Where it started
A gravel pad under the deck, with the pavers stacked and waiting.
Stone patio
A stone patio, laid start to finish.
The result
Pavers laid under the deck and around the posts.
CAD model
Patio, landing, and path modeled in Onshape — with a bill of materials pulled straight from the model.
Open the 3D model
The process
Start to finish
- Design with the client — Model the patio in CAD and work through the pattern together.
- Order materials — Pavers, base, and sand, with quantities from the model.
- Prep the site — Clear and dig out the area.
- Compact and level — Run the compactor and level the base.
- Brick matrix — String a grid of lines and lay the bricks to it.
- Cut the walkway — Saw-cut the pavers to shape the walkway.
- Sand the bricks — Sweep sand into the joints.
- Topsoil and seed — Fill in around the edges and seed.
Lessons learned
01
A concrete saw is necessary
You can't cut pavers cleanly without one.
02
CAD is critical
The pattern, the cuts, and the material counts all come out of the model.
03
Set up a matrix of lines
A grid of string lines gets every stone roughly in the right place, so small errors don't compound across the patio.
04
Bricks are heavy
Plan how you'll move them before they arrive.
05
Rent a front end loader
Landscaping is much easier with one.