Sand Under Pavers

The Sand Screed Layer for Paving

Every professional paving job includes a carefully prepared sand screed layer between the compacted roadbase and the pavers themselves. This layer allows for precise levelling and provides the cushion that lets pavers be bedded firmly in place. For a courtyard or patio area of 5 metres by 5 metres, you'll need approximately 0.75 cubic metres of washed sand at the standard 30mm depth. This equates to around 1.13 tonnes, a convenient quantity for bulk delivery or potentially manageable with bags for those with strong backs and patience.

The 30mm depth gives enough material to work with when screeding while ensuring pavers bed into the sand properly. Thinner layers make it difficult to create a level surface, while thicker sand beds allow too much movement and can lead to uneven settling over time. Professional pavers stick to this depth for good reason.

Complete Paving Base Structure

The sand screed is just one layer in a complete paving base. Below it, you'll need 100mm or more of compacted roadbase material providing the structural support that prevents the paving from sinking or shifting. The sand layer sits on top of this compacted base, and the pavers sit on top of the sand. Getting each layer right is essential for paving that stays level and looks good for years.

Sand Quality Requirements

Use clean, washed sand specifically sold for paver bedding. This sand has consistent particle size and no clay, organic matter, or salt that could cause problems. Avoid using beach sand, which contains salt that can effloresce through pavers, or unwashed sand that may have clay content causing uneven compaction. The small premium for proper bedding sand is insignificant compared to the effort of relaying pavers that have settled unevenly.

Calculate the sub-base with our roadbase under pavers calculator, or use our main sand calculator for different area sizes.