How to Lay a Stone Patio

By: Charles Wardell, This Old House magazine

Shopping List

Supplies You Will Need

1. LEATHER GLOVES

2. MASON'S TWINE
for establishing reference points between stakes

3. GOGGLES

4. DUST MASK

5. CARBIDE-TIPPED AWL
for marking stone

6. EAR PROTECTION

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Tools List
Tools You Will Need
- Steel rake,
  for spreading stone dust
- Push broom,
  for sweeping stone dust
- Spade shovel,
  for digging and spreading
- Square shovel,
  for measuring and mixing
- Wheelbarrow,
  for mixing wet material
- Builder's level,
  for determining pitch
- Leveling rod,
  for measuring pitch with builder's level
- Angle grinder,
  for cutting curves in stone
- Tape measure
- Circle cutter,
  for scribing stone
- 2- and 4-foot levels,
  for leveling stones
- Pointing trowel,
  for adding cement mix and packing in joints
- Hand rake,
  for leveling wet material
- Hand tamper,
  for tamping base along walls and siding
- Plate compactor,
  rent, if needed, to compact base
- Circular saw with diamond blade,
  for cutting stone
- Rubber mallet,
  for tapping stone into cement mix
- Hand sledge,
  for driving stakes and snapping stone
- Skid-steer loader,
  rent, if needed, to clear and dig base
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Product Gallery
Product selections for this project
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Introduction
Overview
Steps:
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9

8. Finishing Up

Using a hose, spray the joints gently with water to encourage the stone dust to pack tightly. A mason's pointing trowel also helps to tamp wet stone dust into the joints.

Repeat until the joints are firm and level with the face of the stone.

Roll out the chaise and have a well-deserved lemonade.

Tip: Avoid filling joints with cement, or they'll pop out in winter; and don't use sand, which can attract ants and give grass and moss a place to grow.