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Outdoor Patio–Building Tips for Beginners

Building an outdoor patio can be a great way to add value to your home. A patio will act as a beautiful, functional space that you and your family can all enjoy. But building a patio is a big project that requires a lot of work and planning. For your convenience, here are some outdoor patio–building tips for beginners.

Ask Yourself Some Questions

First, let’s take a look at the steps involved in building a patio. Like most projects, patio-building begins with some planning:

  • How much space do you have to work with?  
  • What type of materials will best suit your needs?  
  • What is your budget? 
  • Do you want something that’s easy to install, or are you willing to put in some extra time to get the look you desire?

Once you have answered these questions, you can draw up some plans. This will keep things organized so that everything goes smoothly during construction time. 

Plan Your Budget and Purchase Materials

Now that you have your plans, it’s essential to make sure all the materials you need are available before starting any work on site. These might include lumber, stone, bricks, and concrete. It’s also important to consider your budget at this stage to decide what type of materials you want to use. For example, the right stone veneer can make a great impact, and it’s a popular choice because it’s affordable and easy to install.

Prepare the Site

You must adequately prepare the site before beginning construction on your patio. This includes excavating the area, creating a foundation, and laying down proper drainage. If you’re doing this step independently, this process will take a weekend or two. But completing this step correctly is essential; otherwise, your patio could end up with water damage or sinkholes in the future. 

Start Construction

Now it’s time for the fun part: construction! This is where you’ll put all that planning into action and start building your patio.

  • Step one: Dig out the area where you want your new structure to be located. You’ll need to remove any sod, topsoil, or other debris and level the ground.
  • Step two: Install your foundation using concrete, stone, or brick.
  • Step three: Add your flooring—this could be tiles, wood planks, or even gravel if you’re on a budget. This is an excellent time to add a waterproofing sealant if necessary. 
  • Step four: Lay down the walls, which could be made out of plywood or concrete blocks, depending on what type of material you chose earlier in this process. 
  • Step five: Add a roof over the top if you desire. This could be a simple awning made out of aluminum or vinyl, a gazebo-style structure with latticework around it (which is more expensive), or even just an umbrella. 
  • Step six: Add the furniture of your choosing.
  • Step seven: Add any finishing touches, such as a grill, a fire pit, a fountain, plants, or lighting.

By using these outdoor patio–building tips for beginners, you can easily create a wonderful space for the whole family that will last for years. Get creative!

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Written by Logan Voss

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