If you're looking into patio design projects or want to revamp your driveway, you may have come across travertine pavers in your search for the perfect material. Travertine patio pavers or stone driveway pavers can elevate the look of your front or backyard, and they have many benefits, including durability. If you're the do-it-yourself type, you may be interested in a DIY travertine installation project, which is actually fairly simple to accomplish. Here's how to go about installing travertine pavers in your outdoor space.

Make room
The first step is planning where you want the pavers to go and excavating the area. Measure the path or patio area's length and width, and use markers to show where the travertine will go. Next, remove enough dirt, turf or other material from the site to ensure that there's plenty of room for the base material and the pavers themselves. Try to make it as level as possible.

Lay the base
Once the area has been excavated, it's time to lay the base material. Pavers can be dry-set or wet-set, and the choice is up to you. Many homeowners choose to use gravel and sand to set the pavers, with gravel on the bottom and sand on top. Just make sure that you allow for plenty of good drainage, as you don't want water to be able to build up underneath the pavers. Make sure the base is firmly compacted for an even surface.

Set the travertine
It's a good idea to take stock of your natural stone pavers before you begin setting them up, as you'll want to choose stones that complement one another and create a visually appealing pattern. Once you've figured that out, set each stone where you want it to go. You can use a rubber mallet to set it into the bedding. Keep in mind that you may have to cut the travertine to fit into certain areas, which can be done with a diamond-blade saw.

Make sure it's level
Use a level tool to ensure that the travertine is level and that there are no stones that are jutting out, which could cause someone to trip. You may have to take some of the base out beneath stones that are higher than the rest, or add base to areas that are lower.

Fill in the joints
Once you're satisfied with the placement, use sand to fill in the joints between the pavers. This will keep debris out of the cracks. When that's done, you may want to wash the stones off with a hose, which will help compact the sand in the joints and provide a snug fit.