Laying a patio - advice and opinions

Simpsongal1

We moved into our fixer upper last Monday.  The projects are never ending.  But it's satisfying to see things come together a bit.  I'm going to work on painting vertical stripes in our bedroom soon.  I'll be sure to PIP when I'm finished.  I still need to PIP my very blue cabinets, but the kitchen is a bit messy from the move.

We'd like to lay a patio and walkways outside.  Would you use slate or one of the manmade products from Lowe's/Home Depot?  I think slate will be more expensive but might look nicer.  On the other hand, I really liked some of the man made products, e.g.:

http://www.lowes.com/pd_59765-215-104816550_4294728526_4294937087_?productId=3036312&Ns=p_product_qty_sales_dollar|1&pl=1&currentURL=%2Fpl_Pavers%2BEdging%2BRetaining%2BWalls_4294728526_4294937087_%3FNs%3Dp_product_qty_sales_dollar%7C1&facetInfo=

http://www.lowes.com/pd_287003-215-NA_4294728526_4294937087_?productId=3030503&Ns=p_product_qty_sales_dollar|1&pl=1&currentURL=%2Fpl_Pavers%2BEdging%2BRetaining%2BWalls_4294728526_4294937087_%3FNs%3Dp_product_qty_sales_dollar%7C1&facetInfo=

Bonus points if you have installation tips.  I was just planning on digging down a bit, leveling off the ground and using paver sand beneath and to finish.

 

Jerem2911

We used your 2nd option and it's held up well in the 2 yrs its been down. It was quite the project! We had to dig thru the clay, add sand and use a heavy tamper to get a flat surface. Those pavers are heavier than they appear, too. H and my dad did most of the work.

brianabrad

Jerem2911 - Very nice. I love your choice of pavers.

As far as installation, my mom and I did installed just a few pavers to help extend the end of her side walk and it was a lot of work. Digging down and trying to make them level wasn't as easy as you think. I personally can't imagine taking on a project as large as doing an entire patio but I'm sure with hard work and dedication you could get it done. 

Simpsongal1

Those look great, Jerem.   I think the big advantage of manmade is that there's no cutting required.  Maybe we'll head out to Lowe's and take a look in person.

Jerem2911

Our patio area was supposed to be larger, but H and dad said they'd had enough. :-)

We used a polymer sand and I guess it's kind of like an outdoor grout. That's the only maintenance with our patio thus far -- adding more to the cracks as it wears away.

Also something to consider is what you're going to do with ALL that dirt that you dig out. We hadn't originally planned to add a flower bed in our backyard, but we didn't know what else to do with all of our clay/dirt.

It was a lot of hard work, digging out the clay/dirt, adding the sand and tamping to get a level surface. My mom and I were busy with the wheelbarrow, carrying supplies to them. It took a long weekend of long hours to get as much accomplished as we did. I'd also suggest doing it in the spring or fall, when temps are cooler. We did it over a Memorial Day weekend and it was hot!

I can take more pictures of the patio, if you're considering using your 2nd option. The one above is the only one I have at work.