regard a DIY patio sand - set over a crushed rock subbase for a backyard refresh that does n’t require messy cement or weeks of labor . Sand - set ( sometimes shout out dry - set ) installations are much light to build than mortared surface . They do n’t require specialized skills , and because there ’s no concrete postulate , they are less expensive . Plus , the crushed rock ensures good drainage . A properly bedded sand - based paver patio will last for years and require slight or no maintenance .
Before you begin building a paver patio set in sand , take your land site measurements with you when you ’re quick to ordain the pavement . Your dealer will help you win over those measuring to stick , sand , and paving quantities . Remember to buy extra pavers to cover breakage and error , and to stack away in case a paver or two needs replacing in the future tense .
Soil condition will influence the twist of your project . Sandy soils drain very chop-chop but are soft . Clay is heavy and does n’t drain well . Contact your county extension position or edifice section for tips about the climate , landscape gardening , stain , and other information relevant to your emplacement .
Credit: Ed Gohlich
Thepatio sand - set edifice methoddescribed in this article is for a square design , but the cognitive operation can be used to make any rectilineal shape . Because the brick are n’t mortar in place , a sand - based terrace is very forgiving to the inexperienced detergent builder or set about DIYer .
What You’ll Need
Equipment / Tools
Materials
Instructions
How to Build a Paver Patio with a Sand Base
Before you begin , plan the patio internet site , choose materials , and make plans . You ’ll need about three days to lie down out and excavate a 12x14 - foot site .
Prepare the Bed
adumbrate the chassis and size of it of the patio . If you plan to include right angle , learn them cautiously for accuracy . As you determine the precise size , you ’ll call for to prepare for the paver you intend to expend , ensuring there will be way for all the pavers in your traffic pattern . Allow for a flyspeck infinite between pavers cause by the lack of uniformness from one paver to the next .
Once the patio has been laid out , use a mattock and spadeful to dig out an area equal to the sizing of the patio and about 5 - 1/2 inches rich . If you ’re removing turf to make way for a patio , use excavated healthy sward topatch other lawn areasor create a new area of G .
Cut Landscape Fabric
measuring and cut out a large man of landscape framework to incubate the patio . Thisprevents weedsfrom working their way up through the crushed rock . This might postulate several pieces of landscaping material , depending on the sizing of your patio and the cloth roll .
Establish the First Corner
Lay out a 2x6 vertical to the house and cut the lumber so it ends where you want the patio ’s border to be . ordinate the circuit board with the string guide . Drive a interest on the outside to hold it in place and cop the wager to the board .
Build the Rest of the Frame
cover to make the grit - based terrace chassis with the 2x6s , overlapping the corners as express . Before you cop each board , use the triangulation method tomake sure that everything is hearty . Otherwise , the pavers wo n’t fit evenly . Once the frame is work up , set stakes against the outside of the 2x6s every few feet to hold it steadfastly in place .
Add Gravel and Level It
First , send a small-arm of elaboration joint cloth between the menage and the terrace arena . Then pelt in enough gravel to cater a deepness of about 1 inch throughout . Next , make a screed with a short section of 1x4 or other bit lumber . start out at the house , scrape the crushed rock until it is level from side to side and gradually splatter toward the opposite end of the terrace .
Prepare a Sand Bed
sum up a layer of builder sandpaper on top of the crushed rock . To aim the sand depth , subtract your pavers ' thickness from 4 - 1/2 column inch . Next , make a second screed by notch a long 2x6 to the depth of the pavers , then level the sand . If the frame ’s top was set at the appropriate slope , the sand will be at the right slant too .
Add Pavers
set up terrace pavers in your desired radiation diagram , fitting them snugly together to guarantee good stability . ( This is not the time to change pattern because if you do , the pavers might not fit . ) escape drawstring from one close of the patio to the other to organize a guide personal line of credit . This will avail keep the pavers straight .
As you move around in the area , keep your knee on the sand rather than on the newly laid pavers because the pavers wo n’t be stable until the orbit is completely fill . It ’s much easier to re - screed modest area of disturbed guts .
Stabilize with More Sand
After all the pavers are in place , cast aside smattering of sand over the total country . Then , put to work from one end , use a kitchen broom to gently sweep the moxie down into the fracture between the pavers . Spray the total terrace with a mist to aid fall the gumption . permit the moxie to dry . Then add a 2d layer of gumption , sweep it into place , and wet it down . reprize this appendage a hebdomad afterwards or whenever you palpate a paver wobble .
Bonus Tips and Tricks for Building a Patio that’s Sand-Set
Slope the Lines for Proper Drainage
patio and course must incline 1/4 inch for every direct foot to offer proper drainage . appraise the distance of the mason ’s parentage between the stakes in feet , then multiply by 1/4 . On the low stake , move the level cable down by that much .
How to Screed the Sand
Screed the sand to a coherent level by setting a farseeing 2x4 on the edge forms . Pull the screed across the open in a seesaw movement ; you ’ll need a helper for large area . Then fill in depressions , mute the sand , and tamp it . When the internet site is level , fill the recesses with sand , and tamp down again .
How to Determine the Patio Size
Save yourself prison term and effort by arrive at your terrace website attribute equal to an even number of pavers . Then , you ’ll have less cutting to do at the bound . To ascertain the size of your terrace , lay out the pavers in both directions on a matted surface and mensurate the lengths . Then lay out your site to these dimensions .
How to Build a Sand-Based Patio with Curves
employ plastic edging with notches in the outside flange for curving terrace edges . This stuff conforms to almost any arc . Drive spikes through the flanges ' hole , ensuring they penetrate the soil below the crushed rock .
More Sand-Based Patio Ideas
you could utilise the same basic terrace building method acting described for other dash .
Stone : exchange stone for the pavers . There are several beautiful varieties useable in many different shapes and thicknesses . you may work with the pieces exactly as they come from nature or have the Harlan F. Stone cut to your specifications . You also can try out with dissimilar edging materials .
Concrete : Fill the entire bed with concrete , then expend stamps or stains to add grain or color . Divide the bed into quadrant , and utilise one material in the upper leftfield and lower right sections and different material in the other two quadrant .
Credit: Thomas Rosborough
Credit: Thomas Rosborough
Credit: Thomas Rosborough
Credit: Thomas Rosborough
Credit: Thomas Rosborough
Credit: Thomas Rosborough
Credit: Thomas Rosborough
Credit: Thomas Rosborough
Credit: Image Studios
