Paver Patio Materials Planner

This paver patio materials planner converts your patio size into a tidy shopping list. Enter one or more rectangles in feet or meters, choose the paver length and width, set a realistic joint width, and pick a laying pattern. The tool estimates paver count including cut waste, bedding sand volume, base gravel volume and tonnage, edge restraint length and spikes, and polymeric sand bags based on joint width. Use it for concrete pavers, clay bricks, or porcelain modules on a gravel base. Results are rounded to whole pavers and practical package sizes so pickup and delivery are easy.

Select depths that match your soil and climate. Many patios use about 1 inch of bedding sand over 4–8 inches of compacted base gravel; frost zones and driveways need more. Herringbone patterns lock up well but produce more offcuts at the edges, so the waste allowance is higher than a simple running bond. Joint width influences polymeric sand usage and the finished look: narrow joints feel formal, wider joints suit rustic stones. Keep a consistent spacing with tile spacers or string lines, and sweep in sand after compaction when the surface is dry.

Measure inside clear dimensions and break complex patios into rectangles. Remember the perimeter: you will need edge restraints wherever the field is not held by a fixed border. Spikes are usually placed every 24 inches (about 60 cm); add extra at curves and joints. For accurate tonnage, suppliers typically price base gravel by ton; a compacted density of about 1.5 tons per cubic yard (≈1.8 t/m³) is a practical planning figure. Always follow local specs for frost depth, drainage, and geotextile underlayment when soils are soft or silty.

The calculator sums the area of all rectangles. A “module” footprint equals one paver plus one joint in each direction, which approximates shared joints across the field. Paver count is the total area divided by the module area and rounded up. Waste is applied by pattern: running/stack bond ≈5%, basketweave ≈7%, herringbone ≈10%; you can add an extra percentage for curves, steps, or lots of edges. Bedding sand and base gravel volumes are simply patio area times layer thickness. Base tonnage uses a typical compacted density (about 1.5 tons/yd³ or 1.8 t/m³). Perimeter is used for edge restraints and spike count based on your spacing. Polymeric sand bags are estimated from joint width bands, with narrower joints covering more area per bag than wider joints.

These are planning numbers. On site, verify slopes (about 1–2% away from the house), compact base in thin lifts, and use a plate compactor. Keep the finished surface below door thresholds and separate downspout discharge from the patio subgrade.