Building Your Own Slate Patio
Slate is a perfect stone for the outdoor gardener. Durable and aesthetically pleasing, it highlights outdoor spaces and is both easy and cost effective to work with. Slate patios are quite easy to create and very versatile. The creation of a slate patio is a do-it-yourself project that can come to completion in the course of a day.
Instructions
- Measure the area where the patio will be built. Mark the area with spray paint. Transmit these measurements to a professional at your local home improvement store. Your calculations will tell you the amounts needed for each of the materials you purchase.
- Cut along the marked area with a shovel. Next, remove the grass in the enclosed area with a shovel. If it is a large job, or if the material that is being cut in and removed is the pavement or concrete, use an excavator. It is best to hire a professional for this segment of the job, if that is the case.
- Use a level to determine that the cut area is level. Once this step is complete, you are ready for the work to proceed. If it is not well leveled, spread the dirt around with a shovel to level the area.
- Place the slate pieces in the patio area in the desired pattern. The slate can come in two ways. It can be in individual pieces or it can come as several pieces connected with a mesh material. Either way is fine. Pour the stone dust between the pieces of slate. Compress the powder with a barrel roller. Sweep the excess with a brush.
- Apply grout between the pieces of slate. Wipe the excess with a damp cloth or sponge. Next, apply a layer of weather-resistant sealcoating with a brush or roller. Let it dry for six to eight hours before stepping on or placing the furniture in the slate patio.
