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It’s all in the groundwork

We often get asked if we can price a patio via email or based on a photograph and unfortunately the answer is no. Our site manager needs to visit the property to measure up and to see what base is currently down and what groundwork needs to be undertaken.

People often think that installing a patio is easy – just lay a few slabs and point-in, sadly it’s not as simple as that. It is very important that the groundwork is done properly, as like your house, your patio should be built to last on solid foundations. In order that the patio will retain its good looks an appropriate sub-base should be correctly installed.

 

What is a sub-base?

This is typically a layer of compacted stone aggregate, which is laid upon the sub-grade (earth) that will support the paving slabs that you have chosen. It is the main load bearing layer of your patio and its role is to spread the load and support the slabs evenly over the sub-grade.

Below is a typical example of how the sub-base will be made up. Actual products and depths will vary depending on the type of paving slabs you have chosen. The products are installed on sand or a good quality mortar bed depending upon the chosen product.

how your patio sub base is made up

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The pitfalls of an incorrect sub-base

If  the sub-base is insufficient to support the paving slabs or is wrongly installed the consequences can be problematic, as pictured below – Not  what you want your garden to look like!

patio with poor bedding

Poor Bedding

Poor support

Spot bedding giving poor support

Sarum Paving has over 25 years experience of installing high quality paving products and our site manager would be pleased to provide you with guidance on your individual project. Please contact us for a friendly chat and a Free Quotation, email sharon@sarumpaving.co.uk or tel: 01425 837803

6 Garden Trends for 2017

Many people treat their patio as an extra 'outdoor' roomThe ‘Extra’ Outdoor Room

People are beginning to want more comfort from their ‘outdoor’ room and the latest interior and furnishing trends are starting to filter through from the house to the garden. Some of the trends to look out for:

Scandinavian Cool

Interior trends lagom & hygge will translate to the garden, whether you want minimalist or cozy throws and flaming fire pits, the Scandinavian trend translates well to the garden.

Bright Colours

Whilst neutral may be the key in home,design, colour is heading to the garden, from bright block colours for fencing to the vibrant orange, red, yellows, purple & fushia flower beds.bright flower borders are on trend for 2017

Relaxing

Green spaces are known to be relaxing and help to reduce stress. Whether you want to use your garden for a calming retreat, somewhere to relax with a chilled glass of wine after work or a place to entertain your friends, make your room as relaxed as possible

Lighting

Garden lights can be a feature of the design not a functional after thought. Whether you want hurricane lamps,  built-in patio lights, candles or even fairy lights, there is something to enhance your garden.

choose comfortable patio furnitureFurniture

As the line between home and garden becomes more blurred, garden furniture has become more importing, in particular larger seats that resemble sofas and the trend for cooking stations all help give the feel of having an extra room

Natural Materials

The use of natural materials for Patios is very popular, especially ethically sourced sandstone, granite and slate

 

For tips on achieving the ideal patio and transforming your garden, please download our Free Ebook

 

Choosing the right paving slabs

Heritage PavingHow to choose the ideal paving slabs for your garden

There are many different paving slabs available and the choice can seem overwhelming. It is easy to look at a glossy brochure and be seduced by pictures of the idyllic house and garden and then realize that it doesn’t really work with your house and you’ve made an expensive mistake! So – how do you choose the perfect paving for YOUR home

Here a a few tips to help you:

Style

Think about the style of your home. If for example you live in an old fashioned cottage it is unlikely that an ultra-modern urban patio will fit in. You also need to think about your personal style, do you like a traditional, modern or urban feel?

Garden Size & Usage

What will the patio area mainly be used for? Will it be entertaining, relaxing, sun bathing, an area for the children to play? How much space do you want the patio to take up and where should it be situated in the garden? If you enjoy entertaining outside, you might prefer a patio closer to the house, whilst if you’re aiming for a quiet, peaceful place to relax, further away from the house might appeal! If you have small children you might want a safe enclosed space for them to play or perhaps you’re retiring and would like a maintenance free area with raised flower borders.

In deciding on the position of the patio you should also think about what time of day it gets the sun,as you don’t want the sun to be the other side of the garden at the times you most want to use the patio. Think about whether you would like a circle or water feature. Do you want edgings or borders. Would you like to leave room for plants on the patio area. Will you need a retaining wall or steps, if so do you want them in the same materials?  Do you want just one sized paving or different sizes? You should also consider the laying pattern.

The style of paving will to some extent be dictated by the age and style of your property, the shape and size of your garden and your own likes and dislikes.

Cost

Paving slabs come in a wide range of pricing from the economy paving slabs to the high end Sawn Sandstone and Granite. You need to decide on a budget, don’t forget that as well as the cost of the slabs, there will be costs for groundwork, labour and any additional features such as steps, edgings and walls.

When deciding how much you want to spend it’s worth considering your home/lifestyle, if this is your first home or you’re planning to move in the near future you may want to go for a less costly paving slab than the top end of the range.

If you’re unsure of the cost, we would recommend getting two quotations, one for a low end and one for a high end product, this will give you a ballpark figure to work with. Once you’ve established your budget and have decided on the slabs that you like we would recommend visiting a local stockist and viewing the product where possible, as colours can vary from the brochure or on-line pictures.

If you would like some advice on your patio project, our site manager has over 25 years experience in installing quality paving products and would be pleased to assist you and offer guidance. Please contact us on 01425 837803 or email sharon@sarumpaving.co.uk

Choosing a Patio

DaffadilsSpring is finally here and now is the time to think about transforming your garden. A new patio area can give your garden an instant update and with many styles of paving slabs available it needn’t be expensive.

Chauncery Patio slabs

Here are some things to consider when choosing paving slabs for your new patio area

Position of the Sun

This is very important as you don’t want your patio to be permanently in the shade! Think about when and how you want to use the patio and where the sun will be positioned at that time of day.

What Type of Paving Slabs Do You Want

There are many types of paving slabs available to suit every taste and budget. From very expensive Indian Stone, ethically sourced Sawnstone, the natural riven look of Heitage paving to cheaper single size paving slabs. It is worth considering how long you intend to stay at your property, if you’re planning to sell in the near future, you may not want to buy the most expensive paving.

What Will You Use The Patio For?Mediterraen paving

  • Relaxing in the Sun
  • Entertaining – will you need a barbecue area built-in?
  • Family Meals Al-fresco
  • Somewhere to sit in the sun whilst the children play in the garden
  • Sunbathing

Plants

Do you want to leave a border for your plants or have free standing plant pots on the patio area. You should also think about how large you want the paved area to be, wheather just enough for some tables or chairs or  considerable larger.

Will the area need a retaining wall or steps?

If the patio area need a retaining wall or steps you need to think about what material you would like to use. Do you want the materials to match or contrast or perhaps you would like to use sleepers instead of bricks for the wall. Steps_Mont03

At Sarum Paving, we have many years experience of installing high quality paving and would be pleased to offer advice and provide a free quotation for your project.

Email:sharon@sarumpaving.co.uk or use the form below to book an online appointment at your convenience.

 

 

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Will your driveway be a mud bath this Winter?

Muddy drivewayWinter rain can turn your driveway into a muddy mess, causing at best mud to be trodden into the house and onto your carpets or worse your car to become stuck on the driveway.

Having a block paving driveway installed will solve this problem. Block paving is porous, maintenance free and will retain it’s looks for many years to come. We offer a 5 year Guarantee on all new block paving installations.

Block paving driveway in Laverstock

Laverstock

Don’t get stuck on your driveway this Winter, contact Sarum Paving for a FREE Quote: Tel: 01425837803 email: sharon@sarumpaving.co.uk or use the form below to make an on-line appointment at your convenience.


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Winter Discount

Is your driveway cracked or prone to getting muddy in the rain?

block paving drivewayDon’t let your drive ruin the appearance of your house this Winter, take advantage of our 20% Winter Discount and treat yourself to a brand new block paving driveway.

With many styles and colours of block paving available, there is something to suit every style of home and budget. Whether your home is traditional, modern or contemporary we can help you transform your driveway. Don’t forget the driveway is the first thing that visitors to your house will see and forms their first impression of your home.

If you’re fed up with the way your driveway currently looks book an appointment for a friendly chat about how we could transform the entrance to your home.

Email: sharon@sarumpaving.co.uk or use the contact form below to make an appointment at your convenience.

 

Offer End: 30-11-15


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First Impressions Count

Woburn Rumbled PavingYour driveway is the first thing that visitors notice and will form their first impression of your home. If your driveway is old and cracked, muddy or just generally uninspiring – why not have a block paved driveway installed.

Bradstone® Woburn Rumbled Paving will enhance any driveway. It is a cobble style paving with a weathered appearance and is available in three sizes and a five lovely colours, shown below from left to right:  Autumn, Brindle, Fossil, Graphite and Rustic.

bradstone-woburnrumbled-autumn-sbradstone-woburnrumbled-brindle-sbradstone-woburnrumbled-fossilbuff-sbradstone-woburnrumbled-graphite-sbradstone-woburnrumbled-rustic-s

 

 

 

 

For further product information and to see how Bradstone® Woburn Rumbled Paving could enhance the entrance to your home, watch the following video by the high quality paving supplier ‘Simply Paving’.


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Chaucer Paving for a modern feel

chaucer_patioBrett’s® Chaucer paving slabs, provide a modern, contemporary  looking patio and are available in a wide range of sizes.

Chaucer paving slabs have a delicate texture that works well with narrow joints to give crisp, geometric lines.

For a larger rectangular area, breaking up the slabs by inserting a rectangular pattern in charcoal block paving in gives a modern feel and is ideal for an elegant ‘al fresco’ dining area.

 

For a free quotation or a friendly chat about enhancing your garden, contact us on 01425 837803 email sharon@sarumpaving.co.uk; or use the form below to make an appointment at your convenience.

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Contemporary patio area – it’s black & white

chaucer_patioPatios don’t have to be ‘beige’. For a modern, contemporary look try Brett’s® Chaucer paving slabs, available in a wide range of sizes.

Chaucer paving slabs have delicate texture that works well with narrow joints to give crisp, geometric lines.

For a larger rectangular area, breaking up the slabs by inserting a rectangular pattern in charcoal block paving in gives a modern feel and is ideal for an elegant ‘al fresco’ dining area.

Chaucer is also ideal for smaller patio areas, shown below with a block paving soldier course in charcoal and plum slate, this makes an ideal spot to sit in the sun and relax after a hard days work.

 

For a free quotation or a friendly chat about enhancing your garden, contact us on 01425 837803 email sharon@sarumpaving.co.uk; or use the form below to make an appointment at your convenience.

chaucer paving slab

Brett’s Chaucer Paving

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A contemporary take on traditional paving

Now that summer is finally here, it is time to think about having a patio installed so you can (finally) sit in the garden and enjoy those sunny afternoons and evenings.  When considering a patio many people think about using traditional paving slabs either in one size or mixed. However, for a modern, contemporary take on your patio area, why not think about using block paving?

Patio_Mont01The patio shown has been created using Marshall’s® traditional tumbled paving in Autumn Gold with a soldier course in standard block paving. The use of railway sleepers as a border adds a fresh contemporary feel to the garden area. This has been continued with the use of block paving within railway sleepers to build a step area. Steps_Mont03

Three sizes of tumbled paving have been laid randomly. The end result giving a modern, elegant feel making an  ideal area for entertaining friends or for relaxing with the newspaper and a cold drink on a sunny afternoon.

 

 

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Tumbled Block Paving in Autumn Gold
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