Wooden decking - so Noughties. In the Teenies, the real players are getting patios. A well fitted patio using good stone or slate will add millions to the resale value of your house. Well, maybe a bit of an exaggeration but a crisp patio makes a garden and creates a multi-purpose space for potted plants, garden furniture, BBQs and loungers.
Now, the best way to get your patio laid is to pay someone else to do it. Of course. However, if you're still fit and active, have a modicum of common sense and the time, nothing beats the satisfaction of building your own. Excellent in the smugness stakes when your friends come over for drinks in the evening.
Slate, sandstone, York stone and even shaped concrete, the choice of paving stone is now endless. But cough up a bit of wang for it. As in life, you get what you pay for. I think a dark slate looks particularly nice in most gardens but you must do what you feel is right, of course.
Whatever stone you use, the method is the same.
The key to the success of this project and any other landscaping project is preparation. Take your time and don't rush. Preparation is where you need to put in most of your effort. It's where the professionals spend the time to get that fantastic finish. Start with the ground you're laying the patio onto. Get it absolutely even.
MATERIALS YOU'LL NEED
Hardcore (Sometimes called MOT type 1)
Building sand
Cement
Paving slabs (sandstone, York stone slate etc)
TOOLS YOU'LL NEED
A Shovel, a rake, a wheelbarrow, wooden level pegs or stakes, a hammer, a spirit level, a long plank of wood, a vibrating plate (rent one), a cement mixer (rent one), a rubber mallet, a pointing trowel.
1. So, firstly, clear the area. Remove any turf, weeds, plants or old paving to a depth of about 15cm (6in). This will allow your patio to sit flush with the lawn. Now get your vibrating plate and give the area a once over. It will make it nice and flat.
2. Now you need to create a solid surface for the slabs to sit on. Get a wheel barrow and cover the area with in a 5 to 8cm (2 to 3in) layer of hardcore. Use a rake to spread it evenly.
3. Get your vibrating plate out again and run it over the hardcore to compact and level it.
4. Right, if your patio is near to the house, you need to create a slight gradient (away from the house) to allow rainwater to drain off. So, get 10 or 20 wooden stakes (depending on the size of your patio) and spacing them evenly, hammer them into the ground so they are all level. Now you'll need your spirit level and a long plank of wood. Make sure that the stakes are all level to start with by resting the plank across the stakes as they face away from the house and putting the spirit level across it. Now knock the stakes furthest away from the house further into the ground. You're looking to create a steady gradient here for the rainwater. Measure the gradient by placing the spirit level on the plank. Spend time getting this right. It's important for the finish.
5. Now, work out the design you want for the patio. If you want a random design, start playing with some slabs to work out which shapes work and interlock well together. If you want a regular pattern, make some measurements to ensure you've got enough slabs and you can avoid having to cut the stone.
6. Make life easy for yourself and hire an electric cement mixer. Now, make a mortar mix of five parts building sand to one part cement. Don't mix too much to start with - it'll set if you leave it for too long. Mix mortar as and when you need it. Spread a layer of mortar about 5 to 8cm (2 to 3in) deep, and place your slab onto it, tapping it down firmly with a rubber mallet.
7. Remember to leave a 1cm (½in) gap between each slab. You'll fill this with mortar later. Keep using the plank of wood and spirit level to ensure the slabs are level with the stakes you banged into the ground earlier and that you've still got your gradient.
8. Wash down the slabs you've laid and make sure that you remove any splattered cement. Otherwise it will harden onto your slabs.
9. Finally, fill the gaps between the paving slabs using a pointing trowel and the same mortar mix as you used before. Spend time to get a nice finish.
You’re done - well done. You’ve done a good job here. Time to call your friends and get them round for that drink. Of course, your real friends are already here.
Author Resource:
The key to the success of this project and any other landscaping project is preparation. Take your time and don't rush. Preparation is where you need to put in most of your effort. It's where the professionals spend the time to get that fantastic finish. I have spent many years working on laying patios and decking. Happy reading.
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