Brick Paver Install Question

I built a paver patio of about 600 sq ft about 10 years ago. I didn’t use any stones though. I dug out the area about five inches, compacted it down as much as I could, then added 3” of sand, compacted that down, then laid the pavers on top of some pads (I forget what they were called but I think they were intended to be used as paver base). It held up very very well the rest of the time I was in that house, which was three more years. Do t know what it looks like now, though.

I've had 3 paver projects done in last two years in BTR. Installer used 6" base. I think the necessary gravel base thickness all depends on the soil. You need to dig down until you hit a solid layer of compacted clay. Topsoil with lots of organics in it will compress unevenly over time causing an uneven paver surface. Use a finely crushed stone rather than sand for the topmost layer. Sand starts moving once water gets through.

Excavating at house wall may void any termite treatment warranty you have...get retreated in work area.

Concrete pavers change color pretty quickly as weathering removes the outermost colored cement and exposes the harder gravel in the concrete. Gray pavers with brown gravel turn brownish. For one project I used old clay brick. It looks great but high percent broken and off-size brick made it a long and tedious project.

All I know about pavers is they were very beneficial to my career.

Hospital I worked for closed and I went to work prn. A week later the ft employee fell on his pavers and I went ft to fill in. The next week because of being ft where the management saw my work they fired my boss and said I should apply for management.

I made a =/- 200 square foot patio with the 12 inch square pavers. I leveled with sand, packed down, and used those concrete/foam sheets (used for bathroom tile backing) which I drilled holes every 6 inches or so. I put about an inch of crushed stone topped with sand then the pavers. It has held up well for several years.

I don't know if it was more or less work, but it was cheap, quick and solid.

FWIW I had enough of the concrete sheets from a prior project already. They're typically 3X5 feet and reinforced with fiberglass or something. Think they're about $11 each at homedepot. Fairly light and not fragile. Easy to cut/drill.