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Patio, gravel & concrete guides

Practical, worked-example guides for planning DIY hardscape projects: how much material to order, how thick to build, and what it may cost. Each guide links to the calculator that does the maths for your own measurements.

Newest guides

Pavers vs Concrete Patio: Cost Comparison November 9, 2026
How Thick Should a Concrete Patio Slab Be? November 9, 2026
How Much Pea Gravel Do I Need for a Patio? November 9, 2026

Gravel & stone

How Much Pea Gravel Do I Need for a Patio?Work out how much pea gravel a patio needs in cubic yards, tons and bags, with depth advice, a base layer, coverage tables and worked examples.

Concrete

How Thick Should a Concrete Patio Slab Be?The standard concrete patio is 4 inches thick on a 4-inch gravel base. When to go to 5 or 6 inches, plus reinforcement, joints and how much concrete to order.

Pavers & patios

Pavers vs Concrete Patio: Cost ComparisonCompare the cost of a paver patio and a poured concrete patio, installed and DIY, with a worked 12 x 16 ft example, upkeep and repair costs, and how to choose.