications, such as (e.g. parking lots).

Edge restraints can be installed next to, or on top of, VAST installation grids. For example, sites that will eventually be bordered by sod may prefer to install edging over the top of the installation grids. This will provide additional lateral support for the paver and allowing the bordering sod a location to lock into the grid system.

Sand Bed
A level 1" bed of sand will create a flat surface for the paver installation. Sand bed material should conform to the following:

• Course and washed and conform to ASTM C33
• Do not use mason sand, stone dust or sand with excess fine particles (these sands increase the chances for rutting or movement over time)

 IMPORTANT: Do not use sand to level depressions in the base layer. Instead, add aggregate to level the area.

Calculate Excavation Depth

Excavation Depth = Compacted Base Thickness + 1" Sand Bed + VAST Paver Height (Including Installation Grid)

Refer to the specifications below for product height:

 VAST Composite Landscape Paver Specifications

Additional Resources
Check out the following resources for additional information on proper base design.

 ICPI Residential Project Drawings
 ICPI Commercial Project Drawings

• Excavate site to correct depth as calculated above
• Only excavate down to the level required and try not to disturb the subgrade beneath the required depth.
• Level and compact the subgrade using a plate compactor
• Subgrade should be compacted to a 95% standard proctor density (ASTM D 698)

Install and Compact Base

• Add base material in 3 to 4 inches layers at a time
• Compact each layer completely with plate compactor
• It is best to install base material when it is slightly moist to aid in compaction
• Compact to 95% proctor density (ASTM D 698)
• Ensure to compact all edges and corners thoroughly as these are the areas most at risk to degradation

 IMPORTANT: Ensure the proper slope of the base material to allow for sufficient water drainage.
 IMPORTANT: Base material should be finished with no more than a 1/4" variation over a 4' straight edge. This will allow for quick application of the sand bend and minimize the likelihood of dip and humps in final installation.

Install and Level Sand Bed

• Add a maximum of 1" layer of sand bed material
• Level sand by pulling a straight edge over two pieces of conduit (1/2" or 3/4" diameter)
• Place the pieces of conduit parallel to one another and close enough to allow the straight edge (screed rake or screed board) to be placed on top
• Place sand bed material between the conduit and rough screed using a rake or shovel
• Pull the straight edge over the conduit leaving a leveled sand bed
• Add sand to areas that are uneven and re-level
• Use a hand trowel or float to level any small uneven areas

If an edge restraint is in location, especially if the installation is in-between current pavements (e.g. concrete or asphalt), the straight edge can be notched to the proper finished height. Remember to notch the straight edge to allow for a maximum of 1" of sand bedding material.

When retaining walls or curbs are used as edge restraints or in other high drainage situations, a geotextile may be used to stabilize the install. The geotextile should be turned up against the vertical surface to aid in containing the sand bed.

 IMPORTANT: Often, the entire sand bed is not put down at one time, but instead installed as sections of the installation are completed. Start putting the sand bed down at the starting point (see below) of the installation.

 IMPORTANT: ALWAYS WEAR SAFETY GLASSES, GLOVES, AND EAR PLUGS WHEN TRIMMING PAVERS OR GRIDS. Obey all safety and operational instructions that came with your mitre saw.

Account for Expansion
VAST composite pavers will expand and contract with temperature change.

Ground Installations (e.g. Driveway, Patio, Sidewalk):

• Rigid edging (e.g. concrete curbing, staked landscape edging): Install pavers tight to the edging. No expansion gap is required between the perimeter pavers and edging.
• Less rigid edging (e.g. asphalt, wood): For every 25 foot length of installation, place a 1" expansion gap between the perimeter pavers and the less rigid edging. A maximum 2" expansion gap between the perimeter pavers and edging is sufficient for installation lengths greater than 50 feet.
• Place a 0.75" expansion gap around all protrusions through the install (e.g. light posts, vent pipes).
• Expansion gaps should be filled with sand or another compressible material.

Above Ground Installations (e.g. Roof Deck):

• All edging (e.g. knee wall, building structure): For every 25 foot length of installation, place a 1" expansion gap between the perimeter pavers and the edging. A maximum 2" expansion gap between the perimeter pavers and edging is sufficient for installation lengths greater than 50 feet.
• Place a 0.75" expansion gap around all protrusions through the install (e.g. light posts, vent pipes).
• Expansion gaps should be filled with sand or another compressible material.

Pick a Starting Point
Picking the right starting point will make your installation quicker and easier.

• Start off of any existing structure (building or other paved surface) that the installation will touch
• Select a starting point that will avoid working yourself into a corner and make for less fitting (cutting) against any structure

Starting the Installation

• Put down a section of sand bed as detailed above
• Remove 10 to 20 sq-ft of pavers from the installation grids and place them in a wheelbarrow
• Lay the grids at the starting point of the installation, ensuring they are aligned with one another

Laying out several square feet of grids without pavers will allow some space to work. It is okay to walk on grids once they are in location; however, make sure no sand is tracked onto the grids. This will cause the paver to not seat properly and might cause an uneven installation.

• After the grids are in location, bring pavers stacked on grids to the starting location
• Empty pavers from grids for installation and align empty grids with those already in place
• Start installing pavers on grids in desired patterns making sure than pavers adequately interlock grids together (see above)
• Review the desired pattern, and start installting pavers at any desired location

 IMPORTANT: Continually check and adjust paver alignment. Minor adjustments can be made with a rubber mallet.

Install Remaining Edge Restraints

• After all pavers and grids are placed into their final locations, install all remaining edge restraints
• Place edge restraint firmly next to installed pavers
• Fasten edge restraint to installation using proper length spikes (10" recommended)

The addition of curves and corners is a straight forward process and can increase the aesthetics of any installation.

Mark and Cut the Curve

• Evaluate whether the curve or arch can be created without cutting (see Easy Arches above)
• Install pavers wider than the actual curve leaving 4" to 6" of grid extending beyond the curve (this will allow the edge restraint to be installed on top of the grid and spiked down)
• Align the flex edging to the desired start and end point and strike a chalk line
• Or, use a string or tape measure from the center point of the circle to create a chalk line
• Or, if there is not enough space to measure from the center of the curve's circle, create a template from a piece of plywood
• Mark pavers on the outside of the curve with an "X" to indicate which section of the paver is to be scrapped
• Cut each paver as described in the cutting instructions

Install Soldier Course Pavers
If a solider course is being used, install the soldier course pavers as detailed below:

• Trim the legs from soldier course pavers as described in the cutting instructions
• Use the recommended adhesive to install the soldier course pavers on top of the grid in the desired curve
• Make sure the pavers are dry and clean prior to applying the adhesive
• Use a 1/4" to 3/8" bead of adhesive around the paver's entire perimeter

 IMPORTANT: Do not walk on glued pavers for approximately 24 hours.

Tamp (Plate Compacting) Pavers

• Tamp installed pavers prior to adding joint sand with plate compactor to set pavers into sand bed and remove any minor imperfections in the top surface
• Do not allow the plate compactor to remain stationary for an extended period of time as it may scuff the top surface of the pavers

Fix Depressions or Elevated Areas
After tamping the installation, review the surface for any imperfections (depressions or high spots) by using a straight edge or by viewing across the top at paver level. If there are imperfections in the middle region of the installation, remove the pavers and grids in that area and either add to or remove from the sand bed to make level. If needed, a screwdriver can be used to remove pavers. Re-tamp pavers after imperfections have been removed.

Select Joint Sand
Sanding VAST Composite Landscape Pavers locks the location of the pavers. The sand used to fill the joints should be clean, sharp and well graded.

• Non-Permeable Applications: Same sand as the sand bed (ASTM C33).
• Permeable Applications: 1/4" granite chip or similar aggregate

Install Joint Sand

• Spread the sand across the installation site and allow to dry completely
• Sweep sand into the paver joints
• Tamp sand into paver joints using a plate compactor
• Continue to spread and sweep sand while running the plate compactor over the installation
• When paver joints appear to be filled to the desired level, sweep the installation clean of any remaining sand or dust
• The pavers original color will return once the pavers are cleaned by a soaking rain
• Installation may require additional sanding after rain or settling of the joint sand occurs

 IMPORTANT: Polymeric sand may be used on the installation, but it is highly recommended that all sand and dust be swept off the surface of the pavers prior to placing water on the installation. Leaving polymeric dust on the pavers may leave a haze. Test a small area with polymeric sand prior to completing the entire installation.

Sealing of VAST Composite Landscape Pavers is not required. In some cases, conventional sealers may leave an unwanted haze on the surface. Use of a sealer is not recommended and will cause your warranty to be void. Contact us any time if you have questions.