[wvbrian]

I am attempting my first paver job using a circle kit pattern and had a few questions. I have done paver jobs in the past and just cut pavers to fit where I need to fill in however, the whole perfect circle concept has me a little confused
1. Its is going to be raised 24'' using cambridge wall stones. When excavating and laying my wall stones, how do I know how wide the diameter needs to be, to allow for battering back, and the difference in size of the wall caps? Can I just make up the difference by cutting the wall caps to fit on top if the final diameter of the walls is a little too small or too big to match the 8' diameter of the kit?

2. I assume I can just start with the outer ring of the kit and work my way in right? Or is there a specific place I need to start so that everything goes together as planned?

This site is awesome-I am a firm beleiver in collaboration among peers to help everyone achieve more. Thanks

[LandArts]

Circle kits are far from "perfect". Plan on having to cut the last paver in each ring to get them to fit. Dimensions will be close to what the stated spec is but not exact. I don't think it's really possible to build a round wall and then lay a circle kit into it. Also look at the diameter of the finished circle-most are a little small for a free-standing patio. What might be easier to accomplish and look better would be to do a retaining wall with the patio not touching the wall and fill the space between with plantings.

[wvbrian]

thats a great idea, I wouldn't have thought of that-thanks

[Stonehenge]

I'm not sure I agree with the assessment of a circle kit not being able to fit into a round retaining wall project.

But there's no way you'll be able to do it starting from the outside and working in. I saw a few that people tried that way, and they looked like the installers were drunk when they built it.

You have to establish a single centerpoint with rebar or some other stake, and not remove it until you're about to lay the pavers over it. That stake will serve as your guide for retaining wall blocks and the centerpoint for the pavers.

You have to be very careful when marking your lines to guide you in laying your block; pull the string too hard in one place or not hard enough in another and you'll end up with something that's out of round. The cap course will give you a bit of chance to fix non-round areas you may have goofed on during the wall building, but not much.

Below is a pic of one we did about 5 years ago. We've done several like it over the years. You'll notice where the pavers meet the retaining wall there are places where the gap is a little big; you just have to try to minimize those by shuffling the pavers around a bit, and/or filling with poly sand. That patio isn't perfectly round - it's off by about 1/2-3/4".

As for getting the exact diameter - don't bother trying - even if you hit it by the numbers, your laying could make you calculations off by 1mm for every couple courses. By the time you get to the edge you're off by half a paver. Just plan on laying one row of pavers of small rectangles or big rectangles toward the end to make the measurements work out.