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How To Build A Small Patio

Cost Of A Patio With A Fire Pit

How to Build a Patio – An easy Do it Yourself Project

The cost of adding a fire pit to your patio ranges from $300 to $1,400. There are many ways to add a fire pit to your patio. You can purchase a ready-made pit made of ready-to-use metal. You can also purchase a kit and build one yourself or have a fire pit built for you. Fire pits can burn wood or use fuel from your gas line. Fire pits come in a range of sizes and styles. Consider its placement on the patio and seating and walking space around it when choosing and adding a fire pit.

Elegant Small Patio With Double Swings

This stunning patio will surely inspire you to build the similar one on your property. The design is so elegantly mesmerizing with its furniture and accessories choice.

The dark brown tile in rustic style is chosen to become the base of this patio. Then, the contemporary patio furniture and accessories in lattice look decorate it very well.

There are two swings which are secured to the big tree near the patio. Those egg-shaped swings even make this patio look way more attractive.


As you may have noticed, whats catchy about this patio design is its furniture style and color choices which are totally worth to copy.

Patio Drainage Options Cost

Drainage is an important part of patio design. A flat patio collects water and develops issues, such as cracking or sinking. Most patios are designed to slope away from your house, which allows the water to drain naturally. If this is the case, you do not need additional drainage added, and you can install your patio right away.

However, some patios are located on landscaping that wants to drain back toward the house. In those cases, you may need to install a drain. The most common drain is a . It may also be called a , tile drain, or pipe drain. It is a perforated pipe installed beneath the patio. It carries excess water away to another part of the yard, usually in a lower area away from the house. French drains require more labor, excavation, and trenching, increasing your costs regardless of the material.

Drainage Option
$100 – $200

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Mixing Mortar By Hand

On a mixing tray, thoroughly mix the dry sand and cement together. Using a shovel, make a hole in the centre of the pile and pour clean water into it. Carefully push the dry mix into the water, letting it be absorbed. Mix it thoroughly, adding more water as necessary. It’s better to add less water to begin with and slowly add more if needed.


The consistency of the mortar is important it mustnt be too dry or too runny. To test it, make a depression in the mix with a shovel. If this is easy to do and the mortar holds its shape, the consistency is correct.

Stamped Concrete Patio Cost

How to Build a Raised Patio Out of Brick Pavers

The cost of a stamped concrete patio averages $15 to $30 a square foot. Stamped concrete provides the look of many materials, including pavers, stone, wood, and other looks. It is made with poured concrete that is colored and pressed with molds to resemble other materials. It is very durable and does not need joints packed with sand. This can mean it is lower maintenance long term than other materials.

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Creating A New Space Out Of Nothing

With my toddler , I was filled with glee. We could see the FULL mountain range from top to bottom if this section of the yard was just raised up a foot or two!

But how?


THIS is the kind of problem I love, my friend. Reimagining. Seeing whats not there. Creating something out of nothing.

My mind quickly started working. I began to envision how to build a raised patio with retaining wall right in the spot where I was balancing precariously on the tip of the black jagged rock.

Its all well and good to replace an old patio with a new one, or refinish an old pool or deck,

but what about creating entirely new spaces?

This is where it really gets exciting!


Small Patio Shade Ideas

Install sun sails for a modern take on the traditional patio umbrella. Available in a selection of attractive colors to enhance your decor, they provide ample shade and help to block out harmful UVA and UVB rays. Sun sails are an affordable shade option, and since theyre hung overhead, they take up minimal space.

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How To Build A Raised Stone Patio

If youre wondering how to build a raised stone patio, follow the steps above but stick with all stone materials.

Material #1: Surface stone

To build a raised stone patio, your first job is to select the flagstone surface material for the patio.

Something to keep in mind with a flagstone patio is that it has bigger gaps between the stones and requires sand to even out the surface . The gaps will need to be filled either with concrete, or even possibly some low growing groundcover plants.


Materials #2: Retaining wall stone

To build your stone retaining wall for the patio, you can select either a real stacked stone material or you can build a concrete block wall and cover it with a stone veneer.

Above you can see not only our raised patio retaining walls in the distance, but the rest of the retaining walls around the pool area that we were doing with all the same style stone veneer.

If you decide to do a real stacked stone, this can be flat flagstone pieces or stacked round stones to your desired height. Either option can use mortar to hold all the stone together for the patio, or can be dry stacked for an even simpler install.

Small Patio Makeover Ideas: Step By Step

How to Build a Patio: DIY Paver Patio | The Home Depot

If your small patio needs a major face lift like mine did, its best to start from scratch. Here are some helpful tips:

  • Remove all existing furniture and decor from the space.
  • Clean everything and power wash, sweep and/or vacuum.
  • Start with a nice large outdoor area rug, which adds an extra level of coziness.
  • A rug makes your outdoor space feel like an outdoor room. It defines your space as well.
  • Make sure to purchase an outdoor rug that is weatherproof if you live in a rainy climate.
  • Next, place your furniture pieces.
  • Finish with all your accessories, like plants, pillows, trays, lanterns, etc.
  • If your patio area isnt covered, you will want to purchase waterproof chair cushions, so they dont get ruined over time.
  • I opted out of chair cushions all together and purchased power-coated benches ready for the rain.
  • I added pillows instead. These can easily be moved in when it rains. Also, they are less expensive to replace.

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Which Is Cheaper Deck Or Patio

For instance, since a patio is placed directly on the ground, youll want to choose a space that is level. Patios may not be the best choice for uneven ground because the cost to create a level foundation can double or triple the cost of the actual addition.

Furthermore, How much does a patio cover cost to build? The average cost to build a patio enclosure is around $16,558 total with most homeowners spending between $8,244 and $24,887. Depending on what you envision, you may spend anywhere between $22 and $75 per square foot with respect to its features, labor and material.

Secondly, How much does a 20×20 paver patio cost?

How Much Does a 20×20 Paver Patio Cost? According to data from HomeGuide, a 20-foot by 20-foot paver patio runs from $1,900 to $6,800, including labor and materials such as clay brick, natural stone or concrete pavers. Obviously, the larger the patio, the more materials required and the greater the labor costs.

What is the cheapest patio to build?


Concrete patios are typically one of the least expensive to build. Assuming proper installation and maintenance, they are one of the most durable, too, though like brick, concrete is subject to cracking with freeze-thaw cycles. Since poured concrete follows any form, unlimited patio design options are possible.

How To Build A Raised Patio With Retaining Wall Blocks

Once you have determined the location and design of your raised patio, stake out the location and use a string line or paint to mark out the area. A garden hose is an excellent tool for marking out curves. Then excavate the area by removing all the surface vegetation and organic materials from the area. These cannot be used as backfill material.

  • Starting at the lowest point dig a base trench 24 in. wide by 6 in. deep plus 1 in deep for each 1 ft. of wall height.
  • Compact the base trench as well as the entire patio base area, making a minimum of 2 passes with a walk behind plate compactor. Compaction of these areas are very important as they make up the foundation of both your wall and raised patio.

Like any other Allan Block retaining wall, your raised patio needs to have proper drainage. A drain pipe is used to prevent water pressure from building up behind the retaining wall. Place the drain pipe at the back of the trench and vent to daylight at the lowest point.

In addition to managing the water the drain pipe, you will need to manage the water flow around the house foundation . To do this you will need to waterproof the foundation wall. Check with your local building officials or with the material manufacturer on recommended installation of this waterproofing material.

To begin building the retaining wall that will make up your raised patio, start by preparing the base.

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Making A Small Patio Space Feel Bigger

Borrow techniques used for small rooms when thinking about small outdoor patio ideas. Choose pieces of patio furniture that have a smaller footprint and leave more open floor space. Use tall, narrow planters to draw eyes up from the patio floor. Hang a mirror to create the illusion of a larger space.

How To Compact Gravel For Your Patio Base

How to Build a DIY Covered Patio

Use a plate compactor to compact the gravel, creating a firm and long-lasting base for the patio.

Lay the Base

Watch video of this step.

Once the patio layout is done, you’re ready to excavate the area. Dig deep enough to allow for the base material under the pavers.

Pavers vary in thickness. The rule of thumb is to dig to the thickness of the paver, plus another six inches for a solid base.

Our pavers are 2-1/2″ thick and we want them to be level with the ground. We need six inches of base material plus 2-1/2″ for the paver height, so we are digging 8-½” deep.

It’s a good idea to create a slight slope away from the house to encourage water runoff a 3″ slope over a 12′ patio should be fine.

Now it’s time to add the base material. First, fill the excavation with compactable gravel, to a depth of five inches, tamping it down as you go. Rake the top surface smooth and level with a steel rake . To check for high and low points and to make sure your area is level, place a long, straight 2×4 on edge across the area then place three-foot level on the 2×4, adjust the gravel as necessary .Use a plate compactor to compact the gravel, which will create a firm and long-lasting base for the patio . You can rent a plate compactor for as little as $50 a day. For best results work the compactor in a circular motion and go over all areas at least twice.

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How To Build A Paver Patio

This article was co-authored by Scott Johnson. Scott Johnson is the Owner and Lead Design Consultant for Concrete Creations, Inc., an award-winning landscape and design company based in the San Diego, California metro area. He has over 30 years of experience in the pool and landscape construction industry and specializes in large estate outdoor environment construction projects. His work has been featured in San Diego Home & Garden Magazine and on Pool Kings TV Show. He earned a BS degree in Construction Management with an emphasis in Architecture and CAD design from Northern Arizona University.There are 14 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 14,973 times.

With the addition of a few rustic paver stones, you can transform a humdrum backyard into an enchanted wilderness escape. All you need is a basic plan for your new patio space and an eye-catching design for the stones themselves. Once the initial planning is out of the way, you can begin the process of excavating your lawn and installing the foundation layer-by-layer. When its all said and done, youll have an idyllic, professional-looking outdoor haven to show for your efforts.

Patio Construction Cost By Size

Patios come in any size. They can be tiny areas large enough for a grill and a few chairs or accommodate an outdoor kitchen and living room with room for entertaining. In some cases, the space you have dictates the patio size. In others, what you intend to do there dictates the layout.

Size
864 sq.ft.

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Dining Room Patio Cost

The cost of a dining room patio averages $1,344 to $4,200. Dining room patios are roughly the size of an indoor dining room. The most common measurements are 12 x 14 or 168 sq.ft. This patio is for dining. It can hold a full-sized table with chairs or a smaller table and chairs with additional seating. Dining room patios are usually more formal than others. Intricate paver or stamped concrete designs are common.

Tips For How To Choose Patio Furniture

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  • Since you are working with such a small space, you want to make use of every part of the patio but not overcrowd the space either. Its all about finding balance.
  • Before you buy a piece of furniture for you small patio, make sure it wont be too large for the space. You should measure your space and check the size measurements of the furniture you are considering BEFORE making your purchase.
  • Plan your small patio layout. Its a good idea to sketch your layout design.
  • Try placing furniture and seating along edges of the patio, making room in the middle for a coffee table and rug. Make sure you have enough floor space that you can still easily move around the patio and get from place to place.
  • Choose furniture that is easily moved so you can experiment with the layout a bit. Bonus if each piece of furniture has multiple functions, like a floor ottoman can be used as extra seating or as a foot rest.
  • Dont be afraid to move furniture around once you place it on the patio. Remember, nothing is permanent so have fun with it!
  • I chose 2 metal farmhouse benches from the Better Homes & Gardens collection at Walmart. These benches are the main framework around which the entire space is created. They provide plenty of seating. They are solid, weather proof, and waterproof, essential for our Seattle climate.

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    What Is A Cheaper Alternative To Pavers

    Gravel. Gravel allows better drainage than solid paving stones, and it is one of the least expensive paver alternatives. If you want to keep the gravel from shifting when you walk on it, opt for unsorted, sharp-edged gravel that is labeled 1/4-inch minus. Pieces of that gravel type fit snugly together.

    Make A Circular Fire Pit

    Outdoor fires are so hot right now. Seriously. Mankind has called the hearth home for the centuries, it’s true, but these days people are going ultra-retro and getting their heat from stone-walled pits set into the earth. And, why not? On cool summer nights, you can melt marshmallows and nibble s’mores while you lounge in an Adirondack chair, feet propped up on the rock ledge. So if you really want to light up right, do it in style. Use our step-by-step guide and take a few days to build your very own ring of fire.

    Follow along with TOH landscaper Roger Cook as he builds a circular fire pit and surrounding patio.

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    Clean Lines In Backyard Style

    The white pavers are arranged with decorative grey stones as accents. It’s a very simple rectangular design that requires no cutting if you measure according to your stone sizes. Paths leading to and from the patio make this patio the focal point of the yard.

    Pavers take over the backyard with a patch of green grass

    Cost To Build A Covered Patio

    How To: Building a Patio With Pavers

    The average cost to build a covered patio is $3,074 to $20,196 for a 12 x 18 patio. Covered patios are a great way to add shade to your yard. The cover can be created in many ways, from using an awning to building a structure like a pergola or pavilion. The covers roof can also be made from many materials, including cloth, aluminum, insulated aluminum, and wood. This means there is a very wide range of associated costs for building a covered patio. You also have the standard costs associated with the patio.

    Patio Cover Cost per Square Foot

    Patio covers have a wide range of costs per square foot, from $6 to $62. Simple covers like awnings cost the least. However, your costs are significantly higher if you want a permanent structure above your patio. The cover you choose can dictate the patio material. Heavy covers need a concrete base or footers at a minimum, increasing the projects cost. Covers can be an extension of your roof, similar to how a porch roof works, or stand-alone structures. Each construction type has attributes and costs to consider.

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