Whatever space you choose should be roomy enough to move around in comfortably and hold a few pieces of patio furniture, along with any guests you might be entertaining in the future. [2] X Research source Consider drainage issues, such as runoff from the patio surface and edges, to ensure water won’t pool on the patio. If you’ll be installing an awning or overhang, consider whether you’ll also need gutters or downspouts to direct the water away from the patio. It’s also important to check the area so you can plan ahead and ensure your pavers will fit. [3] X Expert Source Tony HoangLandscaping Manager Expert Interview. 1 November 2022.
Put your existing outdoor furniture into storage for now—you can replace it later once the patio is finished. If your designated patio area is covered with mulch, remove it to another part of the garden.
When building a patio with a curved perimeter, bend a garden hose into shape and use it to serve as a rough visual aid. [6] X Research source
Build your patio along the contours of a winding walkway or in a small alcove where it would be difficult to find space for a traditional square or rectangular setup. Whatever shape you decide on for your patio should make sense visually within your yard as a whole. If you’ll be adding an awning or overhang, make sure this structure is in place (and meets proper load and weight requirements) before building the patio.
Keep in mind that more complex arrangements will likely require you to cut or otherwise modify the pavers in order to get them to fit. For this, you will need a circular saw with a diamond tip. Make sure to set the paver on a non-slip mat before beginning to cut as this will help to keep the paver in place during cutting and prevent any accidents. [8] X Expert Source Tony HoangLandscaping Manager Expert Interview. 1 November 2022.
In the U. S. , call the digline at “811. ” They’ll talk you through the steps you need to take to dig safely and even contact the correct utility company to mark buried lines on your property. If past residents have made adjustments or additions to the utilities, you may need to contact a landscaping or excavating service to help you find each point of service.
Since most pavers are 3 inches thick, you will need, the remaining 9 inches of the hole will be filled with gravel and paver sand to help secure everything in place. [11] X Expert Source Tony HoangLandscaping Manager Expert Interview. 1 November 2022. You can use a tiller to break up the soil first and make it easier to hand shovel the required depth and remove by wheel barrow. Large areas may require a skid steer or mini-excavator or tractor with a backhoe and front bucket attachment. When it’s complete, your paver patio should sit at or slightly above ground level. [12] X Research source
Ensure the slope angles away from the patio and add drainage if necessary. You may be able to get by with a perfectly level patio if you live in a place with a hot, dry climate, or if you’ve elected to place the patio beneath an overhang.
Take a few moments to check whether your lighting elements are functional. Otherwise, you’ll just have to dig them back up if something goes wrong later on.
As an optional step, you can also roll out a sheet of landscaping fabric at this point to act as a buffer for weeds and prevent them from taking root beneath the gravel base. [16] X Research source
Snip a corner off of the bag and sift it slowly, guiding it from one side of the pit to the other.
Rather than dumping in all of the sand at once, proceed a few feet at a time—pouring, smoothing, and repeating.
Use photos of completed patios as a reference when figuring out the placement of your pavers. It will take longer to embed raw stones or pavers with natural finishes, as they’ll need to be adjusted to the right height individually. [23] X Research source
Keep uniformly-shaped pavers as close together as possible. Leaving space between them not only requires more joint sand to fill in the gaps, it also reduces shifting later when the joint sand loosens or is washed or blown away.
Adjust the amount of substrate in a given section as needed by tamping or redistributing it. For a flat ground patio, look for the substrate to be as level as possible before proceeding. [25] X Research source
When you come to a paver that won’t fit, mark it with a piece of chalk so you’ll know where you need to cut. Always wear gloves, a face mask, and ear and eye protection anytime you’re working with power saws. [28] X Research source
Don’t attempt to secure the pavers by simply stomping on them. This may cause them to sink too deep, or knock them out of alignment. If you find that the pavers are sitting unevenly, you may need to work them deeper into the substrate by hand.
Jointing sand can offer a permanent alternative to ordinary sand. This substance contains additives that form a solid bond after being exposed to moisture. Vacuum up any stubborn sand that collects where it’s not supposed to, or use a leaf blower to blast it out into the far reaches of the yard.
Wet the patio every hour for the first 3 hours to accelerate the compacting process.
Paver patio sealer can be found at home improvement stores. [33] X Research source
