By the Earthstone Materials Team · Last updated: September 27, 2026
The direct answer: under pavers goes 4 to 6 inches of compacted limerock base or crusher run, then 1 inch of bedding sand, then the pavers themselves, locked in with edge restraint. The base carries the load; the sand beds the pavers level; the edging keeps the whole assembly from spreading. Every failed paver job we hear about traces back to one of those three being skipped.
The layer stack, bottom to top
| Layer | Material | Depth | Job |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subgrade | Existing soil, compacted | - | Foundation; must be firm and graded for drainage |
| Base | Limerock base or crusher run | 4 to 6 in. compacted | Carries the load; the structural layer |
| Bedding | Bedding sand (concrete sand) | 1 in. | Levels the pavers; never more than 1.5 in. |
| Pavers | Your chosen pavers | Per manufacturer | The wearing surface |
| Edge restraint | Concrete, pavers, or plastic edging | - | Keeps pavers from migrating outward |
Why the base matters most in South Florida
Our native soil is sand over a high water table. Without a compacted base, pavers press straight into the subgrade and settle unevenly, especially after the rainy season saturates the ground. Limerock base is the local standard because it compacts into a dense layer that bridges soft spots. Compact it in lifts: two passes at 2 to 3 inches each beats one pass at 6 inches.
The bedding sand rule
One inch of bedding sand, screeded level, no more. Thick sand is the most common DIY mistake: beyond about 1.5 inches the sand layer itself becomes the thing that settles. Do not use stone dust or limerock fines as bedding in wet areas; they hold water against the pavers. And never lay pavers directly on the base rock without bedding; you will never get them level.
Drainage and slope
Grade the whole assembly away from the house at roughly a quarter inch per foot. Water that ponds on pavers finds its way down and undermines the base. Where the patio meets a low spot, a strip drain with #57 stone at the edge carries runoff away. In flood-prone lots, raising the patio on additional compacted fill (Clean Fill Dirt #1 under the base) beats fighting standing water forever.
How much base to order
Figure the patio square footage, multiply by the loose depth (about 5 to 7 inches to net 4 to 6 compacted), and convert to yards. Our material calculator handles it, and request a quote with the dimensions gets you a delivered price. Order the base first; it goes in before anything else arrives.