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PPPP DIY - Penny Pincher Paver Patio
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items Here's a shopping list for an easy DIY project to tackle this spring to enhance a patio space! Take advantage of warmer weather and add some value to your home using these cost effective products and tools to get the job done!
Sections
5
PPPP - Planning and Design
PPPP - Excavation and Foundation Prep
PPPP - Base Layer
Pavers and finishing touches!
Additional tools and accessories
PPPP - Planning and Design
All great projects start with a planning phase, so here are some key items and tools you might need to prepare for a paver patio!
DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP! Always call 811 before digging anything. Its free and easy to do, but will save you a ton of time, effort, and MONEY in the case you hit a utility line!
811 Information For Homeowners
While not required, these wooden stakes are great to use in the planning phase of a paver patio. The first step of any project is planning, measuring, and configuring what you need to do. You might already have something like this on hand but these are great for marking out your area so you can visualize the project before getting started.
12 -Pack 12.0-in Wood Multipurpose Landscape Stake
Unless you're doing a massive project, this 800' roll of twine should be enough to help in the planning phase to tie to your stakes. Once you've staked out the project area, connect the stakes by tying twine to them. Keep the leftover twine for other projects that come up in the future or use for fancy decoration as a bow when wrapping gifts.
Hyper Tough 800' Jute Twine Natural - Walmart.com
Having a level is key for making sure you have the proper slope if you are putting a patio next to any building. If you go to any hardware store, most levels will cost a decent amount, but this one should do the trick. The longer the better in this scenario if you are doing any larger patios (>10ft). Most people don't have much need for a level over 24" so this one is cost effective and gets the job done but may not be the most durable. If you plan on doing various other projects, I might recommend going with a touch nicer one.
Hyper Tough 48-inch I-Beam Level
If you're like me, you can never go wrong with having 2 tape measures in case you misplace one. This 2 pack features two 25' tape measures with a firm auto lock and wide teeth for excellent grip. I like to keep one in my garage/tool box and another inside for projects that come up. Great to have on hand and cheap!
Kobalt Self Lock 2 -Pack 25-ft Auto Lock Tape Measure - Lowe's
Firring strips are great to use for this project to keep things level and building on top of each other. Just make sure you get straight ones or it will create more problems!
1-in x 2-in x 8-ft Whitewood Furring Strip
PPPP - Excavation and Foundation Prep
Again, CALL 811 before digging! Once you've planned the size, shape and dimensions of your patio, the next Step is excavation. Here are some products/tools to make your life easy. Time for some dirty work!
Regardless of where you plan to install a paver patio or walkway, you'll likely have to dig below the surface for proper installation. This is a relatively cheap shovel, but durable and gets the job done (plus many more in the future). Steel shovel head and fiberglass handle with padded grip is lightweight but cuts through dirt and grass easily.
Kobalt 40-in Fiberglass Handle Digging shovel
While not required, a spade shovel is great for getting a nice straight line when digging the outer edges for a paver patio. This one has a large platform to push with your foot to get through hard ground. Highly recommend for starting the digging process in a neat fashion.
Fiskars Steel D-handle Garden Spade 396670-1001
I added this on another list, but can't not add it here. A heavy duty yard cart or wheelbarrow is essential for moving dirt. No sense in adding a nice patio if you have a big mound of dirt right next to it. Do yourself a favor and get this! Very sturdy, easy to maneuver, and it has a lift to dump the bin which saves your time and back!
Kobalt 7-cu ft Poly Yard Cart Collection
Once you've dug to the depth you need, compacting any loose soil is critical for a firm base. Rather than buying any tools, renting from a place like Home Depot or Art's Rental could be a time saving and effective way to achieve a solid foundation. Here's a quick link to their tool rental site where you can rent for a few hours to days which is convenient.
WACKER NEUSON SALES AMERICAS 20 in. Vibratory Plate ...
If renting isn't your thing and you're open to a little more manual labor, this hand tamper is a cheap option for getting a hard, flat surface to start the base of your patio surface.
Ames 48 in. Handle 8 in. x 8 in. Steel Tamper 2233400
PPPP - Base Layer
Now that we've got a nice clean hole and a solid foundation, we can start to build the layers of a paver patio! There are a couple of options to choose from when building the base. You can lay compacted graved and sand or use poly paver base panels. Here are some of my picks for each layer!
The first layer of the paver patio “cake” is a weed barrier. This keeps weeds from sprouting through the small crevices between pavers and helps maintain a clean look for many years. This is a cheap option that covers 150 sqft and only $15/roll. If you're building a bigger patio or walkway, you can buy a larger role in various brands that can be more cost effective.
Sta-Green 50-ft x 3-ft Basic Weed barrier Landscape Fabric
Metal lawn fabric pins are great for holding weed barriers in place so the next layer of sand doesn't flow under the barrier and keeps them from moving around. Once you have the weed barrier where you want, just drive these stakes through the fabric on the corners and at any intersections where fabric overlaps.
Sta-Green 25-Pack 4" Metal Landscape Fabric Pins
This is about the cheapest option for leveling sand and it is basically required whether you choose the gravel or panel base option. If using paver base, this goes after compacting. If you choose panels, this goes before. If you don't have a Menards close by, you can find leveling sand at basically any Lowes or HD.
Leveling Sand - 1/2 Cu. Ft.
As mentioned, there are a couple ways to build a strong base, but we'll start with the compacted base layer first. This goes on top of the weed barrier. You'll want to do some math and calculate how many bags you need for the size of your project. A layer of 3-4 inches is recommended and compact it to the point you can walk on it and not see any footprints. Lowe's is my closest and most convenient option but you can probably find a better price by buying from a garden center by cubic yard.
Kolor Scape Step 1 0.5 Cubic feet Tan/Brown Paver base
Paver base panels are your second option for a base layer opposed to the gravel base option. These are a perfect option if you don't have the means or energy for transporting 100+ bags of base. In this case, instead of putting this down over the weed barrier, you would first put down a layer of leveling sand and then put these on top. Not much difference in price and less work makes these a great option for DIY!
Brock 20 in. x 36 in. Black Polypropylene Paver Base Panel (20-Case) 345420HDB
Pavers and finishing touches!
There are tons of pavers to choose from whether you're buying from, but concrete pavers tend to be the cheapest compared to basalt, stone, or rubber. While I could list a ton of options I like, I'm just going to focus on a few price-friendly options. Price them out based on your project size and see what works best for you!
Simple, basic, and cost-effective! Covers 1 sqft so easy to do the math and know how much you need. Ordering from a place like Lowe's is great to have it delivered to you if you don't have a truck or trailer to buy in store. Buying in bulk is the way to go and can usually save you some money depending on the quantity you need. I recommend adding 10% extra material in case you break any, need to cut for edges, etc.
12.0-in L x 12.0-in W x 2.0-in H Square Gray Concrete Patio stone
Another cost-effective, classic option! This paver brick allows for more creativity compared to the 1x1 paver stone. You can play around with different patterns and even mix up the brick colors to get a unique, personalized look. Just remember that it does require more time and effort, because you have to lay 4 times the amount of bricks for smaller materials compared to larger ones like 1x1,2x1, etc.
8-in L x 4-in W x 2-in H Rectangle Red/Charcoal Concrete Paver
For a more modern look, these larger format patio stones are a nice touch anywhere. A tad bigger than the 12x12in stone, but rectangular so you can lay them out in whatever pattern you choose for your preferred look! A little pricier, but will add a ton of appeal and class to any patio!
Oldcastle 18-in L x 12-in W x 2-in H Rectangle Charcoal Concrete Patio stone
Basically identical to the first rec, but almost twice the size as the traditional 12x12in paver stones. About $50 difference in price, but only ⅓ of the number of units considering they are so big. These would look awesome if they were staggered rather than set side by side in my opinion. The large format is less lines, looks cleaner, and not much difference price wise!
23.0-in L x 23-in W x 2.0-in H Square Gray Concrete Patio stone
A touch pricier than the other recs, but a very clean elegant design and easy to lay!
16.0-in L x 16.0-in W x 2.0-in H Square Allegheny Concrete Patio stone
To hold the outside pavers in place, paver edging can be added to the perimeter after laying leveling sand and the pavers. The key for a smooth finish is to make sure you dig out an additional 2-3 inches from where you want your project to end, so you can backfill dirt on top of the paver edge to conceal it.
Expert Edge Flexible Plastic Paver Restraint
Can't forget the spikes to hold the edgers in place!
EasyFlex 10 -Pack 8-in Black Plastic Edging stake
The last step, or layer, of the project is setting the joints between pavers and locking them in place. Polymeric sand has a binder that locks the pavers together, also acts as a second barrier for weeds and insects. Just pour it out over the pavers, sweep it into the cracks and joints, then water it to activate the binding agent. Make sure you follow the instructions of the product you choose to ensure proper installation.
Techniseal EZ Sand 35 lbs. Gray Paver Joint Sand 141000099
Additional tools and accessories
Once you've got your string tied onto the stakes, these line levels come in super handy when looking for the right level and slope away from any buildings. Always start with the string level and adjust the line on the stakes to get a slope of around 1" for every 4-8ft away from structures (e.g. A 10 ft section should slope about 1.5 to 2" for proper drainage and ensure water does not flow back towards a...
4Pcs String Level Hanging Line for Leveling Surveying, Building Trades, Bricklaying, Etc. (Yellow)
A 2x4 is used to screed or level the layer of sand which will be what the pavers sit on. You want the sand layer to be smooth and very compacted so all pavers on top are level.
2x4x 96-in Whitewood #2 Stud
If you already have a shovel, rake, and other digging tools, this is entirely optional, but I found it helpful so thought I would include it. I have hard clay soil in my yard, so this is great for breaking up and loosening any compacted dirt to make it easier to move with a shovel. Also a conversation piece because everyone that sees it in your garage will ask why you have a pickaxe!
Double Headed Pickaxe
Not essential for the project, but great for driving stakes into the ground, placing and shifting pavers without causing damage to them.
Hyper Tough Double Headed Rubber Mallet, Non-Marring Hammer
A broom is needed for sweeping the locking sand into the cracks and a push broom would be best, but this is one I've had for years and it works great. Not just to use for this project, but cleaning up any messes in the future. If you don't already have a broom, I would highly recommend this one, especially if you have pets that shed a lot!
O-Cedar PowerCorner® Pet Pro Broom w/ Step-On Dustpan, Large, 14"
This is entirely optional but could come in handy if you have any bricks that need to be cut for a better fit. Comes with 5 cutting disks including a diamond blade for cutting brick and concrete.
Kobalt 3-in 24-volt Trigger Switch Brushless Cordless Multi-material cutter
A speed square is nice to have to make sure all your allignments are correct when preparing the area and setting the pavers!
Empire 7 in. Polycast Rafter Square 296
Call me old or whatever, but a good set of knee pads is great for this type of work. Save your knees and back while you level and set pavers!
VEVOR Knee Pads