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Creating a Circular Patio An eyesore of a backyard becomes a patio showplace for this Massachusetts firehouse. From "Rock Solid" episode DROC-206

(Continued from page 3)

Phase 3: Setting the Circular Patio

When purchasing a circle pack, look for a pack specific to the diameter size that you want. They usually include a standard size (for example a 9-1/2 foot diameter circle) that can be expanded or cut down to suit your needs. Paver packs generally include a map that breaks down the number and type of pavers per row. Using a circle pack system ensures that you don't have to make any cuts and your joints are a uniform size-- generally about 1/8 inch

Each circle paver pack will include sizes unique to that product, but the pavers used for this project included:

• half center stones
  
• small wedges or tight tapers
  
• large wedges or regular tapers
  
• 3/4 stones
  
• small rectangles
  
• squares

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Dean and Derek suggest bringing all the pavers to the job site and stacking them by size to make the setting process easier. Begin laying pavers at the center with the two center stones and then lay the subsequent rows. To avoid stepping on the sand, Dean and Derek suggest working as a team with one person reading the map and tossing the stones to the other person setting (figure N).

When setting the stones, you can keep your pavers all one color or incorporate multiple colors. Dean and Derek chose two colors for this product-- red and grey--to match and contrast the red brick of the firehouse (figure O).

Lay the entire patio, keep the joints small and follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Figure N

Figure O

Phase 4: Securing and Finishing the Patio

With the pavers all set, secure the patio area with snap edging (figure P) or another type of edge restraint. Wrap the snap edging snugly against the pavers. Then drive the ten-inch spikes through the holes at an angle in towards the pavers to tightly secure the. When you have two pieces of edging that meet, snap them together and drive a spike through each (figure Q).

Figure P

Figure Q

Figure R

Sweep the patio clean and then compact the pavers. Compact the outer rows first (figure R), then work your way towards the center. You want to drive the pavers into the sand about 5/8 of an inch, so go over the entire patio three times with the compactor.

Dean and Derek fill the joints with grey polymeric sand; it has a binder that when wet hardens and prevents weeds from growing. Sweep the polymeric sand into the paver joints and compact thoroughly. Make sure you sweep all the sand off the pavers before you introduce the water (figures S and T). Wet the sand according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Figure S

Figure T

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