What type of paving for a courtyard?

[jack101]

hi I need to lay paving inside a courtyard measuring approx 24m x 24m. this will be used for 12 car parking spaces and lead to 12 front doorways. the building is listed and just over 200 years old. i want to use something that will look in keeping with the building and its setting. the couryard currently has a very thick concrete base, with trenches cut out for services. these trenches will be filled back in and compacted.

is it ok to lay on the existing concrete? if so what method should be used?

what paving would you recommend? it has to be able to take traffic but the cars wont be everywhere so it could be mixed with areas of gravel or light duty paving or grass.
the exisiting concrete is smooth and laid to fall toward the building. i plan to lay perforated pipe around the perimeter of the square courtyard and cover this with decorative gravel.
i have no problem in removing the concrete but it seems like a good base to work from. all ideas appreciated. located in ayrshire in scotland, i would be happy for someone to come and give me a quote for the work.

http://postimage.org/image/phzl2znif/

http://postimage.org/image/paq6v2xmb/

[Pablo]

Is the concrete low enough so that when it's paved the finished level willl be sufficiantly lower than the internal floors of the biulding to prevent damp. Are there any conservation or heritage listing issues and do you need planning permission and if so does the council have any thoughts on materials. Personally I'd use locally sourced cobbles or 200x100 setts either as the main body or as a trim for asphalt. The only other material I'd recommend would be a slate grey Tegula block from the likes of Tobermore. Your drainage plan sounds like it needs upgrading and future proofing I'd be collecting it and piping it to soakaways or into the standard system depending on what the council say. It looks like it could be a tasty job I've got family in Ayrshire I'd be keen to do it if I was quieter but I'm not so I won't.

[jack101]

Is the concrete low enough so that when it's paved the finished level willl be sufficiantly lower than the internal floors of the biulding to prevent damp. Are there any conservation or heritage listing issues and do you need planning permission and if so does the council have any thoughts on materials. Personally I'd use locally sourced cobbles or 200x100 setts either as the main body or as a trim for asphalt. The only other material I'd recommend would be a slate grey Tegula block from the likes of Tobermore. Your drainage plan sounds like it needs upgrading and future proofing I'd be collecting it and piping it to soakaways or into the standard system depending on what the council say. It looks like it could be a tasty job I've got family in Ayrshire I'd be keen to do it if I was quieter but I'm not so I won't.

the levels are ok, damp wont be a problem. no conservation issues, just needs to look good and in harmony with its setting. the drainage plan is fully future proof, it will be directed into a soakaway. what about laying on concrete? locally sourced cobbles must be too expensive. its nearly 600m2! how about 100x100x50 granite setts at £20m2?

[lutonlagerlout]

you get what you pay for jack
local setts will look well there but you wont get much change out of 100k
if your budget wont allow maybe concrete block paving or bitmac may be the answer
its going to be a big outlay whatever you do

and going over existing concrete is hard to say without a site visit
cheers LLL

[jack101]

you get what you pay for jack
local setts will look well there but you wont get much change out of 100k
if your budget wont allow maybe concrete block paving or bitmac may be the answer
its going to be a big outlay whatever you do

and going over existing concrete is hard to say without a site visit
cheers LLL

i was estimating that i could use some £15-£20 paving 350m2 material coupled with some areas or grass/gravel 250m2 for about £15k including installation if i employed the people direct. is that feasible?

[jack101]

i like the slate grey tegula by tobermore, how much is that roughly per m2?
thanks

[local patios and driveway]

Got to be a cobble of some description, then matched with decorative cast iron linear drainage. In my mind thats the ultimate, i wouldnt be using perforated pipe for drainage its naff.
Plus good money is on concrete being too high to reuse

[cookiewales]

Have to say reclaimed setts have to be Scottish whin or basalt 250m2 would cost installed approx 45k that is complete job for setts and ground work so if levels are okay you could use the base so cheaper but you would need min 250mm top of set to base for whinstone setts give me a call if you need more info cheers cookie ps take a look at my website :;):

[Pablo]

Tegula is around £15m2 and you'll fill a couple of lorries so no part load charge etc. Tobermore have distribution in Ayr and they also operate a very reasonable design service. Whatever you do I'd recommend employing a designer it could be the best money you spend but be sure to emphasise your budget to them.

[lutonlagerlout]

our very own gaffer does such a service see here
for details
employing people yourself can end in tears unless you are a project manager (a real one,not someone who like the title
seen a lot of people go pop managing their own jobs
good luck
LLL

[Carberry]

It would be a shame to scrimp on the budget / materials when you have such a great canvas to work with. Ideal would be reclaimed setts, whin and basalt both look great, kerb around the parking areas. Turf or some top soil around the parking areas with some plants thrown in.

As LLL says, get the gaffer to do the design, it will be well worth the money.

[jack101]

our very own gaffer does such a service see here
for details
employing people yourself can end in tears unless you are a project manager (a real one,not someone who like the title
seen a lot of people go pop managing their own jobs
good luck
LLL

well im renovating the whole building, installing 110 windows, laying first floor concrete floors, installing all services, repairing all the sandstone, brand new roof and all the internals to convert this into 12 luxury apartments. im sure i can manage to do the paving as well. the concrete levels are ok but why does it matter if the concrete levels are high? ive all ready explained that there will be a drainage border around the perimeter so any water will fall into that before it gets to the building. i would be interested in a design service

[jack101]

http://www.blockpavingsurrey.co.uk/pdfs ... veways.pdf

check out this: specifically the AURA range. i think it looks good, any views on this? is it any good?

http://www.blockpavingsurrey.co.uk/pdfs/Brett_Driveways.pdf

[local patios and driveway]

Yep very nice the aura range. Would suit your place i would expect, as long as you get the right colour.

[cookiewales]

Well jack I have taken up and relaid lots of paving that they thought they could do :p Big no no runing water to buildings do you know how much rain falls in 300m2in a courtyard to much too handle in 100mm that's why most old court yards had a pick up gully in the Center going into 9inch or more main drain good look you need to talk to the gaffer am sure he would point you in the right direction