Worldwide, patio pavers are very popular. Whether you live in America, Europe, Australia or Asia you’ll surely see many paver patios. Since a patio paver is durable, strong, and affordable, they are the preferred patio choice for many homeowners.

Building a pergola over a patio is gaining in popularity.It can become a real feature of the backyard. Learn more in this informative pergola kit article.

There are a variety of patio paver styles available including interlocking. The materials required to build a patio are readily available from hardware stores and are reasonably priced.

As a project of easy to moderate difficulty building a patio should be within your capability if you take your time and exercise care . And remember interlocking pavers can make the laying process that bit easier.

Here is our step-by-step guide on building a square paver patio.

How To Construct A Paver Patio: The Planning

Figure out the best site for the patio. Think about how you will use the new yard feature. Take a long term view. What other improvements might you want to undertake in the years to come? This building a pergola article could help.

Take your time planning exactly where it will go and how large it needs to be. Remember, it’s easy to change a sketch but it can be costly to make changes once building has begun.

How To Construct A Paver Patio: The Tools & Materials

Check that you have all the tools and materials needed for building your patio. Check around a number of local hardware stores to compare prices.

Tools you need:
measuring tape, spirit level, workmen’s gloves, wooden stakes, mason’s cord, shovel, tamper, rubber mallet, 2″ x 4″ boards, rake, stiff bristle broom, and a garden hose with a fine spray

The materials you will need:
a rot-proof and permeable membrane, paver bricks, paver edging, paver’s sand and gravel

Get advice and guidance from staff at your local store.They’ll help you work out quantities.

How To Construct A Paver Patio: Laying the Pavers

Create the outline of the patio using the stakes and mason’s cord. Use tape measure to check the length of all sides and diagonal. Your shape should be a square.

Take your shovel and lift grass or soil approximately 2 inches around your boundary. This is where the edging will be placed once the patio has been laid.

Dig the area inside the boundary down to a depth of 6 to 7 inches depending on thickness of paver stones Allow 3 inches for gravel and one inch for paver sand. The dugged out area must be level.

As you have your patio shape you can take down the stakes and mason’s cord.

Place landscape fabric down to completely cover the bottom. This is an absolute must. It allow water to drain but helps stop weeds growing between the pavers.

Place gravel in hole. Smooth out the gravel using the 2 x 4 board. Compact down the gravel using the tamper. It’s essential the gravel is level. If it’s not, then your patio won’t be level.

Pour the sand in and rake over to cover the gravel. Smooth out the sand using your 2 x 4 board. Using the tamper, compact the sand. Make sure the base is still level.

Start laying the paver stones. Begin at one end at work down to the other end. Don’t rush. Keep checking the level.

When your square is complete, start laying down the edging.

Spread sand over the patio. Use the stiff bristle broom to do this. Lastly use a fine spray on your garden hose to wash the sand down between the paver joints.

Go enjoy your paver patio.

Maybe garden pergola would be a suitable proposition to consider.