How to Build a Patio With Repurposed Materials

Plan the Patio

• 1

  Measure the area for the patio and transfer the measurements to graph paper, using 1 square per foot. Indicate existing trees, shrubs and flower beds.

• 2

  Design the main pattern of bricks or pavers. For example, a round patio may be built with brick “spokes” leading to a center space. Alternately, if you are building a large patio, you may prefer a spiraling pattern inward, leading to a central point. Do not limit yourself, the patio edges may be curved or wrap around a focal point such as a twisted old tree or a newly built fountain.

• 3

  Gather repurposed materials such as broken plates, old trivets, glass or brass doorknobs, used ceramic tiles, broken concrete or sliced rounds of a tree trunk. Many materials are found in the “freebies” ads in newspapers and online. Others may be located at architectural salvage stores, at construction sites or in the debris of old houses as they are torn down.

• 4

  Prepare your materials. Sort by size and color into plastic bins. Sand the edges of broken plates and tiles to avoid sharp edges. Paint wood items with a water repellent sealer. Paint metal objects with a clear topcoat to protect them from the sun and rain.

Build the Patio

• 5

  Measure the thickest pieces of repurposed materials that you're using in the patio. Dig the patio base 4 inches deeper than that measurement, removing all grass and soil. Place the soil in low spots in the garden and grass in your compost pile.

• 6

  Tamp the soil firmly with a plate compactor.

• 7

  Add 4 inches of crushed gravel. Sprinkle with water. Tamp firmly, compressing the gravel by an inch.

• 8

  Add 2 inches of sand, raking evenly across the compacted gravel. Sprinkle with water and tamp firmly.

• 9

  Arrange the bricks or pavers according to your plan. Tap into place with a rubber mallet, adding or removing sand to provide a solid surface for walking.

• 10

  Add the repurposed materials in groups by color or theme to provide visual interest. Set into the spaces between the bricks or pavers and backfill with sand. Tamp the sand firmly to hold in place.

• 11

  Sprinkle sand over the patio and sweep into the cracks and crevices with a broom. Sprinkle gently with water. Add more sand and sweep again. Repeat every spring and fall to keep the spaces filled with sand.