Building A Patio Deck Over Concrete: Time Money And Tools
Time: Covering a patio with decking typically takes a weekend or two. This patio took much more timefive long days. Thats partly because its a big one . The grid pattern formed with different-colored decking also added a few hours to the job. But the biggest time factor was the unevenness of the patio surface. All those ridges and sunken spots meant hours of tedious shimming under the sleepers to form a flat surface for the decking .
Cost: The cost of building a patio deck depends mostly on the decking you choose. Decking ranges from about $1.50 per sq. ft. for treated wood to more than $10 per sq. ft. for a top-grade manufactured product. The other materials for this project add up to about $1.50 per sq. ft., so your total cost could be anywhere from $3 to $12 per sq. ft. For looks and durability, we used two different colors of decking made from PVC, but there are less expensive alternatives.
Tools: Aside from standard carpentry tools, youll need a hammer drill for this project. You can get a hammer drill for less than $50 that will do the job. But consider spending $100 or more. Even a very small patio will require more than 50 holes, and a more powerful drill will make that chore a lot easier. Also consider buying an impact driver. Impact drivers pack a lot more torque than standard drills or drivers and will drive concrete screws much better. Most models are cordless, but you can still find inexpensive corded models online.
Its A Fairly Simple Project And The Cost Is Reasonable $3 To $6 Per Sq
Keep this drainage slope in mind when adding your pavers, and make sure the edge that drains water stays low and permeable. Ft.), but expect a weekend or two of hard labor. Make your concrete backyard undergo a readymade or diy stamped concrete patio makeover. It�s a fairly simple project and the cost is reasonable ($3 to $6 per sq. Kelly at âview along the way. These come in a variety of shapes, colors, and styles.
Give a tile facelift to an ordinary patio, from âdiy networkâ. Diy patio pavers over concrete. You can easily dress up your pool, patios, outdoor entertainment areas and even the driveway by laying pavers over existing concrete. That being said, i originally proposed a deck. Lay the field pavers over concrete as you would on any paver patio.
Keep this drainage slope in mind when adding your pavers, and make sure the edge that drains water stays low and permeable. The large red pavers measured 1ftx1ft from hd. We chose to use stone patio pavers, as these would be much easier to lay than pouring concrete. Pavers are easy to lay and easy to remove and update. I will be installing single pane windows around the opening and a paver floor.
Before installing pavers over concrete, be mindful of the height of the pavers. Cover the sand with field pavers. People also love these ideas. The answer was, not surprisingly 50/50 even split among survey takers lol. Pavers are a great stone to lay over your existing concrete patio.
Patios Require Good Drainage
If you have excellent drainage, you wont have to dig very deep into the ground. Those with optimal drainage will only have to dig a couple inches. The majority of drainage should be capable of handling 4 to 8 inches. Be sure to remove all rocks and roots from the area. Keep in mind that if you dig deeper than you need to, it will reinforce the stability of the area.
Proceed to line the perimeters edges with bender board. Keep it held in place momentarily with stakes. Then spray the area with a light amount of water. Fill in the bottom with a road base about 2 to 4 inches deep. You can also use crushed recycled cement or a ¾ inch gravel if youd like. Many people choose to layer this area with a weed cloth. Weeds can be pulled fairly easily without the cloth though. Also, if your pavers have multiple thicknesses, the weed cloth will make it difficult to set them evenly. Spray the area with the hose once again.
Next, add 2 to 4 inches of sharp sand. Set your pavers together with the desired gap in between them. If you let large gaps remain, youll have to fill the resulting cracks with decorative gravel, river rock or ground cover plants. Those who decide to use flagstone will need to shape and chip a lot in order for the stone to fit close together. Another light spray with the hose at this point is ideal.
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How To Lay A Circular Paver Patio
Determine the diameter and location of the circular patio. Take measurements to a home supply store and select the material for the project. There are specific wedge-shape paver stones available in special packs for laying a circular pattern. These pavers come in a variety of colors and textures. For large areas, consider having the home supply store deliver the material to the project site.
Purchase Stone
Determine the diameter and location of the circular patio. Take measurements to a home supply store and select the material for the project. There are specific wedge-shape paver stones available in special packs for laying a circular pattern. These pavers come in a variety of colors and textures. For large areas, consider having the home supply store deliver the material to the project site.
Laying A Brick Patio Over Sand
Many years ago, I wrote about installing a brick patio floor on a sandy base. I received a rather emphatic letter from a professional who said I should not be giving such poor advice–that bricks laid on a sand base never stood the test of time unless they were laid in wet mortar on a concrete slab poured over gravel.
I recall taking the letter and going outside to look at the patio, which seemed in good condition after six months and then went back into the house and answered the letter. I reminded the writer that I had said that brick laid on sand was not as sturdy as brick laid in mortar, that it required a little maintenance about once a year and that it was about 10 times easier to install. I never heard from the gentleman again, but I was reminded of the entire incident the other day while I was reading an interesting book called Patios and Deck, written by Michael Landis and Ray Moholt .
The authors not only went into great detail about building a patio floor on sand base but also passed along many tips that I thought might be of value to anybody contemplating such a venture. Here are some of them.
Paving in small sections is especially easy when you are laying bricks on sand. You can stop at any point without worrying about a mortar or concrete base setting up before you finish a section.
Tamp the sand. If necessary, add more sand to maintain the desired level.
Usually, bricks are set on and with sides butted snugly together.
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Spread Landscape Fabric And Gravel
Double-check your calculations for gravel and sand and arrange for deliveries. Then call the rental store and reserve a gas-powered plate compactor or tamper. This is a heavy beast youll need a trailer or pickup truck and a couple of strong bodies to move it around.
After compacting the soil with the tamper and before you start filling the hole, roll out the landscape fabric, allowing it to extend at least 6 in. beyond the patio all around. Use spikes to temporarily hold it in place. Then we spread a 2-in. layer of gravel over the top.
Note: If your soil is soft or soggy, you might have to add more gravel fill to create a stable base. Ask your building inspector or a soil engineer to recommend the right base for you.
The Character Of The Stone Makes This Patio
Stone Options:
Stone varies greatly in color and texture. Visit a number of stone suppliers to see what’s available in your area and to check prices. We chose 3- or 4-in. thick stone intended for building walls, but any relatively flat stone that’s 2 to 4 in. thick will work. Because stone is sold by the ton , a thinner stone like flagstone would have been more economical, but it wasn’t available in the tumbled finish we wanted. If you use thinner stone, don’t tamp it with the compactor. It will crack. The stone dealer will tell you approximately how many square feet a ton of each type of stone covers. Order at least 15 percent extra to allow more selection when you’re looking for just the right shape.
Clay Pavers:
Concrete pavers are the most economical choice for paving patios. They are available in many sizes and colors. Traditional clay pavers have truer brick color and cost a bit more. Concrete pavers are available at home centers and landscape retailers, but you’ll probably have to find a brickyard to buy clay pavers. You’ll need about 4-1/2 bricks for every square foot, assuming an average sized 4 x 8-in. brick. It’s difficult to figure the exact amount of brick needed for an irregularly shaped patio like this, so order about 15 percent extra.
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Thin Concrete Pavers Versus Thin Brick Pavers
Thin brick pavers come in many different colors and their durability and color ranges are superior to thin concrete pavers, although the user must understand that they are two completely different products, although there end use is the same.
Thin pavers over concrete that are made from concrete can often be sand set with the perimeter pieces locked in with the use of a cementitious material and our concrete pavers with locking hubs work great in sand setting and keeping under 2 inches of added height.
On the other hand, using Thin brick pavers that are made from clay rather than concrete are generally 7/16 to 3/4 inch in thickness and must be applied with a mortar base which is time consuming and expensive.
Prepare The Ground For Pavers
If the area is currently lawn or long grass, its worth cutting the turf into strips using a spade and then rolling it up. This way, you can save it to fill any gaps between the new patio and the lawn when youre done.
Dig out an area 150mm deep thats 10cm for your sub base, and 5cm for your mortar and paving slabs. If your slabs are very thick, allow a little extra depth. If you are laying directly next to the house, the finished patio should be at least 150mm below the damp proof course.
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Sweep Sand Into The Joints
Spread dry sand over the stones and bricks and work it down into the cracks with a broom. Tamp with the plate compactor. Keep spreading sand and tamping until the joints are full.
Note: If your sand is damp, spread it out to dry before sweeping it into the cracks. If you run short, buy 50-lb. bags of mason’s sand at a home center or lumberyard.
How Often Should You Pressure Wash Your Patio
For the best results, clean a driveway every six months this can be done on a DIY basis or by hiring a professional cleaning company. Frequent pressure washing helps to prevent dirt and grime from settling into cracks. Consider a Spring and Autumn spruce up to get rid of the build-up of dirt, grime, mold, and algae.
Also Check: How To Remove Mildew From Patio Furniture Cushions
Patio After Setting Pavers Over Concrete Patio Slabs
Family Handyman
Pavers dress up the patio and make it an attractive outdoor living space. A concrete patio is made for practicality, not beauty. It starts out looking plain and goes downhill from there. As craters, cracks and stains accumulate, it can go from dull to downright ugly in just a few years. But theres a simple solution, whether you want to dress up a bland patio or hide an aging one. Covering concrete with paver bricks is much easier than pouring new concrete or laying paving stones the traditional way. It requires less skill and less time, and its a whole lot easier on your back. Here well walk you through how to lay paving stones over concrete.
Assess your slab This project will work with most patios. Surface damage like flaking, chips and craters is no problem. But a few conditions make this method a no-go:
- A too-low threshold. Door thresholds have to be high enough above the existing patio to allow for the thickness of the border pavers, plus an extra 3/4 in. to allow for frost heaverising of the slab when the soil freezes.
- Expanding cracks. This method will work over most crackswhich grow and shrink with seasonal ground movement. But if you have a crack that has noticeably grown in recent years, this method is risky. The crack may eventually telegraph through the pavers, creating a hump or gaps.
Note:
Backfill And Finish Your New Patio Design
Since your new patio is by nature of a higher elevation than your old concrete slab you must address the now exposed edge. There are a few ways to do so.
The first is to back fill the area with topsoil that slowly tapers away from the patio. You can then plant grass seed in the top soil and have a finished yard right up to your new patio.
The second option is to install a short retaining or edger stone some distance from the edge of your patio and install mulch in the area in-between to use as a planting bed to further enhance you project.
Final image showing the expanded patio with all the components of patio pavers over a concrete slab.
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How To Lay And Age A Brick Patio: Adding German Smear
And when that was finished, after making a few more adjustments, it was time to start the german smear.
This was the easy and fun part, and only took a couple of hours to complete. Also super rewarding because those bricks were not our first choice.
We literally had some brushes concrete + water.
We just mixed it to a nice consistency, and it was ready to spread.
Wipe on, wipe off, Danielson.
Just spread it to your desired amount we recommend testing it out on some bricks first.
Know that a lot of it will wear away, so if you want a nice aged look, spread liberally.
We finally developed a system where Jamin would spread it with gloves, and I would come behind him and scrape away the excess with the brush.
The extra slush went into a bucket and we finished it all up. Winning.
We gave it an entire day and night to dry, and the next day, rinsed it down with the hose.
We love the final look and feel of our new al-fresco dining area, and we cant wait to add our cabana.
Stay tuned, because well be sharing how to build a simple privacy wall, very soon + all the details on our next up plans.
We hope this helped, and let us know if you have any questions.
Have an inspired day!
Can I Build A Patio On My Own Or Should I Hire A Professional
You can build a patio by yourself, but you have to keep in mind that hiring a professional to do it is always a better choice for many reasons.
When you do it on your own, you cut some labor expenses, but professional labor guarantees that your project will have higher quality. There is also the amount of time its going to take to consider and the fact that many things can go wrong in the installation process. With your project in professional hands, your patio is done and ready for you to use in a weekend, and the chances of anything going wrong are minimal.
S& S Pavers has been proudly serving the counties of Manatee and Sarasota for the past 10+ years. If you live in Florida, dont hesitate to give us a call.
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Cost To Install A Brick Paver Patio
These estimates are for BASIC work performed in serviceable conditions by qualified trade professionals using MID GRADE materials. Work not mentioned on this page and/or work using master craftsman, premium materials and project supervision will result in HIGHER COSTS!
These estimates are NOT substitutes for written quotes from trade professionals. Homewyse strongly recommends that you contact reputable professionals for accurate assessments of work required and costs for your project before making any decisions or commitments.
The cost estimate includes:
- Costs for local material / equipment delivery to and service provider transportation to and from the job site.
- Costs to prepare the worksite for Brick Paver Patio Installation, including costs to protect existing structure, finishes, materials and components.
- Labor setup time, mobilization time and minimum hourly charges that are commonly included for small Brick Paver Patio Installation jobs.
The cost estimate does NOT include:
Patio: Estate In Woody Creek Colorado
This magnificent estate designed by Michael Ernemann and constructed by Rutgers Construction blends new sophisticated contemporary with old homestead charm. The property offers incredible pastoral views, senior water rights, several pastures and a superb barn. The new main house contains originally designed one off finishes-doors, hardware, floors, windows, cabinets and systems. The renovated original farm house offers a charming setting overlooking a pond with magical views. This rare property will not last long!12,612 approximate square feet.Architectural style: Arts and CraftsProperty features: 7 Bedrooms, 6 Bathrooms.
Joshua & Co., a member of Luxury Portfolio International
Advantages:
Creating a luxe outdoor living space is appealing for homeowners who enjoy entertaining. Making an investment to perfect the design of a space youre going to be using a lot is significant to many homeowners. By consulting with a landscaping specialist, you should expect to get a professional point-of-view in terms of what materials to use, and how to make the most of the outdoor living space. A professionally-designed and expertly-installed patio may make use of materials that are less accessible to ordinary homeowners and DIYers, and will be finished to perfection. It may take into account outdoor lighting and electrical or gas lines, or a multi-tier design with steps and pathways, making for an even more extravagant outdoor living space.
Disadvantages:
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