Paver Patio Materials List: Pavers, Base, Sand and Edging
A 12 × 12 ft paver patio in 6 × 9 inch pavers needs 423 pavers (with 10% for cuts), 3.0 tons of crushed stone for a 4 inch base, 0.6 tons of bedding sand and 48 ft of edge restraint. The base does most of the work, so most of the money and most of the effort goes under the pavers, where you cannot see it.
The materials list
| What to buy | How much | How we worked it out |
|---|---|---|
| Pavers (6 × 9 in) | 423 pavers | Paver calculator: 144 ft² ÷ 0.375 ft² each, plus 10% for cuts and breakage. Buy a few extra from the same batch for later repairs |
| Crushed stone base | 3.0 tons (2.1 yd³) | A 4 in compacted base, with 20% extra because loose stone compacts. Use angular stone with fines, such as road base or crusher run |
| Bedding sand | 0.6 tons (0.44 yd³) | A 1 in screeded layer of coarse concrete sand. Not fine "play" sand |
| Edge restraint | 48 ft, plus spikes | All the way round, spiked into the base about every foot |
| Polymeric or joint sand | 2 to 3 bags of 50 lb | Check the coverage printed on the bag, which depends on the joint width and the paver size |
| Geotextile fabric (optional) | About 169 ft² | Over clay or soft soil, to stop the base sinking into the ground |
| Tools to hire or buy | Plate compactor, screed rails, rubber mallet, masonry saw | A plate compactor is the one tool worth renting: a hand tamper cannot compact a 4 inch base well |
Materials for other patio sizes
6 × 9 in pavers with 10% waste, a 4 in base (with 20% for compaction) and a 1 in sand bed:
| Patio size | Pavers | Base stone | Bedding sand | Edge restraint |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 × 10 ft | 294 | 2.1 tons | 0.4 tons | 40 ft |
| 12 × 12 ft | 423 | 3.0 tons | 0.6 tons | 48 ft |
| 12 × 16 ft | 564 | 4.0 tons | 0.8 tons | 56 ft |
| 16 × 20 ft | 939 | 6.6 tons | 1.3 tons | 72 ft |
If the patio will carry a car or sits on clay with winter frost, make the base deeper: 6 inches on this patio would take 4.5 tons of stone. See the paver base guide for base depths by use.
How the job goes
- Mark the patio out, set string lines at the finished height, and plan a slope of about 1/4 inch per foot away from the house. Call 811 before digging.
- Dig out the grass and soil to the depth of the base, the sand and the paver together (about 4 + 1 + 2½ inches for a 6 × 9 paver). Compact the soil.
- Spread and compact the base in layers of about 4 inches or less, checking the slope as you go.
- Screed the sand to an even 1 inch, without walking on it.
- Lay the pavers from a corner or a straight edge, working outward and setting each one down, not sliding it. Cut the edge pieces last.
- Install the edge restraint and spike it into the base.
- Compact the pavers with a plate compactor, sweep in the joint sand, compact again, and top up the joints.
Common mistakes
- A shallow or uncompacted base is the main reason patios sink and heave.
- Using stone dust or fine sand instead of coarse bedding sand and a graded base.
- Skipping the edge restraint, so the outer pavers creep outward and the joints open.
- Sloping the patio toward the house.
- Walking on the screeded sand and leaving footprints that show up as dips later.
Compare with a poured concrete patio, which is cheaper per square foot but harder to repair. Estimates only: follow your supplier's guidance and local rules.
Frequently asked questions
How many pavers do I need for a 12x12 patio?
With 6 × 9 inch pavers, 384 cover the 144 ft² exactly, and 423 with 10% for cuts and breakage. Larger pavers need fewer: 12 × 12 inch pavers need about 159.
How deep should the base be for a paver patio?
Four to six inches of compacted crushed stone for a patio, and 8 to 12 inches where cars will drive. A 4 inch base on this patio takes 3.0 tons of stone, and a 6 inch base 4.5 tons.
How much sand goes under pavers?
A 1 inch screeded layer of coarse concrete sand: 0.44 cubic yards (about 0.6 tons) for a 12 × 12 patio.
Do pavers need edge restraint?
Yes. Without it the outer pavers creep outward and the joints open. This patio needs about 48 ft of edging, spiked into the base.
More guides
Tools & materials for this project
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Estimates only. Quantities depend on your materials, site and supplier. Confirm important numbers before you order, and follow local building codes for anything structural.