How To Build a Stone and Brick Patio (DIY)

Introduction

Add a welcoming feature to your backyard with this attractive, long-lasting brick and stone patio. Our design easily adapts to fit your yard. Choose from a wide variety of stone types and brick styles. The result will be permanent and maintenance-free.

How to Build a Brick Patio Overview

Building a brick and stone patio like ours doesn’t take special skills. The casual, free-form design allows you to relax and be creative rather than worrying about precise cutting and fitting.

It’s a big project, but we’ll tell you how to build a patio. In a nutshell:

Plan the size.
Dig a hole about 10 in. deep, and pack a 6-in. layer of gravel to form a flat base that slopes slightly for drainage.
Set the patio stones and brick in a layer of sand and tamp them down so the surface is even.
Fill the cracks with sand, tamp again, then landscape around the new patio and you’re done.

The time this project will take you:

This DIY brick patio project isn’t technically difficult, but be prepared to devote a big chunk of time and energy to it. You’ll haul tons of dirt, gravel, stone and brick before you’re done. With a small crew of strong and ambitious helpers, you could finish this project in two or three weekends, but working alone at a leisurely pace, you’ll spend the better part of a summer.

The stones we used:

We assembled our patio from used street pavers that we bought from a brickyard. Individually, the bricks look a little crude, covered with tar and well worn, but the overall effect is perfect. Then we chose tumbled Wisconsin limestone for the border. The tumbling rounds the edges and gives the stone a worn look that complements the rustic appearance of the used pavers.

You may not find the exact materials we used locally; check the stone dealers in your area to see what’s available as you determine how to build a patio to your liking.

Varying costs depending on chosen materials:

This patio costs about as much as a premium-quality wood deck. The cost of patio stones varies widely, though. Get patio paver ideas before you start. Depending on your location, you might spend a lot more or a lot less as you figure out how to build a patio to your style. Our patio cost just over $500.