Other Ways To Save Money
While gravel patios are certainly the easiest to construct, there are other ways to save money on your patio build. For example, you can avoid the big name stores like Home Depot and Garden Center and seek out surplus centers.
Another idea is to call a patio contractor and ask if you can buy scrap materials from them for cheap.
If you decide to hire out the work instead of doing it yourself, be sure to ask the right questions of the contractor you choose. This can save you hundreds of dollars. We wrote an article about those questions not too long ago find it here.
Whichever way you choose, we wish you luck!
Poured Or Stamped Concrete Patio
Poured and stamped concrete is the next cheapest option after concrete pavers. If you are comfortable working with concrete this is a great DIY option. If you pour the concrete properly this kind of patio can last for a long time. You can even mix in local rocks or shells to give the patio a nice aesthetic.
Poured concrete can be much pricier than the other two options. It often costs at least 6 dollars a square foot and up to 13 dollars per square foot. Still, it has a professional look and will likely last much longer than a gravel patio.
Brick Or Stone Patios
Brick and stone patios are another option. Both of these types of patios look fantastic, and can last for generations. The only issue is that these patios can be very costly.
The brick and stones used for patios can cost a pretty penny. If, however, you are able to come across highly discounted or even discarded stones or brick, you can build a very cheap patio. This may seem like wishful thinking, but discarded brick and stone is more common than you might think.
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Place The Deck Footings
I wanted mine as low to the ground as possible, so I dug down the cement deck piers closest to my house several inches, and the piers away from my house didnt need to be dug at all. You should do one deck pier at a time, and be CONSTANTLY measuring the perfect distances, leveling each deck pier to each other, and being as meticulous as possible that everything is level!
Tips
- Place gravel at the bottom of each footing to minimize sliding.
- Use a long level on top of your joist beams to ensure your deck is perfectly flat.
- Also, dont re-bury those deck piers until you have them all laid in your backyard, just in case you need to change a few.
- You do NOT want your wood touching the ground, so make sure the wood-slots arent too low in the ground that this will happen!
Branch Out A Little With Yorkstone For Smaller Patios
If you are on a budget, but lucky enough to have a small patio, you can opt for a more luxurious material like Yorkstone. This is a type of limestone that is quarried in North Yorkshire, England.
It has a unique appearance that can make your patio really stand out. In addition, it is very affordable when compared to other types of stone.
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Find Out What Materials Are Native To Your Area
The Earth is a plentiful source for building materials. The natural planet has no shortage of materials you can possibly use to build a patio. Do your research to learn what kind of natural resources your area is plentiful.
You may find certain materials like dried coral, sea shells, lava rock, or even types of granite are in abundance where you live. You might be able to buy these otherwise costly materials for next to nothing. In addition to saving money, this will also put a personal and localized touch to your patio. It will give it a sense of place, and is certainly a sustainable way to build as well.
Simple Painted Wood Floor
This is one of patio floor ideas which include painting. If you need an update for your slab patio floor, simply paint it with your favorite pattern.
For an easy idea, you can use this simple checkered pattern to update your patios slab floor. You can also go with your favorite vibrant shades to add more colors to this outdoor area.
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Top Your Patio With Sand
After all the bricks, pavers, or flagstones are in place, spread polymeric jointing sand over the patio. Use a stiff broom to sweep the sand over the pavers until the cracks are filled. Remove excess sand using a leaf blower at low speed. Water the surface with a fine mist from a garden hose to encourage the sand to sink into the spaces between the stones. Repeat the process of adding sand, sweeping, and watering about a week after construction to ensure a durable finish.
Use Concrete Block Paving And Create Patterns
It doesnt necessarily need to be one big mass of concrete. If you put enough thought into the design, you can add a bit of flair and personality to your cheap patio.
One way to do this is by using concrete block paving. This is a material that is made up of small, square blocks that are laid in a pattern. There are many different patterns that you can use, so you can really let your creativity run wild!
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Set And Level The Line
To set the final height and pitch of your patio, it is essential to set a proper guide. Its basically a giant plus sign with the cross at the middle of your square patio.
A. Run a taut nylon masonry line between two metal spikes 12 feet apart. Create another taut 12-foot-long line across the midway point of the first line. The line should be at the level you want the finished pavers.
B. Attach your line level to the line running out from the house if your patio is not against a house, attach it to the line that runs in the direction you want water to run off. Using your level, create a pitch that will have approximately a quarter of a bubble pitch away from level. The perpendicular line should be level. Periodically throughout construction, check the line to make sure it hasnt moved.
Diy Vs Professional Installation
Professional labor costs for a patio often come out to around $40 to $80 per hour, or $4 to $12 per square foot, depending on the complexity of the project and what additional equipment or materials must be used.
While it is possible to do a DIY install of your new patio, take into consideration the complexity of your project. If you are simply adding a ground-level concrete slab or gravel patio, DIY installation may be less hassle and more cost-effective than hiring a professional. Even simple brick patios can fall into this category.
If you are using expensive pavers or materials to build your patio, however, consider hiring a professional instead, as they will know how to properly handle the materials in order to install your new patio correctly.
You should also consider professional installation if your patio is going to be raised or covered, a nonconventional shape or will require infrastructure installations for outdoor appliances or features . Similarly, always consult with a professional about any ground preparationleveling, drainage, etc.that might be necessary.
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Outdoor Herringbone Wood Flooring
Having a deck style and lumber elements all around, it makes sense that the patio floor is covered by wood. This outdoor patio features a beautiful herringbone pattern which can fit both a modern and classic exterior.
Compared to chevron, herringbone pattern cost less to produce. Its because all the blocks dont need to be cut at an angle to make the zigzag. So, it can be a good alternative if you want to save some money to create appealing wood flooring.
How To Plan And Build A Concrete Paver Patio
Well, this might not fit into the easy project category, but it was a complete and total makeover.
The new concrete pavers completely modernize the space and the patio is now completely safe after replacing the old pavers that were caving in.
The detailed, step by step instructions in this tutorial will be a big help.
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Accessorize Your Dining Zone
Update your dining set with fresh cushions and a patterned table cloth
If you love to entertain guests, then outdoor dining ideas are a must. And, even a budget-friendly set can be given an extra dose of pizzazz with the help of colorful tableware.
A wipe-clean tablecloth in a jolly pattern is a simple way to update the scene through the summer months. Keep an eye out for deals on garden dinnerware too. There are lots of colorful melamine or acrylic styles that will instantly pep up summer lunch parties. Or, go for products made from sustainable bamboo for extra eco-friendly-points.
Tie-on or scatter cushions are also an easy and affordable way to boost the comfy factor for even the cheapest of chairs. We love these polka-dot red designs for a pop of vibrancy.
Set The Mood With Festoons
As seen in this scene from Ikea , festoon lights add a wonderfully ambient glow when strung along a fence
Garden lighting is crucial for creating an ambience after dark, and is practical too. However, costs can quickly add up. For budget patio ideas, you can’t go far wrong with festoons.
String up along fences for a festival-style vibe that’s perfect for warm summer evenings. If you go for solar versions, then you won’t even need to worry about a plug the sun will take care of things for you. Pair with charcoal tones as seen here for a sophisticated look.
Our patio lighting ideas feature has plenty more gorgeous designs.
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Cut And Lay Your Joists
To do so, measure and cut each joist one at a time, in case there are any slight differences between the distances of your cement piers.
If your deck is large like mine, you will likely need to meet two joints onto one deck pier to reach the entire length of your deck. I have to mention the Ryobi miter saw I used was amazing for these large joists. It cut everything so smoothly, and even has a laser line that appears to make it extra easy for you. I love that saw so much!
What Kind Of Fabric Should I Use For A Patio
Todays outdoor fabrics offer a multitude of colors and patterns, providing an affordable and easy way to change the look of an outdoor space. Here, a plain brown lumbar cushion on a dining chair is revamped with a floral-theme fabric to soften the lines and add a dash of color. A table runner made from outdoor fabric is ideal for entertaining.
How big of a patio do you need?
In this example, a 10-foot by 10-foot concrete paver patio provides a solid, dry base for all of the fun outdoor furniture. A lovely wooden swing encourages conversation beside the DIY firepit. Continue to 3 of 10 below. No strangers to huge home projects, home bloggers Sherry and John at Young House Love wanted to keep this patio project simple.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8lDyguSvJw
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Flip Burgers In An Outdoor Kitchen
Photo via @mrs_rackley.home
Let your backyard be the supreme spot for entertaining guests with a kitchen! There are plenty of ways to build an outdoor kitchen that fit within your budget. Add a charcoal grill and table on a patio for a simple look. Or install a kitchen kit under a pergola, which includes an island, grill, storage, and refrigerator.
Photo via @thekatrinablair
Say goodbye to making multiple trips inside with a bar cart! Load your cart up with glasses, small appetizer plates, a pitcher for lemonade or water, and an array of snacks to have a convenient fueling station right in your backyard. And if it starts to rain, you can easily transport it inside to keep the party going!
How Can You Make A Patio Look Nice On A Budget
A sweet summer scene from Homesense
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Class Up Your Backyard With Inexpensive Patio Paver Ideas
A concrete inexpensive paver patio is easy to install and can really make a difference to the look and ambience of your backyard.
Just imagine a place to sit under the shade of trees or in the warmth of the sun.
It can be big enough for a couple of chairs or large enough to entertain guests.
It all depends on your needs.
Here are a few pointers to keep in mind when you are considering building a cheap backyard patio with pavers.
Location, location, location!! This is important when deciding where to put your backyard patio getaway.
Take note of where the sun is in your yard and at what time of day.
You don’t want to be baking in the sun if you’d rather be cooling off in the breeze!
This will not be obvious initially as it is very gradual but after five years the difference in colour from the original paver can be significant.
Natural stones such as flagstone, clay brick, or slate retain their colour well.
In spite of this, precast pavers are still the best choice for the do-it-yourselfer.
Repairing an interlocking paver patio is also quite easy.
Now if its years later, the colour fade may come into play.
You may need to have a few hands on deck though.
It can be done alone, but it is much faster and less frustrating with a second or third set of hands.
With lots of help it may only take a few hours to transform the look and feel of your backyard!
How To Build A Patio
Building a patio is much like putting together a puzzle. Rotate the pieces until they fit together, working to create a nearly uniform space between the stones. Use the following tutorial for how to build a flagstone, brick, or paver patio. The basic steps for this DIY project are the same for each material.
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Dig Out The Area And Compact The Base
The patio foundation is important for the stability of the pavers. A solid base will reduce shifting and sinking.
A. Make a bed for your foundation by digging out 6 inches below your lines. Dig an extra 4 inches around the perimeter of your patio because you will need room for the edging. Shovel half the aggregate in, and spread it out evenly with a metal landscape rake.
B. Compact this first layer, and repeat with the rest of the aggregate. If you want to do this by hand, use a hand tamper. If you want to make it easier on yourself and get really solid pack, use a plate compactor you can rent one for about $75 a day.
C. Check the depth as you compact by measuring down from your line to the base. You want 3 inches from the line to the base of compacted aggregate. After the base is evenly packed, you can remove the big plus-sign lines.
Make Your Mark With Paint
A lick of paint can easily update your budget patio ideas this blue shade is the ‘Tivoli 206’ Intelligent Masonry Paint by Little Greene
Another simple and affordable way to makeover your space is with a fresh coat of paint. Try adding a splash of color to window frames, flower pots, or even a bold feature wall all you need is a tin or two, a brush, and a sunny afternoon.
It’s also a stunning way to lift reclaimed or tired-looking furniture, and saves you from spending money on replacements. We’re loving this soft blue tone for a soothing vibe, but pick whatever shade suits you. Our garden color schemes guide is full of tips and extra inspo.
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Hire Help But Only For Installation
If you are building a type of patio that requires professional help you should find out exactly what you need a professional for. You may be able to do a lot of the work on your own to save on costs. You can often dig your own holes, clear areas, and even purchase most of the materials without the help of a professional. This can save you lots of labor hours and can help you avoid premium pricing.