How to Make a Concrete Cobblestone Patio

Cobblestone patios create an immediate feeling of Old-World elegance to any outdoor area. Historically, stones of similar size, shape and color were gathered from riverbeds and "cobbled together" or positioned side by side for roads and walkways. This was work intensive and time-consuming. Later, stones were quarried and cut first before being cobbled. In each case, sand was brushed into the spaces between the stones and then moistened with water. This was repeated until the stones held firmly. In more recent times, mortar was applied along the edges to keep the center stones stationary. Today, most cobblestone surfaces are created with concrete composite materials. These have the same look and feel as traditional cobblestone, but are less expensive and available in different sizes or in "multi-cobblestone" segments. These new materials provide a new ease to an old task. The following article will guide you in creating your own concrete cobblestone patio over your existing concrete pad. This project is best performed on a weekend by at least two people.

Things You'll Need

• Broom
• Knee pads and gloves (recommended)
• Concrete cobblestone
• Goggles
• Circular saw
• Thinset mortar
• Trowel
• Polymeric sand

Instructions

1. Begin your project by first sweeping leaves, stray pebbles and debris from the plain concrete pad. Put on your knee pads and gloves before working with the cobblestone.

2. 

   Start aligning one row of cobblestone pavers against a straight edge. Use "four-cobble"-style pavers, each measuring 8 inches square. You may use an outside wall or the existing edge of the current concrete pad that will be covered with the cobblestone. This will help set the pattern for the rest of the project.

3. 

   Lay out a grouping of cobblestone pavers to decide how you want to position them for the rest of the patio. Different looks can be achieved depending on how they are turned or arranged next to one another. At this point, you may decide to cut some of the pavers to create a more random look along the sides bordering the patio or to make partial segments to place between rows. This look can also be reversed with full pavers at the edges with partial segments inside. Put on protective goggles and use a circular saw to cut the concrete into the desired sizes.

4. 

   Use a trowel to put a layer of thin set mortar to the concrete pad along the outer edges. Place the bordering cobblestone pavers firmly into position on the mortar according to your desired design. Follow this by tightly placing the other pavers adjacent to the border, gradually filling in the rest of your design. Leave the mortar to cure overnight. Most brands require 24 hours to dry completely.

5. 

   Complete your concrete cobblestone patio by sweeping polymeric sand into the joints between the pavers. Use a garden hose or sprinkler system to wet the surface of the patio. Let the cobblestones dry in the sun for a few hours, and sweep more sand into the joints. Wet the stones again, and repeat until the cobblestone patio has the appearance of being fully grouted and the stones remain solidly in place.

Tips & Warnings

• You can use larger cobblestone pavers to shorten installation time, although the appearance of your finished project may vary. The "four-cobble pavers" chosen for this patio provide the look of several cobblestones in one cohesive paver unit. The finished look is both traditional and professional, but surprisingly simplified.

• If you are unfamiliar with using a circular saw to cut concrete, ask for a demonstration by an experienced professional at your local home improvement center before attempting to use one at home. Remember to have at least one other person assisting you with this task to both ensure your safety and facilitate the progress of your project.

Resources

• New and Traditional Cobblestone Patterns
• Oldcastle's Four Cobble Pavers