Planning
Your Initial Considerations
The first key consideration in the planning process is to define the use of the area to be landscaped. Different areas provide different functions and the required function is essential in determining which materials to use.
Is the landscaping project a means improve the overall appearance of the property?
- Natural & manufactured patio paving, aggregates, cobbles, circles.
Is the landscaping project a means to provide improved access to the property?
- Driveway products such as concrete block paving, setts.
Is the landscaping project a means to provide an external seating or dining area?
- Natural & manufactured patio paving, circles & shapes.
Is the landscaping project a means to tidy up or stop damage to certain areas?
- Utility paving including value range products.
Defining the function of the area is absolutely essential to narrow down your search for a suitable product.
The next step is to view the products which are designed to match the criteria you have. This will enable you to select the products that suit your tastes (including considerations over contemporary and traditional styles), products that blend or contrast with existing features (house colour, existing walls and landscape features) and fit within your budget.
We can supply products that will enable you to be as extravagant or as conservative as you please, without breaking the bank.
Combinations
It is not necessary that you limit your landscaping project to only one type of product, or even colour. A large area consisting of randomly laid flagstones may not have the same overall impact as an area of randomly laid flagstones, combined with a circle feature or interspersed with setts. Try mixing sandstone flags with sandstone setts, even in two contrasting colours, to define areas or borders. The same is true when using concrete block paving for driveway areas. Often, instead of or in addition to a raised kerb, people like to border the drive area with a contrasting block either in the same style or a standard 200×100 block.
Decorative aggregates may also be a consideration to effectively break areas up. Why not try aggregates in certain areas of your patio, planted with perennials, herbs, grasses and alpines? This can enliven the senses to not only sight, but touch, smell and sound too.
Planning the Area
Firstly, the area to be landscaped will have to be carefully surveyed, measuring the area, noting existing features (including any obstacles, trees or manhole covers etc) and determining the levels.
Calculation of the levels or gradient is essential to any paving project, to ensure the area allows water to drain away as quickly as possible. Standing water can easily be a slip hazard and it may also deteriorate the surface and the structure of the paved area.
The amount of fall required largely depends on the type of paving to be used. Smooth surface flags are quicker to drain than riven flags, due to their surface profile and therefore can be laid with less of a gradient. Products with a smooth surface require a minimum fall of 1:60 whereas a product with a riven profile will require a minimum fall of 1:50.
To calculate the gradient, you will need two take two measurements, the depth or vertical height and the horizontal distance of the paved area.
Example Calculation
You are laying an area of sandstone flags, 5 metres in length x 3 metres wide. At the end of the 5 metre length, there is a drainage gully into which you would like the water to run. You decide that the minimum fall of 1:60 is sufficient for draining the patio area:
1:60 = 1/60 = 0.0167
Length = 5000 × 0.0167 = 83.5mm
Patio to fall 83.5mm towards drainage gully.
The area can then be set out as a scale drawing, either on paper or in a software package making note of any features and their relation to each other. If necessary, large areas or those with complicated shapes are often divided into smaller, more manageable sections. The scale drawing will then enable you to calculate the total area you have to be paved.
Example Diagram
Using this area total, Simply Paving will be able to give you an accurate quote for your paving requirements, VAT & delivery (if applicable) inclusive.
If you require any help, please give us a call on 0800 032 6306 and we will try and assist you in all aspects of your landscaping project.
