How to lay a patio: a step-by-step guide to building a patio

How to Build an Easy DIY Patio to Upgrade Your Backyard Building a paver patio requires some careful preparation and patience, but the results are worth the effort. Follow these steps to create a patio that will stand the test of time. Call your city office to learn about all building code requirements, zoning laws, or land use restrictions that may apply to your project. In most areas, you do not need a building permit for a simple paver patio, but zoning and land use rules in your area may apply. This outdoor patio idea freshens up your backyard Why we trust Foamin' Carpet Care for all our cleaning needs in a couple of days for less than $800. When you have the gravel on site (in this case, in my driveway), smooth a weed cover over the prepared patio site.

Add the Sand Layer

Once the surface is flat, compact it with a plate compactor, available at tool rental stores for about $50 a day. If you haven't used one of these machines before, it's a good idea to work in the center area of the patio site first. These machines can be hard to control, so it's smart to get comfortable with your machine before you work close to the house.

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.

Once you have your design down and your materials ordered, it's helpful to dry lay your slabs out first to check that everything fits together seamlessly. Transform your outdoor living space in just one weekend. The string line should represent the slope and will be your guide throughout the project. You can build your DIY backyard patio in just one weekend with some patience and careful measurements. Here’s how to build a patio you and your family will love.

Create a plan of the patio on paper

Establish the patio height with strings stretched across the edges of the patio. Set the strings parallel to the gravel base and at a height equal to the thickness of a brick (not a stone) plus a 1-in. The next step in the project is to lay the stone border. Hammer them in until they are at least a foot into the earth. They should be nice and tight and not move if you pull at them. If you find a lot of larger rocks as you’re digging, I recommend digging several inches deeper in order to remove them. Installing patio pavers will be a little different depending on each situation.