Take into consideration any electrical lines, gas lines for a barbeque, and water pipes that you might already have or are considering installing in the future.
There are a number of designs you can follow for the pavers. Some of the best known are the “basket weave,” the “jack on jack,” and the “herringbone. " The basket weave or “pinwheel” design involves sets of eight total bricks laid in groups of two, with each pair set together left to right adjoining another pair set at an angle perpendicular to them. The “jack on jack” pattern is a uniform set columns and rows, with each paver set end-to-end and side by side. The herringbone design is a pattern involving pavers abutting to create a ninety-degree angle, with the end of one paver used to cover the end of another. The pattern you select will have a very real impact on the amount of time and energy needed to complete this project. For example, certain paver pattern designs will require you to precisely cut half of the pavers as you reach the edges of your patio, or you will have to purchase specially sized pavers with this in mind. You must also determine if you want a border made of pavers or of wood. Lumber can provide a nice contrast to the pavers, and it is comparatively quick and easy to install. Pavers will take quite a lot more time to install but will seamlessly match the rest of your patio. Pavers made of light aluminum, plastic, or light gauge steel can be anchored down with 10-inch spikes. This kind of edging is great for curves and angles.
Crushed stone or gravel (typically a ¾ minus road base material) may be used to fill the deepest portions of the excavation floor after you have dug out the area for the patio, providing stability and aiding drainage. You can determine the quantity yourself, but you should use at least 4 inches (10 cm) of crushed stone as the base layer. [1] X Research source Calculate the necessary volume of crushed stone or gravel before you head to the home or garden shop. Bedding sand will make up the layer just below the bricks and can be used to fill the gaps between them. Polymeric joint sand can be swept into brick joints to help lock them into place. If you don’t use crushed stone or gravel, this will also be the foundation of your patio. Some suggest that a layer just one inch deep is adequate, but others suggest at least twice that amount. [2] X Research source [3] X Research source You will need to know the volume of sand necessary when you make your purchase. You may want to lay landscape fabric underneath to discourage the growth of weeds. It would require a lot of effort to remove weeds growing through your patio, so it is probably best to stop it before it starts. [4] X Research source If you will use lumber along the edges of your patio as support, determine the quality and quantity of pressure-treated lumber you will require. There are a number of varieties available, but for a job like this you will want one rated for ground contact.
Leave an appropriate gap along the outside edge of the bricks for the border (whether of lumber or pavers).
If the patio is going to be right next to your house, you may want to encourage water to run away from the foundation of your home. [7] X Expert Source Scott JohnsonLandscape & Design Consultant Expert Interview. 8 April 2020. In this case, as you dig you can slope the ground away from the direction of the house. For each foot of length, add an additional 1/4 inch of depth to the excavation. [8] X Research source Remove any large roots that may be apparent, even those just at the planned base of the dig. These can grow up through the bottom layers and undermine the stability of the patio. If you intend to use pavers for the border, dig deeper along the edge. This will allow you to stand the pavers up on end.
It may be desirable to screw the boards together if lumber is being used as the border. The added stability will help hold the patio in shape. If pavers are being used, stand them up in the trench you dug for the edge and tap them into place. Try to fit them as snugly together as you can. Whether using boards or pavers, make sure that your border is installed at the desired angle (or, more likely, with no angle) by using a level.
You can make a screed out of spare lumber. Tamp down the sand. Be careful not to disturb the level surface that you have created.
You can also sweep the sand away rather than spraying water.
