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How To Lay Patio Stones

How To Build A Pavers Patio

How To Lay Patio Stones

Not really sold on the idea of a flagstone patio? If you prefer something somewhat similar but a bit more organized, perhaps youd like to lay some pavers instead. Patio pavers can be arranged in all sorts of different patterns, some of which look quite interesting. The tutorial from creativeunravelings comes with a complete list of materials and tools needed for this whole project. It includes things like brick pavers , gravel, fine sand, wood stakes, a shovel, and several other items.

How Is The Weather

Understanding the climate around your home is important in patio planning. Two factorsthe path of the sun over your house and the prevailing wind directiongovern the warmth or coolness of your outdoor room. If you know what to expect from the weather around you, you can plan a patio that will be enjoyable over a longer outdoor season.

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Can You Lay Flagstone Directly On Dirt

Stepping Stones and Patio Flooring


Consider using flagstones that are at least 1-1/2 inches thick as stepping stones or patio flooring. With the latter, flagstones can be laid directly in soil or a bed of sand. Thinner slabs should be laid in wet mortar or concrete to prevent cracking when stepped on.

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Diy Front Path Makeover

As you can see, a lot of inspiration regarding DIY paver patio installation comes from projects focused on pathways. Another example comes from;zenshmen where you can witness the transformation of what used to plain and boring concrete path into one that features stepping stones and gravel and has a more zen and overall beautiful look. Check out the full article to find out all the ups and downs of this project.

Order The Base Materials And Stone

How to Install A Custom Paver Patio

It’s what’s underneath that counts. Stone and brick are what you see, but the landscape fabric, gravel and sand are what hold them together and make your patio last.

Landscape fabric stabilizes the soil underneath the gravel base by keeping them apart while allowing water to drain through. We used 12-1/2 ft. wide, heavy, woven stabilization fabric purchased from our stone supplier. If this isn’t available, use the widest landscape fabric you can find.


Class V limestone forms the foundation of our patio, but there may be different materials available in your region. Any granular fill will work as long as the size of the granules ranges from 3/4 in. down to a powder and they’re angular, not smooth and round. These qualities allow the fill to be tightly packed for a firm base that allows water to drain through. A mixture of recycled concrete and asphalt is widely available and is a good substitute for Class V.

Depending on your soil, you’ll need a4- to 10-in. thick layer of gravel. Sandy soils require less gravel than soils with organic matter or clay. Gravel is sold by the ton or cubic yard. One cubic yard covers about 50 sq. ft. at a 6-in. depth by the time it’s compacted and weighs 1-1/2 tons. We used 12 tons of gravel.

Coarse washed sand is spread over the gravel in a 1-in. layer to form a setting bed for the stone and brick, and later to fill the cracks between the bricks and stone. We used 5 tons of sand.

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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 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 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.

What Does A Luxe Patio Installation Cost

If youre scoping costs for a luxurious patio installation, youve probably already considered that its going to increase the value of your home it can be worth it to install a high-end patio if you are planning to sell, but know that buyers arent always looking for that and may not appreciate the investment at face value.

A luxe patio is likely constructed of a high-quality stone or paver, and many would agree that the pattern created with those materials results in a stand-out design for ones home. Its often the arrangement of the stones that creates the first impression. High-end patios also have a higher tendency to incorporate out of the ordinary features; you should consult with a professional just like you would do for an indoor remodel to get an expert point-of-view when it comes to incorporating the features that make an ordinary patio one-of-a-kind.

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How To Create A Rock Patio

The thing about a rock patio is that it has to be practical so using the exact same strategy from a garden pathway project is not always the best idea, especially if it means placing a bunch of flagstone pieces or stepping stones on a bed of gravel. The alternative would be using a special type of sand which is sort of the equivalent of the grout used on backsplashes and counters. Find out more about this on gingersnapcrafts.

Enjoy Relaxing On Your Paver Patio

How To Lay Patio Stones

After following our thirty tips to ensure the success of your DIY paver patio, its time to sit back and relax. Bob Vila shares how to create an outdoor patio that even a completely inexperienced DIYer will enjoy creating. Youll create professional results that will make the perfect space that youll enjoy spending time with your family and friends in this summer. Whether you just want a sun-soaked spot to read a book or somewhere to entertain your family and friends, its the perfect option for your next garden makeover.

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Calculating The Amount Of Paving Stone Needed

It is a simple thing if you are familiar with the term square foot. You can measure the length and width of the area to cover in paving in a unit of the foot. Now, multiply length with a width and get the total square footage of your construction area.

Now, obtain from your stone supplier the paver coverage rate, which is depending on the size and shape of paving stones. Take care to buy additional material up to 5-10% to fit the curves and odd spaces.


Are You Searching For Natural Stone Pavers

Now, how will you count the depth?

  • For foot traffic count 4 to 6 depth of base material
  • For vehicles, traffic counts up to 12 depth of base depending on the sub-base material. For soft clay land, it is more profound than harder soil.
  • Similarly, cold-weather regions demand a thicker
  • Count 1 to 1.5 sand bed on the top of the compact base
  • Add the thickness of the paving stones you have selected. You can ask your supplier. Generally, it is in a range of 2 3/8 to 3 1/8
  • Now, take the sum of the thickness of all layers and excavate the same depth following the marks you have made on stacks. You must measure the depth from the marks to assure the slope you have defined.
  • Cover 6 to 12 space beyond boundaries for installation of edge restraints.
  • Edging will save materials and stones from scattering due to load/pressure.
  • Level the surface of the bottom soil once you achieve the desired depth to fill up the uneven Use the appropriate amount of water to wet the sub-soil and compact it with the compactor.

You will find an overall picture as mentioned in the picture above.

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Install 1 Of Leveling Sand

Actually, you dont want to use sand because youll need to walk on this layer a lot, and as you know, sand moves when you walk on it. So instead, youll want to use some crushed rock that includes the screenings.

Where Im from, the best stuff to use is called Decomposed Granite . This stuff looks similar to sand, but it packs down much better so you can walk on it. Since its composed of both bigger pieces of sand and fine dust, its able to pack down similar to dirt, but its still easy to level out, and weeds have a hard time growing in it.


Since this is the final layer before you start laying stones, youll want to make sure its flat and graded properly. So, use a mason line tied between stakes in the ground and a line level to set the grading just right and ensure a flat patio.

Once its level, spray with the hose to get it damp and pack it down thoroughly. Level again if you have to.

How To Lay A Patio

How to Install a Flagstone Paver Patio

Our useful how to lay patio laying guide will give you all the information you need to install our range of paving products, if you choose to do-it-yourself.

Ensure you read our advice before beginning work on your new design project this will mean you are fully prepared and have everything to hand, ready to complete your perfect garden.

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Roll Out Landscape Fabric

  • Add a layer of landscape fabric over the tamped soil.
  • Note: The purpose of the landscape fabric is to prevent the sand from mixing in with the soil. But its important to use a non-woven fabric, as woven landscape fabric isnt very permeable and can trap water under your patio. Look for fabric with at least a 20-year life span.

Lock The Bricks With Sand

Spread;sand over the bricks, then sweep across the patio surface with a push broom to work the sand into the cracks. Sweep in multiple directions to reach all cracks, adding sand as you go until the cracks are filled. Gently spray the patio with a garden hose to settle the sand in the cracks. Spread and sweep more sand into the cracks, and spray again, until the cracks are completely filled and the sand is settled.;

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Remove The Grass Around The Space

The very first step is that you have to remove any grass that grows around the desired space where you want to build the patio. You have to make sure that youre not only removing the grass that comes out from the dirt but the root as well. If you leave the root system of the grass behind, they may grow back on the patio.

Prepare these materials:

In order o make the pavers inline properly, you have to level the land instead of placing them directly. Using clean fill dirt which is free from debris, organic matters, and toxins are highly recommended since it offers you a much better result.

  • Fill the area that you have marked with the clean fill dirt.
  • Make sure that the dirt perfectly reaches your desired height or you may want to make the level of the dirt a little bit higher than the twine since the compacting step may lower the dirt.

Different Styles Of Paving

How To Lay A Stone Paver Walkway With Patio Stones

There are a bamboozling range of different paving available for your patio project. As well a learning how to build a patio, you will need to select the right style for you. It is essential you study the costs of different materials to find the right ones to suit your budget. Our guide will show you how to lay a patio on sand, or how to lay a patio without cement. You might want simple slabbing, block paving or even costly flagstone paving. Modern or traditional, follow our work steps and youll get the job completed well.;

You might want to add some additional features to your patio project. It might be an idea to plan space for possible future projects like a lawn, a greenhouse, shed or even your own goldfish pond. Even if its a stone pizza oven or barbecue, you will need to take account of the space you will need, and where the feature will go. If you already have these items, do they need to be moved or stored? These are considerations you will need to make.;

Preparation is key to completing the project. You may know how to lay a patio on sand but getting the ground prepared is essential. You may need to lift existing slabbing or turf. You might need to break up slabs or concrete. The new build may require new skills like learning how to lay a patio without cement. Either way, youll need to make decisions on how to remove unwanted material or structures from your existing space.;

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Lay The Patio Foundation

If your patio will receive heavy use during its lifecycle you will require at least 75mm of hardcore beneath the cement and sand mix. This finely crushed stone and brick layer should be laid a compacted thoroughly to ensure a solid and stable foundation.;

Measure the volumes of the required sand, cement and hardcore prior to ordering material. You can usually buy this by the ton or half ton from a building supplier.;

You may need to hire some specialist tools to get the foundation flat and compact. An electrical or petrol vibrating compactor is best to achieve a solid and stable base. If laid properly, your patio will remain properly in place for may years to come.;

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Manufactured Concrete Cobbles That Come In Mats

Paver patios are definitely practical but laying each paver by hand, one by one gets really annoying quickly. You can make things easier by opting for the more time-saving and practical alternative: manufactured concrete cobbles that come in the form of mats, very much like mosaic backsplash tiles. Theyre super easy to install. Once youve arranged all the mats and filled all the gaps, you just pour grout over everything and you spread it evenly. Youll probably need a few more details so be sure to check out thisoldhouse.

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Brick Paver Installation Cost

The average cost to install brick pavers for a patio is approximately $4,620. For an average 280 square foot patio, the cost for your project may be as low as $2,240 or as high as $7,000. Overall, you can expect to pay around $8 to $25 per square foot for brick pavers.

The following table shows the average cost per square foot:

Square Foot
$4,000 $12,500

If you have a larger project or you need additional prep work, expect to pay even more. Special features or certain customizations can push your project cost to $10,000 or higher. If you want to use a natural stone or something high end, it will run closer to $50 per square foot for the materials alone.

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Lay The Concrete Pavers

Easier Paver Patio Base That Will Save Your Back

Cut your spacer down to the size you have planned for your joint width.

In the photo above, my metal bars are diagonal because I needed to slope my patio in two directions. I thought it would make it easier this way, but I ended up pulling them out and keeping them straight. It was easy enough to follow the slope lines with the strings.

Lay one the first spacer down, and use a squaring tool to lay down a crossing spacer. Then carefully place your first concrete paver against the two spacers.;

Repeat, using the spacers to lay more concrete pavers. Remember, you can walk on these as you lay them.

My metal bars are lying diagonally in the photo above because I needed to slope my patio in two directions.;

I thought it would make it easier this way, but I ended up pulling them out and keeping them straight. It was easy enough to follow the slope lines with the strings.

Lay one the first spacer down, and use a squaring tool to lay down a crossing spacer. Then go ahead and carefully place your first concrete paver against the two spacers.;

Repeat using the spacers to lay more pavers. Remember, you can walk on these as you lay them.

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