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Patio Paver Questions
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Posted by ehp67 IN (My Page) on Thu, Mar 27, 08 at 10:00
| A few questions regarding 2 different size of pavers.
1.) I live in Indiana and need advice about the base thickness for a Paver 8 in. L x 4 in. W x 1.5 in. D. Typically, how much base gravel in thickness is needed and how much sand should you set the paver into (I've always heard 1 in.). What is the compaction rate of the gravel. If I lay down 4 in. and compact, with a hand tamper, will this base settle to 3 in. or will the compaction be minimal?
2.) If I use another paver 11 in X 5.5 x 5, is there a need for a base? The Paver weighs 11 lbs. Or, do I go with a 1 or 2 inch gravel base, and go ligher on the sand to set the paver in.
The Patio will be 28' X 13' and relatively flat. Over time, which Paver will dip less and be consistantly more level. Any insight would be appreciated. |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Patio Paver Questions
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| I'd go with sand it is much easier to compact and to work with. The heavier the block the less base you need to add but it depends on the sub base and traffic as well because you may get some heaving in the winter so that should be taken into consideration too. I believe 3" should surfice. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Propagating Perennials
RE: Patio Paver Questions
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| Would you just do Sand or a mix of both (3 inches of gravel and 1 or 2 inches of Sand)? There is a lot of clay, but it is also newly built house with some topsoil added when they graded the yard. |
RE: Patio Paver Questions
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| Gravel is for driveways not for patios. 3" of sand should be sufficient. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Propagating Perennials
RE: Patio Paver Questions
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| We are having a patio installed and our landscaper recommended a place where we see and pick out the material. We decided to go with Unilock. There is a nice 82 page pdf (be patient this takes a while to load) with a lot of pictures regarding paver installation on their website. I think you may find it helpful. |
Here is a link that might be useful: paverguide
RE: Patio Paver Questions
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| "Gravel is for driveways not for patios. 3" of sand should be sufficient." Dear god, please tell me you're not a professional installer. ehp, whichever manufacturer you're using will have a website. On that website will be installation instructions and technical specs. Alternately, the stoneyard through which you're buying the pavers should be able to provide you with this information. There's also a manufacturer's trade organization at www.icpi.org that may answer your questions. You're going to need a thick, compacted, consistent base of 21A or similar regardless of which paver you use. I used to live in Indiana, and I know how nasty the winters are- you will get lots of heaves the first year without a good base. Also, I'd recommend against using a hand tamper. Most rental yards have plate compactors, which is the least you should do for compaction. Hope this helps. |
RE: Patio Paver Questions
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I'm a bit confused. Some suggests that the landscape fabric shoud be laid on top of the soil before the gravel is added.
Other suggests that the landscape fabric shoud be laid on top of the gravel to prevent the sand from sinking into it. So which one is the correct way? Please help |
RE: Patio Paver Questions
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| Generally, landscape fabric - if it is used at all - is laid before the gravel to retard any weed development. But it is not a requirement. And it certainly does not need to be laid between the gravel and the sand - if the gravel is is properly compacted, minimal sand will sink into and it causes no problems if it does. Conceivably it will only make the gravel base more stable as it fills up any spaces between the rock. |
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