How to lay a patio using a brick line?

Step 1 – Plot out shape

First of all, you need to plot out the shape of your patio base. The base will be slightly larger than the finished patio. If there are right angles involved, mark them accurately with stakes and brick lines.

Step 2 – Dig hole

Dig out a hole roughly 15cm (6in) deep. (Your hole needs to be larger than your finished patio so that you have room to install a supporting border – see step 5) If you are removing turf, cut it off in strips with a spade and keep it rolled up for later use.

Step 3 – Set up brick lines

Using stakes and brick lines, plot out the shape of your patio. The brick lines should be set up so that they provide guidelines to the external border of your patio.

Step 4 – Lay some landscaping fabric (optional)

Laying a piece of landscaping fabric over the dug-up earth is not essential but it will reduce the chance of weeds growing up through your patio later on.

Step 5 – Build first corner of frame

It is advisable to build a timber frame border around the edge of your patio so that it holds the stones, bricks or slabs in place once you lay them. To do this, cut an appropriate length of timber and lay it along the edges of your hole and stake it in place for extra support. Start with a corner and follow your brick lines for accuracy.

Step 6 – Build rest of frame

Using the brick line as a guide, continue with the rest of the frame until the whole shape is completed. Secure it together with nails and support the beams with stakes if necessary.

Step 7 – Add gravel

Lay gravel over the landscaping fabric to a depth of roughly 2.5cm (1in).

With a piece of scrap timber, level the gravel from side to side and introduce a gradual slope away from your house. This will help rainwater run away from the house.

Step 8 – Add sand

Cover the layer of gravel with a layer of fine sand roughly 1cm (1/2in) deep. Level the sand with a plank of wood and make sure the gradual slope is still sloping away from your house.

Step 9 – Lay patio

Stake a brick line across your hole and make sure that it is level and in a straight line. Begin laying your bricks or paving slabs snugly together in parallel with your brick line or in your desired pattern.

You do not need to move the brick line down with every row of bricks or slabs. As long as the first row runs parallel to your line then the others will follow suit. Continue until the frame is filled and your patio is in place.

Step 10 – Stabilize with sand

Pour some more fine sand over your patio and sweep it down into the cracks between your bricks or paving slabs. This will help to stabilize the bricks. Fill in the spaces around your border with soil and re-turf for a nice neat finish.