How to Create a Slate Patio
Slate is a type of stone that has been used as a building material for hundreds of years. Slate is available in many different colors and types and offers a classic, refined look for your patio. It also requires much less maintenance than a deck. Building a slate patio is a fairly complex yet rewarding do-it-yourself project, with the potential of saving you lots of money over the cost of hiring someone to do it for you. Before you start, call your local utility company to have it check for any underground wiring in your designated patio area. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- 115 slate tiles, 8 inches by 16 inches (for a 10-by-10-foot patio)
- Shovel
- Concrete
- Concrete mixer
- Tape measure
- 4 pieces of 2-by-4-inch lumber
- Wooden posts
- Hammer
- Gravel
- Tamper
- Mortar
- Trowel
- Grout
- 2 sponges
- Level
- Broom
Instructions
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1
Place wooden posts at the edges of your desired patio area. Tie a string around the outside to mark your border.
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2
Excavate a 6-inch deep hole within the perimeter of your building area.
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3
Install the two-by-fours along the outer border of the entire area. Use a hammer to tap each of the two-by-fours into place.
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4
Layer 2 inches of gravel on the bottom of the building area. Use a rake to smooth out the gravel over the entire surface.
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5
Compact the gravel with a hand tamper.
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6
Mix the concrete using a concrete mixer (which can be rented from a home improvement store) and pour on top of the gravel in a 3-inch thick layer. Smooth out the concrete by dragging a two-by-four along the surface several times until you have a smooth, uniform layer. Let the concrete dry for at least 12 hours.
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7
Mix your mortar and apply a thin layer, starting from the center of the building area. Spread the mortar with a trowel.
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8
Set your slate stones one at a time on top of the mortar and secure them into place. Leave 1/4 inch of space between the stones, using spacers if necessary. Let the mortar dry overnight once all the tiles have been set.
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9
Mix the grout and apply to the spaces between the slate stones using a sponge and water. Use a separate wet sponge to wipe away excess grout. Let the grout dry overnight before walking on it.
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10
Use a broom to sweep the surface and then rinse it with a hose.
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Tips & Warnings
Purchase your slate stones from a landscaping supply business or a home improvement store.
