There is nothing like being able to enjoy some nice summer weather on a new patio. This has been on our list of "must-do's" since we moved into our home last year, so knocking it out this past month has been a big victory.
We decided to go with a fairly large patio, built with pavers. It is over 400 square feet. It sits at the base of the deck we built last year, so it makes for a very complete backyard setup.
We decided to go with a fairly large patio, built with pavers. It is over 400 square feet. It sits at the base of the deck we built last year, so it makes for a very complete backyard setup.
We started by renting a sod cutter in order to remove all of the grass. Fortunately, we a large area in need of new sod, so we were able to transplant everything.
Once the sod was removed, we dug it out a little bit more and framed it up using pressure treated lumber. The frame is about level with the surrounding grass, so the patio will sit almost flush with the yard.
Once the sod was removed, we dug it out a little bit more and framed it up using pressure treated lumber. The frame is about level with the surrounding grass, so the patio will sit almost flush with the yard.
Once we had the frame up, we laid down several yards of gravel for a base. We rented a compactor in order to make it level, and well, compacted.
Once the gravel was nice and compacted down, we added several yards of sand in order to lay the pavers down. Originally we thought his would only take about a yard of sand, but in reality it took at least two. A lot of sand certainly settled into the gravel, which is good for the base but we didn't plan for that and had to buy more (something to think about if you're planning on doing the same thing).
Once the sand was down, we screeded it a long 2X4 to get it as level as possible.
Once the sand was down, we screeded it a long 2X4 to get it as level as possible.
We had 400 pavers delivered to our house, so we had to carry them around to the backyard in order to lay them all down. That took a bit of time and energy, and was almost as difficult as moving all of that sod from one side of the yard to the other.
Once everything was in place, laying them down was relatively easy work. The difficult part was making sure that it was as level as possible and that the lines stayed straight. This is probably impossible to do perfectly, but we certainly made a DIY effort.
Once everything was in place, laying them down was relatively easy work. The difficult part was making sure that it was as level as possible and that the lines stayed straight. This is probably impossible to do perfectly, but we certainly made a DIY effort.
Once all the pavers were down, we decided to grout with polymeric sand in order to lock it all in as much as possible. This kind of sand actually hardens like cement (though it isn't nearly as solid).
So far, the new patio has been incredible. It has given us a great place to hang out in the yard while Sammy plays. It has held up very well for the few weeks that we've been using it and we plan on being able to enjoy it for years to come.
So far, the new patio has been incredible. It has given us a great place to hang out in the yard while Sammy plays. It has held up very well for the few weeks that we've been using it and we plan on being able to enjoy it for years to come.
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