The Best Home Depot Tools For Installing A Patio, According To Reviews

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If you have been looking at small patio ideas for your backyard and are ready to transform your outdoor space, installing a patio can be a relatively beginner-friendly way to do so. Although the work will be physically demanding, it is possible to complete a patio project in just one weekend, and with the right tools, possibly even more efficiently. Renting the tools necessary to install a patio can cost hundreds of dollars, and while purchasing them will also be expensive, it means you can reuse them later. To make the shopping process easier, reference this list of some of the top-rated tools, according to reviews, that you will need for your project. The shovel, level, mallet, wheelbarrow, and plate compactor are all available at Home Depot, meaning everything can be picked up in one simple trip.

These tools are all helpful for a successful patio installation and can be used for a wide variety of other projects. While they are not the only tools you need to install a patio, they will get you pretty far. As for other tools, you can rent the specialized ones for the duration of your project, keeping in mind the things to know before renting a power tool, or borrow from a friend or neighbor to save some money. You can also buy all of the tools you need (after checking reviews, of course).

The first tool you will need for a patio installation project is a good shovel. Breaking ground with a spade shovel happens first, and then you need to use a sturdy transfer shovel, like the PowerEdge 48.75-inch fiberglass handle square point shovel, to move all of the dirt and other material. In many cases, a simple garden spade will suffice for initial digging, so it may be smarter to invest in a flat shovel that will make the job much easier.

The PowerEdge 48.75-inch fiberglass handle square point shovel costs about $35, and it weighs 4.8 pounds and features a steel blade that is 9.8 by 9.78 inches. The shovel boasts an average customer review of 4.7 stars from over 300 buyers. On its product page, one reviewer calls it "the perfect transfer shovel," and after calling it excellent all around, another writes, "The price point is definitely high, but if you plan to use it for a long time like I do, it's definitely worth it." Another reviewer even calls it an "excellent tool for clearing base for a paver patio." Others note the benefits of its sharpened edges, heavy-gauge steel, and strong fiberglass. It even has cushioned grips, which many reviewers enjoy. More critical reviews mention that the shovel is heavier than comparable transfer shovels, which may cause more fatigue, so make sure the weight will be acceptable for you before buying.

Having the right wheelbarrow will also help with your patio installation and many more projects. Installing a patio requires the transportation of a lot of heavy materials, like pavers, cement, rocks, and dirt, and a sturdy wheelbarrow helps you do everything with less effort and more efficiency. The Gorilla 6 cubic foot professional steel tub wheelbarrow is the highest-rated wheelbarrow on Home Depot's website, and with its steel tub that is ideal for transporting rock, it is a great choice for patio installations.

This wheelbarrow costs $169, and it has a rating of 4.8 stars from over 450 customers. The wheelbarrow has a wide base that makes it easy to load, durable steel handles, and the ability to convert to a dual-wheel mode. Reviewers also love the maneuverability and capacity, enjoying that it is stable, balanced, and easy to move, even when it is full. A few even mention how superior it is to more affordable options with different tub materials. One person even says it is the "best wheelbarrow that I have used so far to do concrete and haul concrete to the back of a house to do a concrete patio." Other reviewers caution that chipping paint on the tub, rust on the support legs, and wheel deterioration may happen over time or even right out of the box, so be sure to check for defects before use.

An important part of installing a patio is ensuring that the final result is correctly angled. This means checking that the ground is level as you clear the space for your patio and as you lay the patio itself. To do this correctly, it is best to have a string line, line level, and standard level. String lines and line levels can be very affordable, often costing under $5 each. Standard levels can cost more but are likely to be used in many projects, so you want to make sure you get one that is high quality. There are plenty of options at Home Depot, but the simple level that will work well for a patio building project with the highest reviews is the Empire 48-inch box level.

This Empire 48-inch box level costs about $53, and it has an average rating of 4.8 stars from over 300 buyers. This level is made of metal and has reinforced edges to further improve durability and keep the level accurate for many years. It also comes in lengths from 24 inches to 96 inches, but 48 inches should be long enough for most patio installations. Empire even guarantees accuracy within 0.0005 of an inch and offers a limited lifetime warranty. These features seem to impress reviewers, who say that the level is high quality, consistently accurate, and a great value for the price. One reviewer also says it is "easy to read" and "built tough but not heavy to hold up." Some reviewers suggest buying in-store rather than ordering, though, to ensure that it is accurate.

Another essential tool when installing a patio is a rubber mallet. Rubber mallets allow you to hammer pavers, bricks, and other materials into place without causing damage, such as chips or cracks, that can ruin the look of your new patio. They are also versatile, working well for other tasks where you do not want to risk damaging materials, such as assembling furniture. Rubber mallets can be quite affordable, and the one available at Home Depot with the most positive reviews, the Stanley 16-ounce rubber mallet, costs about $10. With a simple design of a black rubber head and wooden handle, the average rating of 4.6 stars from over 750 reviewers may seem surprising, but many appreciate that it gets the job done without being overly expensive.

The general consensus based on the reviews is that this hammer is well-priced, sturdy, and relatively lightweight while still being heavy-duty. One common concern with using a rubber mallet with a black head is the potential for it to leave marks behind. Of the reviews that mention marks, all but one report that the mallet does not leave behind marks. The reviewer who did experience marking on their surfaces was able to remove them with some difficulty. A common theme among the negative reviews is that the wooden handle may break or that the rubber head may detach, which could be dangerous. Luckily, the proportion of reviewers experiencing this issue is quite small.

When installing a patio, a hand tamper or plate compactor is also important. These tools compact and flatten your base material so that it does not settle over time. While plate compactors can help you finish your patio much faster, they usually cost at least several hundred dollars, and it may be smarter to rent one than buy one. Hand tampers are much more affordable and, once you know how to use a tamper, they are handy. While they are not ideal for large patios, they can get the job done. The Razor-Back 10-inch by 10-inch steel tamper at Home Depot boasts 4.8 stars from over 1,100 reviews.

At about $55, the price is a bit higher than other tampers, but many reviewers report success when using it for patios on gravel and sand bases. Many appreciate the steel handle welded to the base and the large 10-inch by 10-inch size. One reviewer also notes, "The rubbery hand grip is great, making it easy to hold onto the tamper, and it also helps cushion you from vibrations." Some find the tamper heavy, but the weight helps with compacting.