How to lay a patio - step by step

No comments

A patio creates a multi-purpose space where you can display plants, entertain and lounge in the sun. There is a fantastic array of stones and slabs on the market to suit all styles and budgets. Regardless of your landscaping know-how - this simple step-by-step guide from Gardener's World will give you the information needed to create a patio to meet your needs and personal taste...

IMAGE CREDITS:

Jason Ingram,

Preparation

We chose to use slate paving, but the choice of materials is endless (from sandstone to York stone to concrete), whatever you go for - the method is identical. The key to success lies in the preparation, if you get the ground even at the start and cover it with hardcore rubble (you'll find this at most builders' merchants sold as MOT) you won't go wrong.

We recommend you use a wacker plate to level the ground. It may also help to draw a scale plan of your patio so you can work out the shape and pattern of the slabs, along with the exact amount of materials you will need.

Materials

- Hardcore material, MOT type 1 (£39 at Wickes)
- Building sand (£39 at Wickes)
- Cement (£5.48 for a 25kg bag at Wickes)
- Natural slate paving
- Paviours from Bbradstone.com

Tools

Shovel, rake, wheelbarrow, wooden level pegs, hammer, spirit level, plank of wood, wacker plate, cement mixer, rubber mallet, bolster chisel, pointing trowel. For tool hire, try www.hss.co.uk
Prepare the ground

First, remove any turf, plants or paving to a depth of about 15cm (6in) to allow room for the hardcore, mortar and paving slabs.

Now barrow in a 5-8cm (2-3in) layer of hardcore. Use a rake to distribute it, and even out any bumps. The rubble will form a good solid base for the patio and will stop you, and the site, getting muddy if it rains during construction.
- Make the most of your new patio with one of our top 10 BBQs
- Learn how to change a three-pin plug with our step-by-step tutorial
- Do you have good feng shui? Take the quiz to find out!
Secure the base

Use a wacker plate to compact and level the hardcore. Although not essential, this stops the rubble moving around while you lay the slabs, making the base solid.
- Make the most of your new patio with one of our top 10 BBQs
- Learn how to change a three-pin plug with our step-by-step tutorial
- Do you have good feng shui? Take the quiz to find out!
Plan the level

Wooden pegs hammered into the ground to the same height will mark the level surface of the patio, and you need to make sure they are level with any existing paving and manhole covers. Position several all over the patio site for you to work with, using a spirit level to ensure they are all even.

If the patio is next to the house, it's important to include a slight gradient away from the building so that rainwater simply runs off into an area where it can be soaked up. Again, use a spirit level to help create a steady gradient.
- Make the most of your new patio with one of our top 10 BBQs
- Learn how to change a three-pin plug with our step-by-step tutorial
- Do you have good feng shui? Take the quiz to find out!
Plan slab placement

If you want a patio with a random design, place several slabs on the ground to work out which shapes work and interlock well together. Alternatively, cut out pieces of paper to represent scaled-down slabs and work out a design on your scale plan.
- Make the most of your new patio with one of our top 10 BBQs
- Learn how to change a three-pin plug with our step-by-step tutorial
- Do you have good feng shui? Take the quiz to find out!
Mix the mortar

Make a mortar mix of five parts building sand to one part cement. If you're only laying a small patio, you could do the mixing in a wheelbarrow, although generally it'll be quicker and easier to hire an electric cement mixer (see our tools list). Mix more mortar as and when you need it.
- Make the most of your new patio with one of our top 10 BBQs
- Learn how to change a three-pin plug with our step-by-step tutorial
- Do you have good feng shui? Take the quiz to find out!
Lay the slabs

Lay each slab on a bed of mortar that's about 5-8cm (2-3in) deep, tapping it down firmly with a rubber mallet or pressing down with your hands.
- Make the most of your new patio with one of our top 10 BBQs
- Learn how to change a three-pin plug with our step-by-step tutorial
- Do you have good feng shui? Take the quiz to find out!
Ensure slabs are level

You need to leave a 1cm (½in) gap between each slab, which you'll fill in later with mortar. As you progress, use your spirit level or a plank of wood to ensure the slabs are level with the pegs you banged into the ground earlier.
- Make the most of your new patio with one of our top 10 BBQs
- Learn how to change a three-pin plug with our step-by-step tutorial
- Do you have good feng shui? Take the quiz to find out!
Edge patio

Edge the patio with paviours, laying them on a 5-8cm (2-3in) layer of mortar, as you did with the slabs. Butt them up together and, for a neat fit, use a hammer and bolster chisel to break paviours where necessary.
- Make the most of your new patio with one of our top 10 BBQs
- Learn how to change a three-pin plug with our step-by-step tutorial
- Do you have good feng shui? Take the quiz to find out!
Wash it down

At the end of the day, wash down the slabs you've laid, making sure you remove any splattered mortar before it can harden and stain the paving.
- Make the most of your new patio with one of our top 10 BBQs
- Learn how to change a three-pin plug with our step-by-step tutorial
- Do you have good feng shui? Take the quiz to find out!
Fill the gaps

Fill the gaps between the paving slabs using a pointing trowel and the same mortar mix as you used before. Try not to get mortar on the slab surfaces, as again this will stain if it's allowed to set.
- Make the most of your new patio with one of our top 10 BBQs
- Learn how to change a three-pin plug with our step-by-step tutorial
- Do you have good feng shui? Take the quiz to find out!
Decorate

So that's a job well done! Now simply enjoy choosing your garden furniture, then sit back and relax in the knowledge that you've created a professionally finished patio you'll appreciate for many years to come.
- Make the most of your new patio with one of our top 10 BBQs
- Learn how to change a three-pin plug with our step-by-step tutorial
- Do you have good feng shui? Take the quiz to find out!
Next Up: Top 10 barbecues
The warm weather and long days have reignited our love of al-fresco dining.