April 29th, 2010 by admin

How To Lay a Flagstone Patio:

Laying flagstone patios in sand is not difficult, although the stone can be heavy and you should wear a back brace, gloves and goggles. The stone used for this flagstone patio project is 2” thick. Since the shape of this stone is irregular, laying a flagstone patio is like putting a puzzle together. The thickest, widest pieces will give you the most stability. I’m making the finished flagstone patio surface level to the ground in this project (one less thing to trip over!).

Stone Patio Supplies
Here are the supplies you’ll need:

* shovel
* rake
* landscape fabric
* sand
* large level
* long board
* enough paver stone to cover the area

A variety of paver stones can be found at most home supply retailers.
Preparing the Patio Surface
First, you need to prepare the area where you want your patio. You’ll want to dig approximately the thickness of the pavers you’re using. The area should be a few inches down from where you want the top of the stones to be.

Dig out any high spots and add extra dirt to fill holes. A rake can be used to smooth and flatten the area. Use the board and level to get the ground as even as possible.
Lay Out the Landscape Fabric
Now, lay out the landscape fabric. This is used to prevent grass and weeds from growing up through the stones. Cover the entire area with the fabric.

Spread some sand out on top of the landscape fabric. You are going to need about 1 inch of sand spread out evenly.
Set the Patio Stones
Lay the stone into the sand. Push it back and forth to settle it. The back and forth motion on the stone will settle it so that it can be leveled quite easily.

Lay the next brick about a 1/4 inch away from the first one. Use the same motion to level out the stones. Add or remove sand underneath the brick to raise or lower it to the correct level.
Fill in the Patio’s Edges and Cracks
Add extra dirt to fill in the edges. Spread extra sand in between the stones to fill the cracks. Sweep the excess sand and dirt away, being careful not to clear out the cracks.

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April 29th, 2010 by admin

A patio is an outdoor space located on either the front or back of the house. The word is often used synonymously with porch. It can be slightly raised and attached directly to the house with a roof, or it can be level with the ground and have no walls or roof at all, as in the case of a concrete or brick patio. Patios can also be part of a courtyard, common in Spanish-influenced designs.
Patio Design

The most important element in an outdoor patio design is size; you need to take into account what the patio will be primarily used for, as well as what furniture you place on it. Will your patio be mainly for relaxing and dining? Do you plan to have an array of potted plants or trees to create a garden patio? Once you determine exactly how you plan to use your patio, you can then identify the amount of space you need to bring it to life.

When it comes to a patio, bigger is better. A small and cramped patio is not a very relaxing or inviting place to be. Most brick, concrete or stone patios require professional installation or a skilled do-it-yourselfer, and can be quite costly for materials. Take into account the cost, your usage and maintenance requirements to come up with the perfect patio design for your home.

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April 29th, 2010 by admin

Patio decks are flush with the ground and are often fashioned from stone, brick or concrete but can also consist of mulch, gravel or tile. They are most often rectangular in shape but with some extra effort, they can be rounded. This can be especially eye-catching if incorporated into rounded stairs leading into the home from the patio. While patios are easiest to install on level ground, sloping properties can also benefit from a patio with a multi-level design. The different levels can be connected by a matching set of steps to complete the look.

Patio Maintenance

When compared to typical deck materials, a patio is easier to maintain, but isn’t necessarily hands-free. The advantage of having a stone patio is its highly durable surface, which can last for the entire life of your home. If a stone is chipped or cracked, it’s easier to replace just one stone instead re-doing the entire deck. If you opt for a material like flagstone you’ll need to replace the sand between joints and pull the weeds from the cracks. You may also have to reset shifting stones from time to time. For the most part, stone or concrete patios will only require a simple pressure wash and an occasional resealing to keep them looking great for years.

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