Paver Patios Creating Beautiful Outdoor Spaces

by Kevin Smith Author

More and more, homeowners are turning to pavers as a cost-effective way to create functional and creative outdoor patio spaces.

Pavers are pre-formed blocks in a variety of textures, shapes, and colors used to create hard surface outdoor patios. Besides patios, pavers are used in landscaping steps, garden paths and retaining walls, and even driveways when you want a look different than concrete. With a little knowledge a homeowner can install the pavers themselves or hire a professional installer of pavers in Reno, NV.

Work at Your Own Pace

One of advantage of pavers is you can do the project at your pace. When you pour a cement patio or outdoor feature you must complete the project before the cement dries. With pavers you can level and prepare the area, and then come back to the project later. Then when you’re ready, you can start laying a section of the patio. It’s like assembling a puzzle, setting down and fitting the pavers together. You will need lots of sand on hand to maintain a level surface. And you will spend lots of time on your knees so you would do well to invest in a pair of cushioned knee pads.

Compact the Ground

The most important part of the project is to begin laying your pavers after the ground has been compacted. You don’t want an area under the pavers to sink leaving a depression in your nice patio. It is well worth the investment to rent an impactor. Once you have the soil raked smooth, fire up the impactor which acts like a jack hammer. At the bottom of the impactor is a flat, smooth metal head. One you get the hang of it you’ll go over the entire area tamping it down. This will create low spots. In the low spots toss down more top soil and go at the area again. Check the area for level. If you find a slope in one direction add dirt there and pull the ripcord on the impactor and tamp down this area again.

Next map out your area with stakes and strings. Spread about an ½ inch of sand over the entire area and rake it smooth and level. The sand will also prevent weeds from growing up through the cracks. Lay your first row of pavers in the creative design you’ve chosen. Then lay the next row and check with a level. It’s a good idea to use a 6” torpedo level and a 48” level. The torpedo level is good for checking if two adjoining rows are level. The 48” level is good for checking large areas for level.

Pavers offer a nice alternative to pouring a cement patio in that there are lots of creative styles and option, and you can work at your own pace. Complete a section and then get back to the project a day or two later. With a little knowledge a homeowner can install the pavers themselves or hire a professional installer of pavers in Reno, NV.