ᐅ Base/Foundation for the pathway from the garage to the entrance steps

Hello everyone,
I still have some concrete pavers left over from my driveway and want to use them to pave a path from my garage entrance to the front steps (landing below the stairs). The path should be about 60cm (24 inches) wide with two 6cm (2.5 inches) edging stones on each side. I also have some crushed stone left that I plan to use as a base for the concrete pavers. Is it sufficient to lay the pavers on about 5cm (2 inches) of crushed stone, or do I absolutely need to add gravel or something similar underneath? Does this path necessarily need to be compacted with a plate compactor, or would it be acceptable to tap the pavers firmly into place with a rubber mallet if needed?
Thank you.

X_SH5_X schrieb:

Is it absolutely necessary to have gravel or something similar underneath?

It’s your choice... there is no strict requirement. However, common sense suggests having at least a layer of gravel underneath.

The plate compactor is used in two steps: once for the gravel layer and once for the paving stones.

Ok, thanks for the information. I’m just considering whether it’s worth getting a plate compactor for a path that is 5m (16 feet) long and just under 60cm (24 inches) wide (with 2 paving stones per row, 40cm + 20cm). I was hoping it could be done more easily and cheaply. What could happen in the worst case? That the stones might settle over time and I’ll have to redo one or two, right?

Now we're getting closer to the point...

Short route.
Slabs instead of paving stones.

There is a tendency to keep some gravel underneath.
Then simply without mechanical compaction.

The stones probably won't break within the next 10 years; more likely you will get some unevenness caused by frost pushing up the pavement (depending on what is under your gravel)...

So, these are concrete pavers, which are also used in my driveway. From the leftovers, I’m making a small path, placing one 40x20cm (16x8 inch) paver and one 20x20cm (8x8 inch) paver side by side. If necessary, I’ll just lift and reset some of the pavers every few years. I don’t find that too problematic. Thanks for your information!