The Time-Saving Alternative To Gravel When Installing Pavers

Choosing pavers for a driveway or patio is an excellent way for homeowners to add a polished look to their properties and help boost curb appeal. It's a project many choose to DIY, but the excavation process can be timely when it comes to digging and adding the base materials. How far you'll need to dig is determined by several factors, but generally, excavating a foot of ground is necessary to provide adequate structure to the stones. One way to help make the paver installation process easier is to use Gator Base as an alternative base material for your stone surface.

Paver stones, which come in many different colors and design varieties, provide impressive longevity when compared to materials like concrete or asphalt. In fact, manufactured pavers have a much higher PSI than poured concrete, meaning they can stand up to more and will last longer over time. This longevity can also be affected by the base material used under the stones themselves. Gravel is one of the most commonly used options, but the alternative Gator Base outperforms in several key areas, like ease of installation and overall functionality. If you're unsure which is the best option for your specific project or landscaping, it may be best to reach out to a professional for guidance.

In some cases, you'll have to use several layers of gravel to make sure the pavers have enough strength to withhold the weight. In contrast, Gator Base simplifies nearly every aspect of the DIY process, because the product is made of polypropylene panels that are lightweight and click together to form a seamless platform. The installation process for Gator Base is similar to that for gravel, requiring excavation, laying the base material, and finally, installing the pavers. However, while gravel requires excavating an average of 12" of land, Gator Base only needs a clearance of around four inches in most cases. Each panel of Gator Base provides comparable strength to nearly six inches of gravel and does not require any additional sand or gravel to be applied over the panels before the pavers.

As with any type of DIY project, it's important to understand the proper way to install paver stones, as well as which base material is best suited for your project or landscaping goals. For example, some properties looking to improve drainage and prevent muddy buildup should consider gravel. On the other hand, Gator Base has channels for drainage and works with most types of manufactured stones, even pavers with patterns or texture in the design. No matter which method you choose, be sure to research each option thoroughly in relation to your property and don't be afraid to call in the experts when needed.