Are you looking for a way to make the outdoor space of your house to be more appealing? Installing a patio in your backyard is a great way to enhance the look of your home, attractive addition to any type of outdoor residential project. Many homeowners prefer installing a patio paver since it’s easy to install, simple and has a time-efficient setup plus we can use the space immediately once the project has finished.
Indeed, to get the most out of it, you need to start the patio installation project correctly. To get the full benefits of the patio installation for years to come, first and foremost, you need to choose the right base material for the patio pavers. There are several choices, such as crushed stone, paving sand, compacted soil and stone dust.
Choosing which one to use is not that easy since you should consider what kind of project you will have. Contractors and homeowners usually use a mixture of materials under the patio pavers to achieve the result they want. Read on below to find out more about the base materials of patio pavers:
Which Material for Patio Paver Base Should I Use?
Selecting a proper base material is a must if you want to get the best result for your patio project. Patio installation will get broken in a short period if you don’t provide a sturdy foundation for your pavers. You have to make sure they stay in place and are usable for a longer time.
The experts of paver installation use a variety of patio base materials, such as:
Sand
Paving sand is one of the most used patio bases because of its accessibility and spreadability. Sand will allow the water to flow through and a suitable base for non-heavily-used patios, such as backyard patios.
Unfortunately, we can not apply sand as the only base, since over time, it will move and create a bumpy foundation for the patio. The patio installers usually use crushed stone along with sand to increase durability.
Crushed Stone
Crushed stone is made of small stone pieces, cracked and filtered to get for uniformity. Even though the crushed stone has a wide range of sizes, most experts recommend selecting 3/4-inch gravel for the patio paver base. If you have an extensive patio project, a crushed stone base is the most suitable option to go with.
Crushed stone is perfect for any type of patio paver, make sure to select the right crushed stone for patio paver installation. Just like a sand base, a crushed stone base is perfect for a paver base because its structure allows water to seep through and is super simple to work with.
Compacted Soil
If you planned to install a one-season patio, compacted soil is a proper choice. Due to its structure, the compacted soil base can make the pavers shift or sink except if the soil is compacted properly and free from weeds and grass.
However, using compacted soil underneath the pavers directly may lead to some issues:
Poor Drainage
Compacted soil is not working well with water drain. The excessive moisture may cause unstable and bumpy patios.
Initial Unevenness
With a compacted soil base only, it will be challenging to achieve a completely even patio surface.
Weather Warping
The weather changing will affect the structure of your pavers, especially in winter. When the soil under the paver freezes, the ground may sink and warp since it melts unevenly.
The uneven transformation will create an unsafe walkway. For better results and security, you should apply another base material on top of the compacted soil before installing the pavers.
Stone Dust
Stone dust is a finely grounded stoned that has a powdery and sand-like texture. Stone dust is an ideal paver base if you mix it with other base materials.
Most experts do not recommend using stone dust only as a base. It is because of the fine texture of stone dust difficult to be compacted properly, which will make the patio shift and sink.
Conclusion
If you have a plan for patio pavers instalment, it is worth it to learn which base material will work the best for your project. To get the best result, the experts usually mix several material bases, including sand. You may contact the paving sand supplier in Perth to get an overview of the price and how many you need for your project.
Also, don’t forget to do research first, on whether your state requires a license to install a patio. Good luck with your project!