How the numbers are worked out
- Measure the area. Multiply the length by the width in feet to get the area in square feet. Split an L-shaped patio into rectangles and run each one.
- Count the pavers. Divide 144 by the paver face size in square inches to get pavers per square foot, multiply by the area, then add cut waste for the pattern and round up. If the pallet label gives a coverage figure, use that instead.
- Work out base gravel and sand. Multiply the area by the layer depth in feet and divide by 27 for cubic yards. Add the compaction allowance to the base gravel, then multiply cubic yards by the material weight per cubic yard to get tons.
- Measure the edge restraint. Add up the perimeter, take off any side that runs along a house or wall, and divide by the length of one edge restraint piece, rounding up.
The paver count uses the face size the paver is sold by. Many "4 x 8" pavers are metric (about 100 x 200 mm), which works out to a few more per square foot, so the coverage figure on the pallet label is the better number when you have it. The base depth here is for a patio or walk. Driveways and soft or clay soil need a deeper base.