How to Lay a Paver Patio Spending time outdoors in our backyard is a great way to relax. However, a suitable place for the barbecue grill, table, and chairs is a must. Here are some tips for creating your own custom paver patio in your yard. Pavers are available in a variety of sizes, shapes, and materials so you can create almost any look you desire. Do some careful shopping at the home center or brick supplier to make your final decision. The pavers seen here are brick pavers designed specifically for the dry fit installation we’re describing. What make them special are the small ribs on the edges that will allow sand to sift in between the bricks when the installation is complete. Begin by clearing and leveling the area to be paved. Remove all plant matter and you may even treat the area with weed killer before you begin paving. To ensure that water will run off the paved area and away from the house, create a slight slope by grading the ground to drop about 1/4″ per foot in the direction you want the water to travel.

Pack the soil down firmly with a hand tamp, or allow a good rain to do the job for you. Define the patio area with the material that will contain your pavers. 1×4 or 2×4 treated lumber (redwood, cedar, or cypress) works well for this or you can purchase flexible plastic edging (for creating curves) to do the job. The lumber or edging is staked in place to create a perimeter form around the area to be paved. Next, spread one to three inches of course sand inside the forms. level the sand with a screed board made from a straight 2×4. To ensure that the sand is the same depth throughout the area, nail scraps of wood on both ends of the 2×4 at equal heights from the bottom. These scraps, or ears, will rest on the forms as you drag the screed across the space, keeping the sand at a uniform depth. Leaving the thickness of a paver from the top of the form down to the sand level works well. Now you’re ready to begin laying pavers. You can use any pattern you like (basket weave, herringbone, running bond, etc.) just be sure you keep them tight together.

This is where the small ribs mentioned earlier come in handy. They allow you to push the bricks snuggly together and still leave space for the sand. When all the bricks are in, spread sand over the whole surface and work it into the spaces with a broom. You may have to reapply sand over the first week or so as traffic and water cause it to settle into the gaps. This kind of patio surface is easier for the do-it-yourselfer than pouring concrete and it can be much more attractive. Plus it drains well because it’s not solid and you can change the size and shape of the area as your needs change. How to Lay a Brick Paver Patio in Your Yard (video) Adding a Deck, Patio, or Outdoor Kitchen (video/article) How to Score Lines and Finish a Concrete Patio (video) How to Improve the Look of a Concrete Patio (video) Looking Back at Thinking Green on Today’s Homeowner Inexpensive Kitchen Improvements for a High-End Look Importance of Winter Gutter Care

DIY Patio Pallet Floor 20 Inspired Wood Pallet IdeasLow Voltage Lighting Transformers Uk DIY Picnic Table with Disposable PalletsSt. Helena Hospital Weight Loss Program Pallet Wood Outdoor Lounge FurnitureUsed Washer And Dryer Orange Park Florida Decorated Pallet Garden Benches with Table Recycled Pallet DIY Furniture Ideas Pallet Chest of Drawers DIY Pallet Wood Wall Paneling Decor Craft Ideas with Wooden Pallets Pallet Wood Centerpiece Crafts Pallet Wall Cladding for LCD Repurposed Pallet Wood Planter Whenever we talk about the planters, we suddenly start seeing in mind those clay made colorful pots or also some… Recycled Pallet Garden Deck with Furniture

Recycled Wood Pallet Planter Ideas Beautiful Pallet Wood Patio Furniture Outdoor Furniture Made with Pallets Making and maintaining a green landscape is a real tough task. Like it is not that once you have made… Pallets Made Garden Deck DIY Pergola with Wood Pallet Pallet Picket Fence Ideas A fence is a necessary part in a systematically enclosed area for your green landscape. We have recycled a number… Pallet Garden Fence with Planter Pallets Wood Made Outdoor Bench Home Fence Out of Pallets Pallets Garden Fence and Furniture Pallet Wood Ideas for Garden While we present some genius pallet wood creations as the furniture, many fellows ask us that why don’t we present… DIY Pallet Planter / Garden Ideas Garden Ideas with Pallets Ideas for Pallet Garden Pallet Patio Furniture with PlantersMy wife and I love watching home hunting shows on TV.  It’s fun checking out the homes and watching people go through the home-buying decision-making process.

I’ve watched so many of these shows that I’m able to guess what people will say as they enter rooms.  One kick I get is watching people enter a home’s deck or balcony … 8 times out of 10 somebody will say “imagine having coffee here in the morning” and/or “imagine having a glass of wine here at the end of the day.” Without fail, decks, patios and balconies conjure up a romantic notion of relaxation and serenity… and for good reason.  The fact there is no finer way to start the day than a cup of coffee on a deck as the sun rises or ending the day with a cool beverage as the sun lowers. And so it’s with the coffee in the morning and wine at night cliché that we present to you our epic collection of 68 photographs of inspirational wooden decks of all sizes, locations, shapes, sizes and wood-types to help you generate deck design ideas for your outdoor sanctuary. Oh yeah, before we get to the eye candy, I just want to point out that there are subtle differences between decks and patios. 

Decks are typically not built directly on the earth and are generally built of wood.  While the line between a deck and patio is sometimes blurred, we do our best to provide pictures of what are technically wooden decks. Find more backyard ideas in our definitive guide to backyards! Free Deck Plans and Blueprints If you’re looking for deck blueprints, check out our free deck plans and blueprints here, and specifically a 12 foot by 16 foot deck blueprint here (PDF document included). Enjoy the deck design ideas gallery below. Looking for more inspiration for in-ground pools?   Click here for another amazing modern home design! Outdoor kitchens are gaining in popularity, and are a useful and attractive addition to any deck or patio! Love the trellises featured above?  They come in many designs and styles. Be sure and visit our special feature on lattices and trellises to find the perfect style to complement your outdoor living area! Gazebos are a fun, stylish, and functional addition to any deck or patio area!