Landscape Design Ideas

If you are looking to learn how to build a patio, then you will find benefit in learning about laying patio pavers.  Patio pavers make for a great material to use for the floor of your patio because they are durable, easily replaceable and simple to lay.  In this article, we’ll discuss the steps necessary to have them properly installed for best results.  There are a few materials and supplies you’ll need before you get started with this project.

For one thing, you’ll need to know what type of paver you are going to use.  There are various styles and materials from rectangular to hexagonally shaped ones in concrete and traditional clay.  There are also tumbled pavers that look like old cobblestones.  Once you determine the pavers of choice, then you’ll need to know the design you are aiming for.  You can find paver designs online for a better idea as to what is possible.  Your design will largely be impacted by the size of your patio as well.  You’ll want to purchase roughly 10-20% extra depending on the design of your patio.  Designs that require a lot of cutting will obviously use more pavers.

Materials will include the following:
-patio pavers
-decomposed granite or finely crushed rock
-mortar sand
-level
-screeding tools (two 8-10’ pipes of about 1’ diameter and a 2”x4”x10’)
-shovel
-gloves
-cutting tools (if making any cuts to the pavers)
-rake
-landscape edging
-tamping tool (manual or motorized)
-broom

Preparing Your Patio Location
If you’re starting from the ground, then you’ll want to ensure that you’ve dug out and area that is roughly the depth of the paver plus the depth of the decomposed granite and sand; we’ll get to that step shortly, but just beware of the depth now.  This may add another inch or so to your measurements.  Once you’ve got the area basically cleared away and somewhat leveled, you’ll pour in your decomposed granite.  This step allows for better drainage and a nice base upon which the other components will sit.

The next step is to pour in the sand.  You’ll want to lay in your ‘screeding pipes’ first so that you have a better idea as to how much sand you need.  You’ll use the pipes and the 2×4 to level the sand.  If you are near a home or need to grade the patio slightly, you can do this at this time as well.  You will keep shoveling in the sand until you have enough and are able to level it up to the top of the pipes in all of the space you’ve dug out for your patio area.

The next step is to install the pavers themselves.  Depending upon your application, you will want to have some type of border lining the pavers.  Without it, the patio will tend to ‘expand’ and you will lose the tight configuration of your pavers.  There are plastic and metal edging products that you can purchase at your local home improvement warehouse for this purpose.

Laying Your Pavers
This step really just involves following your design layout.  It is like assembling a big jigsaw puzzle.  You’ll want to make sure that you don’t drop them, but rather place them into their location.  You want them to sit atop the sand, not sink into it much.  Also, you’ll make sure that each one fits tightly against the ones adjacent to it.  Once you are finished placing them, you’ll begin shoveling some sand over them.  Then, with a broom, you’ll sweep the sand into the cracks between the pavers.  Do this until the cracks are filled, now tamp with your hand held device or with the mechanical tool.  After this, repeat the filling step and repeat with the tamping.  After this, spray the patio with water to get the sand to settle into the cracks deeper.  You can finish with another application or two of sand and tamping, until you get the sand to completely fill those cracks.  Now, you can sit back and enjoy your new patio.

For more information and a video tutorial on laying patio pavers, you can visit us at PatioCoversPlace.com

Landscape Design Ideas | Landscaping Design