Adding a patio to your garden is an ideal way to rejuvenate your outdoor area. Creating a space for relaxing or entertaining can join your garden to your house, accomplishing the perfect space. A beautiful patio can change the persona of your garden and laying the garden paving slabs in the best way will ensure this.
But how to lay garden paving slabs? Patios are relatively simple to lay and allow you to be creative to ensure the final look is unique to your taste. Continue reading to find our most useful tips on how to lay paving slabs in your garden.
What You Need Before Laying Your Paving Slabs
For those looking for their next garden project, laying a patio is an exciting change to your outdoor territory. Laying paving slabs in your garden is quite simple, although can be time-consuming; therefore, the best way to begin, like all DIY projects, is with a vision of how you want the final result to look. Consider how you would like the paving slabs you are selecting, and how you want them to be laid out – for example, if you would prefer a layout more in rows, following a certain pattern, or random.
It is also important to ensure you have all the correct materials, and good quality paving slabs. We have an extensive range of paving slabs for sale here at Minster Paving, that are all great quality, water-resistant, non-slip and durable. We also supply the building supplies to hold your slabs in place. See our other blog posts on how to lay a patio or a garden path. Alternatively, please call with any questions.
Our 7 Top Tips for Laying Your Garden Patio Paving
1. Planning in detail and following it all the way
The look of your patio can be greatly varied by the layout. On our website we have some of our example layout plans, you can follow these and compare them to your area to ensure you have the correct number of slabs and have filled your area correctly. It is often good to draw this out so you can follow the plan completely. Similarly, you may have your own plan in mind, if you need assistance, you are able to call for any advice on planning this.
Different layouts suit different paving ranges, as these will come in different sizes. Some examples of the most popular patterns include our Tutor pattern or offset slabs for ranges with one size.
2. Stay Safe
Garden paving can be very heavy, so working with another person is preferred, especially with larger slabs. Dropping a slab can cause an injury, or damage the slab. For this reason, we also recommend suitable footwear, and gloves to protect your hands while lifting paving slabs, dealing with sand or cement, or digging.
Wet and dry cement should also be handled with care. It can cause skin irritation, so it is important to wash your hands thoroughly before and after use. In addition, it is crucial to not get this near your eyes as this can cause major injury.
Keeping the worksite safe will also reduce the chance of injury. An organised space where items are put out of the way will ensure the job is organised and safe.
3. Know what lies beneath
Be aware of the ground in the area in which you plan to lay beneath your patio. It is important to check the base and any problems. For example, any tree roots or large plants that are present could grow and disrupt the patio over time. This will cause movement over time and could ruin the appearance and safety of your patio. In addition, you should consider if your base is especially sandy or claylike and if this will be a problem.
Levels can also make or break a patio. Check your ground is level, and if it isn’t, consider drainage as to not have a build-up of water that takes a long time to dissipate.
4. Sourcing your materials
All the needed materials to lay the best garden patio can be found in our ‘How to Lay a Patio’ blog post, and sourcing these at the beginning of your project will make it flow more easily.
Some jobs may need machinery out of your commonplace gardening tools, such as a Disk Cutter. These are used to cut slabs; you can check if you will need to do this based off your layout plan. This can be brought or rented, so it is good to have these prepared before you begin.
Minster Paving supplies an extensive range of Landscape Accessories, such as cement and sand. In-store we also supply regular tools needed when laying a patio, such as gloves, brooms, sealants and many other items.
5. Consider the look you are trying to achieve
Everyone’s opinion is different on the ideal garden, so at Minster Paving, we aim to help your goal become a reality. When choosing your garden paving slabs, consider the look you are trying to achieve – the authenticity of a timeless Old Cotswold Paving, or a more sleek, streamed edge of Porcelain. Alternatively, you may want truly natural stone slabs, such as Sandstone or Limestone. When deciding this it is best to think about your house and whether you wish for the colours to contrast or match, and perhaps the plants and flowers in your garden.
Adding a featured kit, ornaments, stepping stones or other items can really cultivate the garden and individualise it. These finishing touches can truly turn the garden into something special that you love relaxing on or simply admiring.
6. Wait for Dry Weather
DIY projects are often less enjoyable in the rain, however a dry day for laying paving is crucial. Kiln-dried sand cannot be done while it is raining!
7. Aftercare and Maintenance
Different patios require different levels of maintenance, and alternative products. Despite this, all look excellent once laid and have different benefits.
Porcelain paving slabs, while lighter colours can show mud quite easily, is always one wipe away from its original condition. The best way to clean all garden paving slabs is very simple, all you need is water, washing up liquid and a broom.
It is recommended that you do not jet wash paving, as this can cause damage over time – especially to the joints.
High-Quality Paving Slabs for Your Garden
Laying garden paving slabs is easier with high quality paving slabs, and will give you a longer-lasting, more durable and more aesthetically pleasing finish. Minster Paving has an extensive range of paving slabs, covering a variety of tastes – traditional wet-cast paving, porcelain, and Natural stone. We also have an affordable price range that presents a variety of different looks. Our durable products also present a range that others many sizes, colours, and textures, to suit any look you desire.
Having good quality slabs will create a beautiful finish, that you will be proud of and enjoy for many years to come.
For more design inspiration and advice, check our range of garden paving slabs and our guides for beautiful gardens.
