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Money-saving Do-it-yourself Projects for Improving Outdoor Living Space (j o.tive PUbls"ing inlD urian. MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA www.creativepub.com (j 0'flIIIIw Publllililg iil"li r .. copyright © 2010, 2011 President/CEO: Ken Fund Creative Publishing international, Inc. VP for Sales & Marketing: Kevin Hamric 400 First Avenue North, Suite 300 Minneapolis, Minnesota 55401 Home Improvement Group 1-800-328-0590 www.creativepub.com Publisher: Bryan Trandem All rights reserved Managing Editor: Tracy Stanley Senior Editor: Mark Johanson Printed in at R.R. Donnelley Editor: Jennifer Gehlhar 10987654321 Creative Director: Michele Lanci-Altomare Art Direction/Design: Jon Simpson, Brad Springer, James Kegley Digital edition: 978-1-61673-333-9 Lead Photographer: Joel Schnell Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Set Builder: James Parmeter Production Managers: Linda Halls, Laura Hokkanen The complete guide to patios & walkways: money-saving do-it-yourself projects for improving outdoor living space. Page Layout Artists: Hespenheide Design p. cm. Shop Help: Charles Boldt Includes index. Author: Philip Schmidt At heaf of title: Black and Decker. Copy Editor: Betsey Matheson Summary: "A comprehensive guide to plan, build, maintain, repair, Proofreader' Jane Hilken and accessorize great outdoor living spaces"--Provided Illustrator: Trevor Burks by publisher. ISBN-13: 978-1-58923-481-9 (soft cover) Cover Photo by Beth Singer © 2009 ISBN-10: 1-58923-481-2 (soft cover) 1. Patios--Amateurs' manuals. 2. Garden walks--Amateurs' manuals. I. Black & Decker Corporation (Towson, Md.) II. Title. TH4970.C6472010 690' .893--dc22 2009038316 The Complete Guide to Patios & walkways Created by: The Editors of Creative Publishing international, Inc. in cooperation with Black & Decker. Black & Decker® is a trademark of The Black & Decker Corporation and is used under license. NOTICE TO READERS For safety, use caution, care, and good judgment when following the procedures described in this book. The Publisher and Black & Decker cannot assume responsibility for any damage to property or injury to persons as a result of misuse of the information provided. The techniques shown in this book are general techniques for various applications. In some instances, additional techniques not shown in this book may be required. Always follow manufacturers' instructions included with products, since deviating from the directions may void warranties. The projects in this book vary widely as to skill levels required: some may not be appropriate for all do-it-yourselfers, and some may require professional help. Consult your local Building Department for information on building permits, codes and other laws as they apply to your project. Contents The Complete Guide to Patios & Walkways Introduction . ................... . ....... 5 PATIO & WALKWAY BASICS . ... . ....... .. .. 7 Design Themes for Patios . .. ... . . . .... ..... . .. . . . .. .. . . 8 Material Selection . . .. ... ....... ... ... . . . . .. . ...... . . 16 Practical Considerations . .. ...... . . .... .... ........... 26 Patio & Walkway Plans . . . . . .. . .... .... ..... . .. . . . .. .. . 32 PATIO PROJECTS . ....................... 39 Layout & Surface Preparation . .... . ...... . .. . ...... . . .. 40 Drainage Swales . .. .. .... .. ... .... . . .. .... .. . ....... . 46 Dry Wells ............. . . .. ...... . ............. .. ... . 49 Retaining Walls . . .. ... ... . .. .. ........ . .... ...... . .. . 51 Cobblestone Paver Patio .. . ...... . .... .. . . .. .. . ...... . 57 Circular Paver Patio . . .... . ...... ... . .. .... ..... ... .. . 64 Mortared Paver Patio .. ...... .. ........ . .... ...... . .. . 70 Sandset Flagstone Patio ..... .. .... .... . . . ..... . . .. ... 75 Mortared Flagstone Patio . .. ...... .. .. . ..... . ....... . . 84 Concrete Slab Patio .... . . .. . . . . ...... ....... . . ..... . . 89 Acid-Stained Concrete Patio . .... ... . . .. .... .. . . .. .... . 96 Seeded Concrete & Wood Patio .......... .... ..... . .... 100 Tiled Concrete Slab .... . . .. . . . ....... ....... . . ... . . . 106 Loose Materials Patio .. ... .. .... ... . . .. .... .. . . .. .... 114 Loose-fill Patio with Fire Pit ... .... .. . . . .. . . . . .. . ..... . 116 Wood Tile Patio ... ..... . . .. ... . ...... ....... . . ... . . . 120 RubberTile Patio ......... ...... . . ..... . . . .......... 122 Patio Edging . ... . .... .......... .. . ... . . . ...... .. ... 124 Sandset Brick Patio ... . . .. . ..... . . .... .... .......... 132 WALKWAYS & STEPS ................... 139 Designing & Laying Out walkways & Steps ..... .......... 140 Sandset Brick walkway ... .. ..... . .... .. . . .. .. . ...... 144 Poured Concrete Walkway . .. . . . ........ . .... ...... . .. 150 Decorative Concrete Path . .. ... . .. . ............. .. ... 156 Mortared Brick Over a Concrete Path . . . .. .... .. . . .. .... 160 Flagstone Walkway .... . . .. . . . .. .. . . ... . ......... . . . 164 Simple Gravel Path ... . ... .. ...... . .... . . . ..... ...... 167 Pebbled Stepping Stone Path . .... ... ... . . . . .. . .... . . . 173 Timber Garden Steps ... . . .. . . . ......... . ......... . . . 177 Flagstone Garden Steps . . . . .. . . .. ..... ..... . . .... . ... 187 Boardwalk . . . . .. . . .. ... ....... ... ... . . . . .. . .... . . . 192 PATIO ROOMS & AMENITIES . ............ 195 Under-Deck Patio ........ .. ........... . . . ........... 196 Patio Enclosure . .. .. ... .. ...... . .. . ... . . . .. . .. .. ... 206 Patio Arbor & Trellis ..... .... ................ . . .. .... 220 Screened Patio Room . . .......... . .... .. . . .. .. . ...... 228 Outdoor Kitchen . .. .. .... .. ..... . .. . ... . . . .. . .. .. ... 236 Low-voltage Patio & Landscape Lighting . .. . .... ......... 244 Resources . ........................... 250 Photography Credits . .................. 251 Index ......................... . ..... 253 I Introduction A well-apPointed patio is the perfect example of enhanced outdoor living space. Designed around your lifestyle and favorite leisure activities, a patio can be comfortable, spacious, and even versatile, just like any well used indoor gathering place. But what makes a patio so special are the things you can't get under your roof: pure sunlight, open air, an atmosphere that changes hourly and with the seasons- in short, a direct connection to the outdoors. It is this unique combination of comfort and the natural world that gives patios the power to lure us out of the house and away from our indoor routines. As an "outdoor room," designing and decorating a new patio is not so different from planning any other living space. The design rule "function comes first" certainly applies. Assessing how everyone in the household will use the new patio is the primary consideration that influences every other decision, from planning the size, shape, and layout to choosing paving materials and adding special features and amenities. One of the great things about building a new patio or walkway is the number of options you have to choose from. Few other building projects offer so many choices of materials, configurations, and even locations-unlike a deck or balcony, a patio doesn't have to be tied to the house or confined to the back yard; it can welcome guests at the front door or host an intimate gathering around a fire pit in a far corner of your lot. With all of this flexibility, a patio can complement your home's architecture as much as it shapes your landscape, and that's what makes creating a patio from scratch such a rewarding project. If a patio is a stage from which you can enjoy the outdoors, walkways and paths are the ties that bring it all together, linking the house, patio, garden, lawn, driveway, and any other points in between. Pathways unify various landscape elements in both functional and perceptual ways: they define spaces, direct traffic, and make it easy to travel from one place to the next. They also draw a line between separate, sometimes distant, spaces joining them visually and inviting us to venture on to the next destination. Thinking about patios and walkways together is a smart choice, as both can transform an outdoor home. It's not surprising, then, that a new patio project often leads to new walkways as well. Whether you're dreaming of a new patio, a new walkway, or both, this book will take you through the process from start to finish-from gathering ideas and choosing materials to preparing the site and laying the surface. After surfacing, you can set out some furniture and enjoy the fruits of your labor or you can gather more tools and start right in on another project, such as installing landscape lights or building an outdoor kitchen. Either way, as soon as you begin to enjoy your new patio, you'll quickly understand why so many do-it-yourselfers see their patios as works in progress- it's fun to keep thinking up new and creative ways to make your favorite outdoor spaces even better. • 5 Patio & Walkway Basics T o install a new patio or walkway, first get started by working through the basic steps of planning your project. The section in this chapter on design themes can help you think conceptually about the character and emotional quality of your new outdoor room. Consider, also, all of the ways you hope to use the new space and decide how the layout and other design elements will best accommodate those activities. Next comes the choice of paving material. Whether it's classic clay brick, naturally rough-hewn flagstone, simple and sleek concrete, or any of the other great options you'll learn about here, the surface material you choose will be the defining feature of your patio or path. In addition to the appearance and performance qualities of the different paving options, make sure to think about the logistics of installation. Flip ahead to the step-by-step projects in this book and review the materials to get an idea of the work involved and to gauge which applications best suit your design, budget, and time frame. Other practical matters to consider including zoning restrictions and natural conditions on your property, such as drainage and seasonal weather are addressed in this chapter as well. \t\Then it's time to pull it all together, you'll find it helpful to draft a site plan. The patio and walkway plans on pages 33 to 37 offer inspiration and tips for thinking globally about your patio or walkway in the context of your outdoor home. In this chapter: • Design Themes for Patios • Material Selection • Practical Considerations • Patio & Walkway Plans • 7 IDesign Themes for Patios If you were planning new living spaces for your indoor decide at the last minute to eat outside without much home, you would probably start by listing the main fuss. Choose lighting that is bright enough for eating uses of each room-cooking meals, throwing parties, comfortably but can easily be lowered for after-dinner relaxing with the family, sitting down for a chat with conversation. Locating the patio just off your indoor the neighbors, etc. Keeping these desired uses in kitchen makes the space convenient enough to be mind, you then decide how each space should look used as a second dining room. On the other hand, and feel. What is the essential character, or theme, of an outdoor kitchen brings the cooking right into the the space? Should it be formal and intimate, or should space, so the cook is never stuck inside during those . . it have an open feel, with casual furnishings setting precIOUS summer evemngs. the tone for each activity? The same thought process Entertaining on a patio involves a special combina applies to designing a new patio (which is, in essence, tion of indoor comforts and outdoor pleasures, where an outdoor living space). The following discussion of the open atmosphere invites guests to lounge under patio design themes can help get you started. the stars or take a stroll through the garden. A well designed entertainment space should be roomy yet I comfortable. Overheads and walls promote a feeling Entertaining & Dining of intimacy, while a wide wal1..rway or broad steps can If a patio is perfect for one thing, it's alfresco meals. encourage guests to wander off the patio and into the Whether enjoying a meal with the family or throwing yard. Furniture and more permanent features, such as a a casual weekend barbeque or late-night hors d'oeuvre fireplace, bar, or large dining table, can define the room's party, food just tastes better outdoors. A patio intended layout and set the stage for specific activities. Lighting is for everyday meals should be casual and convenient. critical for setting the mood and should be adjustable for Having a table and chairs set up at all times lets you tailoring your patio space to different settings. A simple dining setup with easy access to the kitchen is ideal for everything from morning coffee to romantic dinners to late-afternoon cocktails. 8 • COMPLETE GUlDE TO PATIOS & WALKWAYS Aside from the obvious focal point created by an outdoor fireplace or other similar large structure, an open patio can be entirely defined by its furniture and can be completely rearranged to suit the occasion. The shelter of plants and overheads can be an especially welcome feature for dining and entertaining areas, blocking the glare and heat of direct sunlight. Patio (7 Walkway Basics • 9