Gravel Patios...on soil?

[AnthTheGeordie]

Hi All

First post here - from a non-gardening / non-DIY type person.

I'm doing the back garden out, with an aim to creating a gravel area where we can sit and eat / chat etc.

So far I have dug up all of the garden, turned the soil with a rotivator and raked and levelled the soil.

My next steps are to fully level soil, lay weed membrane and then gravel. But I have a few questions ...

1. Should I use a whacker plate on soil and then add membrane and gravel?
2. Am i better off making a hardcore base, whacking that and then adding gravel ?
3. Should / Could I just use sand on top of soil, whack that down then add membrane and gravel?

As a final point, I should add we're looking to do things as cost effectively as possible - but do want something that will last.

Attached image shows the type of thing we're after.

Many thanks in advance.

Anth.

 

[SFK]

Remove 25-40mm depth of soil (this depends of gravel size - deeper for bigger otherwise you see the black membrane).
Ground will be hard under this so no need to wack.
Put down good membrane.
Make up edges to contain gravel with say bricks and edging.
Fill with gravel.

BUT and big BUT.
I would never use gravel to sit on.
It is very noisy and hard to walk on (i use it to deter people entering).
It escapes when walked on.
And your furniture will sink into gravel.
And your chairs will not be flat.

This is all personal experience, so happy to see if others disagree.

SFK

 

[SFK]

Note that a good read of Paving expert website is very useful:
https://www.pavingexpert.com/gravel01
SFK