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Paving
We install paving for any garden. All of the paving photos below are from work undertaken by ourselves.
Paving
There are many ways of laying paving: straight onto levelled soil or sand without any mortar, or, laid on some sort of base with spots of mortar at the corners and centre. The pointing might be a dry mix of sand and cement brushed into the gaps, or a wet mix put into the gap with a pointing tool (and consequently marking the surface of the slabs).
We are a Bradstone Assured installer of paving. To ask us about this or any other part of your paving project, contact us.
Indian Stone Paving Slabs
We always use the following method:
The area is dug out to about 165-170 mm below finished surface height (which should be 2 bricks below the damp course). A 100 mm thick base of compacted scalpens is installed and the paving slabs are then bedded into solid mortar 35 - 40 mm thick. Finally a lean mortar mix is forced into the pointing gaps. The pointing mortar is just damp enough to hold together when squeezed in the hand.
In addition, care is taken to ensure that surface water will drain away from the house; not towards it.
This method ensures the paving looks good, remains stable also that the pointing is durable and stays in place. This care and attention to detail takes a little longer and is more demanding than some of the methods described earlier. When comparing prices do check exactly how the paving will be laid.
Paving & Materials
Natural Sandstone Paving Slabs
Imported natural sandstone is readily available in a selection of standard sizes and colours. The variations of tone within a particular colour and when well laid in a random/semi random pattern can look stunning. The picture on the left shows an area of paving before it has been pointed.
This competitively priced material is, of course, solid stone and will not suffer the surface weathering that can affect man-made concrete paving particularly when pressure washed.
There are however occasions where a non-slip perfectly flat surface is required and we have found that Marshalls Saxon paving slabs look good and perform well.
Stone sets are effective in bands to contrast with other paving and to provide features or detailing.
Bricks in paths or as edges can be used to effect but care is necessary to select a brick that is suitable for use in this way.
We are pleased to offer advice on suitable materials for paved areas from a few square meters to hundreds. Please contact us to discuss your paving requirements.
Our Garden Paving Case Studies
Paving Choices 1
There are countless different materials that may be considered to create a paved area.
In natural stone, the imported (generally Indian) is readily available in a range of standard sizes that can be laid in a random pattern. There are several colours ranging from grey, browns, green and soft yellows. In each colour there is, generally, a range of tones.
In addition to the paving slabs there are also setts (100x100mm, or, 100x200 and 100 thick. These sizes are also available in a thinner material. These setts are effective when used in bands between paving slabs, set into path gravel areas, or used as edgings.
Bricks are a traditional material that are used for paths, edgings and features. It is neccesary however to select a brick that will look good and wear well; many of the bricks used for house building are too soft or visually unsuitable.
When a hard wearing, flat and slip proof slab is required Marshalls 'Saxon' is a good choice. It is available in several colours although the natural shown here always looks good. In this garden it was used as a contrast to the area of natural stone paving. This picture was taken about 18 months after the garden was completed and the paving is softened by the planting.
Semi random paving with gravel and planting
The first two photo show a grey natural stone paving laid in a semi random pattern and softened at the edges by rolled path gravel on a scalpens base. Planting through the gravel again helps to take away the hardness that would result from a large area of uninterupted paving.
The second picture is a more detailed look at part of the paving above.
A low maintenance garden
This front garden was designed and executed for an elderly couple who wanted low maintenance, and a safe flat path to the front door. The path is paved with Marshalls 'Saxon' paving which has an ideal flat and non-slip surface.
A wide flight of steps leading from a rather narrow paved path to the upper garden. These steps provided access to the garden from the conservatory immediately opposite.
Paving and grass
The first two pictures show natural stone paving and grass in a small garden that was completely re-landscaped.
Pea shingle laid over gravel
The third picture shows an effective alternative to paving slabs. After digging out and adjusting the levels, compacted scalpens was put down as a base with rolled path gravel laid on top. After consolidating the path gravel, a fine dressing of a decorative pea shingle was added. This gives a very servicable surface that becomes very hard over time. It has the advantages that it is porous, so it drains; it is less expensive than paving slabs and many plants will grow in it extremely well. This surface is quite unlike the typical deep and course gravel that is often laid. This is a good quality man-made reproduction paving material.
Man made paving and brick
The fourth picture shows man-made paving combined with brick edgings and retaining walls.
Customer Comments
Many thanks for another wonderful piece of work! Very best wishes Peter & Karen After completion of a project about 10 years after we carried out original work
Hello Debbie! Please find enclosed our cheque in settlement of your invoice. We would like to thank you, Garry & Zak for transforming our front garden into something really special and pleasing. We could not have asked for more, - advice given, attention to detail, materials used and quality of work -exemplary! With all our very best wishes. John & Geneve ps and a great big thank you for your efforts and trouble in saving our special trees! John & Geneve From letter
We would like to thank you and all of your team for the excellent work that you have done in creating our garden out of what was nothing more than rough pasture. We have been impressed by your vision, knowledge and flexibility, and by the hard work and friendly manner of all of you people. We would have no hesitation in recommending your services. Anon Extract from recent letter
Dear Debbie, Just to say how delighted we both are with the garden and to enclose our cheque in payment of your invoice. Please pass on our thanks to Garry and the boys. They nwere great. We shall look forward to seeing you in the spring. Thank you again and kind regards Wendy & Brian Letter with cheque
We are sure you will be glad to know that we are absolutely delighted with the results of all your hard work and it has been much admired by all our friends and neighbours who have seen it. The quality of workmanship, planting scheme and attention to detail is truly excellent. Mrs M. N of Shaftesbury An extract from a letter
Many thanks for such a good job so far! Mr M. of Somerley An extract from a letter
Many thanks Debbie, we're absolutely thrilled with the finished effect - so much better than we ever expected. We're still giving thought to the other side at the moment but will get back to you one way or the other. Kind regards Terrie Note with payment
Dear Debbie, Please find enclosed a cheque for the work on our front garden. We are amazed at how much the garden has opened up the front of the property. Thank Garry and the boys for us please. Andy Letter with cheque
We thank you and your team for providing such a pleasing design and an excellent service. Mr D.R of Merley An extract from a letter from Mr D.R
Fantastic, fantastic … Mr G of Warminster An extract from a letter - commenting on a deck
Please find cheque enclosed for the balance. Thank you and all your guys for a lovely job carried out in pretty appalling weather. Jean & Terry Jean & Terry Letter with cheque
Dear Debbie, Very many thanks for all your hard work + creative input for the garden - people who saw it a year ago are truly amazed! I have about 1/3 of the planting to do now, but it's bursting with ??? and I'm thrilled with it. Many, many thanks to you and all 'The Team' love Rosemary Rosemary From a letter
Dear Debbie, We look at the garden each day with joy, it is simply wonderful, thank you so much. We also now have 6 species (acceptable not pigeons or magpies) of birds who also like it! Please thank again the boys for their work, good humour and expertise. Hope to see you again, with warmest regards Anon Follow-up thank you letter
… … … We are really pleased with all you have done. Having had a lot of work done by various contractors - we were particularly impressed with how efficient and tidy Garry was throughout. We have not yet decided about the greenhouse area - but will let you know when we have. Thanks Marianne and Paul (We were subsequently asked to carry out the greenhouse area work) Marianne and Paul Extract from a letter
We would just like to say that we were very pleased with the final result and hope that the garden will continue to look as marvellous in the future as it does now. Mr & Mrs B of Corfe Mullen An extract from a letter
I just wanted to say how delighted we are with how the garden has turned out, we always knew you would do a good job, but it really has exceeded all our expectations! It's a real joy to sit out there in the evenings, or potter round checking on all the plants to see how they're doing - thank you. Mrs B of Broadstone An extract from a letter
Dear Debbie, Many thanks for your advice and help. We are delighted with the design and execution of the work on our pond. At least one frog is also happy having blessed us with frog spawn! Best wishes Eric & Margaret Job well done.Site cleaned very efficiently, many thanks. Anon Note with payment
Thank you for your quotation for a pond, rockery and waterfall at H..., also for the prompt response. I am very impressed with the extremely professional manner of your presentation. I am sure the quality of your work is likewise. Mr L. S of Wareham An extract from a letter
We are delighted with the quality of the work and the materials you recommended. Please pass on our thanks to Gary, Craig, Keith and Colin, who were always hard working, efficient and cheerful - even in the rain! Their skills will be long remembered as we enjoy the garden in years to come. I only hope my planting will do justice to the quality of your work. Our thanks and best wishes to you all. Anon Extract from letter to Debbie White
Dear Debbie, As it's a year now since I first contacted you about re-designing my garden, I wanted you to know how much pleasure it's given my this year. I really feel that the garden is now an extension of my house and the French windows are almost permanently open. Having seen the plants in all seasons now I really appreciate the wisdom in your choice of plants and their positions. Thank you so much. Please call in if you have the opportunity as I'd love you to see it a year on. Weekends are probably the easiest or early evenings while it's still light. All the best, Yours very gratefully, Ruth
Well done - a first class job - on time - and TIDY! - congratulations." Mr M of Wiltshire Note with cheque
Many thanks indeed for fitting our 'phase2' in so quickly - we're now ready for the spring and summer!! We're really pleased with the end result, complementing 'phase 1' so well - the whole garden gives us so much enjoyment from all angles and floors. The team, as before, worked hard in difficult conditions and have made a fantastic job - it's much appreciated. Anon Extract from a letter with cheque
Just to say a big thank you for our lovely garden and also to thank you for the support you have given us as we have been learning how to ensure it stays looking as good as you left it. All best wishes Jan & Lewis Jan & Lewis Thank you note
Can we take this opportunity to thank you for being so professional, and flexible, in the way in which you carried out the work. It was a pleasure to have you all and the standard of your work is exceptional. We would also like to compliment you on the way you cleaned up each evening and the care taken not to disturb or damage any of the rest of the property. Mrs C. B of Salisbury An extract from a letter
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