subject: Building A Stone Deck: A Path For Success [print this page] Nothing says "classic" like a patio built from traditional wooden plans or even from a faux-plastic or composite material made to look like wood. That said, not every homeowner wants something that looks traditional and classic. You may be among those who want something a bit different. A stone deck can give you that unconventional look that still brings a lot of class and beauty to your project. Not only do they give you a unique aesthetic you can be proud of, but they won't bring with them the maintenance problems you'll find with many other materials. The first step to doing the project right is to find a good supplier for your bricks. Here's where you can go from there.
Prepare the Area
You can't start putting the bricks into your stone deck until you've created the platform itself. You need it straight, level, and ready for the materials you've purchased. If you're not building a raised patio, but rather a walkway or cookout spot, you might consider adding in a slight slope away from the house. This can help with drainage issues and is important if your space is going to be close to the foundation. If you're adding in a cooking area to an already existing wood platform, you simply need to remove wooden planks so you have space for the bricks.
Determine Your Dimensions
Measure twice and cut once is a carpenter's mantra, but it works just as well in any construction project, including building a stone deck. This not only goes for measuring your dimensions, but buying supplies. You are better off buying more brick than you (think you'll) need so you don't wind up in a hairy situation halfway through your project. Determine your dimensions by deciding what you want the area for. If you're building the entire platform from this material, you already know how large your dimensions are. If only a section, what will you be using that section for? Decoration? A fire pit? A place to put your grill? These questions can help you figure out how much space you need.
Type
Not only do you need a good supplier for your materials, you'll need to make a choice when it comes to what kind of material to use. If you hoped that any stone deck would use the same materials, you must be joking! No, like every decision in your patio-building quest, you'll have plenty of choice. Flagstone, bluestone, slate, and travertine are among the most popular choices for homeowners. Talk to your contractor about the best way to go for your purposes.
