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How to lay a gravel patio area for seating correctly

12/21/2022

1 Comment

 
How to lay a gravel patio area for seating
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Gravel is one of the most versatile and decorative of all garden surface options. Not only does it come in a wide variety of materials it is much more affordable than other surfaces.

Unlike conventional paving gravel, does not require skilled labour to spread and lay. Spreading gravel is a much faster process than laying paving making it more economical and efficient.

Gravels come in various size grades which can create aesthetically, pleasing, visual, textures.

They also provide an opportunity to combine areas of seating and circulation with planting.  
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Gravel garden
Our Moroccan, Desert garden with gravel seating in Missenden, Bucks
Gravel is also a more ecological surface allowing storm water to permeate back into the soil. This reduces the risk of flash flooding and the polluting of natural watercourses and wetlands.
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In this article I will answer some common questions about laying gravel within your garden. I will also explain how to lay a gravel patio area for seating correctly. 

Do I need to dig out soil before laying gravel?

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It depends if you intend to grow plants through the gravel or use the gravel as a path of patio. If you are using gravel as mulch for planting beds you will not need to dig out soil.

​However, if you are laying gravel for human traffic you should excavate out at least 100mm of topsoil.

If you wish to lay gravel to a driveway you should excavate at least 200mm of topsoil. 
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Digging out

Do I need a sub base for a gravel patio and seating?

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For a gravel patio it is ideal to have a compacted sub base of between 75 -120 millimetres deep. The perfect depth will depend upon your soil type, surrounding trees and expected traffic volumes.

A well compacted and even sub base will ensure a firm and robust surface which will resist weed encroachment. 

Do I need to put sand under a gravel patio? 

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Gravel by its very nature will displace and move under foot. Therefore you only want to spread materials under gravel which are stable.

This is why compacted mot type one is the best material for under a gravel patio. Sand will easily rutt and displace making your gravel surface unstable.

​Sand also provides an easy root run for surrounding trees and shrubs. This can lead to bulges and undulation within the gravel surface. 

Do I need to lay plastic membrane under a gravel patio?  

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​It is always recommended to lay a robust landscape membrane under your gravel. This will act as a separation barrier between your sub base and gravel.

​Separating the two surfaces will prevent sub base working its way up and infiltrating your gravel. Plastic membrane will also act as a root barrier preventing weeds encroaching upon your gravel patio. 
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Cutting landscape fabric

What type of gravel is best for patios? 

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It is difficult to isolate any one type of gravel which is the best for patios. However the best aggregates will be ones which do not absorb moisture.

This will prevent algae and discolouration from microorganisms. Generally the best gravels will be graded between 10 -20 millimetres in size and compliment your gardens style.

​One of the most commonly used and reasonably priced gravel is shingle gravel. 
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pea gravel

What tools will I need to lay a gravel patio?

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The great thing about laying a gravel patio is you do not need many tools; Usually a spade, shovel, spirit level and wheel barrow is enough.


You will probably need more tools to install your edgings than laying the gravel itself. The most common edgings for gravel are stainless steel, timber gravel boards and masonry.

Installing these will normally require brick laying tools, a sledge hammer and drills for fixing. 

What is the best edging for a gravel patio?

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The best edging for gravel will depend upon the design and style of the patio. For modern patios stainless steel is minimalist and effective.

For sheer durability and choice however I feel masonry materials are the best edgings for gravel patios. Materials like natural stone, brick and concrete blocks offer a strong and robust edging. 
​
Garden edging from gravel

How to lay a gravel patio area step by step

Step 1.

​Excavate out your new gravel patio or seating area to a depth of 140mm and dispose of the spoil.  If you are removing soil from site you may want of fill up a skip with the excavated ground. 
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Digging out for gravel

Step 2.

​Install your patio edgings so the sub base and gravel can be contained. These may consist of stainless steel edging, timber boards, bricks, natural stone or concrete blocks. 
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edgings

Step 3.

​Using pegs, peg out your sub base level. This will help you to achieve a consistent depth of gravel without too much displacement. Run a string line tightly across your gravel patio from the tops of your edging. Tap pegs in 40mm below the finished level, this will enable you to peg out a perfectly level base. 
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Pegging out

Step 4.

​Supply and spread your hardcore, the best aggregate for this is mot type 1 compactable hardcore. With a wheelbarrow and a rake spread out your type 1 evenly to the top of your pegs. 
​

Raking and levelling out type 1

Step 5.

​Compact your type 1 sub base with a vibro compaction plate. These are available to hire from most good hire companies. 
​

Picture

Step 6.

​Apply a robust weed membrane to the surface of your sub base and fix it firmly into position.
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Laying membrane

Step 7.

​Supply and spread your gravel to the top of your edgings and at an even level across your patio. 
​

Picture
​You have now completed laying your gravel patio and seating area! 

3 Tools for laying a gravel patio

Haemmerlin Chillington 85LTR Camden Classic Wheelbarrow (Amazon)


Roughneck long handled shovel (easy on lower back) (Amazon)


​​Spear & Jackson Landscaping rake
 (Amazon)
 
Thank you for reading our article on how to lay a gravel patio area. We hope you found it useful and have linked to some other relevant articles below. 

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1 Comment
Eli Richardson link
7/6/2023 03:57:48 pm

It's helpful to learn that using sand for a gravel patio would be a mistake since it'd lead to an unstable surface. My older sister is interested in upgrading her backyard space this month before her in-laws visit her. I think she'd be interested in reading your post about gravel patios before meeting with a contractor next week.

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    The Author 
    Paul Nicolaides 
    BA (Hons) Dip

    Paul Nicolaides has over 30 years of recreational gardening and 20 years of professional landscaping experience. He has worked for landscape contractors including design and build practices across London and the South East. In 2006 he qualified with a BA Hons degree and post graduate diploma in Landscape Architecture. In 2009 he founded Ecospaces an ecological landscaping practice which aims to improve social cohesion and reduce climate change through landscaping. In 2016 he founded Buckinghamshire Landscape Gardeners which designs and builds gardens across Buckinghamshire and the South East. This blog aims to provide easy problem solving information to its audience and encourage others to take up the joy of landscaping and gardening. 
Landscaping services across Buckinghamshire, Norfolk & East Anglia 

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Rockland All Saints, Attleborough, Norfolk
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What Our Clients Are Saying

​Paul laid a very curvy brick mow strip all around our lawn and also added a circular patio and added some new grassed areas. He paid so much attention to each brick laid to make sure the end results was perfect. Despite the wet and muddy work everything was made good and looked amazing once finished. His enthusiasm and knowledge for the garden and plants was infectious. He even fixed a couple of broken paving slabs that he saw down our side alley without being asked It is refreshing to see someone take so much pride and care in their work and we would definitely book him again for any other garden project."
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