How do you lay a patio for beginners?

How to lay a patio Mark out the patio. Clear the area. Lay the sub base. Mix up mortar. Lay the first slab. Lay remaining slabs. Pointing. Jan 3, 2024

Can you lay a patio directly on soil?

Different conditions: Think about ground conditions, usage and weather conditions before deciding on how to effectively lay a patio/path. If you are laying on soil, there is a high risk of the patio/path wearing away under the elements and usage .

What is the best base for laying a patio?

If you're a traditionalist and want to utilize tried-and-true approaches that function in almost any setting, go with a sand-set foundation . It's safe and reliable. If you're looking for an easy installation with less required equipment, open-graded crushed stone may be the best option for you.

How to prepare ground for a patio?

Remove any existing topsoil down to more stable sub soil beneath (often referred to as the sub-grade). Remove any grass, weeds and roots. Vegetation will decompose over time, resulting in settlement of your paving.

What is the easiest patio to install yourself?

Bricks and concrete pavers are the easiest patio materials to use because they have a uniform shape and create a relatively flat surface.

What is the cheapest way to lay a patio?

Gravel is the cheapest option when looking to create a patio on a budget . Otherwise, pebbles or reclaimed materials are also good options. If you're set on laying paving slabs, concrete is one of the cheapest materials, and when installed and maintained correctly, it can hold up well and last for years.

Can I lay a patio without a sub-base?

Paving slabs can not be installed directly onto grass or soft ground without a sub base , as a sub base is essential for patio laying success because it provides the stability that paving slabs require.

What is the cheapest sub-base for a patio?

Crushed concrete will normally be the cheapest. Damping the material will help.

Do I need gravel under pavers?

Gravel is an essential component of the base layer for pavers . Its primary purpose is to provide a stable and durable foundation for the paver surface. Without a solid base, the pavers may shift or sink over time, causing an uneven surface.

Can I build a patio without digging?

If you're looking for a reliable, straightforward way to build a patio without all the hard labor of digging involved, paver base patio panels offer a great solution . These lightweight panels are designed to provide a sturdy foundation and make installation much easier.

How deep do you dig out for a patio?

Here's how to lay a patio in 6 easy steps. Dig 150mm into your patio area. Lay a compacted sub-base of 100mm. Cover the area with 40mm of concrete mix. Lay paving slabs 15mm into the concrete with a 10-15mm gap. Leave to set for at least 24 hours. Fill the gaps between the paving slabs with concrete mix. Sep 13, 2018

How do you level the ground for a patio?

Compact or rake the soil to be roughly level After excavating, compact the soil using a plate compactor. Next, add a layer of landscaping fabric and then screed and level your base material of 3/4″-0 gravel. Ensure your base layer of gravel or sand is as smooth as possible, and then compact that as well.

Do you need a foundation for a patio?

Foundations are a key element in ensuring the solidity of your patio, balcony or terrace .

Do you need a base for a patio?

For most patios, spreading a 100mm layer of sub-base (ideally MOT Type 1) on top of the soil will give you a suitable foundation – once compacted . It's important to compact your sub-base at least twice, to ensure that it's properly condensed to provide a solid base on which to lay your patio.

How to lay a garden patio (2024)

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It's not a difficult job, so put aside a weekend and you'll soon be entertaining friends, or enjoying a well-earned rest on your new patio surrounded by pots and plants.

Need some inspiration? Browse our features on container gardening for ideas.

Follow our simple steps on how to lay a garden patio, below.

Our garden patio shopping list

You might already have what you need to get started on making your garden patio. If you don't, we've done the hard work for you with our handy shopping list.

You Will Need

Hardcore
Building sand
Cement
Cement mixer, optional
Shovel
Rake
Wheelbarrow
Wooden pegs
Hammer
Spirit level
Plank of wood
Wacker plate
Rubber mallet
Bolster chisel
Pointing trowel

Total time: A weekend

Step 1: Lay the hardcore

Clear the area you've chosen for your patio to a depth of 15cm to allow room for the hardcore, mortar and paving slabs. Lay 5cm - 8cms of hardcore, using a rake to distribute it and even out any bumps.

Step 2: Compact the hardcore

Use a wacker plate to compact and level the hardcore. It's not essential, but stops the rubble moving around while you lay the slabs, making the base solid.

Step 3: Level the patio

Hammer wooden pegs into the ground - they need to be at the same height to mark the level surface of the patio. Make sure they're level with any existing paving and manhole covers. Position several over the patio site to work with, using a spirit level to ensure they're even.

Step 4: Arrange the patio slabs

For a random design, place several slabs on the ground to help you decide which shapes interlock well together. Alternatively, cut out pieces of paper to represent scaled-down slabs and work out a design on your scale plan.

Step 5: Lay the patio slabs

Make a mortar mix - five parts building sand to one part cement. If you're laying a small patio, do this in a wheelbarrow, for larger areas it's worth hiring an electric cement mixer. Lay slabs on a bed of mortar 5cm - 8cm deep, tapping down firmly with a rubber mallet or pressing down with your hands.

Step 6: Level the slabs

You need to leave a 1cm gap between each slab, which you'll fill in later with mortar. As you progress, use your spirit level or a plank of wood to ensure the slabs are level with the pegs you banged into the ground earlier.

Step 7: Edge the patio

Edge the patio with paviours laid on a 5cm - 8cm layer of mortar, butting them closely together. For a neat fit, use a hammer and bolster chisel to break paviours where necessary.

Step 8: Wash the patio slabs

Wash down the slabs when you've finished, making sure you remove any splattered mortar before it hardens and stains the paving.

Step 9: Fill in the gaps in the patio

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Fill the gaps between the paving slabs using a pointing trowel and the same mortar mix as before. Try not to get mortar on the slab surfaces as this will stain if allowed to set.

Patio on a gradient

If the patio is next to the house, include a slight gradient away from the house when laying the slabs, so that rainwater simply runs off into an area where it can be soaked up.