Making Custom Concrete Pavers using Cardboard!

I used cardboard to make silicone molds for custom concrete pavers. A hot glue gun and drill were the only power tools needed to make this concrete patio comprised of custom geometric concrete patio pavers. Cardboard is a great design tool and I hot glued pieces together before covering them in drywall mud. From there I poured 2 part silicone to make reusable concrete molds for the pavers.
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[@joachimchapman]

I won't link to any particular video but a quick search for 'tessellated patterns' will give guides on how to create shapes that fit together nicely.

[@Anne--Marie]

Thank you!

[@janetdiaz8916]

I really like projects that I can do myself. Thank you for explaining it so well....and giving me confidence.

[@HomeMadeModern]

you can do it!

[@Slaphappy-_-]

This isn’t a good cost efficient way!

[@bryanflo4500]

How might you recommend one to do this in a cost efficient way?

[@Slaphappy-_-]

@@bryanflo4500 first the smooth on brand is a KZbin blow up! You can buy silicone way cheaper other places. Also your not supposed to use porous materials for a plug! Hints the plaster falling apart after all that hand work!! if he would have just used 3/4” MDF layering it then router edges, or still handsand then seal it with “Paint” then pour your mold! And you will need to make alot to make it a day job. This is a long way for getting this done stones every 3 to 4 days up to a week depending on concrete used!!! He done ok with the Melamine as a base and the cardboard for the walls to hold in the silicone! He also should have made a back box for the molds so to heavy cast material and you can’t move them without box. One sheet of MDF “plug”and “mold box” One can of cheep spray paint. Silicone from other source, which you will get more! And you shouldn’t have to use a release, for it is silicone. I could make this in 1 hour or less with 8 molds made! You don’t have to use silicone! You can actually use a rubber that set up faster! Thanks

[@lizcademy4809]

I always wanted to use a M.C. Escher tesselation as a patio paver.

[@MrRKWRIGHT]

I really love these custom projects using cardboard. That way we keep cardboard out of the wastestream and help protect out precious natural resources.

[@jewdd1989]

My favorite thing is hand made stones and tile besides woodworking/joinery, etc.. I’d love to see you make thin, concrete (with gorgeous colors including that stunning green) tile for a bathroom/kitchen! I’d love to see tile handmade bc I love the simplicity of cement tiles with maybe some terrazzo flex here and there that can be utilized in a house or solid colors like this.

[@m.maclellan7147]

I think you would get breakage if you had concrete too thin ? I think it doesn't flex, but breaks, so, most tile is ceramic. I don't think ceramic flexes much, but it doesn't sheer unless a strong force. Both concrete & ceramic have been used forever, so if there was a way to use concrete like tiles, someone would have. (Point of fact: Many ancient buildings used concrete, but it is unclear some of their methods. They added something to their mix that made it last much longer than we can. )

[@RainRemnant]

What a perfect timing and perfect idea! I have moved to a new home last month, the only thing not moved yet are the garden tiles and we were going to do that next week but now... this is brilliant, I'll make them myself in any shape or size I want 😍

[@HomeMadeModern]

oh nice! good luck!

[@Brian-os9qj]

The creative repurposing mind is a positive evolutionary adaptation. You sir, are cutting edge. Thank you, the vids are a joy.

[@sirbixalot73]

Use a recipricating saw with no blade instead of the hammer drill. It is super easy and less destructive.

[@MakeSomething]

Some really great techniques. Gets my creative juices flowing.

[@HomeMadeModern]

thanks David!

[@raraavis7782]

That's a fun idea! Very doable. And I like, that you encourage people, to just do it bit by bit, if they're on a budget. Because, why not? Realistically, most people won't need them *right now*, so it's all just a matter of making the daily effort.

[@HomeMadeModern]

yes! efficient means different things in different contexts. For a seasoned pro it might mean doing the job in as few days as possible while a beginner might just have an hour or so after work everyday to improve their home. slow and steady lets you grow your home improvement projects

[@danielbocelli]

“Mold, the mold, the silicone mold” my fav part

[@joelhollingsworth2374]

I think Penrose tiles might be fun, or some other non-repeating-but-guaranteed-to-fill-an-area pattern.

[@regsabatini]

Please do post updated videos for landscaping and your future patio. And did you make a solar power tumbler? I like that your videos are short and very practical. Your ideas are good inspiration for my husband’s and my future custom home!

[@kashgohel]

Those pigments and paver shape is just beautiful. Nice work!

[@mohedaicebear]

I truly love ur work as it really is art ist just so simple and the result is so beautiful. the reveal of the whole patio will blow ppl away if they knew all it took was a mold and some cardboard.

[@PWingert1966]

I like the idea of using templates with joint compounds and polyacrylic as wall panels. If you make a flat surface on the back, you could attach it to theatre flats and make a false wall that you could then attach to your existing apartment wall and have it been easy to remove when you change apartments. or you could make a larger concrete panel with the circular panel grommets so it looks like a bunker.

[@HomeMadeModern]

we are working on some DIY acoustic panels for a home office

[@pamelaflores4129]

I enjoyed your video very much. Thank you for inspiring me and entertaining me simultaneously.

[@HomeMadeModern]

You are so welcome! this was such a relaxing project to make.

[@OleensEmbroidery]

I watched until the end. As a hopeless KZbin junkie that is the highest compliment I can give a video. Very good.

[@HomeMadeModern]

thank you! you are right!

[@SirDizarm]

Very nicely done! Better to add the wire to be safe then "hoping" for the cardboard to stick to only the glue, I have also had things float and adding a extra step to ensure that doesn't happen is a good thing to do. Very good video as always from you. Thanks

[@HomeMadeModern]

yes I learned the hard way!

[@krisknowlton5935]

To mix small batches of mortar or grout (which is basically what you are doing) I will use an electric hand mixer that you can get in the kitchen section of your favorite discount store. It mixes quickly and better than you can mix with a stick.

[@sergiojohnson1903]

I have seen this pattern before and the poster made planters also to add to the pavers. Really good idea. Looks great. They also made pavers that looked like fish scales.

[@HomeMadeModern]

yes I did a planter paver version before using a CNC

[@totalmentekemado]

loved the project, but not gonna lie, i cried a little after I saw all the excess silicon left in the bowl after the pour.

[@m.maclellan7147]

People who do lots of casting normally have lots of smaller projects nearby to use the "extra" silicone in !

[@PabloPaster]

I’d like to see you make Penrose Tiles that could be used in a backsplash or bathroom floor. I don’t know if concrete could be used for interior tiles or if you would need to use clay instead. Either way it would look pretty cool.

[@HomeMadeModern]

Great suggestion!

[@HomeMadeModern]

I was just reading about his research! I will try it!

[@aaroncastellanos3421]

Thanks for the instructional video. I'm considering applying this method to replicating historic blocks for the fence around my house. Lets see how long itll take me ha.

[@HomeMadeModern]

Glad it was helpful!

[@KWicksable]

Those are beautiful. I can’t wait to see the completed patio. 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽

[@HomeMadeModern]

Very soon!

[@melissah170]

Absolute genius idea! I enjoyed this video.

[@HomeMadeModern]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@cupbowlspoonforkknif]

I'm pretty sure your cement mix is too watery. This will make your pavers weaker. It should not be flowing over the edges like that when you scrape the top. Since it's a walking surface you'll want it as strong as possible.

[@kristopherdetar4346]

Your a master craftsman artist. Very cool idea but not just anyone could do this as well as you.

[@sebasstuff8847]

I’ve been working with the white tint countertop mix and I see it draws water to the top for you too. No matter what you do it happens with this mix.

[@miked9303]

Where do you find your white concrete mix? I can't seem to find it in my area.

[@sebasstuff8847]

@@miked9303 , had to special order it from Home Depot’s Pro Services department. Took a month for it to show and had to call Quikrete corporate to assist.

[@divyajnana]

Crap, that is beautiful, and super simple. Fantastic engineering and art all glued together. You're a genius. Thank you

[@HomeMadeModern]

Thank you very much!

[@essjayem6498]

I love this.

[@HomeMadeModern]

thank you

[@elagrum]

2:40 mold, mold, mold 😂

[@2tctech]

The silicon mold

[@Slaphappy-_-]

This channel is overrated!!! I see nothing but wasted time, money and materials!! Everything he makes seems like he’s just starting over on knowledge?

[@karengerber8390]

Thank you for sharing. Your short of this brought me here. Lovely results! 07:29 5 April 2022

[@karengerber8390]

Correction:2023

[@jeffgoldenberg9579]

You could use plastic vacuum-formed over the patterns to create the molds. If a vacuum former isn't available, you could use a heat gun to soften and shape the plastic over the buck. Heck of a lot cheaper than the silicone rubber, plus you can make quite a few molds very quickly.

[@HomeMadeModern]

yes! I have been thinking about getting a vacuum former. I have used a heat gun but the molds got scratched up to the point where it impacted the finish surface

[@jeffgoldenberg9579]

There are polishes for plastic that can remove scratches but really the cost of plastic is still relatively cheap. And depending on the size of the tile, you could even cut apart and flatten 2-liter soda bottles to use as raw material.

[@ninitehchsnavi5238]

I think you could make some really cheap molds using a vacuum former. I think you can just build a vacuum former using a vacuum and a hot air gum. Or maybe a toaster.

[@sherryu]

love it!

[@kenyong5656]

wow amazing brother

[@HomeMadeModern]

Many many thanks

[@winklethrall2636]

Attempt the ultimate tiling project, Penrose tiling. It uses two shapes to create non-repeating patterns.

[@HomeMadeModern]

I was just reading about his research! I will try it!

[@thomasguerra6718]

I would like to see you turn the mold in a larger plastic mold. Where you can use a 40 lb bag of concrete with each casting.

[@m.maclellan7147]

That would have to be a very strong mold and would take 2 people to turn it over !

[@jodyjnlv]

Nice man

[@lsdave]

I LIKE TURTLES

[@justinsmall756]

i think it be neat to add tumbled colored glass to the concrete then sand to show the glass

[@HomeMadeModern]

I just got some rock tumblers and am currently tumbling glass!

[@commandoconstruction2720]

Good project, nice vid. Thanks!

[@bryanflo4500]

I've been subscribed to this channel since I was in late high school, so it's been a while haha. I'm finally getting to a point where getting my own place is realistic in the next year or so, and watching videos like these that offer ideas on how to make a space my own is so inspiring. Just wanna say thanks for creating such high quality and accessible videos for free that help illustrate that creativity at home is very possible and accessible for anyone willing to give the DIY ethos a shot. I've found it very empowering to watch over the years. Hoping to get the creative juices flowing watching your videos as I do research and plan for a hypothetical future space in the coming months.

[@Slaphappy-_-]

Just make sure not to use YouTUB advice 100% they don’t tell you everything!

[@IcsulX]

@@Slaphappy-_- Yeah, like don't use hot glue or latex caulk with platinum curing silicone, cause it inhibits the curing.

[@Slaphappy-_-]

@@IcsulX I don’t get channels like this. All the support and bad advice. Molding is all about doing it right the fist time. In this video the guy acts like it’s his first time molding something? Many other videos here showing somewhat that process. Is he not learning as he goes? Or is he listening to Smooth-on? Ive never used Smooth-on because they are over priced and over rated because of YouTUB. I’ve been working in FRP and building molds and formulating my own rubbers and resins for 12 years. I still have yet to see a KZbin channel show truthful content.

[@HomeMadeModern]

thank you for following along! I have been doing this almost 10 years

[@dirtywhitecountryboy4404]

Love your channel Sir and your modest down to earth style and practical simplicity. Keep up the great work!

[@d1986ben]

I could see you doing some M.C Escher inspired patterns.

[@HomeMadeModern]

yes!!!!!

[@joehennessy8993]

For a vibrator alternative I use a Sawzall without a blade.

[@HomeMadeModern]

that works too!

[@alexaben6849]

Love it. Will try it.

[@mortenpetersen8888]

Thanks for sharing, how long did it take to make a full patio when you had to cast all the small pavement bricks? I guess you needed a lot (200-300 pcs ?)

[@quixxovel]

Curious what you used the rest of the silicone for

[@HomeMadeModern]

made molds for the castle bed!

[@garagemonkeysan]

Great video. This is an awesome project. Love the geometric design. Mahalo for sharing! : )

[@chantalrochon3566]

Great idea🎉

[@reydelsanchez]

Love this!!! 💯

[@timothybaker8234]

CAD, Cardboard Aided Design

[@HomeMadeModern]

lol

[@raynoladominguez4730]

Ha! It reminds me of a turtle too. Cool stuff.

[@brianfuller7241]

"I like this one because it reminds me of a turtle." Very nice 😄

[@i-love-comountains3850]

There's only one distributor of that silicone in my state, I'm glad I'm not too far from there lol😅

[@slimdog72]

Rad dude.

[@cuttwice3905]

That puttyknifc would be a great tool in the kitchen, how do you think the Microplane made it into the kitchen?

[@AllenTax]

Concrete grass or maybe if tail & eyes are spotted somewhere. Can be A green turtle.

[@_MSD75_]

srill waiting for the video of you frosting a cake with a putty knife.

[@tangarextan9964]

Have nothing to say on technical side of process. In my opinion it brilliant. But one question about math of this tiling: did you made two tiles with purpose? Cause this tiling can be accomplish with just one tile form. In your case it just matter of different scale on x- and y-axis.

[@ctlockemusic300]

You've never lived until you frost a cake with a putty knife....LOLOLOL

[@HomeMadeModern]

lol!

[@NA-sy2fm]

How my pavers did you get per bag 80# bag of countertop mix?

[@woofguy]

This would be a great use of a 3D printer

[@HomeMadeModern]

I have done a few 3d print to concrete projects

[@essjayem6498]

Yeah, I was thinking that was what he was going to use!

[@zsuzsiwinn9786]

Why did you use plaster over the cardboard mold? Just for an extra protection? To seal it?

[@alandrewgibson]

WOW!

[@VTK72]

❤❤❤

[@mpkeller]

love the colors. what is the advantage of the silicone mold vs just a melamine mold?

[@HomeMadeModern]

the speed of de molding, cleaning and re filling is the big advantage. I re use melamine molds but over time water tends to get absorbed into the melamine.

[@mpkeller]

@@HomeMadeModern makes sense. thanks

[@ClubOceanBlue22]

This is really cool but how many months did it take to make enough pavers for your patio?

[@barbmcbride2653]

It might be helpful if you let us know how much silicone you used to make the moles. You most certainly appeared to have one hell of a lot more than was required mixed up there!

[@m.maclellan7147]

I have seen mold makers have a "sacrificial" bag of dry rice or beans to fill the mold, then pour out, weigh the beans & you have their weight - which should get you in the ballpark (most mold makers add a 1/4 more to allow for shrinkage). You can also just use water, but then have to dry your mold out before pouring the silicone. (They reuse the rice/beans but do not eat them.)

[@benubaid2137]

Is that strong enough if I made it only from concrete without support like aggregate, fiber, or steal?

[@HunterMayer]

Roughly how many ounces of silicon mold material did your molds consume? If you know.

[@Witty..UserName]

I have a HUGE patio project coming up. (over 1000sqft of pavers) I'm diy'ing the majority of it. Some experience with some of it, no experience with other parts. I really wanted to make my own pavers, mostly to control color & for experience. However, I am concerned about 2 things... Primarily strength over time compared to a commercial product. I live in CO & will have freeze thaw cycles. I will be putting a built in kitchen & post & beam roof structure on part of it. & to a much lesser extent cost:time ratio. I can make the forms/molds & do like you do, making a few pavers once or twice a day. So not including labor, will raw material cost be appreciably more or less the cost of a quality commercial product? Do you have any videos or other resources that address these aspects of diy pavers?

[@m.maclellan7147]

There is an additive you can add to your mix to help with the freeze thaw issue. Sadly, I don't remember the name.

[@Witty..UserName]

@@m.maclellan7147 Thanks for the reply. I'll look into it. I think Mike builds (or similar named channel) mentions it in some of his videos.

[@HomeMadeModern]

Modustrial maker has some great concrete videos

[@ShirinDelsooz]

I am planning on doing this but with a 3D printer, not cardboard. What do you suggest is a good amount of ease on the shapes that fit together like jigsaw puzzles?

[@HomeMadeModern]

1/16- 1/8 inch is safe. I have done this 3d printing. super fun!

[@1989dshall]

What is the coloring product that you are using?

[@DeweyKentM]

What about a vacuum formed plastic mold?

[@commandoconstruction2720]

The silicon is easy to peel from the brick without damaging, multiple times. Vacuum formed plastic needs to be hot to be flexible enough to shape. I’m sure it would not come off so easily at room temperature.

[@civilmonster4482]

What would it take to make a vehicle driveway with homemade pavers?

[@HomeMadeModern]

I would do smaller pavers almost like cobble stones and really focus on the well packed layers of sand and gravel possibly with a structural grid to prevent erosion

[@BrianFrishcosy]

The wine will be drank. You will be drunk. 😂

[@Ernzt8]

Nice project! But did you use the left over silicone? That was a lot

[@HomeMadeModern]

Yes I did for another project!

[@lauraandedwardcannon8861]

How about the tessellating spools pattern?

[@TheRealAmythyst]

I know you mentioned the cost of silicone would affect how many molds you make but I wanted to know didn't it look like you had left over silicone to pour at least a third mold, because that just seem like a lot of silicone in that bowl and you never really showed you emptying it completely.

[@HomeMadeModern]

I used it on another project

[@gregmize01]

👍👍👍👍

[@jaeha171]

I love to buy that silicone molding. Do you selling?

[@anabarbulescu4043]

You might have an audio glitch around minute 2,45 -2,50.

[@essjayem6498]

If you use 2:45 to 2:50 it goes straight to the timeline in the vid.

[@SnelfNL]

If that chisel ever shows up in a woodworking video, the trolls will have a field day...

[@HomeMadeModern]

going to paint the handle so that never happens. it was a $4 chisel

[@samponette3306]

Meanwhile the silicon mold guys can have their field day: where did the 80-90% of the mixed silicon go? Besides, that is a screwdriver, not a chisel 😜

[@claws61821]

Great idea and methodology, but please don't handle wet plaster with your bare hands or sand or carve plaster or concrete or drywall without eye and lung protection in future tutorial videos. I cannot possibly stress the risks involved in working those materials unprotected enough.

[@hadleybee9710]

Could you add clay powder to the concrete?

[@RapTapTap69]

What would be the benefit or reason?

[@HomeMadeModern]

you can add what ever you want but concrete cures through a chemical reaction and that would impact it.

[@Buildingenjoyment]

Do a better job around the bottom of your cardboard joint. Also when you cast a piece use the concrete to make more moulds not the cardboard original it won’t float and you can do a better job around the base! Pre-calculate your silicone required you wasted most of the expensive silicone by mixing all at once . Buy a scale!

[@HomeMadeModern]

what wasted silicone? I used it on another project

[@headkase11]

Couldn't you just use 2 3/4" pieces of mdf and sandwich them together then polyurethane over it instead of using cardboard?

[@HomeMadeModern]

yes! I have used mdf often but I wanted to show a way where power tools or precise cuts with a saw weren't required

[@headkase11]

@@HomeMadeModern thank you for making these videos!

[@dawnellherrera9338]

I was wondering why you made this complicated cardboard thing instead of just using clay. Surely with all the things you added to smooth and seal the cardboard you didn't save time or money.

[@autumnroberts3086]

This looks like A LOT OF WORK for something you can find and buy on Amazon or Etsy 🥸

[@HomeMadeModern]

looked on both and didn't see a lot of interesting shapes thick enough to be used for pavers. I saw a lot of thin ones for tile but send a link if you know of some.

[@RandomBogey]

I like turtles

[@HomeMadeModern]

me too

[@davidkendall589]

Just make the mold out of plywood like a normal person.

[@HomeMadeModern]

I have done that but I prefer this way

[@jasenjahn]

So….you should sell your molds.

[@brianfuller7241]

I'd love to see some pavers based on this video from Veritasium: kzbin.info/www/bejne/amnWdKtjrKemaZY

[@grassabrutta]

Creativitiy at a higher level. But ... those pavers will not be good outside .... why ? Water. A true 'paver' is a porous material which absorbs and releases water to the sub layer. That property means you are not left with standing or pooled water on the surface. These mischievious pentagons will have you slipping and skating all over the place.

[@brianstevens3858]

sand pile, cardboard ring and trashbag.

[@HomeMadeModern]

that can work too but not my preferred way

[@monkeyrun]

nice. but 2 pavers a day.... 😵

[@KlaasDeforche]

... keep the doctor away

[@ignilc]

yeah because hes an idiot. he shouldve made the concrete much less wet, so he couldve compacted it down and remove the silicone forms right away, and the paver would hold its shape

[@johndallara3257]

Prep on a project like this is really the key to the production. Prep is ( beer, music, space and materials / wife, kids, work and energy ) x (sheer will and knowledge you will be crowned the coolest dude ever!) GL

[@HomeMadeModern]

2 pavers in 10 mins every day. I like home improvement projects that I slowly build in spare time

[@lizcademy4809]

Or 14 pavers a week ... you can easily pour a pair after work. Plus, you can make them all winter for a patio you install after the snow melts in spring. [Assuming you live in Frostbite Falls, like I do.]

[@azerioner6595]

#2nd