Posted: Fri Jun 06, 2003 11:34 pm
Hi,
Thanks to your superb website, a bit of planning, and plenty of hard graft, I recently laid a patio in my back garden. Though you might like to see the results -->
http://members17.clubphoto.com/george71 ... 3835.phtml.
[Area -> 15 sq m, laid on 70-80mm MoT Type 1, with 50mm sharp sand and 50mm bridle blocks. All materials supplied by Wickes.]
Previously, the area had raised beds and gravel, and was a real waste of space because the sun catches this area all day long.
It took me one weekend to dig out, and the next weekend I had help from a couple of friends, hired a wacker plate and block splitter and we completed the job in about a day and a half.
Only a couple of reservations about the materials used:
1 -> The block splitting was a bit hit-and-miss (usually miss). Don't know whether this was the quality of the blocks, a tired splitter or just me. Could never seem to get a nice clean split.
2 -> I used Extra-Rapid Cement for the soldier course, which went off frighteningly quickly. If I were doing it again, I'd use normal cement and be more patient.
The whole job cost me £600 including skip and tool hire and I reckon I've saved at least £500 compared to a contractor. Plus, I had a bit of fun leaning how do do it. I think I cheated a bit by laying the soldier course end-on - do you think this was a mistake? I did it to save on mixing cement (done by hand and back-breaking), in the knowledge that it's only for foot traffic.
Mr McC - I can't thank you enough for your excellent advice, and for giving me the confidence to try. I will now be able to relax on my patio and enjoy a cool beer in the (hopefully) hot sun this summer!
Cheers,
Richard Black.
Thanks to your superb website, a bit of planning, and plenty of hard graft, I recently laid a patio in my back garden. Though you might like to see the results -->
http://members17.clubphoto.com/george71 ... 3835.phtml.
[Area -> 15 sq m, laid on 70-80mm MoT Type 1, with 50mm sharp sand and 50mm bridle blocks. All materials supplied by Wickes.]
Previously, the area had raised beds and gravel, and was a real waste of space because the sun catches this area all day long.
It took me one weekend to dig out, and the next weekend I had help from a couple of friends, hired a wacker plate and block splitter and we completed the job in about a day and a half.
Only a couple of reservations about the materials used:
1 -> The block splitting was a bit hit-and-miss (usually miss). Don't know whether this was the quality of the blocks, a tired splitter or just me. Could never seem to get a nice clean split.
2 -> I used Extra-Rapid Cement for the soldier course, which went off frighteningly quickly. If I were doing it again, I'd use normal cement and be more patient.
The whole job cost me £600 including skip and tool hire and I reckon I've saved at least £500 compared to a contractor. Plus, I had a bit of fun leaning how do do it. I think I cheated a bit by laying the soldier course end-on - do you think this was a mistake? I did it to save on mixing cement (done by hand and back-breaking), in the knowledge that it's only for foot traffic.
Mr McC - I can't thank you enough for your excellent advice, and for giving me the confidence to try. I will now be able to relax on my patio and enjoy a cool beer in the (hopefully) hot sun this summer!
Cheers,
Richard Black.
