How to Design a Front Patio With Interlocking Stone

A front patio area is a nice touch, offering a larger space to sit and relax or talk with neighbors. You have many choices in material to use for the space, such as interlocking stones. These are easy to use and slide together so that you don't make any mistakes in how you angle each stone. You can usually install your new patio in a day or two depending on how difficult it is to dig in you soil.

Twine
Wood stakes
Shovel
Compactor
Gravel
Sand
Level

Instructions

- 1
  Tap stakes in the ground and loop twine between each one to create an outline for the patio. Form the approximate shape you want and keep the lines loose in case you need to move the stakes. You want the front patio to have some room for chairs and maybe a table or other entertainment features, so keep that in mind when planning its size.
- 2
  Measure the sides of the patio, if you prefer a square or rectangular shape, to ensure the opposite sides are equal. Adjust the stakes as needed to get the sides at the right length. In addition, place a construction square at the corners to check for right angles.
- 3
  Move stakes around for free form patios until you get the positions of the stakes where you want them. Tighten up the twine when you are done.
- 4
  Set a few of the interlocking stones inside the patio area and move them around until you get the direction you want them to go.
- 5
  Dig out the area for the front patio down 10 inches. This is 8 inches for foundation and 2 inches for the patio stones. If the stones are thicker than 2 inches, then you need to dig down farther.
- 6
  Pack the surface with a plate compactor. Push it across the surface and the plate vibrates and packs the soil.
- 7
  Fill the patio area with 6 inches of crushed gravel. Pour in 3 inches and pack it down with the compactor, and then fill it with 3 more inches and pack the second layer down. Check the finish to ensure that it is level. If not shovel out or add gravel to make the area level.
- 8
  Pour in 2 inches of course sand and pack it down as you did the gravel.
- 9
  Place the interlocking pavers in the patio area, starting on one side of the area. Begin at the middle of the side and place pavers along the edge of the patio area. Do not press the pavers down into the sand. Continue until you reach the ends of the side.
- 10
  Cut the pavers to fit the ends. Place the pavers down and mark where to cut them. Use a wet saw to cut along the lines of the pavers. Repeat with additional rows, interlocking each paver until you have covered the area.
- 11
  Sweep sand across the patio to work it in between the cracks. Water down the surface to settle it.

Brick Styles for Ranch Homes

Stopping Heat Loss in a Balloon Frame Home

Home Design