Newbie from Garder Forum looking for patio advice!

16 years ago

Hello Builder-types.

I really envy you guys.

I wish like hell I could build stuff.

But seeing how i am building ignorant, I'm going to start with digging and putting stuff in dirt.

I'm hoping I'll be somewhat successful.

I would like to do a circular brick (or paver) patio area under the shade of my two orange trees (seeing how no grass will grow there!) and am looking for some advice.

Here is the area:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/fighttobreathe/484005568/in/set-72157600172143798/

Here is the whole back yard:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/fighttobreathe/sets/72157600172143798/

I want to circle the two orange trees, do a semi circle infront of the french doors, and some sort of complimentary walk path from the deck to the "casita".

These are my questions.

Brick or paver?

If paver is your answer, where do I find the ellusive "circular paver packs" that I read about online but can't seem to find for sale ANYWHERE!?

If brick is your answer, I'd really like to use old or "reclaimed" brick and wondering what I should expect for price, or if you have any suggestions as the best place to purchase reclaimed bricks.

If you think I'm wrong with all of this and want to tell me your idea, PLEASE GOD DO!

To let you in on my other future plans, I'd also like to maybe add a pergola above the wooden deck...

too much?

Here is the deck:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/fighttobreathe/482739294/in/set-72157600172143798/

Any and all suggestions are welcome!

Tear it apart, tell me you hate it, whatever...

just give me suggestions to fix it!

Thank you,

Charlesanne

First Time Home Owner Scardy Cat

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Comments (2)

angelom
16 years ago
I'm not a builder---but just had some work done at my house and had tree guys over to take out some undesireable trees.
One thing they cautioned me about is not putting down excessive brick/stone too close to the roots of the trees. You'd have to make sure you are far enough out from the crown of the tree to not damage the tree growth (assuming you want to keep the trees and keep them healthy).
My personal preference for appearance sake is natural stone or traditional brick rather than paver. Just an opinion, but I think the look of quarried stone or standard brick is more classic than paver, but others like pavers better and they do seem easier to work with. As for reclaimed brick, too bad we didn't live closer to each other! I had an old (1974) brick retaining wall replaced with cinder block faced with flagstone. I told the contractor I wanted them to leave "a few" loose bricks that were in good condition. I wanted these since the retaining wall matched my house---figured I could always use them for repair or something. Anyway, these guys left an excessive pile of bricks, cinder blocks and even crumbling mortor at the far back of my property---guess they took advantage of my comment that I wanted a few bricks and got away with not carting this stuff off my property and disposing of it. I've been going through the pile to sort it out and see what I can use around the yard. The flat cinder blocks actually made a nice base for my cord of firewood. Some of the bricks are just what I wanted---a match for my house. Then there is a whole bunch of bricks that have the rebar holes drilled in them. I'm not sure what to do with these! I went to Home Depot to buy a mortar chisel to clean the stuff up as I'm sorting---my wife thinks I'm nuts but it's actully pretty satisfying!
charlesanne
Original Author
16 years ago
I totally agree about the brick instead of pavers.
I actually found a little junk shop in the Houston heights that has some brick. I'm not sure about the price yet, they were closed when i looked around.

I've figured that i'm going to just start collecting the bricks right now. Buy what i can afford and what i think would look nice, I want them to be of varying color, and then when i have enough start the real planning process.
That way it'll be into the fall and far cooler when i start. I weeded for about an hour the other day and though I was going to die!

About the trees, yes! I am going to give them a wide berth around the trunk. Not sure what width is recommended for orange trees, but i was thinking at least a foot.
So it would be tree, ring of empty space and then rings of brick.

I really like the look of the patio here:
http://www.gardenzine.co.uk/brick-patio.html

I also love the pergola in the back of the pic.
That will be the next project after the patios.
*Hopefully!*
Either that or I'm going to hire someone to build it (I have NO clue what that would cost though).

I totally understand the satisfaction of cleaning up the brick.
When I've had a bad day, I weed the flower beds.
Never thought I would be one of "those" people!
I've become my grandmother!
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Newbie from Garder Forum looking for patio advice!

Comments (2)

angelom

charlesanne
Original Author

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Newbie from Garder Forum looking for patio advice!

Comments (2)

angelom

charlesanneOriginal Author

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charlesanne
Original Author