Patio and Paving Designs

Step 3: Preparing the area

• Excavate about 200mm (8in) of soil extending just beyond the patio boundary. Allow for the thickness of the slabs when calculating depths.
• Add a 100mm (4in) layer of hardcore. The hardcore should be firmly compacted - level it with the edge of a board and tamp it down well, or hire a plate vibrator if you have a large area. When compacted, the hardcore should be about 75mm (3in) deep.
• Add 50mm (2in) of sharp sand over the hardcore and firm, levelling with a board. The prepared ground should now be at the top of the pegs.

Step 4: Preparing the slabs

• Using a 1:5 cement/sand mortar, start to lay the patio, working towards your pile of slabs.
• Put cricket ball-sized lumps of mortar in the corner and the middle for each slab.

Step 5: Laying the slabs

• Carefully place each slab, adjusting the edges to your outline and tap down until level with the appropriate marker peg using a lump hammer and block of wood.
• Add 10mm (1/2in) spacers, two to each edge, before laying the next slab, and continue checking each slab against the marker pegs using a straight edge and spirit level to ensure they're on a gentle slope away from the house.
• Continue until all the slabs are laid.

Step 6: Finishing

• Leave the slabs to dry for a few days then brush a dry mix of 1:3 cement/sand into the cracks
• Run a round-edged piece of wood along the join to compress the mortar slightly below the slab level
• Brush off the surplus, taking care to remove all traces of the mortar. If the slabs are strongly coloured, cement marks will be very noticeable
• Finish off the perimeter with a moist mortar mix, or use edging stones. Allow to dry for a few more days before using your patio

Tip: Use masking tape on the slab edges and point with moist mortar using a cementing trowel for a clean edge.