How to Use Pavers With the Base Exposed

Gravel exposed base adds interest to your pavers.

Pavers make a wonderful walkway or patio and so does gravel. Combining the two gives you a paver walking path with the base of gravel exposed for added texture and depth. It also provides a wider walking path when you're entertaining large gatherings for friends and family. Adjust the depth of your walking path to accommodate the pavers of your choice for your exposed base walking path. Create even more detail by combining more than one style of paver.

Things You'll Need

• Shovel
• Crushed stone
• Rake
• Tamper or compactor
• Landscape edging
• Pavers
• Pea gravel
• Water
• Hose

Instructions

1. Dig out your walkway. Dig down at least 4 inches. Slightly slope the path away from buildings.

2. Lay down 2 to 2 1/2 inches of crushed stone. Rake it smooth and compact it. For small paths, use a hand tamper, use a lawn roller or rent a compactor from your local home improvement center.

3. Cover the crushed stone with landscape fabric to retard the growth of weeds and grass.

4. Edge your path. Use landscape edging and install it with the anchors and staking pins that come with your landscape edging.

5. Lay your pavers in the middle of the path. For square stepping stone style pavers, set them close together, making sure they're well seated for stability. For interlocking pavers, connect them according to the manufacturer's instructions, running up the center of your path.

6. Fill in the rest of the excavated area with pea gravel. Add enough gravel to hide the landscape fabric,leaving the pavers slightly elevated above the gravel. Rake the gravel smooth. Hose your walking path down with water to help lock the gravel together, creating a more stable walking surface.

Tips & Warnings

• Visually inspect your gravel walking path regularly. Add more gravel as needed.

References

• This Old House: How to Lay a Gravel Path