How to Create a Backyard Patio

Construct a backyard patio out of bricks.

If your backyard is acres of grass with no room for lounging, sunning or enjoying alfresco dining, consider adding a patio. You could add a cement patio, but that requires back-breaking labor and some experience with getting cement to set up properly. Instead, create a patio with bricks and sand. Have all tools and materials ready to go and your new backyard patio will be ready in a weekend.

Things You'll Need

• Paper
• Pencil
• Hose or scrap lumber
• Shovel
• Carpenter's level
• Builder's sand
• Bricks
• Bucket
• Broom

Instructions

1. Sketch out where you would like the patio in the backyard. Close to the kitchen or back door is an option if you plan on entertaining. Food and drinks won't have to be carried too far. Under a tree is a restful shady location, but be aware birds roost in the tree and leave their messes to be cleaned up off the patio and furniture.

2. Lay a hose in the shape of the patio on the ground if you prefer an irregularly shaped patio. Otherwise measure the outline and use scrap lumber to outline the patio.

3. Dig up the ground to remove 6 inches of soil. Check that the patio is basically level.

4. Put a 3-inch layer of builder's sand in the patio outline and spread evenly with a rake. Check again that the sand is basically level.

5. Lay the first row of bricks on top of the sand. The tops of the bricks should be slightly above ground level. The bricks should be level with one another, so use the carpenter's level to ensure they are. If not, adjust by removing or adding a bit of sand.

6. Lay the next row of bricks, butting them right up against the first row. Stagger the seams between the rows. Do this by cutting a brick in half and using it as the first brick in the second row. That row then ends with a half brick.

7. Continue laying the bricks in rows and staggering the seams. Check the level of each row. A brick that's higher than the others could cause tripping.

8. Dump a bucket of sand on top of the bricks and brush into the cracks. Continue dumping buckets of sand on the bricks and brushing the sand into the cracks until all the rows have been done.

9. Spray the bricks with water, washing any additional sand into the cracks or off the patio. The bricks may sink a bit, so check they are level one last time.

Tips & Warnings

• Use flagstone or stepping stones set in sand instead of the bricks and fill in the gaps with pea gravel instead of sand.

• Wear goggles when working with the sand.

References

• "Great Ideas for Your Garden"; Jane Courtier; 2003
• "At Home in the Garden"; Becke Davis; 2001