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landscape design

Paving (or other creative, affordable) solution for my backyard

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

Hi all, We are looking for paving or other creative, affordable solution that can a replacement and / or laid on top of the current blue metal gravel on our backyard. The area covered by blue metal gravel originally was just plain soil that tended to be muddy/wet from water collecting and coming down the roof - so we covered it with the porous blue metal as a temporary solution. Now we'd like to look into an affordable paving solution, potentially a porous one, most importantly easy to maintain and kids friendly - that might suit the area.. Its an approximately 6.3m x 5.3m space. Any ideas..? The blue metal is about 20mm and so uncomfortable underfoot, I hate them...however I'm not sure if its possible to mix it with other types of gravel so that it can be a base for pavers? Someone told me that they are too loose and too big to be a base and would need be removed before the area can be properly paved...is this true?

Thanks Sue

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Comments (4)

PRO
Yardvaark
6 years ago
You cannot just pave over it because your grade will not be right. If you used the existing gravel, you'd need to mix it with enough 'paver base' such that each piece is mostly surrounded by 'paver base.' It must end up that there are not large air spaces between the gravels as there are now. The only paving that is not some costly is old carpet turned upside down.
PRO
Go Pavers
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
You might get away with laying flagstone and “digging it in” to that gravel, but in the long run, correct leveling, with a slight slant away from the house foundation, will direct water runoff properly.

Besides, a flat surface is both more comfortable and safer to walk on.

Consider textured pavers…

Beverly Hills - Tuscan Pool and Patio - Angelus - Holland - AFTER 9 · More Info

Or even permeable pavers…

Permeable Driveway in Los Angeles - View 7 · More Info
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l pinkmountain
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I have seen pavers like Red posted mixed in with gravel. Also flagstonrs. Not perfectly level but it was a rustic situation. Your biggest issue is proper grade for drainage. That is super importsnt no matter what materials you use.

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