laying paving and building patios
For a free quote to construct your patio.
We excavate the area to a depth of about 150mm Lay compacted hardcore to a depth of about 50mm to 80mm for the foundations and build you a patio to last.
flowerpotman patio builders supply and lay all types of paving from Natural Sandstone flagstones to concrete slabs in Weston super mare, Bristol, Clevedon, Portishead, Nailsea, Bridgwater, Burnham on sea and Somerset.
Lots of material choice these day ranging from concrete slabs through to natural stone flagstones, we will run through the choices and prices with you. A couple of examples are Indian sandstone a natural quarried stone and concrete made in a factory using a cement type mix formed in a press.
Natural (real) stone
- Sandstone is a natural paving stone mostly imported from India and comes in a variety of colours, sizes and textures.
- Both the darker and lighter coloured flagstones make great paved patios in large landscaping projects,
- The lighter colours are very effective in brightening up small shady gardens and courtyards. Because its a natural stone the colours and rivens vary, catalogues don't show this, so before I order its well worth a visit to a local builders supply company to see the colours for yourself.
Concrete paving slabs
- Concrete slabs can be an attractive and practical choice for paving garden pathways, steps and patios and are available in a wide range of colours, prices, surface finishes, from rivened, flat and non slip surfaces for wheelchairs and elderly gardeners.
- Utility slabs will cost about £15 per sq m.
- higher quality concrete slabs up to £60 per sq m
Gravel driveways add a bit of rustic charm to your home, are a lot cheaper than block paving, cleaner than tarmac, good for drainage, look better than and more eco friendly than imprinted concrete and also help with security, (burglars hate walking or driving over crunchy gravel).
So what's the problem with gravel driveways.
Driveways that have light traffic or are untended quickly become overgrown with weeds and grass, so let's look at ways of preventing your gravel becoming a bed of grass and weeds.
We supply and lay patios in Weston super mare,North Somerset and Somerset
or follow these Diy tips to lay your own slabs
We can prepare the ground for you or if you prefer to buy the slabs and materials from a local company, we can quote for labour only. Most patio slab supply companies deliver nationwide, click and compare them for price.
DIY slab laying tips
This is a basic guide to laying a patio, always read the suppliers patio laying guide. Indian Sandstone and other natural flagstones can be laid on a bed of Sharp sand but concrete slabs should always be laid on a bed of mortar.
Preparing the Base for laying slabs
Mark out the area to be paved and dig out enough soil to allow a hardcore base of about100mm plus the depth of the paving slab and 50mm mortar. You will need to dig deeper and increase the depth of the hardcore if the ground is soft or soggy.
Shovel in the hardcore and rake it level and then compact it down, making sure the surface is low enough to allow for the mortar and slabs. If you are laying the patio near to a building dont forget to slope the patio away.
Laying the slabs.
Shovel an even layer of mortar onto the hardcore base and lay the first slab on the mortar, tap the slab into position. Fill any gaps around the slab with mortar. Use a Spirit level to check the slab is level.
Lay the first row of slabs from the first slab using 10mm spacers to make sure all the joints are the same. If you are close butting Natural stone, forget the spacers.
When the first row is complete, lay slabs along the two adjacent outer edges. Fill in the central area, working back row by row. Keep checking that the fall is correct and that the slabs are level in both directions.
Pointing slabs
Only do this on a day when the slabs are completely dry.
Use a dry mix of three parts sharp sand to one part cement, brush it into the joints and push it down firmly with a trowel or a pointing tool. You may have to repeat this several times. Brush away any excess mortar mix and lightly spray the newly paved area to set the mortar.
Block Paving contractor Weston super mare and Somerset.
Specialist in laying block paving.
This how we lay block paved driveways and car parking areas.
+ D.I.Y. tips for laying block-paving.
- First Dig out the area deep enough to allow for at least 100mm of granular sub-base/hard core to be laid and well compacted. So called block paving contractors, (you know the ones, they are laying a driveway down the road, just around the corner and can do you a deal if you pay up front and agree they start straight away), often miss out or skimp this stage resulting in the paving collapsing the first time you drive on your new driveway.
- Now lay the edge blocks on concrete and shovel in the hardcore and rake level.
- Next add and level 35/50mm grit sand, used for bedding the block paving. This gets a bit complicated on slopes. You can hire special tools, that make this leveling stage easier. Remember to plan for the finished driveway surface to end up level with the pavement or roadside you will be entering from.
- Next lay the pavers, If you are using more than one pack make sure the blocks are mixed up, colours and shades vary from pack to pack.
- Concrete block paving used for paving driveways are 50 or 60mm thick and are tapped onto the prepared sand bed. Make sure to use fine silica sand to fill in the gaps.
- You will need a skip, rake, spades and shovels, wheelbarrow and a mallet to tap the blocks in.
- Gravel kicks up and shifts especially on slopes.
- Tarmac can melt in hot weather and over time, crack up. Its also non permeable.
- Concrete looks like concrete ! whatever pattern is imprinted, its also not permeable.
- Block pavers are permeable, hard wearing and look good.