Short answer
Hold pavers with a restraint made for pavers: an L-shaped plastic or aluminum restraint or a concrete edge. Spike it into the compacted aggregate base, not into soil, at the maker’s spacing; Unilock says every 8 to 12 inches, and Western Interlock prefers 10 inch spikes at 12 inch centers. Extend the base past the restraint by about the base thickness. Per ICPI, bed edging is not an acceptable paver restraint.
What a paver edge restraint does
Interlocking pavers stay tight because each one presses against its neighbors. The outer row has nothing pressing back, so without a restraint it creeps outward as people walk or drive on it. Once the edge moves, the sand washes out of the joints and the whole surface loosens. ICPI Tech Spec 3, the industry guidance for interlocking concrete pavement, treats the edge restraint as part of the pavement, not an optional extra.
The rules that matter
- Spike into the base, not the soil. ICPI says spikes go into the compacted aggregate base.
- Extend the base. The base should run past the restraint by about the base thickness, per ICPI, so the restraint and its spikes sit on solid ground.
- Follow the spike spacing. ICPI says to follow the manufacturer. Unilock says spikes every 8 to 12 inches; Western Interlock prefers 10 inch nails at 12 inch centers (maker guidance).
- Bed edging is not a paver restraint. ICPI says so plainly. A thin plastic lawn coil cannot hold the sideways push of a patio.
Types of paver edging
| Type | How it holds | Best for | Watch for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plastic L restraint | Flange under the pavers, spikes into base | DIY patios and walks, curves | Flex sections for curves; enough spikes |
| Aluminum L restraint | Rigid aluminum flange, spikes into base | Slim, straight edges | Harder to bend tightly |
| Concrete edge (toe or curb) | Poured or troweled concrete against the edge | Permanent edges, heavier use | Needs care to keep it below the soil line |
-
01Most common
Plastic paver edge restraint
Best for: DIY patios and walks, straight runs and curves
- Profile
- L shape
- Anchors
- Spikes into base
- Curves
- Flexible sections
- Hidden under the soil or sod at the edge
- Buy spikes to match the maker’s spacing
- Notch or flex type for curves
-
02Slim
Aluminum paver edging
Best for: straight, crisp edges and tight spaces
- Profile
- L shape
- Material
- Aluminum
- Rust
- Does not rust
- Rigid and low profile
- Does not rust or stain
- Harder to curve than plastic
-
03Do not skip
Edging spikes
Best for: every restraint
- Length
- 10 in (Western Interlock)
- Spacing
- 8 to 12 in (Unilock)
- Into
- Compacted base
- Most failures are too few or too short spikes
- Extra spikes at curves and joints
- Galvanized spikes resist rust
Some no-dig kits are marketed for pavers too: a 100 ft EasyFlex kit listing says so. If you use one, make sure it is meant for pavers and spike it into the base as above. More in no-dig landscape edging.
How to install paver edging
Build the base wider than the pavers
Excavate and compact the aggregate base so it extends beyond where the restraint will sit by about the base thickness, per ICPI. Call 811 before digging (Call 811).
Lay the pavers
Screed the bedding sand and lay the pavers. Trim sand back so it does not run out under where the restraint will go.
Set the restraint on the base
Place the restraint tight against the outer pavers, with its flange on the compacted base, not on loose sand.
Drive the spikes
Drive spikes through the restraint into the base at the maker’s spacing, often every 8 to 12 inches (Unilock). Add spikes at curves and joints.
Compact and fill joints
Run a plate compactor over the pavers, sweep joint sand in, and compact again.
Backfill the edge
Cover the restraint with soil and sod or mulch so it is hidden and protected.
What you need
Cost
Restraint cost varies by system, length and spike count, so price the whole run including spikes. For a full patio project, the edge is a small share of the total; skipping it is what gets expensive. For bed and lawn edging prices, see LawnStarter and landscape edging cost.
Related guides
- Edging a path or patio border for looks: garden path edging.
- Brick or paver mow strips beside a lawn: brick edging.
- Poured edges: concrete curb edging.
- General install: how to install landscape edging.
Questions people ask
Do pavers need edging?
Yes. Without an edge restraint, the outer pavers drift outward under traffic, the joints open and the surface starts to shift. ICPI Tech Spec 3 covers edge restraints as a required part of interlocking concrete pavement.
How far apart should paver edging spikes be?
Follow the restraint maker’s spacing. Unilock says spikes every 8 to 12 inches, and Western Interlock prefers 10 inch nails at 12 inch centers. Add spikes at curves and joints.
Can I use landscape edging for pavers?
Not garden bed edging. ICPI says bed edging is not an acceptable paver restraint. Some no-dig kits are marketed for pavers on retail listings; if you use one, check that it is designed for pavers and spike it into the compacted base.
Does paver edging go on top of the sand?
No. The restraint sits on the compacted aggregate base and the spikes go into that base. ICPI notes the base should extend beyond the restraint by about the base thickness. Bedding sand under the restraint lets it move.
Plastic or concrete paver edging?
Plastic restraints are the common DIY choice and handle curves well. Aluminum is slimmer and rigid. A concrete edge is permanent and strong. Pick by the patio shape, the traffic it carries and what the paver maker recommends.
Sources
- ICPI, Tech Spec 3: Edge restraints for interlocking concrete pavements
- Unilock, Paver edge restraint: the complete guide (maker)
- Western Interlock, Edge restraint spike placement (maker)
- Dimex EasyFlex no-dig edging kit, 100 ft (Home Depot Canada listing)
- Call 811, Know what is below (national call-before-you-dig line)
- LawnStarter, How much does landscape edging cost? (updated December 27, 2025)
Last reviewed October 12, 2026. Products, sizes and listings change; check the product details before you buy, call 811 before you dig, and follow the maker’s instructions.