How to Create a Patio Deck

Pick a location to install the patio. The area should be fairly level and have proper drainage. Sketch out how large you want your patio to be and whether you want it to be square or rectangle.

Use garden stakes and mason's string to plot out the area for the patio deck. The string and stakes will be your guide for keeping the edges of the patio deck straight.

Dig a shallow trench around the perimeter of the patio with a flathead shovel, using the mason's string and stakes as your guide. The trench should be about 4 to 5 inches wide for a noticeable outline. After the entire patio deck space has been outlined, remove the stakes and string.

Dig out the area for the patio inside the outline, 7 inches deep. Keep the edges straight as you dig and keep the bottom of the area as level as possible. After you finish digging out the area, check the bottom with a level. Use a hand tamp to level it out as needed.

Spread pieces of landscape fabric across the dug out area until it is covered. Place a 3 1/2-inch layer of gravel on top of the fabric. This will prevent water from pooling under the patio.

Set two 1-by-4-inch boards parallel to each other and on top of the gravel. The boards should reach from one end of the patio area to the other. These boards are used as screed rails. Make sure the boards are level.

Dump approximately 1-inch of sand into the area on top of the gravel. Spread the sand around with the back of your shovel until it is is level with the top of the boards.

Pass a 2-by-4-inch board along the screed rails to level out the sand. Remove the boards.

Place a patio paver in one corner of the dug out space. Use a rubber mallet to softly pound the paver in place until it is level. Repeat to install all of the pavers needed to cover the patio, leaving only small gaps between each one. Do the outside pavers first then work your way inside.

Spread a thin layer of sand over the patio. Use a stiff-bristled broom to sweep all the sand into the spaces between the pavers. Use a water hose to spray down the patio and pack the sand in place. This will keep the pavers from shifting.