Build Your Own Paver Patio – DIY Projects Exterior & Outdoor Living How To Install A Custom Paver Patio Posted on August 1, 2017
To kick off day two of Backyard Week, I bring you everything you need to know about installing a paver patio…the good, the bad and the ugly. Trust me when I say that you can save a TON of money by doing this yourself. It’s an easy project if you’re prepared and ready. Click through for a detailed tutorial…
Build Your Own Paver Patio
I will preface this post by saying that this project is a lot of work, but it is not hard work. I would also recommend tackling this in cooler temperatures or of an evening. We basically worked through 100+ degree weather and it was a little miserable at times. So why would anyone attempt a DIY paver patio? You can save upwards of $10,000 – $30,000 depending on the size. I’m not even kidding. I tried to postpone different things and it just wasn’t in the cards for our timeline or budget.
How To Design And Build A Paver Walkway
Paver patios look amazing and are super functional for sitting, entertaining and hanging out in the yard. Here’s everything you need to get started. Hover over the images for the specific product links…
Step 1 // Plan and dig. Before diving in, you need to do some math. Find out how big you want your paver patio to be, choose your material and decide on a pattern. We opted for standard rectangular cement pavers and we laid the pavers in a basketweave pattern
. I polled the public on Insta stories and 99% of you voted for herringbone. My reasoning for laying the pavers in a basketweave pattern is because 1.) it’s easier/less cutting, and 2.) I feel like it’s a timeless pattern. Don’t get me wrong – I love herringbone, but it’s everywhere and everywhere these days…it’s sort of the chevron of the early 2000s. I prefer the road less traveled this time.
Next, mark the size and start digging out the area. We mark the area with 2 x 4 boards, but you can also use chalk or paint. Depending on the height of your pavers, you will want to dig 3-5 inches deep. Basically, the end goal is for the pads to sit flat with the grass/ground.
Outdoor Paver Patio Ideas, Backyard Design & Stone Patio Pictures
Step 2 // Tamp the dirt. Once the dirt is removed, clean the eye area as closely as possible. Take the tamper tool and compact the dirt and make sure there is no loose soil. Tamping through this process prevents the patio from becoming uneven due to ground leveling post installation.
Step 3 // Add the paver base. Your surface should look like compacted dirt at this point. Next, add several bags of paver base until the area is completely covered. This mixture consists of sand, dirt and stone. It is the base layer for your terrace.
Step 4 // Tamp the base of the paver. Just like you did with the dirt before, using the tamper tool, compact the paver base. This step is super important if you want a smooth and level patio that will stand the test of time. Ground settling ruins so many paver patios, and this step prevents that from happening.
Step 5 // Add the paver sand and level. Next, add a few bags of paver sand, shaking it out as you go. You want to add as many bags as it takes to cover the surface.
How To Install A Herringbone Paver Patio
We used a method of skimming a 2 x 4 over the top to achieve a perfectly flat surface. This process is called screeding. Here’s someone else doing this in a video… in case you’re having trouble visualizing how it works. There is no need to stamp the sand because it is perfectly level and packed at this point.
Step 6 // Start laying the pavers. Now for the fun part! Begin laying the pavers in your desired pattern, using a level to ensure accuracy as you go.
Repeat the pattern until you have filled the entire area. You can cut pavers if necessary with an angle grinder. However, it is much easier to plan in advance to avoid cuts.
Step 7 // Compact the pavers. This step will actually require a tool rental unless you have a plate compactor machine sitting around. Ha! We rented one from a local company and it was really easy to find and less than $70. Fill the compactor over the pavers, vibrate the material flat and level. We used low speed compaction to prevent the pavers from cracking under the pressure and vibration. If some pavers crack… don’t panic – this may be normal. We replaced some
How To Build A Paver Patio (with Pictures)
! To reduce the chance of cracks, consistently adding space between each paver during installation helps. I prefer a tighter look with minimal sea/sand lines so our pavers touch. Therefore, their risk for cracks was much higher.
Step 8 // Add the polymeric sand. This last step is so important! This product is also called paver set and it ensures that your paver patio stays put. This sand is very similar to the mix when it gets wet – it hardens, solidifies to hold everything in place and creates a barrier to prevent weeds from growing between the stones. Dump the sand directly onto the spots, push into the cracks with a broom, remove ALL excess sand
, then wet the entire surface to set the pavers. There are detailed instructions on the packaging, but basically just a hose with a spray setting down and you’re done! We allowed the patio to harden overnight before using it.
See… it’s not as hard as you expected, right? The hardest part is digging and moving heavy pavers, but still – it’s a simple process. Well worth it in my opinion! It’s nice to have a clean and level designated area for furniture and entertainment.
Building A Paver Patio Diy
What do you think? Are you going to give this a try or would you hire it? If you already have a paver patio, do you like using it? I’m happy to answer any questions below in the comments!
If anyone has a fashion question about Emmett’s uber cool tie dye shirt, I made it for him about 10 years ago. Ha!
* This post is brought to you in partnership with Lowes. All content, ideas and words are my own. Thank you for the support of the sponsors who allow us to create unique content, while providing products that we actually use and enjoy! Our brother-in-law Keith started building a brick paver patio and asked for some advice from Neal. We were happy to help Keith and Emmy with their patio for a few days. Keith worked really hard on this project and the results are worth it!
First, determine the size and location of your patio. I suggest drawing these types of projects. Next, calculate the materials you need. We suggest adding 10% to compensate for waste. Also consider the height of our terrace. For example, if it is higher on one side, you may need more stacking stones for the perimeter wall.
Tips For Designing A Gorgeous Paver Patio
First, measure the patio and drive a wooden stake into each corner of the floor to mark each of the four corners.
Keith used a pick and shovel to dig a trench where the perimeter of the patio would be. Here we installed the stack stones.
When he dug the trench, we used a string to determine the height of the patio. We allowed a 1 inch fall for the rain to roll off. He then wrapped a brick paver around the string to compensate for the height of the brick paver. In other words, when you install the stacking stones, you need to calculate the top of the stone, which leaves room for the brick paver.
Emmy and I worked to load all the excess dirt (from Kieth digging the trench). My Emmy is so precious. ?
How To Install A Paver Patio Base
Neal started stacking stones on one side. Because of the height on this side, it is necessary to stack two to three stones. Notice how we used bricks (the same size as the brick pavers Keith ordered) as our guide to make sure we had the right amount of space between the top of the stack stones and the concrete porch floor. The brick was about 1/4″ shy of being flush with the porch floor; this allows a layer of sand.
And Keith started stacking stones on the other side. This page requires only one row (no stack) of stones.
They used gravel to level each stone as they placed it in the trench. They also used the string as a guide (keeping the line straight and level).
We used glue between each row of stones. However, they finished each side first (ensuring straightness and level) before stacking, gluing and then stacking again.
Benefits Of Installing A Brick Paver Patio
Note the pattern of the stone. It is a brick pattern. In other words, the joints do not stand up. Also notice how they used levels to check themselves along the way. We have a 6-foot level which comes in handy if you are doing a lot of renovation or construction projects. Also note the wooden stakes and string to keep the stone straight and level.
Keith