Tried DIY pavers from a big box store vs. actual stone yard materials for my patio in Phoenix

I figured the big box store was cheaper but their base material turned into mush after two monsoon storms. The stone yard stuff was only like $80 more and it's been solid through three summers now. Has anyone else had way better luck with specialty yards over the big guys?

3 comments

3 Comments

mary_west5d ago

Oh yeah, my friend tried the big box route for her Flagstaff patio and said her base "turned into mud soup" after one good rain. She paid a bit more for the stone yard and it's still looking perfect five years later.

emma_flores5d ago

Hard disagree. Bought my base materials from a big box store three years ago in Arizona. Still bone dry solid. Rain washes right off. Maybe her friend just didn't tamp it down enough.

davis.noah5d ago

Gotta say I used to be all about grabbing everything from the big box stores to save a few bucks. Thought the stone yard stuff was just paying extra for the name. But @mary_west nailed it with her friend's story, pretty much same thing happened to me after a heavy storm last year. My base turned into a muddy mess and the pavers started shifting everywhere. Swapped to the specialty yard's gravel and sand for a patio extension and it hasn't budged an inch through two Phoenix summers. Humbled me real quick.