Summer’s here, which means it’s time to be outdoors—cooking, reading, and playing all move out into the fresh air after a long winter indoors. Having a cultivated space to set up your grill or furniture where there is level ground and your feet aren’t in the dirt makes it easier to spend time outside and increases the value of your home. Paver patios are a great option to add functional outdoor space to your property, and they are also an excellent choice for replacing an existing patio that’s worn out. Pavers come in a variety of colors and styles to suit your aesthetic preferences to match the style of your home. Building a paver patio can be tricky if you’re not familiar with the process, so we’ll walk through the preparation and installation process as well as some considerations around why hiring professional patio contractors such as Greenway of Nashville may be in your best interest.

What Is the Process for Designing and Building a Paver Patio?

Creating a good plan is one of the most important parts of any home project, and paver patios are no different. Before you ever break ground, the first step is to determine the size, shape, and layout of your new patio. This will be guided by the location you want it placed—if you are building in a small area, you’ll need to consider how to best make use of the space. If it’s a spot prone to flooding, you should also plan to address the landscape drainage issues as part of the project, otherwise the patio can be set up to fail. Having a professional contractor involved like those at Greenway makes this process easier, as they’ll know the options and what will work best for your situation.

Part of the planning process also involves choosing your pavers, including size, color, and material. You should plan to order enough pavers from a supplier to cover the area as well as have extras on hand. You’ll want to check whether the supplier has these readily available and can provide them immediately or if there’s a delivery timeframe you’ll have to account for—if you’re looking to start this weekend but the pavers won’t be in stock for three weeks, you’ll need to adjust course. You’ll also need to choose what pattern you want the pavers laid in, as they can be placed in patterns like herringbone or laid in a more traditional manner such as straight rows (called running bond).

Once the plans are squared away and installation time comes, the site for the paver patio should be prepared by marking the area with stakes and strings to outline the space. The next step is excavating the ground to create a level facet for the pavers to be placed in, and the depth to carve out will depend on the type of paver you use. It may take time and effort to cut through the grass and dirt with just a shovel; a sod cutter may come in handy here. The surface will need to be graded to ensure proper drainage as well as prevent an uneven patio.

Next, a base layer of material like crushed stone or gravel is placed in the excavated area so that there is a stable foundation that allows for some drainage to occur. It should be packed securely so that it cannot shift and affect the pavers that will lie on top. Edging will be laid around the perimeter of the patio to create a wall that helps hold the stones in place. Sand or fines are then poured over the crushed stone to affirm the stable base. Once smoothed over and ensured to be level, you’re finally ready to begin installing the pavers.

This will typically begin in one corner of the prepared area, and while the pattern will dictate how and where the sequence of pavers is laid, it generally means you’ll work your way out from there until the entire area is covered. Care should be taken to get the pavers snug to one another, and frequent pauses are helpful to assess the pattern as it comes together or make needed adjustments, otherwise you could end up off keel and have to undo a lot of work! Next, polymeric sand is spread across the pavers and swept into the joints between them to fill in the space. Sealing can be performed to help ensure the pavers are steadfast against weather and elements, though this isn’t required. You might wonder how soon you can walk on pavers after installation—thankfully, that won’t impact the project timeline much. Unlike poured concrete that has to cure for over a week, once the pavers are down, they can be walked upon immediately.

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How Long Does a Patio Take to Install?

As with anything, this varies based on the scope of the project—a small patio on a relatively easy landscape will take far less time than a large one in a space that also requires extensive drainage work. On average, a paver patio could take several days to install. DIY may seem cost-effective, but mistakes and revisions end up costing additional time and money. If hardscaping is something you don’t have a lot of experience with, or if life is busy and you’d have to do the project in stages, Greenway of Nashville will take the work off your plate so that you don’t have to learn a new trade or juggle an extra responsibility.

One aspect of the project to consider related to time is approval from homeowner’s associations and local permits. Many areas have requirements in place that involve notification of governing bodies that work will take place and may require some form of written permission. The benefit of having professional hardscapers install your paver patio is that they will be familiar with this process and will not only know the average time required, but will do that leg work for you.

How Long Does a Paver Patio Last?

If installed correctly, with attention to detail, and using top-tier materials as we do at Greenway of Nashville, a paver patio should last for at least 30 years, if not longer. The key here is buying high-quality pavers and ensuring a good foundation that will hold up to drainage, weather, and wear over time. We’re proud to use only the best materials we know from experience will stand the test of time.

Concrete Patio Services From Greenway of Nashville

Searching for patio contractors near me will undoubtedly find you an abundance of people who install paver patios, but none meet the excellence of Greenway of Nashville. With more than 15 years of experience in hardscaping, we understand how to design and build a beautiful outdoor space that will last a lifetime. We’re happy to help you assess the situation and provide a free, price-guaranteed quote by contacting us on our website or by calling us at (615) 238-4574.

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