How to Brick a Patio With No Weeds & No Concrete

A brick patio creates an inviting space for entertaining friends and family, and lends a sophisticated look to your outdoor space. Build a weed-free patio without concrete. The loose-laid approach significantly reduces the time needed to complete your patio. Most homeowners can build a medium-size patio in a weekend.

Things You'll Need

• Brick cutter
• 3-pound sledgehammer
• Shovel
• Garden rake
• Level
• Carpentry square
• Twine
• Tape measure
• Garden hose with spray nozzle
• Rubber mallet
• Tamper
• Broom
• Utility knife
• Screed
• Work gloves
• Paving bricks
• Construction-grade sand
• Pea gravel
• Wood or metal stakes
• Landscaping fabric
• Edging material

Instructions

1. Calculate the amount of material needed to build your patio. Most brick pavers are 4-by-8 inches, so you will need about 45 pavers for each 10 square feet of patio space. Pea gravel will cover the bottom 4 inches of your excavated space, so calculate length times width times 4 inches to determine the volume of gravel. Similarly, calculate the amount of sand using a 1-inch depth. Landscaping fabric will cover the entire area of your patio, but be sure to add 4 inches on each side.

2. Measure the area of the patio with a measuring tape. Drive wood or metal stakes into the ground 1 inch past each corner of the patio area. Tie twine to each stake to form the outline of your patio. Use a carpenter's square to make sure your patio will be square.

3. Dig the entire area of the patio to a depth of 7 inches, creating a slope of ¼ inch per linear foot away from the house to promote water runoff. Use a measuring tape to check the depth as you dig the foundation.

4. Cover the entire foundation area with landscaping fabric, lining the foundation's walls with the extra 4 inches of fabric per side. Fill in the bottom 4 inches of the foundation with pea gravel. Walk on the gravel or use a tamper to ensure that the gravel is sufficiently compacted.

5. Install plastic edging, using metal stakes to hold the edging in place. The edging should not extend more than 1 inch above the surface of your lawn.

6. Cover the gravel with 1 inch of sand. Screed the sand to ensure it is level, and use a tamper to pack it down.

7. Lay the brick pavers in the pattern you have selected, starting in one corner. Leave ¼ inch between each paver. Periodically check to make sure that the bricks set level.

8. Use a broom to fill in the gaps between pavers with sand. Lightly rinse the surface of the patio with a hose and continue sweeping sand into the joints. If necessary, add more sand until all gaps are completely filled. Rinse the patio again.

References

• Install a Loose Laid Brick Patio