Stone borders and patios add a beautiful finish to paths, patios, flower beds or any other garden feature you install! Whether you want cobbles and pebbles, gravel or pavers, there is a vast range of stones to choose from, each offering unique texture, colour or size, all of which can contribute to the perfect garden design.
If you are thinking about creating your own stone border at home, this article will help you…
The Benefit of Stone Borders and Patios
– Patios are a very low-maintenance garden feature. Stone does not require trimming, watering or weeding, just a little cleaning every now and then to keep it looking its best.
– Stone borders and patios are simple and easy to lay, you don’t necessarily need to hire a landscaper for this, you just need to be prepared for some digging and shovelling.
– Stone borders add aesthetic value to your garden, they are a timeless feature that can give your garden that little style boost it needs. Also, they offer practical benefits, helping you distinguish areas of your outdoor space.
Creating A Patio
Building a small patio, with a simple design, is a lot easier than you might think, even if you are not an avid DIYer!
Once you have chosen a stone paver that you like, you can start thinking about how to lay the patio.
- Decide where you want the patio. Placement is important, you should consider all times of day and how the sun will hit the area (especially if you want to be able to sock up some UV from your newly laid patio!). You can move the pavers around your garden to get a very rough idea of possible placements.
- Measure up the length and width, making sure the space is enough to fit any garden furniture you might have. You can mark up the space with twine or flour.
- Start digging out the area, you must make sure to dig out enough depth for the pavers plus the sand and filler (roughly one inch on top of the paver). If you are unsure, it is always best to dig out a little extra.
- Compact the soil and fill it with your crushed stone/gravel. You should try to keep a very subtle gradient to allow for water runoff.
- Fill the area with levelling sand, ensuring it is compacted and levelled off. You might need a helper for this bit.
- Begin laying your pavers, starting from the middle and working to the outer edges if you are using irregularly shaped ones. If they are rectangular, start outside and work inwards. Tap them down as you go.
- Spread the sand across the pavers, filling in the gaps between them.
- Hose your new patio down with water so you can sit down and enjoy your work!
Searching for the perfect pavers?
We have a wide range of paving stones available, whether you are looking to create a full-blown patio or a simple stone border. Get in touch if you would like to find out more about any of our products.
