Simple Inexpensive Instant Backyard Patio
Turning your grassy backyard into an inviting patio space can seem daunting, especially if you're on a budget. But with some planning, creativity, and elbow grease, you can install an inexpensive DIY patio on your lawn in a weekend.
The key is choosing budget-friendly materials and efficient installation methods that allow you to create a functional, durable patio without breaking the bank.
Budget Planning for Inexpensive Instant Patio on Grass
Installing a patio on grass has multiple economical options to fit different budgets. First, consider your overall budget constraints. Typical materials for a 10 x 12 foot patio cost:
- Concrete pavers - $300
- Poured concrete - $500
- Composite decking - $700
- Natural stone - $900
You'll also need gravel, base materials, landscape fabric, and tools. For a DIY instant patio, allot $50-100 for accessories. In total, budgets usually range from $350 for basic paver patios up to $1000 or more for upgraded materials.
Once you decide on an amount, determine priorities. Splurging on better quality patio surfaces and decorative features may mean accepting higher long-term costs. But cheaper installations could require more frequent maintenance and earlier replacement.
Consider Ongoing Maintenance
Balance upfront expenses with lifetime patio costs. Concrete and composite decking have higher initial investments but last over 25 years with minimal yearly maintenance. Cheaper patio pavers may shift, crack, or fade faster, demanding repairs.
Plan for periodic preservation costs when establishing your patio budget to avoid surprise expenses down the road.
Select Patio Material Options for Rapid Installation
Choosing the right patio materials enables fast, simple installations. Consider these ground cover selections rated by ease of use for DIY backyard patios on a lawn:
Concrete Pavers
Concrete pavers interlocking blocks create paths, patios and driveways. The preformed squares connect like puzzle pieces, allowing rapid flooring layouts. Concrete shapes resist weather and enable creative geometric designs.
Foam spacer tabs provide even spacing while allowing sand and vegetation to fill seams. Concrete shares strengths with poured versions but permits simpler DIY projects. Just position blocks over prepared bases as unique budget stone or brick alternatives.
Poured Concrete
Though requiring forms and proper curing, poured concrete offers durability at affordable rates. With proper gravel foundations, poured concrete withstands freeze-thaw cycles in colder climates. Leveling and smoothing may demand equipment rentals from home improvement stores.
Stamping tools can further enhance plain flatwork with decorative patterns. Stencils, coloring additives and engraving allow personalized designs. Sealing protects surfaces from staining while enhancing aesthetic appeals.
Composite Decking Boards
Composite decking combines wood and plastic for quality imitation lumber. Waterproof and low-maintenance boards suit patios and decks alike while resisting moisture, fading and pests. Composites withstand weather fluctuations better than natural softwood.
Cutting composite boards only requires standard tools. Numerous neutral colors and natural wood grains suit diverse landscaping styles. Anti-slip decking establishes safe, elegant outdoor walkways quickly during renovations.
Paver Stones
Brick and natural paver stones enable infinite patio layouts with block patterns. Tight sand-swept joints deter weed growth while enabling water drainage. Organic aesthetics contrast well with gardens and lawn edges, complementing nature's randomness through irregular organic edges.
Dragging proper bases over prepared underlying surfaces levels areas for basic patio stones. Renting plate compactors simplifies professional installations for novices. Mix mortar as needed between designer stone blocks, bricks or pavers to fix everything firmly together once positioned.
Measure Grass Area and Design Patio Layout
Measure the lawn's length and width with a tape measure to determine the total square footage available. Sketch ideas using graph paper for desired patio shapes and dimensions. Standard concrete pavers measure 16 inches square.
Consider adjoining landscaping elements like gardens, fences or sheds when planning patio orientations. Minimize grass impact by hugging beds and barriers rather than slicing directly through open yards. Mark layouts temporarily with spray paint or flour.
Decide on Patio Shapes
Balance grass preservation with aesthetic patio layouts. Stepping stones meander through properties without dominated spaces. Geometric patterns like concentric squares contrast well against organic lawn shapes.
Circles, spiraled designs and custom curves maximize visible design but reduce walkable areas. Offset square or rectangular outlines to angle within lots for blended harmony with the existing landscape.
Prepare Grass Area for Installation
Installing a patio over an existing lawn demands preparatory foundation work before laying permanent surfaces. Most materials need 4-6 inches of crushed stone bases beneath their undersides.
Level Ground
Use a shovel, rake and level line strung taut between stakes to smooth, shape and flatten the installation zones. Establishing an even grade early simplifies subsequent construction steps. Remove high points and fill in dips or depressions gradually.
Add Gravel Base
Lay weed barrier fabric over smoothed earth. This prevents vegetation growing up between patio blocks later. Spread and compact at least 4 inches of gravel screening or crushed limestone across zones.
Tamp the angular rock shards thoroughly with a hand tamper or rented plate compactor so they bond together, enabling proper water drainage. Deeper bases boost durability.
Install Landscape Fabric
Some patio types benefit from including landscape fabric layers between their undersides and gravel bases. This added moisture barrier keeps the ground beneath from pushing upward. Unroll fabric and cut sections to fit zones.
Tools Needed for DIY Instant Patio
Assembling the necessary equipment ahead of time saves construction delays. Having tools ready ensures efficient installations whenever inspiration strikes. DIY enthusiasts can complete quality patio projects with these essentials:
Line Level
Accurate leveling improves amateur work to professional standards. Use one atop laid pavers to align surfaces and verify evenness. Alternatively, attach levels directly atop shovels when grading ground.
Shovel
Transport gravel, dirt and other shredded minerals with a rounded scoop shovel. Garden types with squared blades better cut sod. Use soil models to dig post holes and general excavation tasks.
Tamper
These gasoline-powered compaction rollers pound bases flat, though manual hand versions work too. Plate compactors better suit poured concrete. Tamp gravel throughout patios to prevent sinking or shifting long-term.
Circular Saw
Cut composite decking, concrete backerboards, metal edging and any wood 2x2's or 2x4's straight with appropriately sized round blades. Jigsaws alternatively tackle any necessary curve cuts.
Framing a patio with supports provides solid anchoring and attractive edging. Align and stake treated lumber skirting underwater or at ground level. Level and tamp crushed gravel infill alongside perimeters.
Frame notches hold composite boards or stone pavers securely in place as their final edges abut wood. Flush designs keep tripping risks low which simplifies future furniture layouts through unobstructed maneuverability.
Leave enough space between framing and fences or property lines for digging and planting after patio completion. Patios typically adjoin home structures on 1-3 sides depending on lot limitations and privacy needs.