Outdoor living space is all the rage and learning how to lay a brick patio is an excellent way to create additional living space for your entertaining! At the end of the day, people want to have a sitting area where we could enjoy the flower garden and watch the children play. Hiring someone to come and do it can be expensive so doing it yourself has great benefits, especially on the pocket!
It’s a great DIY project, you just need the right tools and supplies to get it done and then you can make some big savings!
The time and cost will depend on the size of the space you are creating.
1. WHAT SHAPE ARE YOU GOING FOR?
Brick patios can be all shapes and sizes depending on the amount of space you have to work with and what you’re wanting it to look like. Most people choose a rectangle which is a nice easy shape to work with and demands no tricky cuts.
2. MEASURE OUT THE SELECTED AREA
Ensure you measure the area carefully before you plan to install the brick patio in and stake out the shape with string or use a chalk line. Order supplies according to your measurements (for example, if it’s a rectangular patio, measure width and length and multiply the numbers to get the area).
3. DIG OUT THE PLOTTED AREA
Using a shovel, dig out the shape of your patio using the string or chalk line as a guide.
4. ENSURE YOU LAY DOWN A WEED BARRIER
To prevent weeds from growing up in between the bricks you’ll want to lay down a weed barrier. This will save you vital time and will keep the patio looking great for several years!
5. INSTALL A EDGE
Now you’re ready to install the edging to keep the shape of your patio. You can use nylon spikes to keep the edging in place. It can be shaped and moulded to do straight or curved lines and installed right up against the dirt wall you created when you dug out the shape for your brick patio.
6. LAYER THE SAND
The next step is to layer about half an inch thick of paver sand and smooth it out using a leveller. This will help level out the ground and make your patio even.
7. LAY DOWN THE PAVER BASE
There are many different options for this step and many choose to use a thick layer of levelling sand to further stabilise the base. You could use a paver base panel. They come in a variety of sizes that interlock for a smooth surface. It’s easy to cut if needed and works best for square or rectangle patios. It was cheaper and quicker to go this route than using the levelling sand.
8. LAY THE BRICKS
Now that you have a solid foundation, you are ready to lay your bricks! You may choose a simple or a more complex pattern depending on the look you’re going for and the level of confidence you have. Since this was our first time doing a project like this we opted for a more simple and traditional brick pattern.
9. FINISH THE JOB WITH AN EXTRA LAYER OF SAND
Once you’ve finished laying your bricks, you’ll finish off your patio with another layer of paver sand. Using a broom, push the sand in between the bricks in the cracks and crevices to help hold the bricks in place and prevent movement.
10. NOW FOR THE FURNITURE!
Get your chairs ready, a fire pit, or a patio set, and get ready to relax! There are tons of patio ideas out there to help you decide on the layout.
Your beautiful new DIY brick patio will be enjoyed for years to come and add value to your home. Family and friends will love being entertained in your fresh outdoor space.
So, for all your outdoor ideas for the home look no further than Johnsons Timber Supplies. Call our team on 0121 706 0404.