Have you ever dreamed of having a paver and gravel patio in your backyard? Maybe even with a beautiful BBQ grill. Well, let me tell you how easy it is to have that madeover by professionals.
You’ve decided that you want to build a paver and gravel patio. But, before you run to Lowe’s or Home Depot, there are some things to consider first. This is an area of your yard that will be used for entertaining family, friends and extended family. So, it should look good!
How to build a paver and gravel patio
Pavers are a great way to build patios and walkways. They’re durable, easy to install and look good. This DIY project shows you how to lay pavers with gravel in between.
Pavers come in many different sizes, shapes and colors. They can be used on their own or combined with other materials such as brick or concrete.
The most popular paver size is 3 x 6 inches (76 x 152 mm). The larger size means that fewer joints need to be cut and the smaller size means less cutting when installing them.
If you want to build a paver and gravel patio, it’s important to choose the right materials. While it’s possible to lay pavers directly on compacted soil, this can lead to problems with drainage, as well as warping and cracking. To avoid these issues, you should always lay a layer of pea gravel or crushed stone between the pavers, then cover this with sand.
When choosing gravel for your patio, it’s important that it is not too large or small in size. You need enough material so that it won’t be easily washed away by rainwater or blown away by strong winds – but also not so much that it takes up too much space in between each tile/stone.
There are many different types of gravel available that will be suitable for this job depending on what look you are trying to achieve:
Crushed limestone: This is an affordable choice that gives a very natural appearance when used in a patio setting. It’s also easy to work with because it doesn’t create dust when being moved around during installation.
Crushed granite: Gives off a more rustic look than limestone and can be used in driveways or any other place where you want an earthy feel to the finished product
Here are the steps to build a paver and gravel patio:
Step 1 – Prepare the area by removing all vegetation and leveling the ground.
Step 2 – Install the base of your patio, which is typically made up of compacted gravel or sand. This base should be at least 4 inches thick to support the weight of your pavers and gravel.
Step 3 – Lay down pavers in an interlocking pattern, using a rubber mallet or hammer to set them in place. If you’re using a cement paver, simply lay it down on top of the base. If you’re using a natural stone paver, it may require a wet saw for cutting or special tools for cutting corners off.
Step 4 – Add pea (pebble) gravel to fill in any gaps between pavers and around edges of your patio. This will help prevent weeds from growing through cracks between pavers and make your entire patio look more uniform.
You can build a paver and gravel patio in your backyard, or you can use the same technique to create a patio at the front of your home. The patio will withstand the elements better than a wooden deck, and it’s easy to repair if any stones are damaged.
Gravel is the best choice for a base material because it allows water to drain through easily, which helps prevent mold and mildew from growing underneath the pavers. You can also use crushed rock instead of gravel for your base layer.
Step 1 – Lay down gravel
Lay down two inches of crushed rock or other coarse material as your sub-base layer. This will allow water to drain through easily while keeping the pavers stable on top. The gravel should be spread out evenly throughout the area you intend to pave so that there are no “high” or “low” spots where water may pool up and cause damage over time.
Step 2 – Lay pavers
After laying down your sub-base layer, lay your pavers in rows that run perpendicular to one another so that there are no gaps between them. Each row should be spaced about six inches apart from one another so that when you walk across them they don’t feel too
The best way to build a paver and gravel patio is to follow these steps:
1. Lay out the pavers over the gravel base.
2. Cut the pavers to fit into place using a hammer and chisel.
3. Use the spade and trowel to fill in gaps between the pavers with sand and cement-based mortar, then brush it into place with a stiff broom or trowel.
4. Wait until the mortar dries, then seal it with a sealer such as SuperSeal or Concrete Diamond Sealer, which will help prevent stains caused by chemicals in rainwater runoff from entering through cracks in your patio surface.