Paver Patio Materials: Pavers, Gravel Base, Bedding Sand, and Edge Restraint
October 29, 2026
A paver patio is a layered system: compacted soil, a gravel base, a thin layer of bedding sand, the pavers, and joint sand swept between them. The base provides strength and drainage, and the quantities of each layer are volumes that you can calculate from the area and depth. For a 12 by 12 foot patio (144 square feet) using standard 6 by 9 inch pavers (0.375 square feet each), you need 144 ÷ 0.375 = 384 pavers, or 423 with 10% waste for cuts.
The recommended base thickness is about 4 inches of compacted crushed stone for patios and walkways, and 6 to 12 inches for driveways or poor soils, topped with 1 inch of coarse bedding sand.
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Pavers are sold per square foot, per pallet, or per piece. Add 5% waste for simple rectangles and 10% to 15% for curves or patterns like herringbone, which involve many cuts. For the example: 384 pavers plus 10% is 423 pavers, which at 6 by 9 inches covers 158 square feet. Edge restraint, plastic or metal edging spiked into the base, runs around the perimeter: 48 feet for a 12 by 12 patio, plus 10% for overlaps. Use 10-inch or longer spikes every 12 inches. Polymeric joint sand fills the gaps: about 1 bag (50 pounds) covers 50 to 100 square feet depending on joint width.
| Material | Calculation | Quantity for 144 sq ft |
|---|---|---|
| Pavers (6x9 in) | 144 ÷ 0.375 x 1.10 | 423 pavers |
| Gravel base (4 in, compacted) | 144 x 4/12 ÷ 27 | 1.78 cu yd |
| Gravel with 40% compaction allowance | 1.78 x 1.4 | 2.5 cu yd (about 3.5 tons) |
| Bedding sand (1 in) | 144 x 1/12 ÷ 27 | 0.44 cu yd (about 0.7 ton) |
| Edge restraint | perimeter + 10% | 53 ft |
| Polymeric sand | 1 to 2 bags | 50 lb bags |
Base and Sand Volumes
The volume of base gravel is area × depth: 144 × (4 ÷ 12) = 48 cubic feet = 1.78 cubic yards after compaction. Because loose gravel compacts by 20% to 40%, order about 1.4 times that if you measure the loose volume: 2.5 cubic yards, roughly 3.5 tons at 1.4 tons per cubic yard. Bedding sand at 1 inch is 12 cubic feet, 0.44 cubic yards, or about 0.7 tons at 1.5 tons per cubic yard (order 0.5 cubic yards for waste). Use coarse concrete sand and not fine play sand for bedding. The excavation depth is the base (4 inches) plus sand (1 inch) plus paver thickness (2.4 inches for 6 cm pavers; 3.1 inches for 8 cm): about 7.5 to 8 inches below the finished grade.
Slope and Drainage
Slope the patio away from buildings by 1/8 to 1/4 inch per foot (1% to 2%): for a 12-foot patio, a drop of 1.5 to 3 inches. Set string lines to establish the grade. Compact the soil subgrade with a plate compactor first. Compact the base in 2-inch lifts. Screed the sand with a straight board between guide pipes, remove the pipes, and fill the voids. Do not walk on the screeded sand. In clay soils or areas with poor drainage, use a thicker base (6 to 8 inches) and consider geotextile fabric under the base.
Cost and Labor
Pavers range from about $2 to $8 per square foot for concrete and $6 to $15 or more for natural stone, plus base materials of $1 to $3 per square foot. DIY patios take a few days to a week: excavation and compaction are the hardest work. Rent a plate compactor, and a masonry saw or splitter for cuts. Call before you dig to locate utilities. Keep leftover pavers for future repairs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many pavers do I need for a 12x12 patio?
About 384 pavers of 6x9 inches plus 10% for waste, or around 423.
How deep should the gravel base be?
About 4 inches compacted for patios and walkways, deeper for driveways or poor soils.
How much bedding sand do I need?
A 1-inch layer, which is about 0.44 cubic yards for 144 square feet.
Why order extra base material?
Because loose gravel compacts by 20% to 40%.
What slope should a patio have?
1% to 2%, or 1/8 to 1/4 inch per foot, away from buildings.