How to Make a Patio Form for Concrete

Everyone enjoys the luxury of having a concrete patio outside. As compared to grass or dirt, it is clean and maintain. It is also a great place to eat outside, relax or entertain. Building a concrete patio requires the same preparation as putting in a garden or flower bed. The area must be properly prepared in order to make a patio that will last for many years.

Things You'll Need

• 2-inch by 4-inch by 8-foot pieces of wood
• 1/4-inch by 4-inch strips of plywood
• 1-inch by 2-inch by 12-inch wood stakes
• Reinforcing rebar
• Wire
• Tape measure
• Can of colored spray paint
• Shovel
• Rake
• Dirt tamper
• Saw
• Drill
• Wood screws
• Screw driver

Instructions

1. When the location of the patio has been determined, use a can of colored spray paint to mark the outline of the patio. Using a shovel, dig out all of the grass within the outline. In order to prevent cracks, remove enough dirt so that the resulting concrete patio will be a minimum of 4 inches in depth.

2. Remove any rocks and debris by raking the remaining dirt from the area within the outline. Use a dirt tamper to flatten the dirt so that the surface is firm.

3. Using a tape measure, measure each side of the outline. Cut the pieces of wood with a saw to match these measurements. If the patio has curves, cut the 1/4-inch by 4-inch strips of plywood to the match the measurements of the curves which can be bent to form the rounded areas.

4. Place each of the pieces of wood in the area that they were cut for. Drill 2 holes in each end and, using wood screws, screw the ends together until the entire area is outlined by the wood. Using screws will make the patio form easier to remove after the concrete has cured.

5. Drive wood stakes into the ground every 12 inches behind the wood form. This will add further strength to the form to keep it in place when the concrete is poured.

6. Lay reinforcing rebar every 2 feet across the pad in both directions creating a grid. Tie each intersection where the rebar forms an "x" with wire so that the rebar remains steady when pouring the concrete.

7. When the entire outline of the desired patio is surrounded in wood, the area is prepared for concrete to be poured on the surface. The wood will hold the concrete in place until it is set. When fully set, remove the wood. The concrete pad can now be used, painted or stained.

Tips & Warnings

• This same technique can be used to make concrete flower boxes, concrete walls and steps.

• Check with your local code enforcement office for specific requirements since every municipality has individual building codes.