A paver patio can take a landscape in the Harrisburg and Lancaster, PA, areas to a whole new style level. The patio pavers are, in a sense, the building blocks to creating the ultimate lounging area, whether it be a small side patio or expansive backyard patio. Here’s how to properly install patio pavers for the best results:

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Have a Design in Mind

When you decide you want to add a paver patio to a property, be cautious before moving forward with ordering materials. You'll first need to have the design in mind so that you order the right amount of patio pavers. Will this patio have a border? A particular pattern? Should it look more modern or more traditional? There are many questions to ask, in order to narrow down the choice of paver. A scaled drawing, at the very least, will help you as you determine how many pavers you need, and as you discuss your options with your paver supplier.

Know the Size

In addition to design style and where the paver patio will be built, you must know the size specifications of the patio. Measure the area to ensure the paver patio will fit and see what size paver patio will look best in the space. Once you know the size specifications, you can work with your supply center to start ordering materials to complete the job. You’ll need base materials in addition to the patio pavers, and you may need to order tools as well. There are some calculations to make, depending on the size and shape of each paver, and this is something that is best confirmed with someone else, such as your paver provider.

Prepare the Base

Before you move forward with establishing the base for the patio paver, you will want to make sure all utility lines have been marked and consider if you need to pull any permits (that may be needed, for example, if the patio will be near a boundary line).

Before the base material can be applied, the area must be excavated and smoothed. Once the area is prepared, the base material can be applied to make a level area for the pavers to be put on top of it. You can use sand for your base or small chip stone. Both of these materials work well with regard to water drainage. In addition, the small chip stone is easy to work with, no matter what the weather may be. It’s generally recommended to lay the pavers down over the prepared base on that same day. This will ensure the base will stay in the same condition as it was when you first laid it down.

Install the Pavers

When it’s time to install the pavers, consider using an edge restraint while placing the pavers so the entire project stays in place. You will need to clean the surface and do a final compaction. Once this is done, you can apply polymeric sand, to hold the paver patio together.

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