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You may want more in case you spill some. Its possible to go wider, but youll then want to go with a larger stone which can be more difficult to find and more expensive. So you can see, to go through the labor and time involved in making in this scenario, I say just buy, rather than DIY. Drive garden stakes into the ground just outside the perimeter markings and attach a mason's line. While a patio doesn't need edging to hold the stones in place, cobblestones are an option. Compact the area until you have a firm base. Youll want to check this before filling the joints. With your square starter string in place, slide the corner stone into position. (If you have clay soil, use landscape fabric over the clay before placing your base layer. Just knock off the waste side with a hand sledge. On this job we used the sand layer because the patio was covered by an enclosed porch above, and because it made it much easier to fit the stones in place. This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook shows how to work with this durable material. Tip: Safely "walk" heavy stones into place by holding an edge on the ground and shifting the weight from one corner to the other. But while tile can be set with one hand, laying a 100-pound stone slab takes brawn and is best handled by two people. Bluestone comes in rectangles and squaresfrom 1- to 4-foot-square peices., in 6-inch increments. And then you still need to add in the cost of the materials for the forms. If it isnt, which is likely, use the tamper tool/ plate compactor to tamp down the soil. By submitting your email, you agree to our. If you are using the same pavers I used, these are just over 1 thick. wide. drop for every 8 ft. of run is a good minimum figure. If installation speed and light work are important to you, then bricks or concrete pavers are probably the better choices. Cutting stone is easy--though very loud and messy--using a circular saw with a masonry blade that has diamond chips bonded to the edge. Lower the stone, smooth face up, into the setting bed. Simply begin building a patio by measuring your outdoor space. If you pile on all 4 at once, its unlikely youll be able to compact it properly. Youll also want to make sure you get rid of any tree roots that are impeding into the space you have planned for your patio. When you order nominal 1-in.-thick stones, for example, you get pieces that have one flat side but that vary in thickness from as little as 1/2 in. The marks show the finish grade. 39 Easy DIY Patio Ideas & Tutorials: On A Budget, of top layer/leveling material- *see note. Place edging stones along all the exposed patio edges and secure them with concrete or mortar. Here are some of the gap fillers you might want to consider for your project: Some of the links on this page have been provided as a convenience for finding materials. A 1-in. Add another thin layer of sand and use the push broom to spread it across the patio. Its much more likely your scenario will be one where you can place the stakes outside your space, making this much easier and so thats how Im describing the steps in the tutorial. Avoid spraying a strong stream right into the joints because this will flush out the packed sand or stone dust. You will also need a 1-inch thick layer of paver leveling sand. They are also a good choice for a walkway, pool deck or other outdoor space. on one side and 12-1/2 in. And, regardless of soil type, you should never use plastic under pavers as it wouldnt allow for drainage.). Flat stones usually are sold in nominal thicknesses from 1 to 3 in. How you tie the string is important, so take a moment and read this article that explains how to do this so that you get the proper tension. Use a hand tamper near walls, sidewalks, or foundations. The new string locations now mark the height of the 4 base layer with the slope included. A mason's pointing trowel also helps to tamp wet stone dust into the joints. When it comes to base layer and top layer materials, a landscape supply company in your area will know the best base material for your patio pavers. For most patios, 1-in. This will pull the large pieces into a pile which you can scoop up and toss to the side. A plurality, if not a majority, of sources recommend at least a 4-in.-thick layer of compacted gravel covered by a 2- to 3-in. Had I chosen that option, I likely would have been looking at over $1,000. Please call us at: 1-800-HOME-DEPOT (1-800-466-3337), Please enter in your email address in the following format: you@domain.com. The opposite boards also should be installed level from side to side, but located lower than the house boards to accommodate the necessary slope mentioned above. Work out your pattern on graph paper before you place an order. A ton of pack laid at 3-inches will cover 75 sqaure feet. When you return to the first stake, tie it off and cut the string from the spool. Those living in mild climates where the soil is sandy and drains well should excavate down to 6 inches. But most importantly, Im a self-declared concrete junkie who helps makers like you make artsy, pretty, things! Also, the amount of prep youll need to do will vary depending on what site conditions you have to work with. To get started, mark the perimeter of the patio area with marking paint. I love the outdoors and interacting with nature. Check the depth and slope against the mason's line and the measuring tape to make sure you maintain both the proper depth and slope. Reminder- due my patio being boxed in on all four sides, my photos show the stakes placed inside the patio area. To help with the tamping, you can spray a little bit of water on the top of each of the two layers. Swivel the level and repeat at each stake. Repeat using the spacers to lay more pavers. If you need to cut pavers to fit your design, place the paver over the space in your pattern and use a straight edge and marker to trace the cutting line onto the paver. With all the beauty of a well-manicured lawn but without the maintenance, a stone patio makes an elegant addition to any home. In my case, I was actually re-doing an existing patio with pavers that were literally caving in. Once you have finished each section and the pavers have all been laid, make sure none of the paver stones wobble. You will need to leave at least a small gap between your concrete pavers to allow for expansion and contraction, but you have the option to go wider. Carefully place the paver back down into position. Looking to build a concrete paver patio? To score a slab, set the saw blade to a -inch cutting depth, start the saw, and slowly guide it along the cut-line. Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. With pavers, there are different types of pavers so youll need to choose among a variety of sizes and shapes. I only recommend products Ive used and loved, unless otherwise stated. At this point, you should add additional stakes through the middle of the patio. Tip: Before you dig, remember that you will be adding 4 inches of gravel base and about 1 inch of paver sand before you add the DIY patio pavers. Unfortunately, it's not very easy to install. The way to mark the slope is to start at stakes that will be your low end. stone could be 11-1/2 in. Unlike consistent building units, like bricks or cast concrete pavers, natural stone comes in variable thicknesses. If you find that as you get toward the top of the base layer that your gravel is too large, use the bow rake to pull the larger pieces out. Our new home has multiple outdoor spaces that are in need of repair. Copyright 2022 This Old House Ventures, LLC. For instance, if you live in an area that has a high amount of clay in the soil, plan on using extra gravel in your base layer. Its best to lay half of the gravel (2) and compact it first, then to add the second layer (2) and then compact that. Our area was boxed in on all four sides, and also raised, with the pavers needing to be slightly recessed within the space. A variety of flat stones will dosmooth squares of slate or rough flags of limestoneas long as they can withstand foot traffic and the local climate. You'll have to make some compromises on this step because not all the joints will line up perfectly. This will be your level line and also the top of your compacted base layer. Yep, thats me. Run the plate compactor over the area one last time. They work much better and last longer than the commonly available aluminum oxide abrasive blades. Repeat process of adding, dampening and tamping each 3-inch layer until all the pack is roughly 2 inches below the marks on the stakes (if laying 1 -inch-thick stone). If you live where the ground freezes or drains poorly, dig down at least 12 inches to save your new patio from being heaved by frost. Pull the screed across the gravel until the surface is flat. Depending on size and weight, bluestone slabs will settle into the wet mix half an inch or more, so spread the mix thicker than its planned final thickness. I needed 40 paving stones, thats a lot of pavers to make. A 16 x16 paver is actually 15 x 15 and just over 1 thick (not 16 x16). Use the tools once, then bring them back. Remove it and fill in the hole with sand. Okay, the outdoor kitchen is probably a dream. "You only want to move them once," Roger says, "so take your time to set each stone straight with uniform 3/8-inch gaps between them.". buying vs. DIY stepping stones, where I laid out the pros and cons of each, 21 Unique Rock Landscaping Ideas For Your Yard, DIY Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder (Guaranteed!). Compact your gravel, level your paver base and lay the pavers. Im that lady who swears too much, gets in trouble for sharing too many opinions. They should be nice and tight and not move if you pull at them. Products shown as available are normally stocked but inventory levels cannot be guaranteed, For screen reader problems with this website, please call 1-800-430-3376 or text 38698 (standard carrier rates apply to texts), Unique Home Designs 36 in. By aligning the edge of the end stones with this string, you'll ensure that your installation starts square. Even though it sounds like it might be a good idea, you cant just lay pavers on dirt or sand. For straight cuts, use a level as a straightedge to guide the scribe. Then carefully place your first concrete paver against the two spacers. Sketch out the project on graph paper first to minimize cuts, stagger the joints, and estimate how much amterial you'll need. Next, attach screed guide boards to the house and to stakes driven into the ground on the other side . Maintain a joint of about 1/2 in. Then go ahead and carefully place your first concrete paver against the two spacers. Get the latest This Old House news, trusted tips, tricks, and DIY Smarts projects from our expertsstraight to your inbox. Before putting down the concrete pavers, plan how you are going to place the paver stones. Level the mixture with a rake or hand trowel. Read this DIY guide to hinges, their design, style, and purpose. You prepare a base, level each piece, and fill in the joints. **And at the bottom of this post is the link to the newly renovated adjoining patio space. Cover the subgrade in batches of 3-inch-thick layers of pack, a blend of -inch crushed stone and stone dust. Lay the next stone in your pattern. layer of compacted sand. Then set the blade to 1 inch and make another, final pass. All rights reserved. A crusher run has granite dust and coarse and fine angular aggregate and the gravel is about -4 in size. You may need to slide the screed back and forth (left to right) to help even the sand out. Use a level to double check the slope angle that you set up based on your string lines. Some people prefer tight spacing because of the look, or to avoid dealing with sand or pebbles in between since they can spill out and get kicked around. When youre gathering your supplies, youll want to consider the type of material that will fill in the gaps between the concrete pavers. Check it with a level. We turned into a beautiful weed-free, patio garden. Lay one the first spacer down, and use a squaring tool to lay down a crossing spacer. When you're building a patio, you'll make layers using these materials: Use a tape measure to find the square footage of the area where you'll lay the patio. Just favor the ones that will be more visible and let the others fall where they fall. From the corner point, measure over 6 ft. along the house wall and make a mark. In this example, you'd need about 20 cubic feet of gravel, or 3/4 cubic yards. All Rights Reserved. This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. x 2 ft. 6 in. If you had all the time in the world, you could go with a less expensive, non-rapid setting mix, but youd still be looking at almost $200. You can add a little paver dust to help lodge them into place. These blades cost $20 and up each and can cleanly cut through 1-in. Most of the problems are in the material itself. Well, Im not always an advocate of making everything a DIY project. Level these areas before moving on. Calculate how many pavers you'll need and dig up the soil. It could be that theres a bit of a bump, or just one edge needs a little more sand. We plan to be here a long time, so its important we do it right when we makeover these outdoor areas. #PPG1164-7 Annapolis Blue Satin Interior/Exterior Paint Sample, A 6-inch layer of gravel for the paver base. The material is also pretty heavy. The conduit will form tracks to help guide you when you level the paver sand. One-in.-thick bluestone weighs about 14 pounds per square foot. A masonry saw is the quickest way to get a clean cut. An outdoor space made with patio pavers can withstand heavy foot traffic and needs little maintenance. We made it almost a year after finishing this patio. If you find a lot of larger rocks as youre digging, I recommend digging several inches deeper in order to remove them. Take out the conduit and fill the spaces with more paver sand. After the patio is firm enough to walk on, spread stone dust over the stones and sweep it into the joints and along the edge. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Next on my wish list is more stepping stones that lead from the paver patio to the pool deck, and an outdoor kitchen and fire pit! Try to distribute it evenly between them. Tamp it with a plate compactor. Concrete pavers are engineered stones. Repeat, using the spacers to lay more concrete pavers. When all the joints are full, sweep any of the excess off the patio, then rinse the surface with a gentle spray of water from a garden hose. A long board with a 4-ft. level on top should keep you in the ballpark. Take the two black pipes and lie them on top. With concrete paving stones are a minimum of 1 thick and can be laid with large or narrow gaps. You can grout the joints with either sand--which we used--or stone dust that's available from your stone dealer. The screeding will basically have already compacted the sand for you. Continue until all the pavers are in place. Installing patio pavers will be a little different depending on each situation. "Setting stone is similar to laying bathroom tile," Roger says. Once all the stones are laid, align the grout joints using a pry bar or flat bar. Find a benchmarka spot where the patio meets the house. With a level, check the edges of the stone to make sure they are flush with any adjacent slabs, and check the strings to make sure the stone is pitching at the correct angle. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. If your paver dust/sand compacts to almost nothing, you will want to make your last mark 1 above the base layer mark just made. The custom designed pavers youll see were super cheap and easy, and that stamped concrete tutorial is here. Check out my concrete eBook, everything you need to know about making concrete crafts all in one spot! I thought it would make it easier this way, but I ended up pulling them out and keeping them straight. Mark the height on the stakes and adjust the mason's line. It was easy enough to follow the slope lines with the strings. If its not compacted tightly, the soil will shift and so will your pavers. Check bed thickness by measuring the distance between it and the string. For example, for an area that measures 60 square feet, youll need about 60 12-inch x 12-inch paver stones. Use the square nosed shovel to scoop the sand or paver dust and place it into the joints, but only add about - of the paver dust/sand. Finish the job by using paver sand to fill any cracks. Youll also benefit by getting a second set of hands for this. Then tap the slab around the edges and in the center with a rubber mallet to set it firmly into place. The reason I mention this is because youll see my photos show the stakes inside my space, where Im recommending you place yours outside. Drive 3-foot stakes into the ground 1 foot outside the corners of the patio area. With large gaps, you have the option of filling them in with decorative stone or moss. Its important that the entire base layer is well compacted. Make sure you're not dragging the pavers across the sand and never stomp a paver into place. Be safe and wear gloves and protective eyewear when using the saw. For most of his patios, This Old House landscaping contractor Roger Cook favors 1 - to 2-inch-thick bluestone, a tough sandstone quarried in New York, Pennsylvania and Vermont. Smaller filler would just stick to peoples feet or get caught in the soles of their shoes. How we test gear. Spread these evenly throughout, but be sure to leave them recessed about from the top so you dont end up with a big mess of overflowing joint filler. A 12 x 12-in. You may want to test yours to see because if yours doesnt compact like that, you may want to add it into your calculations. I thought it would make it easier this way, but I ended up pulling them out and keeping them straight. The boards along the house should be level from side to side. Hold the screed tight to the pipes and push it across the pipes. Stonework can certainly be beautiful and can add value to your property. To make the stone fit properly, lift it up and either add or remove sand from the base using a trowel. Pack the sand or stone dust into place with either an ice scraper or a mason's trowel like the one we used. Anything larger or thicker is usually a special order. Drive additional stakes every 2 feet between the corner stakes closest to the house and again on the opposite end of the patio, which the grade slopes toward. These links may also be affiliate links. Because your goal is to create a finished surface that is as flat as possible, this means you have to custom fit the bottom of each stone in the sand base, which can be extremely time-consuming even after you get the hang of the job. from the nominal designation. Because of this, we were locked in to very specific spacing, unless we wanted to go through the hassle of cutting the pavers. Use of this site is subject to certain Terms Of Use. Another option is to add paver edging, which is a hard plastic edging that is the same height as your pavers. The next step is how to lay pavers. Work as if you're starting at the tip of a triangle and working out. These machines can be hard to control, so it's smart to get comfortable with your machine before you work close to the house.