A brick patio can be laid over an existing concrete slab or in a sand bed. On concrete, bricks are set in 1/2 inch of wet mortar with 3/8- to 1/2-inch-wide mortar joints. You can create attractive, unique patterns easily with bricks.
Individually, bricks are small, so you can lay a brick patio piecemeal at your leisure. Do not attempt too much at one time or the mortar joints may look like wet spaghetti. Working in small sections makes it easier to maintain straight, uniform mortar joints.
Choose the correct brick for your area. If the ground freezes, use bricks classified as “SW.” Type “MW” should be used in milder climates. A “strap” is 100 bricks and weighs 500 pounds. Paving bricks cost from 30 to 50 cents each.
For a sand bed, a permanent border should be installed, such as timbers or angled brick. The primary base should be 4 to 6 inches of crushed gravel. Place a layer of plastic on top to keep weeds from growing. Follow this with 2 inches of sand and then the bricks.
If you already have a concrete patio, you can install ceramic tiles in thin-set adhesive over the concrete slab to dress it up. The joints will be filled with grout. Glazed tiles are easy to keep clean, but they can get slippery when wet.
Ceramic tiles aren’t a good choice for cold climates as the freeze/thaw cycle can pop the tiles loose over time. If you decide on tile, look for ones with a low permeability rate that are approved for floors and outdoor use. The tile cost depends on the type, thickness, size, and finish, but a general ballpark is $4 to $6 per square foot.
Concrete pavers are tough, low maintenance, and dimensionally consistent. They come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. Many concrete pavers interlock to make installation quick and ideal for inexperienced do-it-yourselfers.
The installation for concrete pavers is similar to brick. Dig the soil to a depth that allows for 3 1/2 inches of crushed rock, plus 1 inch of sand and the thickness of the pavers. Depending on style, each paver costs 50 cents to $1.50 or around $3 to $6 per square foot finished.
Stone is a natural material, so each piece has a unique shape and degree of flatness. This requires a higher skill level, and it will take longer to install a stone patio. Slate and sandstone, often referred to as flagstone, are common examples. Be careful, though: Slate can be slippery when wet.
You can find stone at landscaping yards. Put a number of pieces together when shopping to get a realistic picture. Natural stone begins at about $3 per square foot, but that varies by region. For good values, look for stone common to your area.
The most permanent base is a 4-inch concrete slab, which rests on a gravel bed. Set the stone on top in a mortar bed for a stable patio. It can be laid in sand or on a compacted, crushed-stone base in dry mortar mix if a permanent border is installed.
