NB: This post is not a post about the most beautiful patio competition ~ or anything like it. It is a short post on how to lay a patio.
This area was where a sunken shed was. It flooded. It was to be raised. It was a sun trap. Grey slabs were asked for. Fancy giving it a go ? Until you give it a crack – you can’t really ask the questions…. Images below.
- the shed/ area cleared
- the base for the patio was put in using new sleeper timbers
Then…
- 9 square metres of paving were ordered
- the frame for the base was complete using 6 new timber sleepers
- a little over 1 tonne of hardcore was using for the base
Then…
- the whacker was hired for a half day for €26 [thanks Elayne!]
- the hardcore is wacked first then the sharp sand is wacked after
- screeding is also done until the surface is ready
Then…
- the patio slabs are then laid
- about one bag of fine patio sand is then brushed into the gaps
In short and in brief – there you have it. My other advice
- make sure that spot is where you really want it to go
- always order a little more than you need – spare slabs will always be required and extra delivery of minute amounts is a bad idea
- ‘measure twice and cut once’ – so to speak when making your list of materials and order it all in the one go
- shop local if possible – it may cost a few cents more but free advice when you are stuck is well worth it
what I ordered for a 7.8 metre squared patio
- 9 no. metres squared of slabs
- 2 no. bags of 6″ nails
- 7 no. 2.2 metre new railway sleepers
- 65 no. 25kg bags of hardcore
- 15 no. 25kg bags of sharp sand
- 2 no. 25kg bags of fine/ brush in patio sand
