Everyone who has already worked with pavers know that their installation can, sometimes, become tricky. That’s why, the right choice of materials and correct strategies make a difference. So today, we are here to present you with a different strategy: paver base panels.
But what exactly are paver base panels and how to use them? That’s what we are here to answer. So let’s get right to it.
Jump to:
What are Paver Base Panels?
Paver base panels are basically thin plastic mats that replace the traditional gravel base used in paver installations.
These mats are made out of very dense polypropylene, a thermoplastic polymer used in a wide variety of applications.
When prepared for pavers, they come with grooves and ship lap edges, perfectly designed to accommodate pavers already accounting for the recommended space between each other.
They are developed taking into consideration the interlocked system formed between pavers and sand. Paver base panels contribute to this system by allowing the weight to be evenly distributed on the pavers.
They also create a protective layer between the pavers and the soils, as well as contributing to a better drainage with built-in channel and holes to drain water.
On average, one single base panel can replace up to 176 pounds of dirt that would be removed through digging. So you can only imagine how much work and money the use of pavers base panels can save you.
Differences in Installation
In a regular paver installation, you would usually have to dig around 7″ plus the height of your paver of choice below ground level.
Your hole then would be covered by a landscape fabric, on top of which would be placed 6″ of compacted gravel. On top of the gravel, a 1″ layer of sand would serve as a base for your pavers.
In comparison, an installation using paver base panels requires almost no digging at all. The excavation will only go as deep as the height of your pavers plus the 1/2″ of sand and the thickness of the paver base you’re using.
How to Install Paver Base Panels
The entire depth of the hole you will have to dig will rarely exceed 3″. Be mindful that you still have to create a slope. Ideally, starting from the point closest to the nearest building, add 1/4” in depth to every foot of distance.
After your hole is dug, you’re going to cover it with the geotextile fabric and evenly spread a 1/2″ layer of sand, leveling everything up as you go.
On top of the sand, you’re going to place your base panels almost the same way that you would a paver. Always gently place them, never shifting them once they are set.
With your paver base placed, now you can attach paver edgings to them, so the paver themselves are secured once they are placed. You can even find in the market some paver bases already accompanied by paver edgings.
Once the paver edgings are in place, it is just a matter of placing the pavers according to your planned design.
At the end of it, as the final step of the project, you pour polymeric sand all over the installation, sweeping it to fill up the joint between the pavers.
Are Paver Base Panels Worth it?
They are a terrific option, but it depends on how much they cost in your area, and how much labor will cost as well.
Base panels save a considerable amount of time and money, as excavation activities are greatly cut. They also contribute to the interlocked structure of the installation itself. But in areas such as Florida, where installing pavers the classical way is not expensive, then paver base panels are often the most expensive choice.
Also, they might not fit every single style or project.
Professional Help With Installation of Pavers
Of course, every project is unique in its own right. As tempting as it is to tackle the project from a DIY perspective, the best course of action is to hire professionals to guide you.
Qualified hardscape professionals can help you decide whether paver base panels are a good fit for your project or not.
We here at JS Brick have more than 20 years of experience helping homeowners around the Sarasota County with their hardscape projects, so we know how important of always tackling every project individually.
We highly recommend you get in contact with a hardscape professional in your area to help you. And if you happen to around the Sarasota County, in Fl, why not give us a call to help you?
You can contact us any time at +1 941 586 9140 to schedule a free consultation on your project. We would be happy to hear from you.
