Introduction
A paver pavement is a system of four materials working together — the pavers you see, the joint sand locking them, the bedding sand they sit on, and the compacted base carrying the load — plus edge restraints holding the field together. Choosing the right material for each layer matters as much as the quantities, and the Paver Calculator quantifies every layer. This guide explains what to buy for each one and why.
Pavers: Types and What They’re For
Concrete pavers
The workhorse of residential paving — manufactured, dimensionally consistent, available in the widest range of shapes, colors, and finishes. Standard 60 mm thick units suit patios and walkways; 80 mm units suit driveways. The most economical option per square meter and the easiest to estimate because sizes are uniform. If you’re budgeting, the cost guide uses standard concrete pavers as its baseline.
Clay brick pavers
Fired clay units with rich, permanent color that never fades — popular for traditional and heritage looks. Denser and more expensive than concrete, with tighter dimensional tolerances. Excellent freeze-thaw durability.
Natural stone pavers
Sandstone, slate, limestone, and granite — each piece unique, with premium appearance and premium pricing. Thickness varies more than manufactured pavers, so the bedding layer does extra leveling work; order from a single batch and expect more culling waste.
Porcelain pavers
20 mm thick porcelain slabs for patios and roof terraces — stain-resistant and colorfast, but thinner and more brittle than concrete pavers, requiring a near-perfect bedding layer and usually a concrete slab or pedestal substrate rather than a flexible aggregate base.
Paver Thickness and Size Selection
| Application | Recommended thickness | Typical face sizes |
|---|---|---|
| Patio, walkway (foot traffic) | 40–60 mm (1.5–2.4 in) | 200 × 100 mm up to 600 × 600 mm |
| Driveway (cars, light trucks) | 60–80 mm (2.4–3.1 in) | 200 × 100 mm, 230 × 110 mm |
| Heavy vehicles | 80–100 mm (3.1–4 in) | 200 × 100 mm interlocking shapes |
Face size is mostly aesthetic — the estimating formula divides any face area the same way — but larger units mean fewer pieces, fewer joints, and faster laying. Smaller interlocking shapes (the classic 200 × 100 mm rectangle, zigzag, or T-shapes) distribute vehicle loads best, which is why driveways favor them. Always verify real dimensions against nominal sizes before finalizing the count; the estimating guide covers measurement.
Base Aggregate
The structural layer. What to buy:
- Crusher run / road base / MOT Type 1 — angular crushed stone with fines (typically 0–20 mm or 0–31.5 mm grading) that compacts into a dense, interlocked layer. The standard choice for paver bases worldwide; regional names vary, so ask your yard for “compactable base aggregate.”
- What to avoid: rounded river gravel or pea gravel (doesn’t interlock), and ungraded fill with oversized rock.
- Depth: 100 mm compacted for patios/walkways, 150–200 mm for driveways, more for heavy loads — see the formula guide for the depth table.
- Ordering: paved area × compacted depth × 1.3 compaction factor, in cubic meters or cubic yards. A 12 m² patio with 100 mm base needs 1.56 m³ loose.
Bedding Sand
- Coarse washed concrete sand — angular, clean, screeds to a true 25 mm (1 in) plane. This is the only correct bedding material for a flexible paver system.
- Avoid: fine masonry sand (compacts unevenly), stone dust / crusher fines as bedding (holds water and can pump up through joints), and unwashed sand with clay content.
- Ordering: paved area × 0.025 m, no compaction factor — 0.3 m³ for a 12 m² patio. Keep stockpiled sand tarped and dry; wet sand won’t screed.
Joint Sand: Polymeric vs Regular
| Polymeric sand | Washed jointing sand | |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | Binders set hard when misted | Plain sand, friction only |
| Weed/ant resistance | Good | Poor — needs topping up |
| Best for | Patios, driveways, pool decks | Low-traffic paths, budget jobs |
| Application | Dry joints only, then mist | Sweep in anytime |
| Coverage | ~0.5–1.5 kg/m²; 20 kg bag covers ~13–40 m² | ~0.008 m³/m² |
| Typical cost | $20–$40 per 20 kg bag | $25–$50 per m³ |
Polymeric sand is the default recommendation for most residential work; the failure mode to avoid is applying it in wet conditions, covered in the common mistakes guide.
Edge Restraints and Geotextile
- Edge restraints: rigid plastic (HDPE/PVC) edging spiked into the base, or a concrete haunch poured against the outer pavers. Estimate linear meters as the paved perimeter — a 4 × 3 m patio needs 14 m. This is structural, not decorative: it maintains the interlock that keeps the field tight.
- Geotextile fabric: a separation layer between subgrade and base on soft or clay soils, stopping aggregate from migrating downward. Inexpensive (roughly $0.50–$1.50/m²) and worth it wherever the soil is poor.
Related Guides
- Complete Guide — the full estimating walkthrough.
- Cost Guide — what each material typically costs.
- Formula Explained — how each layer’s quantity is calculated.
- Pro Tips — installation practices for each material.
- Paver Calculator FAQ — quick answers to the most asked questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best base material for pavers?
Angular crusher run / road base aggregate (0–20 mm or similar graded crushed stone with fines) compacted in lifts. It interlocks under compaction into a dense structural layer. Rounded gravel and ungraded fill don’t compact properly.
Can I use stone dust as bedding sand?
Not recommended. Stone dust holds water and can migrate up through joints; coarse washed concrete sand screeds cleaner and drains better. Use crusher fines for the base, proper sand for the bed.
Is polymeric sand worth the extra cost?
For most patios and driveways, yes — it resists washout, weeds, and ant activity far better than plain sand. The main requirement is dry application conditions and correct misting to activate the binder.
How thick should pavers be for a driveway?
60–80 mm (2.4–3.1 in) for cars and light trucks, on a 150–200 mm compacted base. Thinner 40 mm pavers are for foot traffic only.
Do I need geotextile under my patio?
On firm, well-draining soil it’s optional; on clay, silt, or soft soils it’s cheap insurance that stops the base aggregate from sinking into the subgrade over time.
Get Your Number
Once you’ve chosen materials for each layer, quantify them: enter your dimensions, real paver size, and waste allowance into the Paver Calculator, and take the resulting list — pavers, base, bedding, joint sand, edging length — to two or three local suppliers for pricing. The cost guide shows how those quantities become a budget.
Disclaimer: Calculator results are planning estimates based on the dimensions you enter. Material suitability varies with soil, climate, and load — verify product data sheets with your supplier and consult a licensed professional or your local building authority for structural, drainage, or code-related decisions.
