7 Covered Patio Ideas

1. 4 DIY Ideas for Creating a Patio on a Budget 2025 The screeding will basically have already compacted the sand for you. Even though it sounds like it might be a good idea, you can’t just lay pavers on dirt or sand. Doing so will allow the pavers to move and not allow for proper drainage. There are many options for covered patios, whether you’re looking to install something like a retractable awning or just going for a portable canopy. A covered patio can add protection from the sun and rain and elevate the look of your space. Read on for seven fun ways to add some shade to your patio. Sweep the Bricks With Polymeric Sand By aligning the edge of the end stones with this string, you'll ensure that your installation starts square. Once you’ve designed your paver patio, mark the area using stakes and string or a garden hose to outline the shape. Be sure to consider any slope for water drainage, as you don’t want water pooling on your new patio. Establish a Slight Slope Contact Us Clear View Builders Email: info@clearviewbuildersinc.com Phone: +19164205862 4913 Rio Linda Blvd Sacramento, California, United States 95838 One and a half tons of gravel there cost me just $160 – a fraction of the price had I bought it at a hardware store or nursery! Had I known that I could buy gravel for so cheap, I would have finished out my backyard ages ago. Concrete slabs are the most economical choice for a solid ground patio floor, costing around $3 to $8 per square foot on average. Gravel is a little less, about $1 to $4 per square foot, but you’ll need to refill it from time to time, which can add up over time. You will need spray paint, stakes, 2 x 4’s, and/or string to mark off the patio area. You will also need tools to https://www.trepup.com/store/clearviewbuildersinc/storefront dig and clear the area, such as shovels, gloves, and a wheelbarrow. Lumber, deck screws, and a level are also necessary to create a form for the concrete. Before you spread sand to lock the stones and bricks into place, pack dirt around the perimeter. Strips of landscape fabric and fold them up against the stones around the outside perimeter. To straighten the form, use strings along the sides of the form as a reference line.Next, use a marker to mark a line where you pulled the strings to (this will be a backup just in case you do lose a string line –I had one snap on me).And because of our “boxed-in” site conditions, I wasn’t able to place my stakes and leveling strings outside of the space, as you should be able to.Yet another option is fieldstone, the rocks removed from the soil when land is cleared.If it’s not compacted tightly, the soil will shift and so will your pavers. Typically this is landscape fabric, but we actually used a giant painting tarp that cost about $15. I researched first to make sure that it can in fact go under a gravel patio. We poked holes in it for drainage so that the ground beneath the patio wouldn’t harden under the patio. Spread polymeric joint sand across the surface of your patio. Use a hand tamper to settle the sand between the bricks. Using brick is one of the easiest ways to build a small patio. Tap it into place with a rubber mallet if the level needs to be adjusted. Leave a gap of 1cm, or buy leave-in-place paving spacers for added reassurance if needed – between each slab. This is especially important if your designing a patio with more complex paving patterns. If your design works, take a few pictures for reference before pulling the pavers up. You don’t have to take them down, so no storage hassles. And you don’t need to build a permanent structure on the deck. One of the most popular patio shade ideas is a canopy patio awning that’s permanently installed. The fabric on most shade awnings is removable and should last about 15 years. After installation comes the fun part—it’s time to decorate and furnish your new patio. Order pavers in different sizes and shapes, so you have to make fewer cuts and can fill the entire space. Within your design, consider a spot for a backyard fire pit or other specialty space, such as an outdoor kitchen. Using wood stakes and string, map out the edges of your patio, accounting for 1 inch of slope for every 4 feet. If you have an 8- by-8-foot patio, you'll want a gradual 2-inch slope going in both directions away from your house. Respect local building codes to ensure that patio materials are safe from water-related problems and to comply with drainage laws.