Saturday, March 23, 2024
HomeBuildHow To Do A Stone Patio

How To Do A Stone Patio

Create Patio Pavers Using A Mold And Concrete Mix

How to Install a Natural Stone Patio – Do It Yourself

Have you ever seen paver patios or garden paths that look like perfectly matching puzzle pieces? Its no coincidence that the pieces complement each other so well. The pavers or flagstones have either been chosen very carefully or theyve been created to fit a particular pattern right from the start. Some patio pavers and stepping stones are actually quite deceiving in this sense as theyre actually created using a mold and concrete mix. Curious how that works? Check out this mold from luxberra.

Natural Stone Patio Pros And Cons

A final option to consider is a natural stone patio. In Alexandria, Arlington, and Springfield, VA, the main stone used for patios is flagstone. Flagstone patios can have a very natural look and fit in quite nicely with many of the colonial homes in our area.

Because they have such a classic look, theyll work with new construction, as well, without fear of going out of style. Lets look at some additional pros and cons of a natural stone patio.

Laying Stone Patio Overview

Sketch out the project on graph paper first to minimize cuts, stagger the joints, and estimate how much amterial you’ll need. Bluestone comes in rectangles and squaresfrom 1- to 4-foot-square peices., in 6-inch increments. One ton of stone dust, for a 1-inch setting bed, will cover about 200 square feet. A ton of pack laid at 3-inches will cover 75 sqaure feet.


Align delivered stone near the side where you will finish the patio so you don’t have to retrieve materials over just laid stones.

Rent a skid-steer loader to clear away debris and dig the patio base.

Locate and mark any in-ground gas, electric, water or phone lines by spray-painting the ground.

If you live where the ground freezes or drains poorly, dig down at least 12 inches to save your new patio from being heaved by frost. Those living in mild climates where the soil is sandy and drains well should excavate down to 6 inches.

Step 2

Drive 3-foot stakes into the ground 1 foot outside the corners of the patio area.


Set a builder’s level in the middle. Find a benchmarka spot where the patio meets the house. Look through the level’s scope while a helper holds a leveling rod at the benchmark and moves the rod’s marker until it falls in the scope’s crosshairs.

Then, at any stake, have your helper, with the marker at the established point, move the rod up or down until the marker falls in the crosshairs.

Dig 6 to 12 inches below finish grade to reach the subgrade. Tamp it with a plate compactor.

Step 3

Read Also: How Many Bags Of Concrete For Patio

Install: You Can Mix It Up

Theres no rule that a flagstone patio has to be made up of only flagstones. You can save time and money by mixing flagstones with concrete or clay pavers.


Use flagstones to highlight a seating area or just the path between the seating and cooking areas. You can create a flagstone accent in the center of your patio and surround it with standard pavers, creating a unique patio design that fits your use of the space. There are infinite possibilities available by combining materials, and you get the look and beauty of the natural stone while not blowing your budget.

Overview Of Stone Pavers

Ask The Builder: Paving a patio is job most do

A stone, or paver stone, patio is a beautiful way to make your outdoor living area the talk of the neighborhood. This type of patio is considered a higher end patio in both look, design and cost, very similar to stamped concrete pads. Still, at an average cost of $14 per square foot, theyre more affordable than a composite deck, which averages about $26 per square foot.

Patios built with paver stones can be spruced up by adding an outdoor kitchen, a natural or gas firepit, lighting, and even possibly stone benches or other sitting areas. Keep in mind that each additional feature or add-on feature will add cost to the overall project beyond the prices given above.

Generally speaking, installing a stone patio is a very labor intensive project that requires much digging, lifting, and maneuvering of stone pavers into place. Stone pavers used in building a stone patio are available in many sizes and shapes that give you design options for a customized appearance. Many homeowners use paver stones, such as flagstone pavers, of varying sizes to create a uniquely styled patio area.

You May Like: How To Install Umbrella Lights


How To Build A Raised Patio On A Slope

There are three ways you can build a raised patio on a slope.

#1: Either you remove dirt from the back area of your slope and build a retaining wall to keep the dirt OUT of your raised patio area, or

#2: You add dirt in to raise and build up the whole level of the raised patio and build your retaining wall in the front to keep the dirt IN!

#3. The third option is rarer, but it does happen. This happens when the area you want to build your raised patio on is already level. In that case, youd build your retaining wall all the way around, leaving room for an entry and/or steps.

First, wed recommend that you determine the final height you want your raised patio to be, because that dictates the kind of raised patio with retaining wall youll build!


For more details on how to build a raised patio on a slope, read on!

Pavers Around Pool Cost

The average cost to install pavers around a pool is $12 to $25 per square foot or between $5,000 and $20,000 due to the curved layout and design patterns. Pavers are not slippery unless sealed, easy to fix, and won’t crack like concrete. Plus, it’s easy to expand the patio in the future.

Be sure to choose pavers made to withstand pool chemicals, water, and UV rays.

Also Check: How To Identify Vintage Wrought Iron Patio Furniture

Additional Patio Paver Options

  • Rubber pavers cost $2 to $6 per square foot on average. They’re easy to install and dont need a completely flat surface. They’re durable against high traffic and slip-resistant. However, the color may fade over time, and they won’t increase your resale value.
  • Plastic pavers cost $2 to $8 per square foot and are mostly used for looks. They’re hollow inside and dont hold up well to more than light pedestrian traffic. Installation is easy in soft soil but difficult in hard ground. Plastic paver grids cost $0.50 $2 per square foot and either hold gravel or give the grass a pattern to grow through.
  • Patio paver blocks cost $2 to $8 per square foot on average. Block paving bricks are typically made from concrete, which looks like several bricks in one unit. Blocks save on installation time, and the cost is cheaper than stamped concrete.
  • Interlocking paver blocks cost $2 to $8 per square foot on average and typically come pre-sealed. They are installed quickly, can be used immediately, are stronger than a concrete slab, require little maintenance, and last up to 30 years.
  • Modular pavers cost $2 to $7 per square foot on average. Modular pavers concrete blocks are made to a specific mold designed to fit in a repeated pattern.

Retail Stone Pavers Patio Costs

How to Build a Paver Patio
  • $2.00 $3.50 per Square Foot | Stone Pavers
  • $1.00 $2.00 per Square Foot | Gravel to supply a stable base. Price will depend on the thickness of the layer, delivery charges and amount of gravel used cost per square foot goes down the more gravel you purchase, especially if delivered.
  • $0.10 $0.20 per Square Foot | Leveling Sand This sand is used on top of gravel because it drains well and doesnt heave with frosts.
  • $40 $100 per Day | Sod Cutter Rentaland Plate Compactor from a local home improvement store or landscape supply company. $15 $50 per 100 Square Foot Roll | Landscape Fabric. Options vary by material and thickness.
  • $12 $40 Each | Hand tools such as a sod knife and flat spade

Also Check: How To Fix Broken Umbrella Pole


Pay Attention To All The Details

Once youre done digging out the area and preparing the base for your patio, its time to actually add the pavers and make everything come together. Although this sounds pretty simple, its important to pay attention to all the details and to do everything right from the first try so you dont have to redo any of the work. If youre using concrete interlocking pavers, this youtube tutorial might give you some extra tips and pointers on how to install them.

A Simple Stone Paver Patio

A simple stone paver patio may not stand out much but beneath the surface, theres a lot of work to be done. First, theres digging to be done, then you need to layout the landscaping fabric, to level the gravel on top, then to add a layer of sand, and only after all of this you can actually start laying the pavers. All the effort is of course worth it. If you want to find out more about what each of these steps entails, check out the complete tutorial on instructables.

Recommended Reading: Lawn Chair Webbing Material

How To Install Stone Pavers

Use a mallet to hammer in the pavers to use as stepping stones. Fill in a small area, and then, check to see that they are even. Remember, you want a slight slope for drainage. Make any necessary adjustments with the rubber mallet.

Lay the Pavers

Watch video of this step.


With a firm, flat base prepared, you’re ready for the pavers. Start in the corner, setting each paver into the sand by tapping it lightly with a rubber mallet .

Using the set pavers as stepping stones. Fill in a small area then check with a level to make sure they are even. Remember, you want a slight slope for drainage. Make adjustments with the rubber mallet .

If a paver is too low, remove it, add sand and reset. Following the pattern you dry laid earlier, it won’t take much time to finish setting the pavers.

Cost Comparison Paver Patio Vs Natural Stone Patio

Build a Beautiful Stone and Brick Backyard Patio (With ...

Welcome to the world of Outdoor Living, the fastest growing segment in the green industry. That was BEFORE the CoVid pandemic of 2020. After the pandemic, the growth rates will be even more accelerated as homeowners near Sparta, NJ, Blairstown, NJ, and nationwide turn to their own properties for respite instead of the worldly travels they perhaps were used to enjoying before 2020. This means there will be more demand, which means more startup companies, more manufactures, and more information all around. The trouble is that most of the time this just adds to confusion for homeowners looking to hire a Landscape Designer as they are met with an almost paralyzing amount of information that doesnt quite answer the most common questions.

I answer questions daily from potential clients, social media users, and viewers of our YouTube channel regarding material selections, pricing, techniques, and long term maintenance requirements. I am honored that our brand equity has instilled such confidence in the world. I am here to help homeowners gain peace of mind and clarity, without sacrificing core values, by providing well planned environments, which bring them closer to nature.

One of the top questions I receive is about the costs associated with creating areas using different materials. Lets take a moment and review some of the options and what goes into each.

Read Also: How To Paint Wrought Iron Patio Furniture

Mark Out The Outside Dimensions

You can build an amazing-looking and long-lasting paver patio even if you dont have any experience with this sort of project. Follow these steps and you should be able to pull it off without any complications: mark out the outside dimensions of the project area and then dig out the area to a depth of 4 to 7 inches. Install edge restraints, add a layer of gravel, compact it, then a layer of patio paver sand, and level it. Its then time to install the pavers. We found this particular youtube tutorial to be very helpful and informative.

Prep The Patio Paver Area

The prep involved will depend on your area, but basically, you will need to use a shovel to dig down at least 6 into the soil.

If you find a lot of larger rocks as youre digging, I recommend digging several inches deeper in order to remove them.

Youll also want to make sure you get rid of any tree roots that are impeding into the space you have planned for your patio.

Read Also: Sundance Louvered Roof Reviews

Build A Patio From Scratch

The finished project only shows a small portion of what the patio is actually made of. The brick or pavers that you see are only added at the very end and theres actually the least important part of the project. The base beneath is pretty complex and its important to have a basic understanding of all the layers and the prep work that go into it in order for this to be a successful project. Check out this video on to learn from professionals how to build a patio from scratch.

How To Flagstone Patio Diy: 5 Things Homeowners Need To Know

How To Create A Stone Patio With Pavers (COMPLETE Tutorial)

Flagstone patios make a unique design statement in your outdoor living space. Because theyre 100% natural stone , they offer one of a kind color combinations and shapes. If youre thinking of using them for a patio space, you will need to build some flexibility into your patterns.

Their uniqueness as a material is wonderful from a design aspect but does present a few challenges when it comes to working with them on a DIY project. Features like their distinct colors and shapes, and cost need to be taken into consideration before adding them to any patio project.

Here are some things homeowners need to know about using flagstone pavers to build patios, and some suggestions to make working with these beautiful stones easier.

You May Like: Wrought Iron Patio Furniture Colors

Create A Custom Paver Patio

One of the best things about DIY projects is that you can let your creativity go wild. Room For Tuesday shares how to install a custom paver patio, and you can simply adjust the instructions to fit the size and design of your garden. One of their top tips is to try this project in cooler temperatures or in the evening. Otherwise, youll find this project to be a lot more challenging and unenjoyable. Remember, though, you can save yourself thousands of dollars by tackling this project yourself, so its certainly worth the hard work.

Secure The Concrete Pavers In Place And Fill The Gaps

Once you have finished each section and the pavers have all been laid, make sure none of the paver stones wobble. Youll want to check this before filling the joints.

I had about five that had some wobble and just about every time, the culprit was a raised bit of larger gravel that had been pulled near the surface. The concrete paver stone was resting awkwardly on the raised gravel.

The way to fix this is to gently remove the paver and check for the larger gravel that is raised. Remove it and fill in the hole with sand. Carefully place the paver back down into position.

If you dont see any gravel, then something in that spot isnt level. It could be that theres a bit of a bump, or just one edge needs a little more sand. Use the float to level it and place the paver back into place.

With all the pavers set as you need them, you can start filling in the gaps. Use the square nosed shovel to scoop the sand or paver dust and place it into the joints, but only add about ½- ¾ of the paver dust/sand.

Try to distribute it evenly between them. You can use a hand spade and/or a broom to help with this.

Now finish filling in the gaps with your decorative top layer. I used marble chips.

Spread these evenly throughout, but be sure to leave them recessed about ¼ from the top so you dont end up with a big mess of overflowing joint filler.

Those are all the steps! Now youll be ready to entertain on your new concrete paver patio!

Don’t Miss: How To Make A Paver Patio On A Slope

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.

How To Make Stepping Stones With Quickrete

How to Build A Paver Patio

You need molds, quickrete concrete mix, and decorations. I suggest you get a lot of molds if you are going to make a big patio because dividing up a big heavy bag of concrete is not super easy. A large 80-pound bag of quickrete will make 26 of these little 11 inch stones. If you do the 11-inch ones as we did, you need 13 rows of 13 to make one 10 foot by 10-foot pad.

The price for making a homemade stepping stone, although its a LOT of manual labor, is far less expensive than buying them. When we made this, it cost us less than 20 cents per stone to make them. Thats a substantial savings.

You May Like: Sliding Patio Door Lock Jammed


RELATED ARTICLES

Most Popular