The Brew Cabin

Hi Tony,

I'm planning to lay a terraced patio and would like to know how I should bed the flags at the edge of the terrace. The edge of the terrace will be a small step into the garden.
I will be using flags similar to Marshall's Saxon range, any comments on other brands with a similar product will be appreciated.
Great Site by the way .

Cheers

Andy

Hi Andy,

a small step up or down?

It will be a small step down into the garden

Cheers

Andy

Here's a simple drawing of a typical construction.



You can buy a 'saxon' type edging kerb, or you can make your own by sawing off-cuts of the bought-in flags. Alternatively, you could use a brick or some other unit to form the edging. The key point is that it is bedded on and haunched with a concrete to hold it firmly in place, and that the flag at the edge of the terrace overhangs the edging by 25-40mm or so. It is essential that this flag at the edge of the pavement is bedded on a Class II mortar over the edging kerb, so that it cannot slip off the edge nor can it be cantilevered out of place by stepping on its extreme edge. Although the sketch shows mortar bedding to the right hand edge only, it is often a better construction to lay the whole flag on a full mortar bed.

The size of the step down to the lawn is adjustable. but 75mm-150mm is a reasonable step. I always say that anything less than 75mm is not a step: it's a trip.

I hope this makes it a bit clearer for you. :)

Cheers Tony, I think I'll go for the full bed of mortar under the flag at the edge as you suggest.

Thanks

Andy