Patios are where most of us go when enjoying that special moment outside. Most patios are concrete poured slabs. This is not bad in itself, but there are alternatives to concrete.
Paver patios are a centuries old patio style. Now we call them interlocking concrete pavers. A thousand years ago they used real stone, they still do but costs leave out flagstone patios for many of us.
Making sure all paver work is installed by certified people is high on my list of importance. I’ve seen many disasters in other people installing a paver patio or paver driveway. There is a right way and a wrong way to install. On the most part however paver installation is very easy if you follow the proper steps.
1. Excavate soil 7-8″ below finish grade. ( The soil you excavate has to go somewhere. Ask questions like. Can I use in the landscape? Do I haul it away? Does a neighbor want it? For a typical 300′
patio you can count of removing a little over 6 yards or 50-60 full wheelbarrows of soil.
2.Install fabric cloth over the excavated area. This insures no merging of soil with the 3/4″ minus gravel you install next.
3. Install 4″ compacted 3/4″ minus gravel for patios and 6″ for driveways and spa areas. Compact in 2″ lifts. Make sure you consider drainage of approx. 2″ per 8′, except for spas.
4. Screed with 1″ concrete sand not mason sand. Best to use a 1″ galvanized pipes and make sure you consider drainage.
5. Start installing pavers
6. Secure edges with a product like snap edge with spikes 1-2′ on center.
This is a pretty simplistic overview of paver installation, but you can get the major idea.
Our interlocking concrete paver installers are certified with ICPI.
Our retaining wall installers are certified with NCMA.
Serving the Portland Vancouver area with award winning, certified landscaping service.
