Brick patios

A simple design to make it easy to do-it-yourselfers laying brick patios. This brick patio design is easy to build yet elegant, laying the bricks in a model that requires no cutting!Time required: 2 days for a little patioMeasure out the desired area. Rectangular design plans are easier to run multiple curved designs. To make sure you have a perfect rectangle, diagonal 2: measure should be of equal length.Dig the area, at a depth of 8 ". With a level, check that the floor of your excavation runs (1/4 "for running foot) far from home for drainage so water will go away from home and patio.Make a test with the posing your model, to check your measurements. In this way, if your initial measurement was turned off, you can fix it now. There should be approximately 2 "extra around the perimeter.This extra 2 "around the perimeter is the inclusion of outline of bricks (bricks are approximately 2" thick). Keep the bricks on the end, "shoulder to shoulder". Draw them in place with a rubber mallet. The idea is to frame the rectangular area. Remove the bricks that defined as a test run in step # 3 (but keep the brick edging that referred to in point # 4 on the spot). Pour the crushed stone framed in this area, at a depth of 4 ". Tamp down the stone. Set the fabric landscape above the stone, to suppress weeds potential later. Now pour 2 "of sand above the fabric of the landscape. Use a long 2 x 4 as a screed. Starting from one end of the rectangle, this screed leveling along the sand, sand. You want Sandy to finish level 2 "under the tops of the brick edging.Sand excess in step # 7 will then be redistributed to low-lying areas, and you'll end up with an even surface. Tamp the sand. Now is the time to start fixing patio floors brick-for real! Start in a corner, pressing bricks down into the sand. Abut them together as closely as possible. Hitting the bricks with a rubber mallet to settle them in the sand.You want to "paving bricks for this project. In the measurements that I'm giving, I'm assuming 4 "x 8" brick about 2 "thick. Brick pavers come in other formats; but this size is easier to work with.For a design pattern, I'm suggesting the "basket weave" (see link # 2 below, which connects to an illustration of basket weave design pattern). The wicker is elegant but simple and requires no cutting of bricks. Avoiding cutting will save you time, money and frustration!Run the line of a Mason via the form as you proceed, line by line, in laying the bricks. Mason line will serve as a guide for consistency.After laying the bricks, spread some sand on them. With a broom, work this sand into the cracks. Then, with a garden hose, gently spray bricks, sand will settle between the cracks.If the cracks are not yet fully filled, repeat Step # 14. Now you're done!For a graphic illustration of basket weave design pattern, see wicker. This is an attractive design flooring without any cutting of bricks.The key to keeping the project free of pressure is step # 3. For the mathematically-challenged, it is comforting to know--the first time that all the bricks in the form inside the structure and fit tightly.As you lay bricks (# 9-# 13 steps), kneel directly on the sand or bricks. Kneel instead on plywood on top of the brick. Don't want to make the sand irregular or dislodge the bricks.Rectangular plans work best for small courtyards. To soften rigid lines, simply plant gardens along the edges of the container. For larger courtyards, curved designs-but be prepared to cut bricks!A brick which is 4 x 8 x 2 makes this project go more smoothly: in a wickerwork design you want the width of 2 bricks for the length of 1 is equal, so that you can develop a chessboard pattern. shovel clean and rubber lineplywood malletlevel stonelandscape fabricpaving bricksmason crushed to kneel onbroomgarden 2 x 4 hoseone long screed

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