Paver Patio (Question on Base materials)

We were at Home Depot gathering prices for our paver patio project (12x19).

The Home Depot guy said in our area (North Texas), we wouldn't need a gravel base. Just use 3 inches sandy loam and 2 inches of concrete on top of that. This is completely contrary to all the DIY research I've done. He says he and his Dad built paver patios for 20 years using this method. Is he right?

Second... ignoring Mr. Home Depot's advice, if we follow traditional guides, what type of gravel should be used for the bed? Can we use 4 inches of decomposed granite with 2 inches of brick sand?

If these materials are acceptable, then it seems that buying by the yard from a local materials company is cheaper than buying a pallet of materials from the local Home Depot... by a few hundred dollars... Correct?

 

notwithstanding the soils in your area, you're right - have alpine deliver the goods no surprise you'll save $, either.

just my $.03, tho.

 

So would those materials be suitable for a base? Our soil in this area is heavy red clay.

 

we've got heavy sand-clay here which compact's so hard we use it for road base mtl.

 

Don't get your advise or your materials from the Home Depot.

Go here and use the dealer locator for the pavers, that is where HD buys them.

http://pavestone.com/

Decomposed granite and 1" of sand is fine for patios/walkways, but not for driveways.