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Garden
planning
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Draw a scale plan of your garden
(preferably on graph paper) and make several photocopies of it. Use these to
draw out various arrangements within the designated area. You could use
concrete paving bricks, but it is easier and quicker to lay larger square or
rectangular paving slabs.
Check whether you need to cut
slabs to fit around drainage gullies and manhole covers - if possible,
rearrange the slabs to avoid unnecessary cutting.
Make less work for yourself by planning to use whole slabs
wherever possible - adjust your plan to suit the size and shape of your chosen
paving in order to minimise cutting.
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It is usual to lay a patio
right beside the house where you can serve drinks and meals conveniently.
However, other factors may affect that decision. It might be better to
construct the patio further down the garden where it will receive more sun, or
be closer to the shed or garage where you store your garden chairs and
loungers.
The area of a patio is
largely dictated by the size of the site, but if you plan to build a permanent
barbecue, place it a safe distance from a children's play area, and make sure
there is room on your patio for friends and family to sit comfortably without
blocking access to the garden.
Paved areas often seem very different when plotted out life-size -
before you make any firm decisions, lay out your plan on the ground using
lengths of string.
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The type of foundation you
need to lay is determined by how you intend to use the patio:
• A walkway for
occasional use can be laid directly onto a base of sharp sand.
• A patio is best laid
on pads of sand-and-cement mortar placed on compacted sand over a sub-base of
broken-brick hardcore.
You may have to excavate the
ground so that your new patio remains at least 150mm (6in) below the damp-proof
course (DPC) in the house walls.
Excavations result in a surprising amount of soil - if you can't
have it carried away, use the soil to construct a rockery elsewhere.
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Do you want to incorporate
outdoor lighting? If so, it may be best to have cables run before you lay the
patio.
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Ensure patio remains 150mm below
DPC |
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