Paver Base Vs Gravel

The best aggregate for paver bases is a quarry processed dense grade aggregate.

Paver base vs gravel. Two of the most common methods are by using gravel or paver base paneling. Like sand crushed stone comes in several varieties. A traditional base for a paver or stone patio is a 6 inch deep layer of compacted gravel. The gravel allows moisture to get in and drain and it also absorbs ground tension which prevents the pavers from sinking.

The soil must be cleared and compacted under any other base material to prevent soil or gravel from sinking into it during the first rainstorm. However the construction aggregate used here is more subtle than the one used in the base course which means the thickness range is way smaller. It may be composed of limestone granite or other rock depending on your location and local building supplies. Suppliers may call it class 5.

Crushed stone makes a solid paver base because it allows water drainage and is easy to work with. Gravel many professionals recommend gravel bases because they offer the best support for pavers. However if you fail to excavate deep enough your patio or walkway is bound to suffer substantial settling in the future. Although coarse gravel doesn t compact as tightly as the previous gravel the stones provide.

The layer above the base course is the paver base that is the layer which consists of coarse sand or construction aggregate. Let plastic panels take the place of the gravel base. Improper excavation one of the key benefits of gator base is that it saves you from having to excavate the six inches you would normally fill with crushed stone in a conventional paver installation. For a typical 10 x 12 foot patio that means carting away about 2 1 2 tons of soil and hauling in the same amount of gravel.

Paver base is a coarse rough edged gravel aggregate. The brock system involves removing the sod digging an inch or so putting a small amount of sand to level and than placing the brock system that is a 2 x. But there s an easier way. When the two are head to head i d have to choose the base paneling.

For that same patio you would need only 24 paver base panels weighing a total of about 30 pounds to replace the 2 1 2 tons of gravel. Coarse gravel is the best base for pavers subject to heavy weights such as driveways and parking spots. Stone aggregate comes in a variety of sizes but most experts recommend 3 4 inch gravel for paver bases. The major difference is how much easier installation is.