Create Patio Design

• Use graph paper to plan and draw out your patio design. Consider the area where you want the patio to be. Make sure the shape and size of the patio you want will work where you want it installed. Research the various types of pavers. Choose a size, shape and color that will work for your design.
  
  

Excavate

• Use stakes and string to outline the desired patio shape where it will be installed. Clear the installation area of bushes or plants. Check on the location of any buried electrical or cable lines that may be located beneath where the patio will be installed. Excavate the area deep enough for 3 inches of gravel for proper drainage, 2 inches of sand and the patio stones you have chosen. Make sure the installation will have a grade sloping away from the house of 1 inch per 8 feet for good rainfall runoff. Set 1-by-6 inch wooden boards along the inside edges of the excavated area as a working frame for the gravel, sand and patio stones.
  
  

Add the Base Layers

• Shovel the gravel over the excavated area and smooth it out with a rake or screed. Compress the gravel with a vibrating plate machine. Go over the gravel three times to insure that it is well compacted. Spread the sand with a shovel and rake it smooth. Use the vibrating plate machine to compact the sand. Make sure there are 2 inches of compacted sand.
  
  

Install Patio Stones

• Set the patio stones. Start in the center for an intricate design. Start at one end for a basic patio without an intricate design. Use a piece of plywood to kneel on while setting the stones to avoid displacing the compacted sand. Spread silica sand thinly over the entire patio. Sweep the sand over the patio stones and well into the cracks between the stones. Sweep any leftover excess sand off of the tops of the stones. Finish setting the stones with the vibrating plate machine. Run the machine over the stones twice to make sure they are well set. Hose off the stones. Set the garden hose nozzle for a strong stream to help force the sand into the cracks. Allow the patio to dry and set for at least 4 days before removing the framing boards. Apply a patio stone sealant to give the stones a nice shine and protect them from traffic and the elements.