How To Build An Outdoor Patio

Building A Wood Deck Vs Building A Hardscaped Patio

If youre looking to expand your outdoor living space this summer, youve no doubt been asked if youre planning to build a deck or a patio. Both offer a beautiful way to enjoy your property, giving you space to eat, relax and entertain. Although on the surface patios and decks seem similar, there are, in fact, some key differences that could make one better suited to your property than the other.

Featured product: Borealis patio slab

Exploit The Harvest For Vibrant Fall Color

The fall patio has its own allure. The growing season may be winding down, but the bounty of the harvest is at your fingertips. Exploit it to decorate your patio with the shades of orange, yellow, bronze, etc. that give autumn displays their unique feel.

Pumpkins are begging you to breath life back into their orange flesh by carving them into jack-o-lanterns. But make sure you carve and display your pumpkins with safety in mind, especially if you have children around. In terms of a broader decorating plan for fall, browse the following pictures for help deciding between a harvest theme or a Halloween theme:

Choose The Type Of Wood To Use

Another consideration for this project was the type of wood to use. After comparing the cost and aesthetics of cedar vs fir, cost overruled looks for us and at a third less was the more viable choice.

The Sikkens teak cedar stain turned the #2 fir beautiful, but the one time that the can was shaken and not stirred, the wood was a lot lighter because the pigment was at the bottom of the gallon can.

Read Also: Antique Wrought Iron Bistro Set

Patio Tile Installation Cost

The cost to install a tile patio ranges from $15 to $20 a square foot. Patio tiles can be made of many materials. This includes quarry pavers, brick tiles, porcelain, and stone tile. All tiles used outdoors on a patio must be rated for outdoor use. This often means the tiles are thicker and nonporous, in the case of man-made materials. The tiles are laid in a bed of sand or gravel and usually have sand packed between the .

How Do You Clean Outdoor Patio Tiles

Mix a cup of brown soap or baking soda crystals in a bucket of water and pour them onto your stone deck. Before using soap or detergent, check whether it is suitable for your patio tiles, some tiles require a special cleaner. 2. Scrub the deck thoroughly with a stiff brush.

How to make a concrete mold

Don’t Miss: How To Fix Broken Umbrella Pole

Easy Diy Red Chair Bench:

Having some old dining chairs without the armrests? Then dont destine them to home trash store, build a super wooden outdoor bench out of them that will rock for patio, garden, and outdoor sitting purposes.

Combine three chairs by installing a long slatted berth and gain a lovely 3 seater bench as you can see! Instructions here myrepurposed

Diy Polished Concrete Table

If you want a tabletop thats elegant enough for any indoor setting and tough enough to withstand outdoor weather, youve found it. Tables similar to this one sell for hundreds at garden centers and outdoor furniture stores. But you can make a DIY polish concrete table yourself for much less. And, this project is simple enough for even beginning woodworkers to tackle.

Also Check: How To Remove Mold From Cement

Diy Outdoor Bench Under $1:

Bring great focal stimulation to your garden space along with adding stylish sitting space with this precious outdoor bench that will cost you under $15 and will bring a great style to your garden and patio! Make this bench using lumber or pine wood slats.

Full how-to tutorial and instructions here shanty-2-chic

Screen Out Prying Eyes In The Simplest Way Possible

Portable wooden screens such as the ones shown in this picture represent a simpler and less expensive option than does a full fence. If you are really looking to save money, it is easy to build one on your own using lattice. Such a privacy screen further functions as a trellis upon which to grow vine plants.

Read Also: Building A Fire Pit With Pavers

Do I Need Permits To Build A Patio

One reason you may need a permit is excavation. If youre going to be moving a lot of soil around, your town or municipality will generally want to know about it, says Pete. And second, if youre pouring concrete, local authorities will want to inspect the site prior to placement.

The Clean Water Act imposes other regulations. If your patio is a hard surface, and large, you need to deal with the stormwater draining off it, Petersen says. The patio must be sloped away from house, and if theres a drain, you may have to treat the water that comes out the other end, perhaps sending it through filtration soils before allowing it back into the environment.

Pedersen says that a sediment and erosion control plan is also required for most permitted projects in the Bay Area, and most likely in other areas across the country. If youre installing a drainpipe, for example, you need to consider how water gushing out after a rainstorm will affect the surrounding landscapeespecially if youre on a slope. One way Pedersen solves this problem is by installing a perforated dispersal pipe to spread the water out.

Ground Covers For Shade

At the risk of compromising our job security, were willing to let you in on a little secret: You can build your own patio. If two guys from Massachusetts can learn, you can, too. Sure, it took us 30 years to perfect our craft, but were willing to share our expert techniques so that you can have instant success.

Any gardener with realistic expectations on size and material can create a solid space on which to sit and view his or her garden. The average home owner working with one or two other people should be able to install a 12-foot-square patio with stone-like pavers in one weekend. Maybe itll take you a little longer, but one thing is sure: Youll take pride in a job done right.

Read Also: How To Remove A Concrete Patio

How Long Will A Patio Last

Patio durability depends on the materials used. Most stone has a long life expectancy, though some stone weathers faster than others Pedersen avoids slate and Arizona sandstone for that reason.

With gravel, theres always a level of maintenance, says Pedersen. You can lay weed blankets, but thats not a long-term solution. DG also needs freshening up now and again. But these surfaces can last as long as you want to maintain them.

As for concrete, Pedersen repeats an old contractors joke: There are two kinds concrete thats cracked, and concrete that will crack. Cutting it into pieces can minimize cracking and help it last longer, he says. But any concrete surface will show more sand after 10 to 15 years of being exposed to the elements.

Cost To Build A Ground Patio

The typical ground patio costs between $1,728 and $5,400 for a 12 x 18 patio fully installed. This is the most common patio. It is installed on the ground in your backyard. The area is cleared and leveled, then laid with the patio material. It can be located outside your back door or a distance away, such as near a pool or other area. You must have a relatively flat area for this patio.

Don’t Miss: How Do You Clean White Plastic Patio Furniture

Build A Wooden Chevron Bench:

Satisfy your love for chevron also by making this superb chevron bench that is solid and will be a great addition to any of your outdoor space.

Pack flat the slats of wood to build the chevron or herringbone style seat of the bench and then finish it up with a lovely wooden base that is quick to build also. Full instructions here diyhuntress

How To Paint The Outside Of A Concrete Patio

How to Paint a Concrete Deck aStep 1 – Clean the concrete platform. Clean your concrete patio thoroughly of dirt and debris. You don’t want them to resist youStep 2 Apply exterior paint. 3Step 3 Take another look at the terrace. BedroomStep 4 Apply a clear sealer.

Concrete backyardHow much does it cost to install a concrete patio? For a basic project with ZIP code 47474, which is 120 square feet, the cost to install a concrete pad starts at $per square foot*. Actual costs will depend on job size, schedule, and size options.How do you pour a concrete patio?Dig 4 in deep for lifting and 8 in deep for leveling. Compact the soil if necessary. If you plan to install som

You May Like: How To Install Stone Patio Over Grass

Diy Convertible Picnic Table And Bench:

You will be a big fan of the cool and smart movements of this outdoor bench that is convertible.

It can be unfolded to give a lovely picnic table that will be loved by all and is super easy and quick to build also!

This is here the super well-thought and genius model of the bench that you should definitely clone. Free plans and tutorial here hertoolbelt

How Can I Cut The Costs Of A New Patio

Pedersen advises keeping the materials and design simple. Rectangles will help control the budget, he says. Doing soft radiuses and turns requires a lot of cutting, and that increases the labor. Keep the geometry simple and dont fight your modulethe reason houses are rectilinear is because wood is rectilinear.

His second tip: Dont dig too deep. When you begin to move a lot of soil, costs go up. Site work and excavation are one of the most expensive parts of any project.

N.B.: Planning a patio project? For design tips, layouts, and the best materials, see . For more projects, see our Hardscape 101 design guides to Fences & Gates 101 and Pavers 101. And browse our posts on materials:

You May Like: How To Repair Hairline Cracks In Concrete

What Are The Best Guardrail Materials

As for the guardrail material, Petersen says this choice should also be driven by the architecture. Well do glass for a house thats sleek and contemporary, or maybe a cable rail with stainless steel posts, he says. For a more traditional house we might do wood pickets and have some fun with patterns.

Outdoor Kitchen And Entertainment Patio Cost

The cost of a patio large enough to hold an outdoor kitchen and entertainment area ranges from $6,912 to $21,600. This is a large, spacious patio that can be used for several things. Typical measurements are 24 x 36 or 864 sq.ft. This patio can be shaped in multiple ways to designate various areas. The kitchen may be located on one side, while a fire pit, seating areas, or hot tub may be on another. It is common for this patio to have pattern changes to designate various areas and create a visual separation.

Also Check: How To Reweb Patio Chairs

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.

Lay And Compact The Base Layer Of Soil

Even though it sounds like it might be a good idea, you cant just lay pavers on dirt or sand. Doing so will allow the pavers to move and not allow for proper drainage. Its also likely that one side of each paver will sink and your patio will be really wonky.

To begin, check if the soil is compacted. If it isnt, which is likely, use the tamper tool/ plate compactor to tamp down the soil. You can lightly mist the soil to help with this.

Once your soil is compact, spread only half of the base layer on top, as youll do this in two layers.

If you pile on all 4 at once, its unlikely youll be able to compact it properly. Its best to lay half of the gravel and compact it first, then to add the second layer and then compact that.

Use the hoe to push and pull the base layer back and forth. If you find that as you get toward the top of the base layer that your gravel is too large, use the bow rake to pull the larger pieces out.

Just lightly rake over the top. This will pull the large pieces into a pile which you can scoop up and toss to the side.

Once you have this layer evened out, use the tamper tool to compact it. To help with the tamping, you can spray a little bit of water on the top of each of the two layers. I used a garden hose with a sprayer head, on a mist setting.

Its important that the entire base layer is well compacted. If its not compacted tightly, the soil will shift and so will your pavers.

Also Check: Repairing Patio Umbrella

What Is The Best Color For Stamped Concrete

DryShake Color Hardener Probably the most popular method for painting stamped concrete is to use DryShake Color Hardener. Unlike integral pigments, which color the entire concrete matrix, the dry spray is manually sprayed onto the surface of the freshly poured concrete and only the top layer is painted.

What Is The Best Way To Clean A Concrete Patio

Water your patio and scrub away stains with a dishwashing liquid such as Dawn or Ajax dishwashing liquid. To remove dark brown or black deck stains in shady or damp areas, scrub with a bleach solution. This method also helps remove moss, mold and mildew.

What is a patioWhat are the benefits of building a patio? Often the different rooms in your home are specific, but the advantage of a patio is that it can be used for different occasions or needs. Of course, relaxation is the main reason why you can enjoy the terrace at any time, rain or not.How to build a paver patio?Place and compact a gravel path. Your patio needs a gravel pavement support.We put the retaining wall blo

Don’t Miss: How To Paint Wrought Iron Table And Chairs

How Do You Stain An Outdoor Concrete Patio

Scrub the concrete thoroughly with a brush to remove any dirt or oil and rinse off any residue with a garden hose. Cover all surrounding surfaces to avoid damaging uncontaminated areas. Spray the slab lightly with a garden hose to moisten the concrete. Pour acid stain such as B. Quikrete Etching Stain into a spray .

Easy Way To Build A Bench:

One more amazing and stylishly beautiful design of the industrial DIY outdoor bench is here to win your heart.

This solid diy bench is sure to be loved by all outdoor lovers and is super quick and easy to build.

Put together the thick and solid wooden lengths together to make the solid berth of the bench and then install the metal hairpin legs. Full how-to tutorial here grillo

Don’t Miss: Antique Wrought Iron Patio Furniture

Diy Outdoor Garden Bench:

This is here another great and lovely design of bench that you can build in no time when going through short sitting space issues at your outdoor.

A solid low design of bench that looks great with the slatted berth and you can paint it also in any color you want.

Full how-to instructions here artsychicksrule

You Can Build A Diy Concrete Patio Step By Step

It’s easy to pour and build a backyard patio made of concrete in this How To article. On a small scale, concrete is fairly easy to work with, but installing an entire patio can be a challenge. It is possible to build an attractive concrete patio yourself, but careful planning and preparation is necessary. Be sure to place all the concrete at once a big patio can be broken down into smaller manageable sections using 2×4’s.

Once concrete is in place, you’re stuck with it forever replacement is costly and difficult. Planning is essential for a perfect DIY conrete patio.

Build and install forms, making sure they’re level and properly graded for drainage. To prevent rain puddles from forming, design a 2% slope . Place and level a 4″-6″ bed of gravel you need a gravel base in areas of poor drainage or freezing temperatures. Be sure to compact the gravel base and rent a compacting machine if necessary.

Check gravel thickness with a homemade template that extends down from the tops of the forms 4″ of the finished patio when it just touches the top of the gravel, the base is thick enough. A taller slab will be stronger- we recommend 4″ thick. Let the gravel extend under the edges of the forms.

If the patio will abut an existing concrete patio or slab, install isolation-joint strips. Attach the strips flush with the top of an existing slab using hardened concrete nails or construction adhesive.

Don’t Miss: Lawn Chair Webbing Material