Loose-Laid Paver Patio: Base & Sand Material Advice

Question: Building a loose-laid paver patio. Local supplier offers "Limerock 57" for base and "250 sand with crushed shells" for bedding. Are these suitable?

Answer: Yes, with Geotextile Fabric for Stability

Limerock 57 works as a sub-base (angular, interlocking, ≤1.5" max size). Use a woven soil-stabilization geotextile under the sub-base to prevent settlement and paver cracking. Consider fabric under the sand bed too—stops sand leaching into gravel.

Geogrid (open weave) can go under gravel but not sand (openings too large). Crushed stone fines can replace sand if available. Sand should be as coarse as possible.

—Mark Harshman | mahdrafting.com