Whether you are designing your garden from scratch or want to rejuvenate your current outdoor area, a patio is one of the best ways to do it. A patio gives you a dedicated space to host parties, entertain guests and enjoy an al fresco meal, so rather than being holed up indoors you can make the most of the good weather and get some fresh air. Stone Zone is a proud supplier of an ever-growing range of paving, including sandstone, limestone and porcelain. Whether you want to create a traditional look or something more modern, we guarantee we have the right paving for you. Our collection boasts a wide range of colours, designs and materials, so no matter how big or small your garden, there is something to suit your design. If natural stone is calling to you, our sandstone paving guide is a good place to start.
To help you along your refurbishment journey, we have created a handy guide to give you a good idea of how paving is installed. There are several ways paving can be laid, and we generally think the best option is to let the professionals handle it. However, if you have DIY experience and fancy taking on a big project, you will feel a huge sense of accomplishment once your garden is complete.
Tools and Materials You Will Need
- Garden spade
- Tape measure
- Angle measure
- String or spray paint
- Spirit level
- Rake
- Wacker plate
- Rubber mallet
- Watering can
- Plastic sheet (optional)
- Trowel
- Spacers
- Kneeling pad (optional)
- The correct amount of paving slabs
- MOT Type 1 or hardcore
- Washed grit (sharp sand) and cement
- Heavy duty gloves
- Dust mask
- Safety goggles
- Ear defenders
- Steel toe capped boots
1) Create a Design Blueprint
Before you install anything, the first thing to do is create a thorough plan so you know exactly where everything will be placed and you are happy with the layout. Think about whether you want the patio in a sunny spot or somewhere more shaded, the overall shape of the patio, and what you want the edges to look like. With all of these factors considered, you will have an accurate picture of what your patio will look like.
Once the blueprint is done, head into the garden and roughly mark out the patio area. Do not skip this step. It is especially important if you are laying one of our best-selling patio packs, which contain four different slab sizes. The best method for laying this type of paving is to avoid crossroads in the joints, making sure the joints sit perpendicular to each other. Once you have roughly laid this out and are happy with the overview, take a photo you can refer back to later.
2) Preparation is Key
Clearly and carefully mark the area where the paving will be installed, using spray paint or string. An angle measure will help keep your lines straight and your corners square. Now start digging within the marked area, going deep enough to allow for 100mm of sub-base, 25mm of sharp sand and cement, and the depth of your chosen paving slab. Using a spirit level, make sure the ground is as level as possible.
3) Add Your Hardcore
Into the area you have dug out, add MOT Type 1 limestone at a depth of 50mm and rake until it is roughly level. Compact the hardcore with a wacker plate, which we recommend hiring rather than buying. Add a further 50mm of sub-base and compact this layer as well. Compacting twice is best practice, as it ensures a durable and long-lasting base for your paving.
4) Add Sharp Sand and Cement
Next, add a 25mm full mortar bed on top of the hardcore base using either washed grit and cement or sand and cement. This is a required step, so do not skip it, otherwise your paving will not be sturdy and secure. Use a watering can to lightly wet the surface until it is fairly moist, then rake over again.
5) Lay Your Paving
If you have carefully followed the steps above, you now have a sturdy base ready for your paving. Try your best to lay the slabs at a 1 in 60 fall, as this helps rainwater drain away during heavy weather. Remember to wear heavy duty safety gloves for this part of the project.
Dampen the underside of each slab with a slurry or priming compound before laying it onto the mortar bed. Place your first slab at the highest point of the patio, working from one corner to another. The careful and accurate placing of the first slab is crucial, so take your time to make absolutely certain the level and fall are correct.
Gently tamp down on the slab with the rubber mallet a few times to bed it in firmly.
Remember: leave at least a 3 to 6mm gap between each slab for porcelain paving, and a 10 to 12mm gap for sandstone and limestone, to allow for the jointing in between. You should also seal the back of sawn products to avoid mirroring. If you are still weighing up which material to use, our guide to the differences between sandstone and porcelain paving will help.
Keep laying the slabs following your original blueprint, using spacers to keep the gaps even throughout. Continually check the level of your paving as you go, remembering that slight fall.
Allow the mortar bed to dry, and let it dry slowly. If rain is forecast, cover the area with a large plastic sheet to protect it.
Optional: if at any point you need to cut or shape your paving slabs, we supply Rubi tile cutters suitable for sandstone and porcelain paving. That said, a tile cutter is a big purchase for a one-off project, so a good alternative is to ask a trained professional to cut them for you.
6) Joint Your Paving
Once the mortar bed has dried, you can start jointing your slabs together. We sell porcelain paving grout, EasyJoint and Joint-It grout for natural stone, or you can make your own mortar mix with materials we sell, using four parts sand to one part cement.
Depending on your paving, follow the relevant instructions. EasyJoint and Joint-It need very wet conditions, and ideally two people working together, with one person spraying the patio with a hose and the other filling in the joints. Porcelain grout, on the other hand, can be applied by one person. Gently brush away any leftover grout or sand to allow the joints to dry properly, then finish off with a pointing tool for a perfectly smooth result.
7) Stand Back and Admire Your Work
Installing a patio is not an easy project to take on, but if you have DIY experience and have completed garden projects before, you will feel a real sense of accomplishment once your patio is finished. We strongly recommend leaving the patio alone for 24 hours so the jointing grout can set properly. Once that time has passed, you can walk on your new patio safely and finally enjoy the fruits of your labour.
If you have any questions about which paving or jointing products are right for your project, our friendly sales team is always happy to help on 01202 874207, or you can pop into your local Stone Zone showroom for a chat.
