How to Install a Cobblestone Patio on Concrete or Bare Soil | how-tos | DIY

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How to Install a Cobblestone Patio
Patios and on Concrete or Bare Soil
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An old concrete patio with a mismatched paver extension gets a completely different look
with a stylish cobblestone overlay. Using mats of pavers makes the installation fast and
easy.
Skill Level
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Start to Finish
1
Day Table of Contents
Tools Step 1:
Prepare the Base
compactor Step 2:
Add Sand
push broom Step 3:
Lay Cobblestone Pavers
foam squeegee Step 4:
Compact the Pavers
Show All Step 5:
Mix the Grout
Materials Step 6:
Pour and Spread the Grout
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How to Install a Cobblestone Patio on Concrete or Bare Soil | how-tos | DIY
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Prepare the Base
accessories to mudrooms to wreaths.  
In this yard, there were two different bases below the cobbles. Part of it was existing
concrete, and the other part had formerly been pavers. On the concrete, the only prep work How-To Advice and Videos
that needed to be done was a simple pressure wash. For the area beyond the concrete that
formed an extension, base rock was brought in to form a solid foundation (Image 1). The Get video instructions about kitchens, bathroom
base rock was laid down so that it actually rose about an inch above the existing concrete, remodeling, flooring, painting and more.
and then a gas-powered compactor brought it down so it was just slightly higher than the
Watch DIY Downloads Now
concrete (Image 2).

If you are starting in a bare soil area, dig down to give yourself a couple inches of base and Watch DIY Network LIVE
allow for half the height of the pavers to determine your final patio height. Don't miss your favorite shows in real time onlin
Step 2
Add Sand
Pour sand over the whole area and use a rake to spread it out about an inch thick. This will
form a cushion for the cobblestones.

Step 3

dycr207_patio-lay-pavers_s4x3
contractors lay patio pavers for walkway on this landscape
design on Yard Crashers.

Lay Cobblestone Pavers

The different colors and styles of pavers include straight, round and fanned-out designs. For
the straight type, start at one end and lay them on top of the sand in straight rows, working
your way to the other end of the space. Using wire snips, remove the two smaller cobbles at
the end of each mat of pavers so the mats fit together. At the end of the row, leave the
smaller pavers on the mat to serve as a straight edge.

Step 4

dycr207_patio-compact-pavers_s4x3
Close up of a contractor using a patio compact paver to
level the walkway and patio out evenly on Yard Crashers.

Compact the Pavers

Do not use a compactor over pavers that have been laid on top of concrete. If you have laid
them on top of base rock though, lightly spray the cobbles with water and go over them with
a compactor. This will push them down into the base rock but not all the way.

Step 5

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How to Install a Cobblestone Patio on Concrete or Bare Soil | how-tos | DIY
Mix the Grout
For this project, we used a special type of epoxy that, when mixed with sand, creates a grout
that hardens once it dries.

Use a portable cement mixer to mix the grout. Pour in one bag of sand, the color of which
will be the final color of the grout. Then add one container each of the two-part epoxy.
Finally, fill each of the containers with water and add that to the mixer as well. Pouring the
water into the containers allows you to measure correctly and also to use any remaining
epoxy.

Let the grout mix for about three minutes, until the consistency resembles pancake batter.

Step 6

dycr207_patio-spread-grout_s4x3
People spread grout over the walkway pavers on this
episode of Yard Crashers.

Pour and Spread the Grout

Wet down a wheelbarrow (so the grout won't stick to it) and pour in the grout. Use a foam
squeegee with a broom handle to spread the grout, filling in all of the gaps in the cobbletone.
It hardens in about 10 minutes.

Once you have most of the grout spread into the gaps, go over the same area with another
squeegee to clean the remaining grout from the top of the pavers. Once you've finished the
whole area, use a stiff-bristle push broom to clean up any remnants again. Let the new
cobblestone patio dry for five hours before walking on it.

Next Up

How to Install a Base for a Concrete Floor

Concrete can be an interesting design statement for kitchen floors. New concrete-based
products allow DIYers to create custom looks to suit their tastes.

How to Install a Cobblestone Patio

Learn how to create a lovely outdoor space by laying a new cobblestone patio.

How to Install a Skim Coat for a Concrete Floor

Adding a skim coat is important because it will strengthen the floor, and when colored, acts
as a primer coat for the second hand-trowelled coat of finish.

How to Install a Cobblestone System

Enhance your exterior living space with a European-style cobblestone-clad patio.

How to Prepare a Subfloor for Terrazzo Tile

Before you can install floor tile, there must be a viable subfloor that the tiles can adhere to.
Follow these step-by-step instructions to prepare a wood subfloor for tilework.

How to Install Engineered Wood Over Concrete

Engineered wood flooring offers the timeless look of hardwood, but is perfect for basements
and other areas where moisture can be an issue. Follow these steps to install an engineered
wood floor in your home.

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How to Install a Cobblestone Patio on Concrete or Bare Soil | how-tos | DIY

How to Stamp a Concrete Porch Floor

Rock Solid hosts Derek Stearns and Dean Marsico show how to use overlay and a pattern
stamp to rework a cracked and peeling concrete porch floor. The result is a stylish porch
surface resembling slate at a fraction of the cost.

How to Create a Compacted Rock Patio

Not only is this new patio a great outdoor living area, it's an easy-to-install, compacted-rock
project that doesn't use even a dribble of cement.

How to Install Backer Board

Learn how to install backer board before installing a ceramic tile floor.

Laying a Pebble Patio

Give an old concrete patio a complete facelift with an overlay of pebbles mixed with epoxy.
The result is a patio that looks like a sandy beach, giving the feel of an island resort in your
own backyard.
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How to Install a Cobblestone Patio on Concrete or Bare Soil | how-tos | DIY
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