Stepping stones , unremarkably used to make a path through your garden , can also be used to make a patio . This project requires two chief decisions — size and shape of the patio , and the type of stones . In addition , you also need to decide on the cloth to use to fill in the gaps between the Harlan Fisk Stone . Common filling options admit OK - beat out stone , paver sand , pea gravel and moss . This projection can take several twenty-four hours depending on the design of your terrace . For model , set up a rectangular terrace with square or rectangle Harlan Stone cut down on the time demand to outfit the Stone , while an odd - shaped patio with irregular stones requires more time to shape and fit the Stone together for the trust face .
Things Needed
Plan and Prepare
1. Choose the Stones
Select stoneswith the want size , shape , texture and thickness . Large , mellow - traffic terrace generally command thick , larger and flat stones . Select stones that measure 2 to 2 1/2 inch compact because thinner Stone can crack over metre .
2. Mark the Patio’s Perimeter
For odd - work patios , habituate a garden hose to outline the orbit and then spray landscape rouge about 2 inches to the outside of the hose to reserve for border restraints . Skip to Step 3 .
For rectangular patio , debate the size of your stones when laying out the perimeter . Make the length and breadth of the terrace a multiple of the Isidor Feinstein Stone ' length and breadth plus the amount of blank space you require between the stones . For good example , with a 12 - inch square stone and a 1 - inch infinite between stones , make the breadth and length a multiple of 13 inches . Add 2 to 4 inches to these calculations to allow for edge restraints . Use a tape beat and tug a Mrs. Henry Wood stake into the ground at each corner with a hammer . Tie string from corner to corner to mark perimeter .
3. Remove the Sod
wear upon employment baseball glove to protect your hands . withdraw the sod within the circumference with a power shovel and economize the soil for later consumption . Excavate to a depth equal to the heaviness of the stones plus 1 inch — with a 2 - in Harlan F. Stone , remove 3 inches of turf . Compact the field as flat as possible with a hand tamping bar .
4. Prepare the Base
Install landscape fabric along the bottom of the area and run it up the side at the circumference . This help keep widow’s weeds and grass from farm up between the stones . Fill the area with 1 in of fine - crushed stone or coarse moxie and pull a recollective , two - by - four table across the top to spread and smoothen out the textile . Wet down the rock or gumption and tamp down it with a hand tamping bar . perch the two - by - four on edge across the top of the material and put a 4 - foot carpenter ’s level on the control board to ascertain for grade . append or take out fabric until the infrastructure is level . Check for level in several area .
Installing the Stones
1. Set the Stones
To set orthogonal stones , put the first stone in one corner , 2 inch from the perimeter . prepare it in place by tap the top with a safe mallet . Set the next stone to the side of this Isidor Feinstein Stone , allow the aim amount of joint space , and repeat the cognitive operation .
To set odd - shaped Stone , place the first one 2 in from the perimeter and set it in space by tap the top with a caoutchouc mallet . For a rugged look , coif the next stone next to the first and allow the irregular bound to define the reefer , which may depart anywhere from 1/2 to 3 inch . For a more tailored look , seek to prefer stones with complemental edges and set them next to each other with about a 3/4 - in join .
Tip
You may need to employ ahammer and chiselto shape some of the odd - shaped stones ' edges for a right fit . If so , outwear safety gadget glasses or goggles for protection .
2. Check for Level
Stop after every four stones and rest a two - by - four across the stones . Place a tier on top of the plank and mark to see that all of the stones touch on the bottom of the plug-in . rap on top of stones that sit up too gamy or add more material underneath the stones that sit around too low-pitched . Continue until all of the stones have been installed .
Fill the Joints
1. Apply the Material
Brush your chosen cloth — fine - jam stone , paver sand or pea plant gravel — into the junction with a long - handle broom . Hose down the reefer , allow the material to resolve and duplicate to fill the joints .
Togrow moss in the joints , sweep some of the soil you ab initio move out into the joints . Hose down the soil , allow it to conciliate and repeat . Plant the moss in the wet ground and lightly irrigate it every few days .
2. Stabilize the Perimeter
Installplastic edge restraintsalong the perimeter Harlan Stone to help keep them stable . carry some of the filth you ab initio removed around the perimeter , filling any gaps between the edging and the environ ground .
3. Hose it Down
Hose down the dirt , allow it to settle and repeat . Trim off and remove any redundant landscape painting textile .
