Paver base calculator for Kansas

The stone beneath pavers costs far less per square foot than the finished surface, yet base problems commonly lead to patio failure. This calculator estimates that structural layer: compacted crusher run or a comparable blend at 1.5 tons per cubic yard, using 4 inches for pedestrian areas and 6-8 for vehicle areas, with the +10% compaction allowance selected by default. Bedding sand remains a separate 1-inch layer and has its own calculator.

Base sizing

1. In feet, measure the finished paved area and extend it 6 inches beyond each unconfined paver side. That extra base supports the edge restraint.
2. Use a 4-inch compacted layer under patios and walkways; allow 6 for driveways or clay soil, and 8 beneath driveways on soft ground.
3. Convert cubic feet to yards by dividing by 27, then multiply by 1.5 for tons and switch on the +10% allowance.

Project depth and coverage

Excavation layers from lawn to finished paver

Excavation depth combines all layers. For a typical patio, allow 4 inches of base, 1 inch of bedding sand, and a 2 3/8 inch paver brought flush with the lawn. This gives a 7.5-inch excavation, adjusted for the amount of reveal desired above grade. Put a mark on a stake and compare it as excavation proceeds. Digging too deep means removing extra soil, with the Dirt Calculator used in reverse to estimate the yards leaving the excavation, then bringing in extra stone to restore the grade.

Base installation practices

• Install the material in 2-inch courses, lightly misting and plate-compacting each course. A lightly damp base compacts more firmly than a dry one.
• Create a 2-3% slope in the completed base leading away from the house. Its grade carries through the sand and pavers.
• Install edge restraint over the compacted base rather than lawn soil. The 6-inch extension provides support below the restraint.
• Where clay is present, install woven geotextile below the base. It limits stone pressing into the subgrade through successive wet seasons.
• Do not use an overly deep sand bed in place of base thickness. Sand can shift, creating an uneven patio surface.

Re-laying pavers: checking the base

When resetting an existing patio, the base may be retained. Lift the pavers, remove the old bedding sand, and assess the layer below. Where it remains level, firm, and free-draining, add a new 1-inch bedding layer; the stone quantity then falls to a tenth of that for a new installation. Remove the base where it has low areas, soft sections, or standing water. Leaving a failed base in place can cause the same issue beneath the replacement pavers.

Example: a 16 x 12 patio

The paved surface is 192 square feet. After allowing a 6-inch extension along three open edges, use 210 as the base area. With 4 inches of compaction, the calculation is 210 x 0.333 = 70 cubic feet = 2.6 cubic yards, or roughly 3.9 tons and 4.3 after the allowance. Purchase 4.5 tons of crusher run and 0.9 tons of bedding sand from the Paver Sand Calculator, with one free delivery. Schedule delivery after excavation, since stone left on grass for two weeks can kill a rectangular patch.

Questions about base depth, excavation, and tonnage

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