Cheap DIY backyard ideas (floating deck or patio pavers)

kit11 · June 2010

We rent a ground level brownstone apartment which has a small private backyard. AT the moment it is all dirt and overgrown with weeds.

I've taken it upon myself to make it my project for the next 1-2 months to make it a useable space.

I was thinking of a "floating deck" or patio pavers. Would prefer not to deal with mowing a lawn.

Has anyone done this before and have recommendations for how (if DIY) or who they used to do this..

Thanks

domino · June 2010

King and Queen of the DIYers! We did a similar project recently for my mom - and considered various options:
1. Landscapers mesh over ground with stone chips (not too pretty or comfy)
2. patio block (cheesy)
3. pavers (expensive and weed/moss issues)
4. trex deck

We opted for the trex decking for low maintenance (no weed or mold issues) and relative ease of installation - built a "base" framework out of pressure treated lumber and nailed the trex to the framework. Everything was from Lowes and the trex boards were $30 each (12 foot long by 5 inches wide) - the 16 foot boards were $40.

If you do not have the tools, Lowes does provide installers.

apophis36 · June 2010

Maybe just clear the larger brush and put down pine chips?

xlizellx · June 2010

If you plan to be there a loooong time, then go ahead with building a deck-type thing. If you plan to be there for a few years at most and just want to be able to use the backyard, I would do what apophis said -- clear the area and put down wood chips --

Like this: (not sure how to put in a picture)

http://www.bellwebs.com/~garden/GardenPath_07-27-08.jpg

And if you want greenery, put in some small rocks and create a garden bed separate from the chips.

Like this:

http://mulchmanllc.com/index_files/image11971.jpg

Then you can get a table and chairs and put them on the wood chips and sit outside.

stacey · June 2010

This is from an old post on Apartment Therapy but I really like how they used a bunch of different materials and it looks very easy to accomplish and low maintenance.
http://gallery.apartmenttherapy.com/photo/album195/item/61009

If you go the route of Xliz you can get some paving stone or blustone to put on top of those chips to make a path. In the past I have notice a few people on Brownstoner trying to get rid of extra pieces of bluestone

Good luck and pictures when its done please

armchair_warrior · June 2010

hey there is nothing wrong with moss!! plus they cost money to buy and they are pretty!!

kit11 · June 2010

Thanks so much everyone for all the ideas and the pictures as well.

The "trex deck" was what I was thinking (ambitiously) of. And thanks, didn't know Lowes had installers - will probably end up going that avenue, depending on cost.

I am also loving the wood chips (or some type of similar ground cover) - haven't thought about that one.

Given that clearing the weeds and brush is a project on its own, I'll probably gravitate towards a nice ground cover, with maybe the paving stone or bluston as suggested for a path.

The trex deck can then be 2011's project if we haven't moved! Thanks all

Cheap DIY backyard ideas (floating deck or patio pavers)

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