Incorporate a stone DIY patio into your backyard or garden for aneasy outdoor roomaddition.
Bricks, pavers, or flagstones can all create sturdy and attractive stone patio designs.
Choose light-colored pavers to reflect heat or darker ones to absorb warmth for cooler evenings.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Rotate the pieces until they fit together, working to create a nearly uniform space between the stones.
Use the following tutorial for how to build aflagstone, brick, or paver patio.
The basic steps for this DIY project are the same for each material.
Dig into the ground to create a base for your patio.Credit: Marty Baldwin
If you’re unsure about thesize of your new patio, build it slightly larger than planned.
Expanding an existing stone patio later can be more difficult than starting with a larger space from the beginning.
Using a sharp garden spade shovel, remove the sod and soil at the patio location.
Place landscape fabric on the ground.Credit: Marty Baldwin
Excavate an 8-inch-deep base plus the thickness of the flagstone, brick, or paver.
If you’re building a patio near your home, slope the site away from your home’s exterior.
Use a level to create a 1-inch drop every 4 feet.
Once all the sod has been removed, use a tamper to compact the dirt.
Although this is not essential, it helps prevent weeds from sprouting between the patio stones.
Landscape fabric is fairly inexpensive and easy to install, so thisweed control methodis well worth it.
Paver Base
If you use a limestone paver base, lightly wet the material with a garden hose.
Use a tamper or a rented plate compactor to create a firm base.
Finish it with leveling sand.
Lay stones on top of the sand.Credit: Marty Baldwin
Start by laying two 1-inch PVC pipes across the length of the area.
These should be cut to size so they fit within the patio base.
Spread 1 inch of leveling sand on top.
Sweep sand between the cracks.Credit: Marty Baldwin
Next, lay your 24 across the PVC pipes and slide the sand across to make it level.
Remove the pipes and fill in the gaps with sand.
Gravel Base
If you’re using gravel, spread a 1-inch-deep layer of builder’s sand on top.
Again, use a tamper or plate compactor to create a smooth surface.
Add sand underneath the stones as necessary to create a nearly level surface.
Place the stones as close together as possible.
Large gaps between stones invite weeds, which will add to the uneven nature of the patio surface.
If desired, and your patio shape allows, install plastic edging around the perimeter of your patio.
Use astiff broomto sweep the sand over the pavers until the cracks are filled.
Remove excess sand using a leaf blower at low speed.
Furnish and Decorate Your Patio
Create a comfortable and welcoming outdoor living area with furnishings and decor.
Awater featureadds peaceful sound to a backyard, especially helpful if neighbors or passing cars create noise.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it’s less expensive to build your own patio.
The average cost to build a patio varies greatly depending on the materials you use for your patio.
For example, brick pavers will be more costly than concrete.
