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Hard Garden Surfaces
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DECKING
PAVING
GRAVEL
For more expert advice read the essential guide to outdoor living.
DECKING
A great solution for levelling a sloping site without having to do any major groundwork, decking can be used to create a platform with steps and balustrades, or simply a seamless link from the inside to out with a patio at the back of your home.
Types of decking
Naturally weather-proof hardwood decking such as oak or cedar needs little treatment, but softer woods need protecting and sealing regularly.
Choose rough-sawn or textured finishes for a non-slip surface and be aware that natural decking can become slippery when wet. Or try a composite material such as TimberTech, which is a low-maintenance and safe option that looks like wood.
If you go for a real wood and want to stain or protect the deck, there's a great selection of waxes, stains and treatments from Cuprinol, some of which are available with spray or roller applicators for quick results.
Laying decking
To keep natural wood decking looking its best for longer, you will need to fix the decking to a frame or raft to keep the planks clear of the ground; you will also need to make sure the site is free draining, otherwise the timbers will rot.
The good news is you can fit a deck over existing patios, but if you're fitting it over a lawn it's worth installing a weed suppressing membrane beneath the deck to stop any unsightly weeds shooting through the cracks once the deck is in place.
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PAVING
Although this may be the traditional choice for outdoor living spaces, you don't have to be traditional in your choice of design or materials. These can range from rough-hewn granite setts to modern polished sandstone. Or go one step further and choose an inside/outside surface such as natural slate and run it from your indoor living space to the patio, combined with a wall of sliding doors for a seamless transition into the garden. Indigenous has a wide selection of natural slate available for use inside and out.
Natural stone is the ultimate choice for patios, with the inevitable variations in colour and texture giving a unique look. Alternatively, consider the stone-effect concrete slabs or reconstructed stone, from suppliers such as Bradstone Garden, Marshalls and B&Q, for a more affordable option.
Laying paving
Before you start fixing paving in place, lay out the slabs to see if you're happy with the size of the patio area and the arrangement of the blocks. This is especially useful when working with different-sized slabs that need to be laid in a random pattern, leaving you free to make any changes before they're fixed. When you come to lay it, you will need to prepare the ground with a good layer of sharp sand but for a more stable surface it's worth using a cement-based foundation instead.
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GRAVEL
If you're after a Mediterranean feel to your outside space, you can't beat a gravel garden filled with fragrant plants and herbs. The usual choice is a golden-coloured stone, but for something a little different consider pebbles or crushed shells or glass, which will work best in smaller areas or as part of a bigger design.
Laying gravel
A gravelled area will require some maintenance, as weeds and even self-seeding plants can take hold. Make sure the ground is well compacted. A weed suppressing membrane underneath the layer of gravel will provide some more protection, but you will have to rake out stray seedlings as and when they appear to keep it looking well maintained. This is quite an easy task, as the roots are unable to get too much of a hold in the loose stones, leaving you with more time to enjoy the garden.
Types of gravel
Try companies such as Specialist Aggregates, which has a wide selection of gravels, crushed shells, pebbles and glass available online. Alternatively, look at sand and gravel aggregate suppliers listed in your local directory.
It is worth shopping around, especially if you have a large area to cover as you are often likely to get much better value for money when buying in bulk. Before you order, be sure to ask the supplier how deep you should lay the aggregate, as this will differ depending on type.
Back to the top
For more expert advice read the essential guide to outdoor living.
DECKING
A great solution for levelling a sloping site without having to do any major groundwork, decking can be used to create a platform with steps and balustrades, or simply a seamless link from the inside to out with a patio at the back of your home.
Types of decking
Naturally weather-proof hardwood decking such as oak or cedar needs little treatment, but softer woods need protecting and sealing regularly.
Choose rough-sawn or textured finishes for a non-slip surface and be aware that natural decking can become slippery when wet. Or try a composite material such as TimberTech, which is a low-maintenance and safe option that looks like wood.
If you go for a real wood and want to stain or protect the deck, there's a great selection of waxes, stains and treatments from Cuprinol, some of which are available with spray or roller applicators for quick results.
Laying decking
To keep natural wood decking looking its best for longer, you will need to fix the decking to a frame or raft to keep the planks clear of the ground; you will also need to make sure the site is free draining, otherwise the timbers will rot.
The good news is you can fit a deck over existing patios, but if you're fitting it over a lawn it's worth installing a weed suppressing membrane beneath the deck to stop any unsightly weeds shooting through the cracks once the deck is in place.
Back to the top
PAVING
Although this may be the traditional choice for outdoor living spaces, you don't have to be traditional in your choice of design or materials. These can range from rough-hewn granite setts to modern polished sandstone. Or go one step further and choose an inside/outside surface such as natural slate and run it from your indoor living space to the patio, combined with a wall of sliding doors for a seamless transition into the garden. Indigenous has a wide selection of natural slate available for use inside and out.
Natural stone is the ultimate choice for patios, with the inevitable variations in colour and texture giving a unique look. Alternatively, consider the stone-effect concrete slabs or reconstructed stone, from suppliers such as Bradstone Garden, Marshalls and B&Q, for a more affordable option.
Laying paving
Before you start fixing paving in place, lay out the slabs to see if you're happy with the size of the patio area and the arrangement of the blocks. This is especially useful when working with different-sized slabs that need to be laid in a random pattern, leaving you free to make any changes before they're fixed. When you come to lay it, you will need to prepare the ground with a good layer of sharp sand but for a more stable surface it's worth using a cement-based foundation instead.
Back to the top
GRAVEL
If you're after a Mediterranean feel to your outside space, you can't beat a gravel garden filled with fragrant plants and herbs. The usual choice is a golden-coloured stone, but for something a little different consider pebbles or crushed shells or glass, which will work best in smaller areas or as part of a bigger design.
Laying gravel
A gravelled area will require some maintenance, as weeds and even self-seeding plants can take hold. Make sure the ground is well compacted. A weed suppressing membrane underneath the layer of gravel will provide some more protection, but you will have to rake out stray seedlings as and when they appear to keep it looking well maintained. This is quite an easy task, as the roots are unable to get too much of a hold in the loose stones, leaving you with more time to enjoy the garden.
Types of gravel
Try companies such as Specialist Aggregates, which has a wide selection of gravels, crushed shells, pebbles and glass available online. Alternatively, look at sand and gravel aggregate suppliers listed in your local directory.
It is worth shopping around, especially if you have a large area to cover as you are often likely to get much better value for money when buying in bulk. Before you order, be sure to ask the supplier how deep you should lay the aggregate, as this will differ depending on type.
Back to the top
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