How to Build an Easy DIY Patio to Upgrade Your Backyard

How to Build a Paver Patio: A Step-by-Step Guide to Transform Your Outdoor Space Excavating, hauling, and leveling materials takes work. You'll need to rent tampers, compactors, and concrete mixers to do the job right. You’ll then spread a four- to five-inch layer of angular gravel.

Concrete Forms

Work in sections to ensure the sand is level with your slope. You can use a piece of rebar or 1-inch pipe to create manageable sections. As you pour the sand into the area, pull a two-by-four across the top to level and screed the sand. Bricks can be placed in various patterns to give some oomph to your patio flooring, and this classic option can last over 100 years.

Make sure you are committed to the location of your patio, and then mark it off with stakes and string.Consider adding a border for aesthetics and stability, then fasten it with adhesive or spikes.Call your city office to learn about all building code requirements, zoning laws, or land use restrictions that may apply to your project.Use the float to level it and place the paver back into place.Use concrete pavers or another edging material to define the patio's edge.

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.

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Ensure that the gravel or crushed rock is compacted and laid evenly to prevent shifting or cracking in the patio over time. Sandy soils require less gravel than soils with organic matter or clay. Depth by the time it’s compacted and weighs 1-1/2 tons. Before you begin placing stones in the sand, you must establish a square corner.

Step 4: Layout and Site Preparation

If you don’t want to wait for one to mature, opt for a potted version you can move around. A standard deck or patio umbrella, or market umbrella, can offer a much-needed reprieve from the sun. Most will fit through a hole in a table, shading diners. Offset models can stand freely with an umbrella hanging from an over-arching arm.