Patios serve as an organized space that combines the best of the outside with the comforts found in homes. They can be something as simple, like a few square feet of bricks set with a small table and chairs, or they can be rambling constructions with pools, walkways, gardens and a host of amenities to rival the best living room.
Below are some patio design steps and tips to keep you on track and prepared to plan your ultimate backyard patio.
Steps to Designing the Ultimate Patio Space
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Map out patio and yard projects with running lists
Make a list of potential projects. This might change every year. If you are doing one in phases, it will show up on your annual list until it’s done. Make lists and draw pictures. Sometimes working things out on paper answers questions you didn’t even ask. A drawing could help out the folks where you buy your materials, too.
Have a budget in mind
Figure out which patio and yard projects you want to take on, staying within your budget. If you need financing, see how much you qualify for.
Know your needs
What are you trying to accomplish? Take all family members and activities into consideration, including pets.
Maybe you can get enough money to knock several out at once!
Research patio and yard building materials
Once I had a rough size, I started researching surface materials. A patio surface should be durable, low maintenance, have good drainage properties and match the style of your home. Stone should be local so it is adapted to your climate. Common materials are:
• Concrete – easiest and least expensive, can be dressed up with a color tint, stamping, scoring or inlay; low maintenance.
• Flagstone – local for me; darker shades absorb heat, so a buff color would be more appropriate; good drainage.
• Tile – not so much a DIY project for beginners, better installed by a professional.
• Stone pavers – low maintenance; good drainage.
• Brick – warm, traditional look; aged brick for casual feel, new for a more formal yard.
• Crusher fines – excellent drainage; inexpensive; works well on walkways, too.
Preparing your outdoor space for DIY patio projects
No matter which surfaces you choose, the initial prep work is pretty much the same. You will have to:
• Determine where the patio will be. Stake it out.
• Remove sod and soil. Depth will depend on the surface material (see below*).
• If an edging is being used, put it in place. A wood edge is necessary to pour concrete. A border up against a flowerbed or lawn can be the surface material or something contrasting.
• Cover the area with landscape fabric as a weed barrier, and secure it with landscape pins.
• Lay the surface material from the high end to the low end. Research the specific material for details on cutting, laying and filling, since each has its own requirements.
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