How to Build an Easy DIY Patio to Upgrade Your Backyard

DIY Stone Patio: How to Build a Stone and Brick Patio Depending on your location, you might spend a lot more or a lot less as you figure out how to build a patio to your style. Pack the sand or stone dust into place with either an ice scraper or a mason's trowel like the one we Helpful hints used. When all the joints are full, sweep any of the excess off the patio, then rinse the surface with a gentle spray of water from a garden hose. Avoid spraying a strong stream right into the joints because this will flush out the packed sand or stone dust.

Lay Bricks Along Layout Lines

Work in sections to ensure the sand is level with your slope. You can use a piece of rebar or 1-inch pipe to create manageable sections. As you pour the sand into the area, pull a two-by-four across the top to level and screed the sand. Bricks can be placed in various patterns to give some oomph to your patio flooring, and this classic option can last over 100 years.

Make sure you are committed to the location of your patio, and then mark it off with stakes and string.Hammer them in until they are at least a foot into the earth.Consider adding a border for aesthetics and stability, then fasten it with adhesive or spikes.Call your city office to learn about all building code requirements, zoning laws, or land use restrictions that may apply to your project.Use the float to level it and place the paver back into place.Use concrete pavers or another edging material to define the patio's edge.

Once you have your design down and your materials ordered, it's helpful to dry lay your slabs out first to check that everything fits together seamlessly. Transform your outdoor living space in just one weekend. The string line should represent the slope and will be your guide throughout the project. You can build your DIY backyard patio in just one weekend with some patience and careful measurements. Here’s how to build a patio you and your family will love.

How to Prep for Building a Patio

Establish the patio height with strings stretched across the edges of the patio. Set the strings parallel to the gravel base and at a height equal to the thickness of a brick (not a stone) plus a 1-in. The next step in the project is to lay the stone border. If you don’t want to wait for one to mature, opt for a potted version you can move around. A standard deck or patio umbrella, or market umbrella, can offer a much-needed reprieve from the sun. Most will fit through a hole in a table, shading diners. Offset models can stand freely with an umbrella hanging from an over-arching arm.