Patio stones

[nrc]

Let's say I want to do something like this.

http://www.decorprecast.com/images/_patioStones/portage.jpg
Everything I've ready about installing pavers says that's wrong because I can't see how you can set an edge restraint on something like that. For a large stone can you get away with just back filling the edge area with soil or do you have to get creative?

[cameraman]

I think the shape of those pavers helps hold them together and there might even be cast-in keys to tie them together. You would need to see that walk being assembled to know for sure. Sod can also do an admirable job of holding stones large stones together. Small pavers, not so much.

[datachicane]

Patio Stones?
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_2Yptu8g36aI/TAXtSUCv16I/AAAAAAAADD0/xq-zqUpW-NU/s800/patio_stone_tan.jpg

I've had good luck just laying a proper sand and/or fine gravel bed first.

[chop456]

If you're going to something as intricate as that looks, have you thought about stamped/stained concrete?

If you were to do edge restraint on natural flagstone or similar, could you just use strategically-placed spikes rather than a band?

[emjaya]

You could lay them on wet concrete and fill the gaps with a dry cement and fine sand mix.

[Don Quixote]

I agree with chop. Patterned concrete would be best for the type patio in your picture, and you never have to worry about the stones heaving or settling, and weeds growing up through the cracks. If you go that way, make sure the contractor knows the importance of base preparation and compaction.

[dando]

Stamped concrete would be my choice to achieve a look like this. If you do go the paver path, I recommend Ciminello's. They did our patio ~8 years ago, and it's holding up great. Our former neighbors had a patio built by another contractor a couple of years after ours, and it is falling apart.

-Kevin

[Wheel-Nut]

I also recommend stamped and stained concrete.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/Wheel-Nut/DSC03997.jpg

[nrc]

I don't consider concrete an option in this area. It's around a built-in gas grill and covers an area where gas and electric lines exit the house and head out to the pool. I really don't want to cover those with concrete and have to tear it up if I need to repair or replace them someday.

I'm thinking I'm going with chop/dc. Prepare a good base, use pins and bits of trimmable paver edging to hold strategic points in place, and then back fill with soil.