A paver patio is mostly what you can't see. Get the base and bedding right and it stays flat for decades; skimp on them and it heaves and dips in a season. Here's the full material list, bottom to top.
1. The crushed-stone base
The foundation is compacted crushed stone (often "3/4-inch minus" or "paver base"). For a patio, plan 4–6 inches of compacted depth; for a driveway, 8–12. Crushed stone loses roughly 20% of its loose volume when compacted, so order extra. Size it with the paver base calculator.
2. The bedding sand
On top of the compacted base goes a 1-inch layer of coarse bedding sand, screeded flat — this is what you set the pavers into. One inch is the sweet spot; thicker sand lets pavers settle unevenly. The sand calculator gives the cubic yards and bags.
3. The pavers
Count pavers by dividing your patio area by the size of one paver. A standard 4×8-inch brick paver covers about 0.22 sq ft, so you need roughly 4.5 per square foot. Add 7–10% for edge cuts — and 10–15% for herringbone, diagonal, or circular patterns. The paver calculator handles your paver size.
4. Edge restraint and joint sand
Two finishing pieces people forget: an edge restraint around the perimeter (so the pavers can't spread), and polymeric joint sand swept into the gaps at the end (it locks the pavers and resists weeds and washout).
Order of work
- Excavate to fit base + sand + paver thickness, sloped ~1/4 inch per foot for drainage.
- Compact the base in 2-inch lifts.
- Screed 1 inch of bedding sand.
- Lay pavers, cut the edges, install the edge restraint.
- Sweep in polymeric sand and compact.
Estimate all three main layers up front and you'll make one trip, not four — start with the paver, base, and sand calculators.