How to Make an Easy Brick Patio Pattern for Beginners

How to Build a Patio Guide in 5 Steps Here are 39 other easy and budget-friendly patio ideas. I had about five that had some wobble and just about every time, the culprit was a raised bit of larger gravel that had been pulled near the surface. The concrete paver stone was resting awkwardly on the raised gravel. Once you have finished each section and the pavers have all been laid, make sure none of the paver stones wobble. You’ll want to check this before filling the joints. Building a patio is no easy task- but it’s also one of the best upgrades you can make. Even a small and simple patio could form the foundation for a small seating area. Use graph paper to create a to-scale plan of your patio. Or, for an even easier approach, try an online floor planning tool (there are many free options) to create an ideal layout. Once you’ve got your stone set in the trenches, you’re read more ready to finish the patio! Simply wheel the gravel to the stone edge, dumping the gravel over the side and into the patio.

Pour in Polymeric Joint Sand

The prep involved will depend on your area, but basically, you will need to use a shovel to dig down at least 6” into the soil. It’s possible to go wider, but you’ll then want to go with a larger stone which can be more difficult to find and more expensive. Well, I’m not always an advocate of making everything a DIY project. I mean, if it doesn’t save you money and requires a lot more work- then it may not be reasonable to do. Having a covered patio shade can help keep the are cooler during the summer months and protect it from rain.

How much does it cost to build a patio?

Smooth the gravel so that it is evenly distributed. If you choose to leave gaps between your pavers, you can grow some ground cover plants between them for an organic feel. Look for plants such as creeping thyme, dymondia, jewel mint of Corsica, or clover.

Once you have the 4” of base layer, double check that you have a little more than 1½” from the top of that to the top of the marked paver line.There are certainly fancier gravel types than the pea gravel I chose if your budget allows but I loved how the pea gravel felt under my feet.Use a trowel to level the sand in the nooks and crannies around the perimeter.This do-it-yourself project improves the practicality and aesthetic appeal of your patio.

Use the float to level it and place the paver back into place. I recommend only screeding one section at a time, for two reasons. One is that if it rains before you have placed your pavers, you will need to add more sand and relevel with the screed. Although it might seem difficult, building a patio is not as difficult as it looks. Repeat, using the spacers to lay more concrete pavers. The total height between the bottom of the gravel base layer to the top of the paver will equal about 5½”. I also found it helpful to mark the top of where the paver will be. It’s important to note that depending on what your top base layer is made of, it may not actually add any height to your total. The new string locations now mark the height of the 4” base layer with the slope included. Remember when you're designing the patio that it's going to be populated with furniture, installations like fire pits or grills, and people. Matching the patio size to the overall scale of the house or an inside room is usually a good rule of thumb. Double-check that the entire top edge of all form boards are level with each other. Use 2x6 or 2x8 lumber to build the outer shape of your patio. A modern patio looks fantastic with powder-coated steel or stainless steel chairs. Here’s Where (And How) to Buy Outdoor Furniture Online. Pergolas and gazebos are a great solution if you don’t want a covered or screen patio but want more privacy and comfort. A pergola allows the sun to stream through, while a gazebo gives you more coverage. But, pergolas are also more affordable and better suited for a DIY project. Learn how to make a pergola or shop for both pergolas and gazebos on Wayfair, Home Depot, Menards, and other stores. It is recommended to use a rake to ensure the crushed stone is evenly distributed. Creating the form is the next step after marking the work area and excavating the site. This will be the frame or outline of your concrete patio. We added a stone path and a few steps at the upper end of the patio and planted a perennial bed alongside.