Why a Gravel Patio?

 -The Look - Shapeable - DIY-able - Less Expensive - "Temporary" - Green

It's a Very Doable DIY!

Provided you PLAN - PLAN - PLAN Starting with Elevation Changes

Gravel Patios Need  to Be Level

You Need to Plan For: - Elevation changes - All required retaining walls, borders or steps

Determine Your Materials

- Retaining wall materials - Other borders - Any steps - The top gravel itself

Many Names:

Decomposed Granite - DG Crushed Granite - CG  Pulverized Granite - PG are all the same.

Pea Gravel or Granite?

- More color options - Furniture friendly - Stable to walk on

 Granite Pros :

 Pea Gravel Pros :

- Widely Available - Easier on bare feet

Pea Gravel or Granite?

- Rough on bare feet - Can track dust. into the house

 Granite Cons :

 Pea Gravel Cons :

- Gravel stuck in shoe soles hard on wood floors

Pea Gravel or Granite?

- Not heels or sandal or patio furniture friendly - Constantly shifting - Hard to walk - twisted ankle? - Limited Colors

 Pea Gravel Cons :

Start With Any Retaining Wall Or Steps

- With a level line, dig a trench for road base and sand. - Dry fit, then level your bottom layer of stone

All edges of gravel patios need to have boundaries  to hold the gravel or Decomposed Granite (DG) in place.

Complete All Borders

Not required, but we opted for a layer of landscape cloth

Optional Landscape Cloth

Consensus says 2" of base and 3" of granite. We opted for 2 1/2 base and 4" of granite.

Base Layer of Road Fill

Spread base Compact with a Vibrating Plate Compactor

Base Layer of Road Fill

Critical to order it pre-mixed with stabilizer!!! Spread it in multiple layers

Granite Time!

After each layer,  Mist with water and compact

After last layer, rake and level , then mist & compact

Enjoy Your  New Outdoor Space

Click on Pictures for Blog Post

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