Professional backyard landscaping and design services can be expensive, so if you have some spare time and want to save some money, you may consider putting down a paver patio. These types of patios use outdoor tiles of various materials to create a permanent surface; many people like paver patios because they tend to be more visually appealing than poured concrete patios, and they are a DIY project that most people can do on their own. If you are planning to install a paver patio, use the following tips to help prepare the area:

Clearly Mark the Patio Perimeter

The very first step to installing a paver patio is knowing exactly where it is going to be located. it is a good idea to mark the perimeter with spray paint and also use stakes and heavy duty string to create an outline for the new patio.

Always Use a Weed Barrier

Weed barrier is a type of material that is laid under gravel, rock, and paver patios to prevent weeds or other vegetation from growing. It is typically inexpensive to purchase, and while it may add some time to your project, having a weed barrier in place will save you a lot of time in the future, as you won't have to worry about pulling weeds or grass from in between the pavers on your new patio.

Create a Secure Foundation

One of the keys to a paver patio that will look good and last for a long time is to create a very secure foundation for the pavers. this is achieved through the use of sand and gravel. The first step is to put down a layer of fine gravel to create a level surface and help with drainage. After the gravel is laid, add a layer of sand and then use a tool called a tamper to compress the gravel and sand and help it settle properly. The type of tamper used will depend on the size of the patio you are building-- if the area is small a hand tamper should work fine, but for a large patio it is best to rent a power tamper to ensure that the sand and gravel is properly compressed.

Add Edging

Edging is very useful when building a paver patio as it provides stability around the perimeter, and helps keep the finished patio together. Brick edging is often used with paver patios, but you can also used other stone edging pieces depending on the look the you desire. 

Contact a company like McNabb Construction Ltd or another location for more tips and information.

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