Have you ever dreamt about having an amazing backyard that you can escape to and relax after a long day at work? I know I have, and almost every day. One of the problems is that a lot of homes have a very limited backyard of either a simple patio, or just plain grass. Adding a custom designed patio is very simple, and there is no wrong way to design it. The amount of options you have to choose from between the type of stone, the placement of stone, and the shape of your patio allows for you to truly express yourself. There are some important things to consider before diving into your project. Before you get started, you should know exactly what you want from the shape and size to the patio slabs, to the exact placement and shape of the area.
You should be able to find patio slabs for sale at any local home improvement store like Lowes or Home Depot. Alternatively, you could find a local dealer that specializes in stone that may be able to offer you a better deal. It’s very important know the dimensions of your proposed patio before buying them so you don’t end up with too little or too much material.
To get started, you should find a way to map out the planned patio with either marking spray paint or some sort of rope attached to steaks to represent the boundaries. If you are having trouble figuring out what shape or design you would like, take a look at some examples online. These can provide great ideas to implement into your home and can even serve as a guide line if it fits into your area. Once you have the area determined you will have to clear it and begin building the foundation. A foundation is a very important step, without it your patio slabs may move or shift over time causing an uneven surface.
The first step in creating the foundation is to remove the existing grass, debris, dirt or whatever else may be in the way. It’s best to remove about 4-8 inches down below the surface of where you want the patio to be flush with. This is not an exact depth, and depends on your foundation material and the thickness of your bricks or slabs. The reason for this is because you will need to build up a foundation of compacted dirt and gravel. Once the dirt is removed, flatten the soil by using a shovel or tamping tool. After flattening the surface, make sure that is level because this is the very bottom of your foundation and any mistakes here will only get worse as you complete the process.
The next step is to fill the area with a thick layer of gravel. The best type of gravel to use for this is one with very sharp edges, so that it will dig into the dirt and provide a strong foundation. This layer must also be compacted down, which may be a bit of a trouble if you do not have a gravel compactor. Once this layer is compacted, a thin layer of sand should be placed on top to even out the rough surfaces. If you are designing a patio that is close to, or up against your home you should try to add a gradual slope away from it. This is to make sure that when it rains, the water will flow away from your home instead of into it.
The final part of this process is actually installing the patio paving slabs. This is one of the most difficult steps and requires a little bit of planning. Depending on the type of material you are using, there will be a few different ways to lay them. Different patterns will give the patio a different look and feel, so it’s important to choose this before starting your project. The process it’s self is pretty simple, but you have to be very careful to make sure each slab is going in straight and level. Mortar is used to hold each patio slab in place, if you are using small slabs you should cover the bottom of each. Careful tap each slab down after placing it. To make sure that you are keeping each slab level and straight you can use a level and masons square to check each piece. Also make sure that each neighboring piece is level with the other, this will allow for a uniform and flat surface. To maintain an even spacing between each slab, you can purchase spacers which should be put in between each slab and removed once the mortar is set.
After the slabs have been laid, there are some additional steps you can take. Finishing the patio off with grout will make it much easier to clean and less likely to collect weeds and other debris. This whole process may take a few days, especially if you are trying to create a large patio area. The time invested is well worth it. You can use this method to create just a simple area to put a grill and a chair, or create an elaborate walk way through your garden and backyard. Laying patio slabs can be easy, if you have the right know how and a little creativity you can create the backyard of your dreams.
