Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2007 1:06 am
Simply superb website, both content and design-I would be grateful for your advice on the best approach to this small project.
Existing:
I have a terraced house with a 4mx4m rectangular concrete/cement finish forecourt, with planting on the 3 nonhouse sides.
The existing "concrete" rectangle is in 3 segments, with straight joints (weeds),poured at different times.
The first segment is a1.2m wide footpath in a dreadful state, constructed of remnants of original clay tile, overlaid with a 25mm layer and another 12mm layer of cementitious topping (breaking up), about 75mm overall.
I can't see much base, looks like earth and a few rocks.
Condition of this footpath segment looks beyond repair and will doubtless need to be removed.
Either a new flexible sub base or new concrete solid base will need to be formed to apply new pebble finish, depending on the final spec.
The two remaining sections of existing cement forecourt ( .7m wide path adjacent to house and the remainder rectangle) are in much better condition,
apart from one big zigzag crack with weeds downthe middle (adjacent tree removed last year, slight heave).
Proposal:
I want the forecourt finish to be "pebbles" throughout.
I have a photo of a French forecourt I like which is probably both pedestrian and vehicular, although my spec is pedestrian only. The aggregate is fairly uniform in size, about the width of a finger/thumb, say about 15-20mm, some angular stones, some round in various colours, arranged in a very smooth
flat bed with minimal joints or overlaps. Probably just well compacted over many years.
I think there are also piazzas of these small pebbles around Europe, the finish is clean and colourful and just a little textural.
To keep costs down I have also considered one option of doing the proper footpath spec to the trafficked footpath segment (gate to door), and just doing a make do spec of matching pebble (preferably set) on the adjacent existing concrete, nontrafficked. Could be a few planters or pots in that zone. I do know loose pebbles on solid base are to be avoided even with infrequent traffic(apart from foxes and cats), but my gardener suggested substantial savings could be achieved, so I will ask for your opinion on that-savings may not be so great.
I intend to use timber tanalized edgings on the sides, and the natural existing minimal fall toward the road will drain the forecourt area toward the front hedge as existing. Concrete step below front gate relevelled to suit.
Please note existings levels can be raised a bit, but preferably +30mm max.
On the website the description of deco agg or the forum discussion of pebble mosaics (no pattern in my proposal) seems to best describe the clean larger aggregate appearance I am after. I don't mind a little natural instability (brush) of surface pebbles either. I did read that small stones picked up by shoes could ruin internal floors, seems another good reason for larger more stable pebbles.
Analyzing the options, a 15-25mm aggregate seems to indicate a cement bed at least to the trafficked area, whether this is arranged as one pour or two,
on existing or new concrete. However this deco washing technique sounded a little challenging for a complete novice. Your grouting spec for pebbles on dry bed sounded easier to apply and if you advise that for my forecourt please clarify spec a little more.
A Resin bed is apparently only suitable for 3mm aggregate at present, and although a new suitable resin now exists it is not yet available on the market. Perhaps I can stick loose gravel down later next year, but I don't want to wait an entire year to reinstate my forecourt.
Finally a flexible bed sounds much easier and much cheaper, but I can't figure out how to achieve the clean consistent pebbly surface, although in my photo of the French forecourt it is very wellcompacted on a flexible base. The self binding gravel which I have checked on the linked websites will be too dusty and irregular,unless 20mm aggregate is applied over the top of the small binding particles or unless some clay or binding type stone is added for the runoff (portland?).
I want variation in colour (amber, white, green/blue but an overall light shade).
Advice requested:
Which method of construction is indicated for the different segments of forecourt.
My builder is not experienced in hard landscape, but will have the necessary skills/workmanship. Sixteen sq metres is not a large area. I agreed to do the research and also source materials (SW London).
Please also advise on suitable stone. Is the Ph neutral to be avoided with timber edgings and adjacent planting? Would steel separate better? Plants will still spill over inevitably.
I am not keen on dark colours like granite etc.
Look forward to your reply and thanks again for this site including the forum. Still can't believe my luck finding this!
Existing:
I have a terraced house with a 4mx4m rectangular concrete/cement finish forecourt, with planting on the 3 nonhouse sides.
The existing "concrete" rectangle is in 3 segments, with straight joints (weeds),poured at different times.
The first segment is a1.2m wide footpath in a dreadful state, constructed of remnants of original clay tile, overlaid with a 25mm layer and another 12mm layer of cementitious topping (breaking up), about 75mm overall.
I can't see much base, looks like earth and a few rocks.
Condition of this footpath segment looks beyond repair and will doubtless need to be removed.
Either a new flexible sub base or new concrete solid base will need to be formed to apply new pebble finish, depending on the final spec.
The two remaining sections of existing cement forecourt ( .7m wide path adjacent to house and the remainder rectangle) are in much better condition,
apart from one big zigzag crack with weeds downthe middle (adjacent tree removed last year, slight heave).
Proposal:
I want the forecourt finish to be "pebbles" throughout.
I have a photo of a French forecourt I like which is probably both pedestrian and vehicular, although my spec is pedestrian only. The aggregate is fairly uniform in size, about the width of a finger/thumb, say about 15-20mm, some angular stones, some round in various colours, arranged in a very smooth
flat bed with minimal joints or overlaps. Probably just well compacted over many years.
I think there are also piazzas of these small pebbles around Europe, the finish is clean and colourful and just a little textural.
To keep costs down I have also considered one option of doing the proper footpath spec to the trafficked footpath segment (gate to door), and just doing a make do spec of matching pebble (preferably set) on the adjacent existing concrete, nontrafficked. Could be a few planters or pots in that zone. I do know loose pebbles on solid base are to be avoided even with infrequent traffic(apart from foxes and cats), but my gardener suggested substantial savings could be achieved, so I will ask for your opinion on that-savings may not be so great.
I intend to use timber tanalized edgings on the sides, and the natural existing minimal fall toward the road will drain the forecourt area toward the front hedge as existing. Concrete step below front gate relevelled to suit.
Please note existings levels can be raised a bit, but preferably +30mm max.
On the website the description of deco agg or the forum discussion of pebble mosaics (no pattern in my proposal) seems to best describe the clean larger aggregate appearance I am after. I don't mind a little natural instability (brush) of surface pebbles either. I did read that small stones picked up by shoes could ruin internal floors, seems another good reason for larger more stable pebbles.
Analyzing the options, a 15-25mm aggregate seems to indicate a cement bed at least to the trafficked area, whether this is arranged as one pour or two,
on existing or new concrete. However this deco washing technique sounded a little challenging for a complete novice. Your grouting spec for pebbles on dry bed sounded easier to apply and if you advise that for my forecourt please clarify spec a little more.
A Resin bed is apparently only suitable for 3mm aggregate at present, and although a new suitable resin now exists it is not yet available on the market. Perhaps I can stick loose gravel down later next year, but I don't want to wait an entire year to reinstate my forecourt.
Finally a flexible bed sounds much easier and much cheaper, but I can't figure out how to achieve the clean consistent pebbly surface, although in my photo of the French forecourt it is very wellcompacted on a flexible base. The self binding gravel which I have checked on the linked websites will be too dusty and irregular,unless 20mm aggregate is applied over the top of the small binding particles or unless some clay or binding type stone is added for the runoff (portland?).
I want variation in colour (amber, white, green/blue but an overall light shade).
Advice requested:
Which method of construction is indicated for the different segments of forecourt.
My builder is not experienced in hard landscape, but will have the necessary skills/workmanship. Sixteen sq metres is not a large area. I agreed to do the research and also source materials (SW London).
Please also advise on suitable stone. Is the Ph neutral to be avoided with timber edgings and adjacent planting? Would steel separate better? Plants will still spill over inevitably.
I am not keen on dark colours like granite etc.
Look forward to your reply and thanks again for this site including the forum. Still can't believe my luck finding this!
