How Much Gravel for Pavestone Walkway?

Calculation

• Figuring the amount of gravel you'll need for a pavestone walkway is not difficult once you have measured the dimensions for the walkway. Multiply the length, width and depth to figure the quantity of cubic yards of material needed. Add 5 percent to the total to fill odd gaps and spaces. A 4-inch thick layer of gravel is the minimum depth recommended for the base. If you intend to use the walkway for transporting equipment or expect a high volume of foot traffic, increase the depth to 6 to 8 inches to support the paving stones.

Preparation

• Preparing the site for a pavestone walkway is a labor-intensive process. Once the site is outlined, use a shovel to unearth the site. You'll need to dig out a foundation equal to the depth of your base plus 1 inch for the sand bedding plus half the thickness of your pavestones. Residential pavestones typically range between 2 and 3 inches thick. For example, if your pavestones are 2 inches thick and the base of the walkway is 4 inches thick, you should remove 6 inches of soil from the site.

Installation

• In addition to preventing the pavestones from sinking, the gravel base facilitates drainage and absorbs tension to prevent frost heave damage. Before pouring the gravel base, compact the soil on the bottom of the foundation with a tamper tool. Compacting the ground removes air pockets and excess moisture, creating a stable surface for the base. Laying landscape fabric over the ground is optional, but it blocks underground roots and prevents the gravel from sinking into the dirt.

Gravel Varieties

• Several types of gravel are available for landscaping, but not all varieties are a good choice for a foundation. Pea gravel is a type of landscaping material used as inorganic mulch or casual walkway surfaces. Its smooth, rounded shape makes it impossible to stabilize pea gravel unless you mix it with cement powder or stone dust. The best gravel for a stone walkway is 3/4 inch crushed aggregate. The irregular shapes and sharp edges wedge together under the pressure of a tamper or compactor machine.