Hey there patio lovers! How many patio pavers do you need? We're glad you asked... because we just so happen to have an article on the subject. You want to get the right amount for your patio so it looks great but also feels comfortable when someone walks on it. In this article, we'll teach you how to calculate your patio area and use that number as a guide for buying patio pavers.
Supplies you need
- Tape measure
- Calculator
- Pen and paper
Determine patio size and shape
For patio design, patio size is the most important factor to consider as patio shape depends on patio size.The size and shape will largely be driven by the size of your yard. You can only build a patio that will fit and function in your yard.
Calculate patio area
The area of your patio can be calculated by multiplying the patio width by patio length. To calculate the patio area, measure the patio in feet or meters and multiply. The number you get will be the patio area in square feet or square meters. This basic calculation will work if your patio is square or rectangular.
If your patio is circular, triangular, or you have additional pieces that make it not square or rectangular, then you will have to do a little more math. It is nothing difficult. You just have to use the formulas for figuring out the area of the shape that you are dealing with.
The best thing to do when you are working with an irregular shape is to break the design down into simple geometric shapes. When you do this, you can easily calculate the area of your patio.
Determine the number of pavers you need
If you want to calculate how many patio pavers you need for a patio project, it is necessary to know the total area of your patio and then divide the area by the paver size plus the joint line width. This will give you a very close estimate of the number of tiles you will need.
As an example, if your patio area measures 10 ft by 12 ft, you would first multiply each length by 12 to get the number of inches. 10 x 12 is 120 inches and 12 x 12 is 144 inches. Then multiply 120 x 144. This would give you 17,280 sq inches for the total area of your patio. If your paver are 8" x 4" and you will have a joint line of 1/8 inch, you need to multiply 8.125 x 4.125. This equals 33.55 sq inches. Next divide 17,280 x 33.55. This equals approximately 515 patio pavers.
Find patio pavers that match your patio's dimensions
You will notice when you calculate the area of your patio and then figure out the number of patio pavers you need, that the number of pavers may contain a fraction. You may also have an issue where the pavers you want to use have multiple sizes. Matching your pavers to your patios dimensions will, in most cases, require you to make slight adjustments to your patios size.
Larger pavers will require more adjustment, especially if your patio is not very big. If you are set on an exact size and a particular paver, you may have to cut some of the paver to fit them in the area. If you are presented with this scenario, you should take some extra time to plan the layout of your pavers and where you will place the cut pavers so the design looks good.
Place patio pavers in desired location
Before permanently setting your pavers in place, you should test your layout. You don't have to layout all of the pavers to get a feel for whether the pavers will work for the layout you have chosen and to see if you have enough pavers. Many times you can layout a row and a column along each edge of the patio design to know if everything will work.
If you have an intricate design, you may need to put down more of the pavers to see what works and what doesn't. In some cases, you may want to lay the entire design out to see if it works. Remember, it is better to spend time up front to make sure your design works before permanently setting everything.
When testing your design, don't forget to account for your joint lines.
Prepare the underlayment
To prepare patio pavers for installation, you will need to install the patio base layer or sand bedding. In order to provide a durable surface for the patio pavers, the patio base needs to be installed correctly. It is important that the patio base is installed well below ground level in order to promote a more even distribution of weight. The patio base should be compacted with a plate compactor and graded so that any high points are removed. For best results, the patio base should be compacted on three sides and not just two sides.
The patio base should also be compacted so that it is as level as possible. The sand bedding will act like an insulator and provide a cushion for the patio pavers when they are laid down on top of it.
Fill gaps with sand or gravel to make sure they stay in place
Fill gaps between patio pavers with sand to hold them together. This will keep them from shifting out of place. Spread sand over the top of your pavers and work it in with a broom. Use a plate compactor to work the sand into the joints. Run the compactor several times, adding sand to the joints each time. The vibrations from the compactor will help compact the sand in the gaps.
When you are finished filling the joints, you should seal the entire patio to protect the pavers and sanded joints.
Enjoy your new patio
Now that you know the basics of how to measure and calculate, go ahead and determine your patio size. Once you have that information in hand, think about what kind of materials are best for your space and how many pavers it will take based on their size. Armed with this knowledge, now is a great time to start shopping around for the perfect paver colors or shapes so that they match all your other outdoor living spaces.
