The Brew Cabin

Posted: **Mon Dec 08, 2008 9:36 am**

Firstly, great informative site. Well done.
Here in NZ I've managed to track down a local garden products guy who will make me bespoke 250mm x 250mm concrete pavers, dyed any colour I like for a very good price. I love the fact that I'll be able to create a patio to pretty much the exact shade I want; which makes for a much more interesting space than your generic pavers from the diy store can provide.
The patio will be next to an aged silver wooden deck, with edging of white rounded pebbles around a 2.5 x 3m patio area. All this will connect the house to our very very large grassy garden.
My question is - visually, is there a recommendation for which size pavers to use dependent on the size of the patio area? Our 'patio area' is relatively small, but the rest of the area is HUGE. I love the unique colour element that this guy can offer me, whereas my husband feels that 250x250 are too small and we should consider the more standard pavers. Aesthetically, if you have a large garden, should you go for larger pavers (or flags as you guys call them).
Very much looking forward to hearing your recommendations, because, yes, my life is that sad that creating the PERFECT patio to complete my increasingly perfect garden is currently my main goal.

:laugh:

Posted: **Mon Dec 08, 2008 10:18 am**

its very much person specific, your taste will differ from mine etc

have you considered what pattern you will lay them in, brick bonded, staggered bonded, herringbone, with a brick edger

so unfortunately only you can decide that really, few options you have are get some of the slabs on a demonstration basis maybe 4 or 5 and lay them on the ground in the pattern you want and see what they are like or get a CAD program like google sketchup and draw it out so yo can see.

this image took me about 30 minuted for a job i just did, albeit i have used the software its easy to use

Posted: **Mon Dec 08, 2008 6:16 pm**

as giles says its personal choice,but if your house is modern larger units will probably look better,if it is old or bucolic maybe smaller ones
is the guys going to wet cast these units?
natural stone always lasts a lot better than concrete look wise
cheers LLL

Posted: **Tue Dec 09, 2008 1:36 pm**

If I've got it right for the size of tile you mention the victorians used smooth red or a combination white and black tiles (about 150mm sq) on their verandahs (layed chess board fashion), very period and looks good. Gauge this style against your house style - anywhere near victorian, it should work well, if the house is modern then if the tile is smooth and modern in colour (marble effect, white, grey, charcoal) it can also work. As said - your call, but the area you are covering is at its limits for this size tile, any bigger and I would go bigger on the tile, especially if its natural stone simulated (try 450 square as an alternative) Good luck.

Posted: **Tue Dec 09, 2008 1:48 pm**

GB_Groundworks wrote:its very much person specific, your taste will differ from mine etc

have you considered what pattern you will lay them in, brick bonded, staggered bonded, herringbone, with a brick edger

so unfortunately only you can decide that really, few options you have are get some of the slabs on a demonstration basis maybe 4 or 5 and lay them on the ground in the pattern you want and see what they are like or get a CAD program like google sketchup and draw it out so yo can see.

this image took me about 30 minuted for a job i just did, albeit i have used the software its easy to use

what software do you use to create that masterpiece?

Posted: **Tue Dec 09, 2008 5:29 pm**

thanks everyone for your response. Sorry, but I had to laugh, heh heh, Victorian. Our house IS considered 'older' in New Zealand, built in the SIXTIES!!!
Think I'll do as suggested and get some larger on trial to compare against the sample tile I've got from this guy (which is a very cool darker salmon colour, kindof a browny maroon) Just want to avoid the council estate look of dull concrete grey larger slabs.

Posted: **Tue Dec 09, 2008 5:30 pm**

google skethup

sketchup.google.com/

Posted: **Tue Dec 09, 2008 7:34 pm**

Personally, I think you should consider employing a good designer. They will probably charge you about 10% of your total budget, but a good design will double the value of your investment, and make sure that you don't make expensive mistakes with choice of paving, size/shape of patio etc.

The Brew Cabin

Rule of thumb for paver size vs patio size? - Which size paver should i go for?