The Depth Math
Add it up: 4–6 inches of compacted road base + 1 inch of bedding sand + ~2⅜ inches of paver = a 7–9 inch excavation. Driveways need more: 8–12 inches of base alone, because they carry vehicles.
The Right Material
Use ¾-inch minus road base (crusher run). The "minus" means it includes fines that lock together under compaction. Never use pea gravel or uncompacted fill — they shift.
Compact in Lifts
Spread base in lifts no thicker than 3 inches. Compact each lift with a plate compactor, two passes minimum, until it rings solid under your boots. Then check your slope — every lift is a chance to correct grade before it's buried.
Denver-Specific Note
Colorado's freeze-thaw cycles and clay soils punish shallow bases. This is why our patios are built to the full depth spec on every project — it's what keeps them level through winter after winter.
Pro tips from the field
- Rent the plate compactor, don't buy one — a weekend rental runs about $75 and you'll use it twice.
- In Denver's clay soil, lay landscape fabric between the soil and your base to stop the clay from migrating up.
- If your string line sags, your slope reading is wrong. Pull it drum-tight or use a line level on a rigid straightedge.
Common questions
How many inches of base for a paver patio?
4–6 inches of compacted ¾-inch minus road base, built in 3-inch lifts.
Do I need to compact paver base?
Yes — every lift, two passes minimum with a plate compactor. An uncompacted base settles.