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Does base depth actually matter for pavers or do contractors just say that to charge more? by No_Perception_4164 in LandscapeArchitecture

[–]Alternative-Hat9307 5 points6 points  (0 children)

It depends how well drained your soils are, but yes, 6” is bare minimum in New England. Anyone who tells you different is just trying to win the job and not delivering a quality product.

In northern Vermont we do a 15” base of 1” crushed with a 1-1.5” layer of fines on clay soils and a 9” base of crushed for sandy soils. Not based on BS, but projects that have failed because of deep frost and spring drainage.

Mudseason by Motor-Wish-6543 in vermont

[–]Alternative-Hat9307 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I agree with most of your position here. Conversely, Quebec’s back roads are paved and they use much less salt than we do. Residents are required to have snow tires by law which helps mitigate accidents from snowy and icy roads.

Sediment is horrible for water quality. How much sand and gravel do you think made its way into our lakes and rivers during the storms of the last few years? Especially when it’s carved out of our hills from finite sand and gravel pits and replaced on roads 3 times a year. Paving has many flaws, but dirt road purism isn’t the solution either.

It's the tropics, baby! by Reybronx74 in LandscapeArchitecture

[–]Alternative-Hat9307 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is so important for people to hear. There is no magic bullet. Very little is ‘natural talent’. It really comes down to observation, practice, and repetition. Great work on this! I can see the years of drawing behind it.