Patio pavers?

Question

Ok, I'm going to lay some pavers in my back yard. I'm am not making an official patio, but just a space for about two chairs a small table and maybe a small grill. The space is 16'x6' and I'm wondering if I can get away with just putting down sand, instead of gravel and then sand. Please help. Thanks all.

Answer 1

16 x 6 qualifies as a patio.   It's not just throwing down some sand, or gravel and sand, and pavers.  You can - and next spring they'll be all over the place and need to be reset.

The reason they recommend digging down 6 or more inches, and replacing the dirt with gravel is to compact it evenly, and uniformly.  And for permeability (drainage).

If you're in an area prone to freezing, your patio is going to frost heave, period. There's no way to get around it.   The point is to have it settle evenly in the spring.

That's what a uniform, well compacted sub-base is for.

Also the patio should be pitched slightly, so rain will run-off and not sit on it.  And use Polymeric sand in the joints, or a cement/sand mix.  These harden as they set, which helps keep out weeds.

Keep an eye out for ants, as they love to nest under pavers, and cause them to sink and twist.  Just spray to stop them.

Answer 2

Sure you can but you won't be happy with the results in a very short time.  Do it right and enjoy it for more than one season.