How to Build a Stone & Sand Patio
A stone and sand patio can dramatically change the look of your lawn, creating a beautiful space for meals, relaxation or play. Choose natural flagstones for a rustic look or opt for bricks or concrete pavers for a more geometric appearance using the same basic construction techniques. This project is not difficult, but it is time-consuming and labor-intensive. Once you finish your project, you will be quite ready to rest and relax on your new stone patio. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Sod cutter (optional)
- Shovel
- Chalk line and blue chalk
- Small wooden stakes for marking
- Wheelbarrow
- Landscape fabric
- Gravel
- Sand
- Flagstone, bricks or concrete pavers
- Heavy rubber mallet
- Work gloves
Instructions
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How to Build a Stone & Sand Patio
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1
Sketch out your patio design on paper. Determine the material you want to use as well as the overall size of the patio. Make construction much easier by choosing a size that meshes well with your chosen material to avoid the difficulties of cutting stone and brick.
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2
Purchase gravel and sand for your patio. Allow for approximately 4 inches of gravel and an ample amount of sand. Buy some additional bricks, stones or paving materials to allow for breakage or damage.
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3
Use a chalk line, blue chalk and small wooden stakes to lay out the stone and sand patio. Mark the boundaries of your patio quite clearly.
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4
Cut away the sod from your patio area. Opt for a rented sod cutter or simply cut away the sod by hand. Excavate approximately 7 to 10 inches of soil, depending upon the type of soil. Use a wheelbarrow to haul away the sod and soil from the patio area to keep your work area neat.
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5
Lay landscape cloth into the excavated stone patio area. Pour at least a 4-inch layer of gravel into the excavated pit to provide for drainage for your stone patio. Use a thicker layer of gravel for poorly drained soil.
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6
Pour 1 to 2 inches or more of sand on top of the gravel. Use a fine mist on your garden hose to soak the sand. Tamp it into place, and then soak again.
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7
Lay the border patio stones into place first, setting them into the wet stone. Fill the remaining stones, one at a time. Tap each stone into place with a heavy rubber mallet. Add or remove sand to level the stones.
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8
Pour sand over the stone patio after all of the stones or bricks are laid. Spread the sand over the patio, filling any cracks and crevices between the patio stones. Mist well to soak the sand into place. Repeat this step as needed until the joints between the stones on your sand and stone patio are quite firmly set.
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