How to Determine Patio Paving Quantities

Creating a patio out of stone or brick pavers gives it a look of quality workmanship. Among the first steps is calculating your materials.The three main components are gravel, sand and the pavers themselves. The steps below will show you how to determine the quantities you will need.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• Stakes
• String
• Calculator
• Pencil
• Graph paper

Instructions

1. Lay out the area for the patio by marking its perimeter with stakes and strings. Measure and record the dimensions of each side.

2. Make a drawing of the patio to scale using the graph paper. Label the sides of the patio on the drawing and indicate their dimensions.

3. Using the drawing and dimensions, calculate the total area in square feet of the patio (we'll call this number "A"). You will use this number for all the calculations in order to determine the quantities for your patio.

4. Determine the quantity needs for the gravel that will be used for the base of the patio. Your patio will require a 4-inch base of finely crushed gravel (or .333 of a foot). To calculate the total cubic yards of gravel necessary multiply .333 by A . For example; if your patio's total area (A) is 500 square feet, then you need 166.5 cubic yards of gravel (.333 x 500 = 166.5).

5. Determine the quantity of sand needed for your patio. Do so in the same fashion that you calculated for gravel in Step 4. You will need a 1-inch layer of sand (.083 feet) on top of the gravel base. Thus multiply .083 x A .

6. Determine the number of pavers you will need for the patio. First, measure the width and length of the patio paver you have selected. Calculate the total area of each paver in square feet. For example, if your paver is 4 inches by 8 inches, its area is .333 feet x .667 feet = .222 square feet. Divide the area of your patio by the area of the paver to get the number of pavers needed. If the patio is 500 square feet and the pavers are .222 square feet, you need 2,252 pavers.

7. Compile the totals for the above materials, add anything for special features such as benches or railings, and you have the quantities for paving your patio.

Tips & Warnings

• When ordering materials based on the above calculations, get a little extra to allow for breakage. You don't want your project to come to a halt for lack of materials.

References

• Ground Trades Xchange

Resources

• Paver products for homeowners and professionals