Move Over, Patio Pavers: There's A Cheaper DIY With Wood Pallets

Patio pavers may be one of the go-to materials for building a patio, but that doesn't mean they're the right fit for your yard. A fresh, cheaper alternative for patio pavers is wood pallets. A paver patio typically costs between $20 – $45 per square foot, while wood pallets are priced at $10 – $25 per foot. Availability, quality, and size determine the price range.Wood pallets are versatile materials that can spruce up a patio in ways you wouldn't first expect. You can use them as-is or break them down and stake them to the ground to create a rustic, natural-looking patio. 

If you opt for keeping the wood pallets intact, you will need more materials, as they won't be broken down to cover a wider surface area. Sometimes, intact wood pallets create a DIY raised, deck-like structure that can really stand out as a standalone patio feature. You can even stack pallets for a higher patio. Meanwhile, breaking up the wood pallets into individual pieces gives you free rein to customize your patio board by board, but it comes with more intensive work. The best patio option depends on your particular aesthetic and the amount of labor you're willing to put into the project.

You can build a DIY wood pallet patio using individual boards or by using the whole pallet. Both options require a level surface and a weed barrier — often referred to as landscape fabric – which you can create by using cardboard and mulch. If you choose to keep the pallet intact, you can lay the garden decking on support beams to elevate the surface and add visual interest. Or you can simply choose to lay the wooden pallets on top of the gravel as-is. To prevent any trips and falls, add boards to any open spaces or use pallets with narrow slats.

If you decide to break down your wood pallet into individual boards, you'll need to drill holes into either side of the boards to insert sturdy garden stakes. This helps prevent the boards from moving over time. Carefully place your boards on top of the gravel in a DIY patio design that works for your layout, then hammer them into the ground.

You can further customize your patio by staining the wood pallets. Choose a hardy, waterproof stain made for decks to give your pallet patio more water resistance, as this material is prone to warping, rot, insects, and mold if left untreated.